Almost a week passed without any type of progress in the unfreezing of Sebestian. Rose had stayed by his side the entire time while Fred was practically ripping his hair out in frustration over the scent. Rose was worried, but Fred had reassured her that it didn't matter if it took time, Sebestian would be fine because of the state he was in, Fred was just annoyed he couldn't seem to undo the scent.Allen had also showed up after her shift had finished, having believed she would find Sebestian who had left a voice message, but ended up staying to help with the undoing of the scent instead. Allen (as Sebestian second in command) kept every other Alpha away and she'd also met with anyone wishing to see Sebestian. "They can't know" Allen had said, explaining that if they knew Sebestian wasn't leading and about the state he was in, there could be a power struggle with others wanting to take his place as Alpha. Damon had come by several times, but with Fred and Allen both working, Damon ha
Was it just a coincidence or did she sense something, smell something? Rose didn't recognize her, meaning she was probably someone newly sent from pack or transferred, it didn't surprise him that she knew her though as the family was well known. "I need a..." Rose struggled to find the words she needed to describe her situation "check of, you know, I just need to see someone maybe?"The young woman smiled sweetly and nodded "Follow me, ma'am" she said with a chipper voice as she turned, leading Rose down the hall. While walking, she asked her why she thought she needed to see them and Rose tried to explain with as few words as possible that there were some concerns about her health and about the episode with Sebestian. Stopping outside a room, the brown-haired woman stopped and opened the door. "Please wait here, Dr. MacLeod will be with you shortly" she smiled and held the door to the small examination room open for him. Alec didn't recognize the name, maybe the entire medical staff
They were almost all the way to the exit when Rose stopped at the sound of Ash's voice. "Rose, Rose! What's going on?" Ash was making his way past the other who were following them, only held back my Ray's living shield."Stay back, Alpha!" Ray hissed, tightening the grip on the whimpering woman's throat. "I am taking Rose back to her Alpha"Rose was still struggling to pay attention, her mind in a jumble."Rose?" Ash addressed her directly, ignoring Ray and Rose was pretty sure he would ignore the woman as well if he thought Rose was in trouble.Rose's head spun and she steadied herself on Ray "Let me, let-" she stuttered, struggling to get the words out "-me go. I need, need to go" Rose tried, wanting to explain but it was taking all of her energy just to stay standing.Ash looked bewildered, his eyes darting between the three of them and Rose was sure (even in this state) that she could see the wheels turning in her head. "If you hurt her–""Shut up" Ray shouted, clearly not in the
Waking up to the feeling of Rose pressed against him, Sebestian instantly tightened his arm around her and kissed the top of the head. Hearing her apologies had his heart break for what felt like the 10th time that day as he shook his head, running his hand down her back. "No, no sweetheart. I'm sorry, I should never have shouted at you, I should never have accused you of... of" he ended, unable to finish the sentence. He was his Alpha and though he wasn't the big bruting type to think that Omegas were weaker needing protecting, he did feel like he had failed Rose and feeling the wetness of his tears against his neck only strengthened that feeling.Digging her fingers into the soft fabric of Sebestian shirt, Rose rubbed her cheek against his neck, feeling the need to scent him and then pulled a little back and tipping her head to the side, keeping her eyes closed as she waited for Sebestian to accept the invitation to scent her back. She needed Sebestian to do it, to show that he was
"Miss. Rose, I presume. I am awfully sorry to disturb you at this hour, but I have a light issue" The man explained politely, his tone deep and calm and he had a friendly look on his face. "My name is Oskar Von Rosenheim; I am Fred's Alpha, and I was wondering if you would be so kind as to inform him of my presence as it seems I am unable to reach him on his telephone" Oskar said and Rose felt herself relax. It being Oskar explained why she wasn't feeling as hostile towards him as she had been with Mell or even Ash at times. Oskar was a mated Alpha and now that Rose knew, it was easy to identify Fred's scent on him, even if it was faint.Fred had been going home to see Oskar at least once a day even when he was working on lifting the scent Rose had accidentally cast on Sebestian, but of course he hadn't for at least 24 hours now, so it made sense that his scent was weak. "I didn't know he was still here, I guess he's still sleeping" Rose confessed, opening the door a little further as
Reaching up to gently cup Sebestian' face, Rose smiled as Alexander slowly stirred. They had spent most nights in Rose's nest now, mainly because she felt like she could relax more easily there but also because it was just kind of nice to be totally surrounded by every comforting scent she knew."Morning" Sebestian mumbled as he inhaled slowly, taking in the soft warm scent of Rose. It was still driving him insane and for a few days after the incident, he had tried to put a little bit of distance between them because of what might have happened to Rose. His Omega wanted none of it through and Sebestian hadn't protested. Rose had a glow about him, her skin was softer than ever, and her scent was so appealing to Sebestian it was hard for him to keep his hands off her, so he was beyond pleased that he didn't have to. "Did you sleep well?" he continued after Sebestian had whispered a good morning back at her.Smiling, Rose nodded as Sebestian reached up and gently scratched her perfectly
On the ground, Rose felt her skin burn and her head throb as something built inside of her, but she tried her best to block it out. She couldn't let that happen, the man was clearly not alone and if what happened with Sebestian or at the town happened here, she knew she would knock herself out as well as the man and leave himself open to an attack from whoever else were around. Wrapped up in trying to contain, Rose grunted as she tried to push up but was kicked back down by the man who now stood over her."You filthy demon fu–" The man shouted as he swung his blade towards Rose, but stumbled back with a scream as Rose had managed to pull an arrow and stabbed upwards, with as much force as he could muster, straight into the man's inner right thigh and out again.The Alpha dropped his blade and reached for the wound where his blood quickly pumped out, soaking his trousers. Rose hadn't wanted to fatally wound him, but she knew she might have with where she had stabbed him and what arteri
Feeling Rose grab his hand, Sebestian clenched his eyes shut for a second before looking at him, his heart crushed."Where is that?" Rose asked, worried by the pale look on Sebestian face.Swallowing, Sebestian blinked several times before answering "Dark-town pack"."Dark town?" Rose knew the place, of course she did, it was more a shock reply because she hadn't expected that place, she hadn't expected any place apart from their own because she had been so sure Adom was the one, but she clearly wasn't. Letting goes of Sebestian' hand, Rose took a few steps back, the two small balls of light floating in the air with her. "Who? What?" She stuttered. She had been so sure that it couldn't have been, but now she was doubting everything.Sebestian felt sick. Could it be him, his father doing this to him to punish him or had he sent someone else? Was there even a way could impregnate an Omega, someone who wasn't at least part Omega him or herself? Reaching out towards Rose who looked beyond
Cristina was stunned momentarily. Sebestian therapist before her complained that even after fifteen sessions he didn't manage to get through to the man, didn't make any progress at all. She wasn't arrogant enough to deem herself the right person to help. But perhaps she was lucky enough to stumble into his life at just the right moment. "You know that none of that is true", she was bold enough to proclaim. Sebestian' anger wasn't aimed at Rose. "I only saw you two together for... what, ten seconds before he left the room. And I could already see how much he loves and values you." She saw the fight rising from deep within Sebestian and catalogued that as a good sign. "He almost lost you. A part of him must be scared that she still might." She gave him a moment. "Rose knows how strong you are. Be patient with her while she tries to remember it again."Sebestian smiled wryly. His eyes softened, though. "I'm not a patient man.""What kind of a man are you, then?" Cristina threw back.Sebe
When she pulled her a hug he clung to her tightly. It made her feel a little less like the world was falling apart but she retracted from the comfort quickly. She was still shaken from the mild panic attack he'd have to postpone dealing with until later. Resolute to push through and put one foot in front of the other Rose headed out of the room with her sister following her. She was putting on a coat when something occurred to her. "Thank you, for everything. How did you know that I was having a...?" She didn't want to say it oud loud."You were shouting to your phone." Monika went on before she could panic. "You know the boys; they wouldn't wake up to a bomb going off when they're tired enough. They're fast asleep, I checked." After her reassurance she focused on searching through his coat's pockets, so she didn't see her frown. "What are you doing?"Rose's brows furrowed while she spun around wildly. Her head whirred and her hands were shaking along with her whole body. "My car keys
Rose had no idea what happened next. By some miracle she managed to get the boys to calm down, at least to an extent. Apparently, she also ordered takeaway none of them really wanted because suddenly there were cardboard containers all over the kitchen. She did have a far too vivid memory of the lead heavy silence that lingered as they ate, all of them much too aware of the empty seat at the table.It wasn't until later, as she stared at the kids while they watched cartoons huddled together, the full gravity of the situation fell mercilessly on Rose's shoulders. Everything she'd almost lost and could still lose... It weighed too much.Rose's stomach rolled violently. She dashed as fast as she could to the toilet connected to the bathroom, knowing that the boys wouldn't have to hear whatever noise she made there. As soon as she fell to her knees, she threw up loudly, feeling the world falling apart around her yet again.How was she supposed to keep fighting when every time she thought
Ray continued to avoid mentioning his daddy for a couple of more days. Did his best to not even think about his other parent because it hurt too much. But in the end the whole situation got too much on him.He'd had a lot of nightmares since his daddy's accident. They haunted him almost every night. Something about the one he had one particular dark night made it worse than others.In the horrible dream he and his papa were in a forest, where thick fog began to engulf them. Ray was terrified and did his best to keep up with the man walking in front of him. In the end he found himself standing paralyzed while the fog swallowed his papa."Daddy?" There was no response and fear squeezed his chest mercilessly. Tears filled his eyes. "Daddy? Daddy!" Only silence answered him.Ray woke up crying, with his entire body covered in cold sweat. His heart hammered while his wide eyes darted around, trying to convince his mind that he was safe. That he was home and his daddy was safe, too. He want
Holding Max... It felt so good that had hard time controlling his emotions, especially because the brain injury seemed to enhance all feelings. But listening to his son's excited babbling was also a bit much on his still recovering head."... got a new class hamster. And guess what, papa! He has a missing leg, too. I said that he's just like my papa, and Miss Pen gave me a big hug." Max sounded endearingly proud of him, himself and the little creature the child now had a special connection with.Carefully avoiding Max noticing, Sebestian cast a slightly panicked look at Rose. 'Miss Pen?' How many people were there in his son's life he had no idea of? 'His teacher, Aline', Rose mouthed back.Max went on, completely unaware of the adults' exchange. "... named him Skunk, because he's black and white. He likes cuddles, I can tell. But Miss Pen says that we can't cuddle him too much because he's so small and fragile."Sebestian listened to Max babbling as intently as he could, his new limi
Monika likely noticed what she'd done to her hands but didn't call him out on it at the moment. Instead, she moved to hug her, but he refused her with a shake of head. "I'm... I can't." Her voice was so hoarse that for a second, she wondered if she screamed out loud, after all. "If you touch me, I'll lose control and..." She trailed off. She couldn't lose control; too many people she loved needed her to stay strong right now.Monika nodded. Not necessarily happy but understanding. "As long as you know that you're not alone in this. We're all here for you, all of you. Got that?"Rose nodded, dangerously close to losing control over herself. After that... she didn't have very clear memories. She took a cab to the hospital, even on such a day sensible enough to know that she shouldn't drive. Her feet led him to the ICU. The sterile reek and suffocating silence that smacked her across the face at that ward just about tore her new numb bubble to shreds.There was no one around to update he
That night Ray woke up needing to use the bathroom. He yawned and left the comfort of his bed reluctantly, then began to tiptoe towards the toilet. Halfway there he froze at what he saw on the balcony.His mommy stood there with his grandma. Crying while she hugged her and whispered comforting words, appearing distraught herself. Even a child could see how heartbroken his mommy was.It terrified Ray more than he would've cared to admit. Things were supposed to be improving. His daddy was awake. There was supposed to be no need to be sad anymore. Did something go wrong again?Ray managed to retreat to his room unseen. He hid himself under a blanket entirely, trembling miserably. He couldn't sleep while his thoughts whirred.His therapist had helped convince Ray that he wouldn't be sent away, that he wouldn't lose his family. But the insecurities and fears lingered, ready to resurface at any given moment. He hadn't seen his papa in what, to a child, felt like a lifetime. He missed his p
Sebestian felt like he was held under water while he listened to Rose, eyes fixed on the opposite wall. "Ray is another child." It was all told with the kind of paternal love that'd already showed itself once.Rose tried to show a picture from her phone, but Sebestian was too ashamed and overwhelmed to look at it. The Alpha closed his eyes and tried very hard to breathe properly. "How long?" How much time had he lost? How many precious memories? What kind of a parent was he, to forget his own son? He wanted to scream from frustration when the words got tangled together and were nearly impossible to spew out coherently. "... long?"Rose frowned before finally figuring out what he meant and answering tentatively. "He's been our son always." The full weight of those words crashed down on them both simultaneously.Sebestian struggled to make sense of everything. It was like getting sucked into an alternative reality. Like waking up from long sleep, to find that someone else had been livin
The whole family was in an agreement that Rose shouldn't be left alone at the hospital for long. They knew how bad off she was, while trying anxiously to support others. And Sebestian... They didn't want to imagine Samantha without him, for even a second. Because it'd be a loss she wouldn't survive, at least as herself.Monika braced herself for great many things on her way from her workplace at the morgue to the ICU. Her chest clenched and she almost dropped the takeaway coffees she carried when she saw her sister sitting on a bench, wiping his eyes. Then she realized that the tears she fought back were those of joy.Rose's eyes shone from tears and happiness when they met hers. "He... He woke up, Monika. Sebestian woke up and talked to me."Monika decided that it was time to ditch the coffee. She tossed the mugs aside, not really caring where they ended up. Then she pulled her sister to a tight embrace. Which she returned with equal vigor. She could practically feel the relief radia