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"You've been checking your phone this whole time. Is your mom going to call you today or something?" Elven asked, a little bit upset. He just wasn't used to Lan's actions since when they're together they never lose a topic to talk and his attention is always on him. If it wasn't, it'll be when he's worried about something about home like his mom or sister.

"Nothing. I'm sorry. What was it again?" Lan replied. He was actually waiting for Reese to reply but he had been waiting and the Beta had put his text on read which was very unusual.

"Well, I was saying... Sammy was asking about you. She was hoping to hang out with the both of us tomorrow evening. Maybe after you finish with your horseback riding practice? Or I could come with you at your practice like always and I miss Evy too." Elven repeated, mentioning the Alphas horse. It's been a while since they hung out and the Alpha used to let him ride horses over the weekend so he kinda missed that.

"Oh... I actually have plans tomorrow so I'm not going to the ranch. Don't worry, I'll call Sammy and send her a few gifts too," Lan replied, remembering that he and Reese had planned to go grocery shopping after his part time job so needs to go pick him up. Furthermore, he already planned to go on a date and he was hoping to surprise the Beta about it. Reese didn't seem to like letting everyone know they're in a relationship but that doesn't mean he wouldn't go ahead and plan a date. He was quite excited about it since it'll be his first time and he had a lot of places in mind.

"Oh... were you planning to go back home for the weekend?"

"Oh no... Reese and I planned to go grocery shopping..." Lan replied with a smile. This will be his second time going grocery shopping and it still excites him. On the other hand, losing his smile but quickly putting it back awkwardly as he nodded. He knew it was impossible for their friendship to go back to the way it was but he was kinda hoping that it would. Unfortunately, he could tell the Alpha still tries to avoid him which he understood. Lan did say that he wanted to move on and couldn't do that beside him and he respected that.

"I understand. Good luck grocery shopping then... I'll make sure to tell Sammy not to take it to you..." Elven smiled.

"Thank you. Maybe next time I'll take you to visit Evy..." Lan replied with a smile. From there they converse but occasionally it would suddenly get silent until it was time to go back. 

"Thanks for the lunch. I missed your food," Lan smiled, helping Elven up. It was almost time for the afternoon class so they needed to go back before the teacher.

"You're  welcome. If you want, I can cook for you like always," Elven giggled, relieved that the tension between them had slightly become better. It's unfortunate that his invite was declined but he was sure there will be a time when they can comfortably hang out and talk to each other like before.

"It's okay. Reese cooks for us everyday. He says it's much easier to cook for two than one," Lan replied but to be honest, the Beta cooks better too. He felt bad for declining Elven since he had always cooked for him since he started picking up the hobby but he can't really be a bother to the Omega any longer, especially when he already had Reese. Back then, making the Omega cook for him was like his way to make sure they would hang out but he no longer needs to do that if he wants to move on.

"It's true... Well, just tell me if I miss my food. I'll cook for you anytime," Elven replied. A little disappointed but he couldn't deny the argument.

"Yeah sure," Lan chuckled. They continued to walk back but as they were about to reach their building, Lan suddenly paused hearing his phone ring signifying that he had received a text. He had been waiting for Reese to reply this whole time so unlike before where he didn't bother to check his phone when he was with the Omega, this time he almost immediately took out his phone to check and when the name of the Beta flashed on his screen, a subtle smile appeared on his lips as he quickly opened the message. On the other hand, looking at the Alpha curiously, Elven wondered who it could be.

Lan never had anyone except him, his family, and now Reese. There could only be a number of people who can make the Alpha react this way. Elven waited for Lan to finish but he quickly got concerned when his friend's smile suddenly dropped.

"What is it?" Elven asked worriedly, looking at the Alpha's expression.

"I don't know. I need to go to check. You can go ahead without me. Cover for me if I don't get back on time..." Lan asked and without waiting for more, he left, leaving Elven still wondering what had happened. Meanwhile, after reading Reese's message, at first he was glad that the Beta had come back but he got worried when he told him that he wasn't feeling well and was going to skip afternoon class.

Of course there was no reason for him to go check, especially when the Beta told him not to worry and just focus on his upcoming classes, but he couldn't help feeling worried. If nothing is actually going on then he'd leave immediately, he'll just have to check for a bit to make sure.

"O–kay..." whispering his reply in the air while watching the Alpha run, Elven continued to worry. He wanted to help but he also understood that he might just also be a bother so after a while, he finally left wishing everything would be okay.

On the other hand, finally arriving at their dormitory, Lan rushed to his door and quickly slid his card to open the door.

"Reese?" He called as soon as he stepped inside panting from his run. When he didn't receive a reply, a frown form on his forehead and he looked around. The lights weren't even on so he knew the Beta wasn't in the living room. However, since the Beta had said he had gone back, he knew he was so there was no place he could be but his room.

"Reese?" knocking on the door, Lan called softly. This is the first time he had even gone near the Beta's room since he never had a reason to even go near it before so now he's a little bit nervous for some reason.

"Can I open the door? I'm worried..." Lan said again. For the Beta to suddenly decide that he was not going to class despite saying earlier this morning that he can't skip class even with a hangover was quite suspicious. Additionally, he had gone back home and went back right away so he thought something must have happened and he couldn't help worrying. Just thinking about losing the Beta's smile upset him that he wanted to see him right away.

"I'm opening it... I'll just check and then go if you're fine..." Lan mentioned, hearing no reply from the other side. Reese could have been sleeping so it's fine. Just a little glimpse of him would ease up whatever feeling he had in chest.

"Reese?" Lan called softly after twisting the door open and peeking inside. Since this was the first time he had been inside the Beta's room, he was careful. Relief found him when he saw Reese in the bed sleeping with his blanket covering him all the way to his head. It hasn't even been 10 minutes since he texted him but he's already asleep. He's thinking the Beta must have pushed himself too much after forcing himself to go to class despite having a headache.

". . ." Lan smiled subconsciously and walked towards the bed, making sure he wouldn't wake up the Beta. He even adjusted the AC thinking the temperature must have been too cold for the Beta to be covering himself all the way to his head.

"I told you not to come..." Reese suddenly said, still covering himself. He had forgotten to lock his door but he thought that if he didn't reply, the Alpha would just think that he's sleeping and just go. Unfortunately, he didn't and now he might see the bruise on his face and his puffy eyes.

"I was worried..." Lan simply replied with a frown. It wasn't noticeable but Reese's voice had changed and he sounded like he had been crying. He didn't want to probe but as soon as he heard the Beta sniffle, he knew he was right explaining the reason why he's hiding.

"I told you I'm fine. Just go already..." Reese whined as his voice cracked. He wasn't used to having someone around when he's crying especially when it's about his mom so the Alpha being here showing such concern is just making him cry even more. On the other hand, hearing his lover's voice crack, Lan frowned even more before he pulled the blanket away exposing Reese's tear filled face. He didn't know why he's crying or if it's something he could help but he'd like to know.

"What happened?" Lan asked in concern, Reese wasn't even an Omega but he lowered his voice making sure he was gentle enough so he would not scare the Beta aways. He couldn't explain it but there was just something in Reese that triggered the Alpha instincts in him. He didn't feel repulsed by it but it is weird. To treat a Beta like an Omega, he was hoping Reese wouldn't get upset.

"Nothing... I'm fine... Please just go to class. You're going to be late soon," Reese said almost begging as he tried his best not to cry and make the Alpha worry. 

"How can I go when my lover's in this state? Of course, I'm gonna worry..." Lan said and attempted to wipe Reese's tears but as soon as his eyes landed on the faint bruise on the Beta's cheeks, his eyes became sharper and anger started bubbling inside him. On the other hand, upset at the Alpha's words knowing that Lan didn't even like him and was just using him to move on from the person he truly liked, he pushed him in anger. It was nice having someone and pretend he wasn't alone but he could no longer lie to himself because in reality, he had no one. Not his mom and especially not Lan.

"Q-Quit playing! Y-You don't even l-like me... I refused to be l-lied to and used again so find s-someone else... I-I'm fine by myself," Reese cried in an outburst trying to push Lan away. There was no one on his side. Meanwhile, listening to the Beta, Lan felt hurt. Something inside his chest tightened seeing Reese this way. He thought he was quite lively, he didn't seem to be going through something but now he could tell this wasn't just a simple tantrum. He could tell the Beta the going through something that he doesn't know. So without a care whether the Beta was pushing him away, Lan pulled him into a hug, never letting him escape his embrace.

"I do like you, Reese... If not, how do I explain the tightness in my chest seeing you cry like this? How do I explain the undying concern I have when I see a simple scrape you have on your knees or the unpleasant feeling when you don't smile at me.The unexplained interest I have when you walk around or the excitement and joy I feel whenever you're around? While it's true that I have someone else in my heart right now, I can tell that it's slowly turning into you," Lan conveyed softly, making sure to cover Reese with his embrace.

"I know it hasn't been a while and you can't trust me but I promise you... I don't intend to use and hurt you..." Lan added, kissing Reese's head hoping that he'd calm down and let him comfort him. He didn't say a single lie

"Y-You're lying... Y-You Alpha's a-always do..." Reese only mumbled between his sobs. It's embarrassing to think that he's acting this way despite his age but he couldn't help it. He felt betrayed for the hundredth time and now he's trying to push the only person he has left thinking he too would betray and leave him one day.

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To be Continued...