章 18: Drunk Alpha in his nest

Damon doesn't know what's wrong with him.

A few months ago, he loathed seeing the Omega around. He doesn't say anything, not when he's the one who brought the kid home, but even catching a glimpse of pink hair annoyed him to the core. It's the reason why he arrives at the office earlier than everyone and leaves later than usual - much to the chagrin of Lucy - but recently, it seems like something has changed.

Some of these days, he finds himself thinking of long lashes and carmine eyes—eyes so intensely red for a face that shows nothing but youthful innocence. Without meaning to, his fingers crave to touch the Omega's soft skin while cradling the smaller frame between his arms. Worst of all, his exhausted mind longs to hear from that person living in his house—as if hearing his voice is all the energizer he needs.

Damon hates it.

He hates the way he's slowly but surely accepting the Omega's presence in his life. They're nothing more than pheromone partners, bound under an agreement to fulfill each other's needs for a year, yet when he saw the Omega silently observing him outside the greenhouse, he couldn't stop himself from doing the things he did.

What has gotten into him? It's as if he was possessed.

He doesn't even want to /think/ about it.

Thankfully, being with Heath calms him down. With the Beta visiting the office every lunchtime, always with a homemade drink on hand, Damon spends the rest of his days feeling like he's floating in a bubble. With his lover around, he's more relaxed; there's nothing to worry about anymore.

It's a pleasant feeling, but Heath can't always be there for him, so when Lucy suggested he attends the anniversary party of a partner company, he has no reason to say no.

Mingling with those old foxes in the corporate world, even in a social setting, is akin to entering a battlefield, but when has he ever lost?

If toasting a drink to those who seek cooperation with him gets his mind off the thoughts about the Omega, then so be it.

What's the worst that could happen?

The night feels colder than usual, the season well into winter, but the blanket Uriel provided for Kaiden keeps the chill away. It's soft and just the right weight to keep him comfortable. One look at the brand and he knows that this is one of those blankets specifically made for omegas. He didn't expect that the first gift he receives for his nest would come from the Beta, but he's grateful for it all the same. Now, there are three scents in his nest: his, his aunt Jean's, and Uriel's—albeit the Beta's scent is weaker than the two Omega's, it brings the same sense of comfort.

He didn't need to go to Damon's bedroom tonight because he knows the Alpha is out anyway. Also, with Dr. Medina's assurance that Damon's condition is improving bit by bit, he's not needed every night anymore. He tries not to think about it, so Kaiden wraps himself tight within the nest in the bed and bids himself goodnight.

He sleeps soundly and peacefully at first, this night much like most nights in the Lin Manor. However, he stirs awake well into midnight. Not because of any midnight craving, but because he feels a presence standing by the open door that makes his bleary eyes slowly open.

In normal circumstances, anyone woken up this way would have been scared, but not him, only because the presence feels all too familiar.

He sits up, trying to see in the dark, and in stumbles the tall form of Damon.

The Alpha is unsteady on his feet, his figure somewhat swaying from left to right, and the aroma of wine is unmistakable on his body.

Still, to be sure, Kaiden asks, "Damon? Is that you?"

"Omega," the Alpha answers

"What are you doing here?" he asks but Kaiden isn't sure if Damon is even in the right mind to answer the question.

True to his speculation, Damon only repeats, "Omega."

The moonlight by the window provides dim lighting; Kaiden can only see Damon's somewhat messy suit, his vest is unbuttoned and his necktie is loose. When Damon nears Kaiden's bed, he stops.

Even inebriated, the Alpha knows not to enter an Omega's nest without permission. The knowledge is instinctual, maybe his inner alpha guiding him through his drunken stupor, but the consequences of violating this rule have been proven over the years. There are few omegas who will not attack upon having their nest invaded, but Damon won't be risking testing if Kaiden is one of those omegas.

"May I come in?" The question slurs in Damon's mouth, reaching out with a heavy hand towards the Omega sitting up on the bed.

Kaiden hesitates.

There are a lot of things to be considered before inviting anyone, alpha or not, into one's nest: their level of intimacy, their familiarity with each other, and the sense of security the other provides for the omega. He needs to think about these if he doesn't want his inner omega to go feral at having a stranger inside their designated safe space.

He chews on his bottom lip while thinking about the implication of letting Damon, an unmated Alpha with a lover, into his nest. Is this the best option right now? Will he be chastised the day after? Will it be better to let a drunk man back to his room? Can he even carry Damon if he chooses not to let him in?

However, before he can finish answering the questions in his head, he sees Damon stumble forward over the edge of the bed.

Kaiden is reaching out to catch him in the blink of an eye, crawling forward on his knees with his arms around the other's waist.

A heavy weight falls upon him, his knees barely managing to support both of their bodies. Pressed together, the alcohol scent is even stronger. He turns his head away to avoid the aroma but there's no avoiding it, not with Damon's face on the crook of his neck.

"Damon," he calls out to check if the Alpha is still awake or not, "are you asleep?"

Judging from the way Damon snuggles closer to his scent gland, the Alpha is still somewhat there. Kaiden pulls Damon closer when the bigger man starts sliding to the floor, but instead of pulling him up, he's being pulled down.

"Damon," he calls again but the Alpha doesn't reply. "I can't carry you." That much is obvious.

His arms can't hold on under the weight he has to hold and he doubts if anyone's awake to help him. He can't even get out with the way Damon is leaning on him.

Throwing caution to the wind, he decides it's best if both of them are on the soft bed instead of on the cold hard floor, so he says, "Come inside my nest."

The half-asleep Alpha jolts in an instant. Although his eyes are still heavy-lidded and his movements are sluggish, he moves faster than Kaiden expects him to. He doesn't forget to drag the Omega with him to lie down on the soft bedding.

With both of them sinking to the bed, Damon pulls Kaiden close, he's got one arm under the Omega's head and the other around his waist.

Lying down on his side, Kaiden is unaccustomed to their position. Although he felt them cuddling after a steamy night, he often falls asleep quickly from exhaustion to be conscious whenever the Alpha's strong muscles pull him into an embrace. He doesn't have a chance in the morning either, always waking up alone.

Knowing that this might be his only chance, Kaiden tries to keep himself wide awake. There's not a lot of light for him to work with, but even in the dark, he can see how handsome Damon is. The Alpha has a sharp nose and full lips. If you pair that with his straight brows and poreless skin, it's no wonder a lot of people throw themselves at him.

Kaiden is one of the lucky ones for being able to see this beauty up close.

"You know," he whispers to the sleeping Alpha. He doesn't know what's gotten into him, maybe he is also intoxicated by the liquor, but there's a bravery to be found in the depths of the night, so he continues, "you're the first person to show kindness to me."

He brings a hand to thumb over the closed eyelids, still whispering, "Sometimes, I can feel that coat on my back, covering me. That night … even if I can't remember, I know you cared for me. I felt it."

"My own family doesn't even care for me," he giggles at the silliness but there's a bitterness underneath, thick on his tongue, "only you did, when you don't even know my name."

His words carry themselves over the wind, dying without being heard, yet Kaiden is undeterred.

"Thank you … for showing kindness. I never knew it was possible for anyone to be kind to me until you did. I know it makes me a horrible person but there's a part of me that wishes you never get better … if only it'll make you need me longer."

His eyes sting, the weight of his confession heavy with guilt and relief. "I know you don't like me, but I like you so much. Tell me, what should I do?"

Silence hangs over them.

The tears come before he can blink them away. He lets them fall, warm on his skin and soaking his pillow. It's not the first time he cried and he knows it won't be the last. Still, this time he's not alone; someone is finally holding him while he pours his heart out.

When he's done crying, he mumbles, "That's right, I have no chance. But am I not allowed to love you in my own way?"

Damon, as if responding, nuzzles himself closer. He chuffs twice when he finds Kaiden's scent gland, inhaling deeply despite no pheromones coming out.

He stares at the sleeping Alpha, making sure to burn the picture in his mind.

When Kaiden can't fight his sleep off anymore, he concludes his one-man show with a yawn, and a soft whisper of, "Goodnight, Damon."

The two enter dreamland like that, softly breathing with their limbs tangled together.

Deep in his sleep, Kaiden doesn't wake up when the Alpha, irritated by his Omega's lack of scent, unclasps the inhibitor on his neck.