TW: A bit of abuse

Payton POV:

“Noah!” I call out running in the direction of the gates. “Noah, I swear to god…”

Out of the corner of my eye I see Noah running in the direction of the main building, probably to talk to his dad. He runs into the building knocking over a cook getting ready to make dinner.

I run after Noah and stop to help up the cook. “Oh damn, I’m sorry, a lot is happening right now.” I say grabbing her arm.

“Oh! It’s okay Beta.” she says looking up at me and fluttering her lashes flirtatiously. Ew.

“Um, okay better go help him.” I say awkwardly, letting go of her arm and continue running after Noah.

“...and that's why we need to round up all the omegas in our pack, so I can find my mate!” I come in enough time to hear the end of Noah's rant. “We have to dad, pleease.” Noah begs throwing in some puppy eyes, which are strangely effective.

Johns’ face is stoic. “An omega, huh?” he says staring at a pen on his desk.

I immediately tense. I’m not sure how John feels about omegas, but I know he isn’t against them. It never occurred to me that other pack members wouldn’t support Noah's mate.

I watch as Noah straightens and his begging face changes to a cold one. “Is that a problem?” Noah asks innocently, but anyone could hear the Alpha challenge in his tone. I’m shocked. I’ve never heard Noah use his Alpha abilities.

John, noticing Noah's surprising change in behavior, straightens and stands with a small sigh. “Of course not.” he releases a forced smile. “Let's find your mate.” he claps his hands.

“Yes!” Noah fist pumps all seriousness leaving his face at the thought of his mate. I can’t help the overwhelming sadness that washes through me. I know I’ve only been 16 for a few days but I haven’t found my mate yet and now Noah is finding his and I’m going to be all alone.

Noah notices my expression and shifts over to me. “Whats up? Aren’t you happy?” He does a silly dance. A smile finds its way onto my face and I decide to be honest.

“Its just…” I trail off, “You're finding your mate so you're going to hang out with them and I haven’t found mine so I’m going to be alone”.

“What? That's redonkulous. You’re still my beta and my best friend, I’m not going to stop hanging out with you.” He engulfs me in a hug. I feel myself smile, but I put on a serious face.

“Fine. But as soon as you find your mate you have to help me look for mine,” I say pulling away and sticking out my hand, “Deal”?

Noah smiles a large grin, “Deal!” He slaps his hand in mine and shakes vigorously.

John steps out of his office, hands clasped. “Okay boys,” Noah shoots me an apologetic look.

‘The fuck? He definitely knows, good god’

“I have made phone calls to the families with omegas, all two of them,” he says sarcastically, “One family agreed, the other didn’t answer my call, so I will try again in a little. By tomorrow both omegas will be here at 3:00.”

I can already feel Noah's melt down. “But why can’t I just go over to their houses right now?” He questions.

“Because you are Alpha. If one of their children is going to be Luna, they want the chance to dress them up and make a good first impression.” John explains slowly.

“But that's so fake, and I wanna mess them up anyway.” he whines vulgarly.

“God god Noah, that's gross, no parent wants to hear that.” I say smacking him.

“Sex isn’t gross.” he stats turning up his nose.

I look over at John and he has his face buried in his hands. “This is your son.” I tell him.

“Ugh,” he rolls his eyes, “Go home, go to bed. I’ll give you tomorrow to rest and get ready to find your mate, but that means you have to train the next day.” John said, staring Noah in the eye, hand on his shoulder.

“Got it dad!” Noah said, saluting him.

“Get outta here.” John shoos us away.

“We should go shopping tomorrow.” Noah starts. I look up and he still has a wide grin stretched across his face.

“Sure.” I say casually.

We walk up on the house after a few minutes of walking in silence. I opened the door peacefully this time.

“Bed time!” Noah shouts marching towards his bedroom. I laugh but follow suit.

—————————————————————

Elliot’s POV:

I open my eyes to a dark, medical room, that is definitely not mine. It takes me a minute to recall what happened.

“Good evening!” a cheery woman with a short black bob says coming out from behind the curtain. I recognized her as the school nurse, Louise. “You sure were past out a while. Now,” her face turns serious, “Why don’t you tell me what happened.” She quirks an eyebrow at me.

“W-What? Oh well it...it was nothing.” I finished sadly.

“Mmm.” she hums softly. “Well I hope you find someone to help you with what is going on. Other than whatever abuse, mental or physical, I assume is happening you’re fine for now. You had a panic attack, a pretty bad one if you passed out.”

“Umm, how did I get here?” I asked softly, staring at my hands.

“Hmm your brother brought you here. He was by your bedside but I sent him out, because he kept asking me questions.” she says looking at her clipboard.

“Oh.” I mutter, shocked. I’m surprised Lucas didn’t beat me, I definitely didn’t expect him to bring me to the nurse and stay next to me. “When can I go?”

“I guess you can go now if you want.” she says unsure.

“Okay.” I stand up and wobble a bit, but other than that I seem fine. “Thank you.” I say timidly.

“It’s all good, hun.” Ms. Louise says smiling at me.

I smile back and head to the door. “Lucas?” I call out questioningly, not sure I even want him to be here. “Lucas?” I call a little louder.

“Elliot!” Lucas races back around the corner. “You dummy!” he slaps me on the back of my head, “What were you so worried about. Calm your tits.” Lucas scolds me with a scowl.

“I-who- You were worried?” I ask timidly. Lucas blanches, his mouth hanging open.

“I-uh-what?” he says dumbly.

“You’ve never looked out for me or cared before?” I whisper, lightly.

“Ha. I-uh… Dad would be pissed if I left you here, so yeah.” He excuses, his head held high with a scowl, but I see his cheeks pinkening slightly. “Let’s get outta here.” he pats my arm, before making his way to the door.

I try to push down the timid smile but can’t and let it overcome my face. I practically skip to Lucas.

‘Don’t forget.’ I remind myself of what went down only this morning. ‘Yeah, yeah’ I say to myself, I couldn’t possibly. The humiliation isn’t easily forgotten.

“Hand me your keys.” Lucas demands standing at the drivers side of my car.

“Huh?” I question.

“You don’t need to drive in your condition.”

“I’m-”

“No. I’ll drive.”

I relent handing him my keys. “Fine. But be careful.”

“I got this butterb-, sorry Elliot.” he corrects sheepishly.

I beam and skip to the passenger side of the car. I get in and watch as Lucas smiles and shakes his head. “Better not act like that around dad,” Lucas ruffles my hair, “He’ll be pissed”.

“Right.” I say, the smile melting off my face at the thought of home.

Lucas clears his throat, “Sorry about this morning. I went way too far, I was pissed and- well I guess that shouldn’t be an excuse,” he lets out a sharp, sardonic laugh, “I’ve been an ass pretty much since you presented. I don’t hate you though. I did. All I knew is that dad hated you so I should too. I didn’t know what an omega was, all I knew was they were bad. As I went into 8th grade and we learned about all that, I realized you weren’t bad. It’s kinda a miracle.” I balk at that, “But by that point I had a reputation, at home and at school. Dad doesn't like me very much and I didn’t want to give him a reason to hate me more. So I continued. I didn’t realize how bad I freaked you out or how sad you were. And,” he starts babbling, “I’m not expecting you to forgive me or magically fix our relationship, but I just wanted you to know I’m sorry and I won’t treat you badly anymore.” he coughs awkwardly at the end of his rant.

I stare at his profile as he drives, shocked. I probably look like a cartoon character. Mouth hanging open, eyes wide. I don’t know what I expected to happen but that surely wasn’t it. ‘He thinks I’m a miracle.’ I knew I wouldn’t forget what he did, and I’m probably going to be cautious of him for a while, but the fact that he’s sorry and being so sweet makes me want to cry.

“Okay… You can stop gawking now.” he chuckles awkwardly.

I feel one tear slip down my face. Then two. Next thing I know I’m sobbing.

“Whoa, whoa!” Lucas swerves over to the side of the road. “I’m sorry, so sorry!” he panics waving his hand around, but doesn't touch me.

I rub my eyes then lean over to hug him. “That’s so sweet!” I sob into his shoulder.

“Oh.” He mutters quietly. My tears quiet as he wraps his arms around me awkwardly. “It’s okay, umm, ...there, there?”

I giggle, pulling back, my tears subsiding. “‘There, there’”? I laugh.

He laughs, “Sorry, I’m new at this big brother thing.” he face turns somber, “Sorry ‘bout that.”

I wince, “It’s fine.” I settle back in my seat and stare at my hands, “Well it’s not fine, and I’m not going to forget what you did, but I forgive you if it doesn’t happen again.”

“Fair,'' he says, “But I don’t think I can be your big bro around Dad.” I look up, upset. “I’m not going to be mean like I normally am, but I just- can’t around Dad.” he says, refusing to look at me.

“That’s fine.” I say, meaning it. I understand what it’s like to be on that side of dad, and I don’t wish that on him. He looks at me sharply, unsure. “Really, I understand.” I smile timidly.

“Okay,” he says, shoulders relaxing. He starts up the car and pulls out onto the road. “So… You got a girlfriend?”

I stare at him. “Lucas I’m gay.” I thought that was obvious.

“What?” Lucas looks shocked. “Uh… I”

“I thought that was obvious.” I look at Lucas’ weirded out face. “You… don’t like that?” I question, bracing for his answer.

“I-well… I just think it's weird. I don’t understand wanting to put your dick up another man's ass.” He shakes his head.

“Well it’s more like I want another man's dick up my ass,” I mumble.

“What?!”

“But! I guess it's fine if you don’t understand. As long as you're supportive.” I shrug.

“Okay… I can do that.” He pauses looking out at the road, “So… like. No vagina?” he looks at me.

“No. That's icky.” I say sticking out my tongue in mock disgust. “But I am attracted to guys, it's not all about their genitals.”

“Man. You’re weird.” He says. We both laugh, and I know he’s saying it as a joke.

“So. Didn’t find your mate today?” He asks nervously.

I deflate, “No.”

“Sorry. Me neither. For like the past two years.” I can tell it’s supposed to be a joke, but I can hear the bitterness in his voice.

“You wish you had a mate?” I ask gently.

“Of course, everyone wants a mate. Dad didn’t have one and settled for Mom and look how happy we all are.” He says bitterly, his hand tightening on the steering wheel.

“Yeah? I’m sure you have one.”

“Me too.”

“Really, how do you know?” I question, raising my brow.

“I haven’t always known, but recently, like the last day or two, I can feel her, in my gut.” He says with a firm nod.

“How do you know they’re a girl.?”

“Well I don’t know know but I’m straight so it must be a girl.” he shrugs.

“Mmm okay…” I say unconvinced.

“Judge me all you want, but I feel them. Anywho, I bet you’ll find your mate too.” He looks at me.

“I hope so.” I sink into my chair.

“We’re here.”

“Yay.” I sink further in my chair.

We get out of the car and Lucas unlocks the door with my keys. We walk in and the only light comes from the kitchen where I can hear Mom cooking and the TV where dad sits.

“Lucas go do your homework, I need to talk to Elliot.” My father says coldly.

Lucas shoots me a look asking if I’m good. I shrug my shoulders and shoo him away. He’s not talking to me in a different tone then normal so I’m sure he's just going to tell me I’m useless. I walk over to dad and stand to the right of the TV. My father is unfairly handsome. He has short cut hair and beard both a dark chocolate brown. He’s still ridiculously fit despite almost never getting off the couch. I guess it’s that werewolf metabolism.

“I got a call from the school.” He moves his eyes from the TV to me. I wince under his gaze.

‘Fuck, never mind. This is not going to go well.’

“Said somethin’ about a panic attack.” He rises from his chair. “It’s one thing to freak out by yourself, but now you're bringing Lucas down with you.” He takes a step towards me and I flinch back, “And to make matters worse, the school is now suspecting me of abuse.” My eyes widen.

“I-uh-I don’t-” I stammer as he stalks towards me slowly.

“I think you’re getting cocky. What? Find a mate?” he looks at my face and smirks. “Didn’t think so. Don’t think anyone can save you.”

He stalks toward me and I have just enough time to flinch and close my eyes before he strikes me on the cheekbone. I cry out and fall onto the table before rolling off onto a beer bottle.

“Fucking bitch. Think you’d be good for something.” Father spits.

He rams his foot into my stomach and I can't breathe. I wheeze on the floor, feeling something run down my chin that I think is saliva until I wipe it and my fingers a covered red.

“Stand up whore. Don’t tell me you're down already.” he sneers and walks up to me. He grabs my collar and pulls me up to him. My head lolls and I watch as he inspects me. He sneers and throws me onto an end table. As I hit it I knock a delicate glass vase onto the floor, my face hits the floor first and I feel it shatter under my face. I let out a screech as Father steps on my face pushing the glass shards in my skin.

I hear footsteps thunder down the stairs that must belong to Lucas. “What the fuck Dad!?” I hear Lucas shout somewhere behind me. I feel Dad pick his foot up off my face and I silently thank Lucas for coming down. I feel myself being roughly picked up but I can’t see well enough to tell who. I feel myself being thrown and I hit someone's feet.

I look up and see the outline of Lucas’ face. “Lucas.” I croak happily.

“Hit him”

“W-What?” Lucas stammers, looking up.

“You heard me. Hit. Him.” Father threatens.

“No,” Lucas says defiantly.

“What!?” Father outrages.

“I’m not going to hurt my brother, asshole.” Lucas crouches down to me brushing my hair out of my face. I wince as he hits glass that must be still stuck in my face.

“Mal, there's a-ah!” my mom starts timidly before catching the sight of all of us.

“What do you want, women!” Father yells at Mom angrily, his eyes not leaving Lucas.

“Uh,” Mom looks at me, “You have a phone call, it-”

“Bitch, didn’t I tell you to ignore the phone.” I flinch. I’ve never heard Father talk to my mom like that.

“The number called three times so I thought it m-might be important.” she says looking at her feet.

“Well? Who the hell is it.” My father finally looks at her.

“Alpha.” She mumbles.

“What?” Dad growls.

“It’s the Alpha.” She cries out.

“Shit.” Dad and Lucas say at the same time.

“What did he want, Mareen?” Dad demands.

“He needs him.” she whispers.

“Who, Lucas.” He asks, grabbing her arms. Lucas tenses.

She shakes her head, “No." She points a finger at me.