I’m catching the train to your house. It’s a long story.

-Erin

If he called Nina she would throw a fit about him catching the train at this hour, but what he’d said to the bellman was true. Traffic at this hour on a Friday night was stop and go. Still, Nina was firm about him catching the subway so late at night.

I’ll be fine…

He told himself as he jogged down the stairs that led to the metro. It smelled as foul as ever, a combination of old cheese, burnt rubber, and urine. Erin sat his overnight bag on the seat next to him. From the look of the terminal, he’d just missed a train. Only him and one other guy were waiting silently on the platform.

Erin sighed and covered his face with his hands. He had no idea what he was going to do. When he took the job as Annalee’s nanny he got rid of his apartment, and while he was sure Nina wouldn’t mind him staying, Erin hated infringing on her personal space.

“Where you headed, Cutie?”

Erin uncovered his face and looked up to a dirty blond-haired gentleman with an oily smile, and the stench of liquor.

“…I’m headed to my sisters.” Erin sat up a little straighter, gripping the handle of his bag.

“You and your Alpha have a fight?”

“What?” Erin followed the man’s eyes to the overnight bag next to him. “Oh. No!” Erin shook his head and blushed fiercely. His heart began to race at the mere insinuation that he and Remy were bonded. “Remy isn’t my—that is to say—I’m not his—”

The Alpha’s deep cackle cut Erin’s stuttering explanation. “It must be one of those situationships.”

“It’s not!” Erin answered without thinking. “We’re not even together!”

The man quirked a brow Erin’s way, “Is that so…” he said slowly. Erin could see his greedy smile widen as he licked the tip of his sharp fangs. It was a subtle show of dominance. Subtle, but not unnoticed.

“I was wondering what a pretty thing like you was doing on the train by himself this late.” He pulled out a cigarette and Erin scowled. If there was one thing he hated more than a presumptuous Alpha, it was a presumptuous Alpha that smoked.

“Mind if I sit here?”

Erin opened his mouth to say ‘yes, he minded’, but the Alpha already took the empty seat. Erin tightened his jaw as he moved his bag from the other side, hoping one of the arriving passengers would take the seat next to him.

“I’m Paul by the way.” He lit the cigarette with habitual grace.

“Erin…” Erin mumbled, pulling in his shoulders so their arms wouldn’t accidentally touch. Paul wasn’t unattractive, but he made Erin uneasy, despite the man’s supposed friendliness.

“Beautiful name for a beautiful Omega.”

“Thank you,” Erin whispered coldly, avoiding his piercing gaze.

“Now, like I was saying.” Paul blew the smoke out of his nose, waving his hand theatrically. “If you were my Omega." He pounded against his chest. "I would have already claimed you.” Erin didn’t respond, but that did nothing to deter him. “Alpha’s these days don’t know what they’ve got until it’s gone.”

“I already told you no one has me,” Erin replied impatiently.

“It’s okay, Cutie. You don’t have to pretend.” Paul leaned in to scent him and Erin jerked back, appalled. He nearly gagged from the potent smell of sour bourbon and stale cigarettes on the Alpha's breath. Erin raised his hand to push back, and Paul gripped his wrist firmly. “I can smell him all over you.”

“Let go of me,” Erin gasped. He tried to yank his arm out of Paul’s grasp, but he held firm.

“Why don’t you come stay at my place tonight. We’ll have a lot more fun than you and your sister.” Paul winked and licked his lips.

“No!” Erin bit out. “I’m not interested!”

“Aww, come on.” Paul’s eyes narrowed, and he dug into Erin’s wrist with his talon-like nails. “Don’t be like that…”

“Let. Go. Of. Me,” Erin grit through his teeth. “Now!” It was Paul’s last warning. In one swift movement, Erin attacked. He raised his hand up to his ear, simultaneously connecting the heel of his palm to Paul's face. The Alpha's head twisted, and Erin's knuckles cracked against the bridge of his nose.

"Fuck!" Paul lowered his head. The blood he couldn’t collect in his hands dripped to the grimy ground.

“Oh God!” Erin jumped up from his seat, rushing over to help. He panicked as the blood continued to flow from Paul’s nose. “Are you okay? I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to—”

“You fucking broke my nose!” Paul roared as he dove toward Erin and took a wild swing, but Erin was too quick. He took a step back to dodge and block the drunken punch, grabbed Paul's massive arm and twisted it behind his back. The Alpha tried to pull away, but the harder he struggled the more firmly Erin pinned him. “Ahhhhh!” Paul screamed out in pain. “Let go of me!”

“Not until you apologize!” Erin snapped.

“I’m sorry!” the Alpha howled out. Several of the passengers began to crowd the scene, whispering anxiously. “Please, I’m sorry!”

“Erin!” Erin jumped when he heard Remy practically bark his name. He gasped when he saw the Alpha running at full speed toward him.

Erin loosened his hold on Paul’s wrist. His palms began to sweat, and his mouth went dry. Partly due to the adrenaline currently rushing through him...partly...because...

Alpha.

Erin hurled himself into Remy’s outstretched arms when he was close enough. Remy crushed him into a hug, hushing Erin’s Omegan whines. It was a distress call to Remy; involuntary, but necessary in times of danger.

Erin shuddered as Remy stroked through his blond hair, thumbing his temples and scenting him unashamedly. He caressed the back of Erin’s neck and rubbed his cool cheek against Erin’s chin. Erin felt as if he’d be lifted off the ground, but it was only Remy’s hand pressing the small of his back, reassuring him in the way only an Alpha could. Purely instinctual, Erin knew. And yet, Erin would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy the gentle caress.