LJ was stretching out his arm and leg while waiting for Ash. He does a few squats and lounges. Focusing on stretching out his muscle, LJ did not realize that he had attracted a small crowd. He turns around and looks at the people who had gathered. They all squeal at excitement and waves at him. LJ smiles at them causing them to be swoon in heaven.

Minutes later, Ash finally arrived at the location with Hazel. LJ was still stretching and waving at his gathered fans. He noticed Ash a little bit later and gave him a wave causing all of his fan’s attention to turn towards Ash. 

“Hi there Hazel,” said LJ as he walks towards them, “Didn’t expect to see you with Ash.”

Hazel greets LJ. Ash looks at their surroundings, “Do you have to attract a crowd everywhere you go?”

“I’m an Alpha,” said LJ with a full on charmful smile, “I can’t help it.”

Ash was taken back in disgust. He really can’t believe it sometimes that this casanova was his friend. Then again, this casanova was his only friend that was good at fighting. Orpha can fight, but he would run away when the chance arose. Not that Ash could blame him, when he was a person like that as well.

“Then, I’ll leave you to your training,” said Hazel as she continues Bobo’s walk.

“Okay,” Ash leans down and pat Bobo, “See you next time.”

Bobo barks at Ash and licks his hand. He nuzzled against Ash’s hand and gave him a puppy stare. Ash smiles at Bobo brightly. He was restraining himself from snuggling Bobo, because he knew that if he snuggles him, then he won’t be able to let go. It’s been a long time since he encounter fluffy animals. 

“You should really control your expression,” said LJ, “You look like you’re going to eat Hazel’s dog. What’s the dog’s name by the way?”

“Bobo,” Ash answered as he ruffled Bobo’s head, “Cute little Bobo.”

“Alright Mister Fluffy lover, time for training remember,” said LJ.

“Don’t remind me…” said Ash with a downcast expression.

Hazel chuckles at his reaction. She glances at Bobo who didn’t want to part away from Ash as well. She gave out a sigh, “Well, if it’s fine with you two, can I tag along as well?”

“I don’t see the harm,” said LJ with a smile, “If it makes this dude more motivated than I’m alright with it.”

“Yes…!” Ash unknowingly yelled out.

LJ wanted to ask if Ash was that stressed out to be yelling out like that, but he held back. Whatever helps Ash do his training seriously, he’ll take it.

******

After three hours of constant training, LJ decided that they should go on a break. They went to a family restaurant that allowed animals to have lunch. Ash was dead tired with a blank expression. He had a feeling that LJ must have worked out alot to have all those muscles and abs, but he didn’t think that it was this much. And what else? LJ told him that this was just beginner level. That he was just going easy on him and with the course.

LJ finishes giving his order before heading to the bathroom. Hazel also gave her order and waited for the food to arrive. Bobo was taken to the pet playground so that the owners could eat. As they wait for their food, Ash suddenly jolts out from his exhausted state. He quickly grabs the cup of cold water on the table and quickly drinks it. As soon as he finished drinking the water, he set the cup back on the table with a huge sigh.

“I saw my grandparents on the other side calling me just now…” said Ash with an ashed expression.

“I don’t think the workout was that deadly,” Hazel sips her drink.

Ash leans on top of the table, “You have no idea… Curse you LJ, I’ll get you for this…”

“I’m doing this free of charge, and you’re cursing me? Wow, what a friend you are,” said LJ who came out of the restroom.

“Free of charge?!” Ash gets up from the table, “My mom is paying you.”

“It’s the feelings that count.”

Ash looks at him with a paused expression, “I don’t know what to say to that…”

Their lunch arrived. LJ and Ash ordered a special chef made hamburger while Hazel got a sandwich. As they ate their food, LJ began a conversation to make the silence go away.

“So, how’s Emily doing?” he asked.

“Good,” Hazel answered back, “She should be back to school soon.”

“Oh right,” Ash finishes chewing his bite on his hamburger, “Were you able to get in contact with Emily’s parents?”

Hazel’s mouth stops chewing the piece of sandwich in her mouth. She slowly looks at Ash as she was not expecting him to ask her that question.Ash meets her eyes but seconds later, she turns her gaze away from him and returns to eating her sandwich.

“No,” Hazel answered, “They weren’t available.”

“Not available?” Ash blinks at her, “Their daughter was in the hospital because she got attacked, they weren’t available? What kind of parents is that?”

Hazel made a small chuckle at his remark, “People who aren’t parents…”

“Or just scums…” LJ mumbles out.

“Hmm?”

LJ smirks at Ash and ruffles his hair, “Stop worrying about other people and worry about yourself. You haven’t even finished the one mile in thirty minutes at all.”

“Ah, get off my back,” said Ash as he bites away his hamburger.

Hazel glances at LJ who returns her look. He smiles at her and eats away his hamburger. Since it was the first day for Ash, LJ decided to let him rest for the day. It was already late in the afternoon. LJ and Hazel drop Ash off at his house since it was on their way back to their place as well. Ash gives Bobo a huge before he goes home.

Hazel was going to head back to her place by herself, but LJ and Ash insisted that LJ accompany her. Ash wanted to come along but since he was an Omega, there was a high risk for him. Also, LJ couldn’t protect both of them should something happen since there’s no telling when Roe’s lackeys might strike again.As they walk towards Hazel’s place, Hazel starts up a conversation.

“You can head back now,” said Hazel, “Ash isn’t here so there’s no need to keep up the front anymore.”

“No can do,” said LJ, “It’s not a gentleman of me to leave a lady by herself.”

“A lady…?” Hazel gave a light chuckle, “What a peculiar thing to say…”

Hazel stops walking and turns her attention to him, “Then, if I say that I don’t want you to know where I live, will you leave me alone?”

Because Hazel went as far as to saying that, LJ had no choice but to stop accompanying her. If he ignores her and still went on to accompany her, then he wouldn’t be a gentleman anymore. Moreover, he could tell that Hazel didn’t want to spend another second with him. He didn’t want to force her nor was it in his nature to do so.

“Very well,” said LJ as he nodded, “But if Ash asked, it wasn’t me that refused to accompany you.”

Hazel nods with gratitude and leaves with Bobo. LJ watches Hazel leaves. When she was no longer in his sight, he finally headed back to his place. LJ wonders why Hazel was firm on not allowing LJ to accompany her on her way back. 

Hazel reached her place and went up the staircase. She walked towards her door and saw a package left in front of her door. She picks up the package, unlocked her door, and enters her place. Hazel took off the lease on Bobo allowing him to roam freely. Hazel places the package on the table and opens it up. The package was filled with bottles of prescription and pills. There was even a paper instruction inside. Hazel opened up the paper and a daily log was stuck in between the instructions. There was even a small letter as well. Hazel opens up the letter.

The dosage should last for three months. Please send the evaluation before the dosage deplets.

Hazel crumbles up the letter and throws it away. She opens the bottle and swallows up two pills without reading the same old instruction she had read from before. There were no changes in them and there wasn’t going to be any in the future.

To Be Continue