26 The New Challenge

"Are you sure this is the address?", Declan asked looking at the apartment building. "I don't know. But if it is not, I'm gonna beat Tristan's ass. That private investigator he suggested was a complete asshole", Elian replied, gritting his teeth. "I can't believe I'm doing this, standing here in an unknown neighborhood, looking creepy as fuck in this mask and polo cap, as if we are stalking that omega. Dad was right, I should've stopped hanging out with you. If anyone here recognizes me, I'm done with you for real", Declan scolded. "Can you chill for a second '', Elian said, looking at the screen of his phone, "Why are you so on edge? You've been here before right? Didn't you visit that bakery shop he owns?", he interrogated. "That was different. I was worried about you and I wasn't thinking clearly", Declan replied. "Well then you should stop thinking and just follow me", the other alpha ordered.

Declan couldn't refuse, after all that's what best friends are for, being partners in crime. Elian had always had his back whenever he'd get caught. So how can he say no now, he wondered.

The elevator of the building was not functional and the two had to take the stairs. Although the neighborhood looked pretty neat from the outside, the building's interior was somewhat grim and scary. The lights kept blinking and the carpet of the staircase was dirty and worn out. Ignoring the details, they finally reached the fourth floor, where the apartment was supposed to be. They crossed the hallway and stood themselves in front of one of the doors there. "I guess this is the one", Elian whispered, studying the surroundings. The two alphas looked at each other, as if challenging the other one to ring the bell. But as usual, Declan lost. He exhaled deeply and then hovered his finger in front of the button for a while before finally pushing it.

After a wait of about half a minute the door opened, partially. A boy wearing a loose hoodie that covered his head peeked out through the small space due to the door chain being put on. "What is it?", he asked in his soft voice. Declan recognised him at once. It was the same boy he had met at the bakery that day when he came looking for Kian. "Uhhm, Hi, remember me?", Declan said awkwardly. To his surprise, the door was shut immediately. Declan turned to look at Elian behind him, who was looking at him utterly annoyed. "Yeah he surely can recognize a guy wearing a mask and shades and a polo cap", he scolded, sarcastically.

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"Kian! I think it's those loan sharks again!", Will shrieked as he came running inside the bedroom where Kian was laying down. Since the past few days, there had been multiple times he felt unwell. Sometimes it got so bad that he'd feel like throwing up, but other times it was like having chronic exhaustion. Surprised to see Will come running inside, he shot up from his lying position, "What? Why in hell would they come to my apartment?", Kian replied worriedly. He wondered whether those men from the gang he took money from were here to hurt him and his omega friend who they laid eyes upon when they thrashed his bakery and if this was some plan to harass them. "Get a knife from the kitchen", he told Will who nodded back to him.

Kian picked up an empty pan from the kitchen's sink on his way to the door. He looked through the eye hole and saw someone leaning onto the other side of the door, as if trying to listen to the voices from inside. Now he was completely sure that these men were perverts. He slowly undid the door chain as Will stood right behind him. He opened the door with a quick pull to surprise the intruder and before he knew the man fell forward towards him. Without a thought Kian flung the pan onto the man's head. The man fell back onto someone standing behind him.

Kian's eyes moved to the other guy behind him and he immediately recognized him despite the mask covering his face. It was Elian. "What the fuck!", the man who had gotten hit shouted, in pain. His fingers covered his nose which was probably bleeding. Kian was almost too surprised to say even a word. Elian really came to his house? How did he find his house? Something about seeing him on his doorsteps made him incredibly anxious. "What the fuck is wrong with you?", Kian noticed Declan as he got up from Elian's arms.

"Oh my god! It's you. I'm so sorry! I couldn't recognize you with your mask and everything", Will apologised as he came forth from behind Kian. "Is that how you guys treat guests in this house?", Declan scolded. Kian moved his eyes away from Elian, "Is that how you enter someone's apartment? Why were you trying to peek inside?", the omega retaliated. "Although I shouldn't expect much from you either. But you got what you deserved", he added.

Declan turned to look at Elian giving him, 'I told you' look, who didn't respond. He instead stepped forward towards Kian, "It's my fault, I was trying to make sure it was your place", he said. "Well too bad, even if this is my place, you're not invited", the omega replied and began to shut the door. However, Elian reached out his hand to block it from closing. "Don't be upset. I just came to ask you to come back to my house", he said. Kian turned to look at him and gave him a smirk. "Is that what you think of me? Some gold digging slut that will just overlook your mistakes? I'm only doing this because I'm helpless. But no way in hell I'll go back there, so just leave", he said, turning his back to the alpha. "I know, I'm sorry for whatever I've said to you before. But I need to make sure that both you and the baby are okay. So please just come with me", Elian insisted.

"We can discuss that later. But we need to take care of his bleeding first", Will interrupted, pointing to Declan. The blood from his nose was spilling from between his fingers that covered the injury. Will invited the two alphas inside and ran into the bedroom to get the first aid kit.

Declan's eyes moved around the apartment to observe the place. To some level he was shocked at how cramped the space was. He could barely imagine himself living in such a place. Kian was however even more uncomfortable due to the presence of the two alphas inside his apartment and also somewhat embarrassed of his financial situation that was put forth so bluntly in front of Elian. Will came back with cotton and a bandage and started helping Declan with his wound.

"Leave my house immediately after this is done", Kian ordered, looking at Elian and began to walk back into his room. Elian stepped forward and grabbed the omega's hand to stop him, "You've already signed the contract", he said without even thinking. Kian turned back looking at him furiously. Elian let go of his hand and took a deep breath, "I know you hate me. And I understand that but I need to make sure that you are okay, at least until you're pregnant. Pregnancy for omegas is usually painful if the alpha parent is not around. So just for the sake of the situations please just come with me", he pleaded. Kian's frown eased slightly, almost involuntarily. His look became softer and he had to turn away quickly to hide his face.

Just now, he had felt a rush of emotions clouding his brain, like something was making him soft for the alpha from within. His blood rushed to his face turning his cheeks crimson. He tried his best to quickly shake away the feeling and compose himself, and turned back to face him.

"Oh, is that the catch? That you are rich enough to make me follow you. But here's the thing, the contract you are mentioning doesn't say I've to stay with you in your house. It simply says you are allowed to stay with me in order to monitor my health", Kian said shrewdly, "So, that means I'm not breaching the contract by refusing you. If you want to fulfil that condition so desperately, why don't you stay here with me?", he asked, mockingly.

"Huh, are you out of your mind?", Declan rose from his seat. "How can someone possibly stay here? There is barely any room?", he questioned. Kian looked at him angrily, "Well, that is not my problem. I didn't add that condition to the contract so it isn't my fault. And if your friend cares so much about the baby can't he do a little bit of hard work and tolerate a little inconvenience", he said.

Kian was sure Elian had stuck a dead end. Now all he can do is walk away. He has finally won. He has the upper hand for once. "Hey, this is unrealistic for anyone. It's not like it is possible for anyone to adjust here with two roommates", Declan argued for his friend. "Three", Will interrupted, "There is three of us". Declan looked at him in shock. They had only heard of over crowded places in the suburbs in the news, but never truly understood the extent of it until now. "What?", Declan uttered in surprise.

"Hey, if it is so impossible for him he should just walk away from all this. It's not like being a parent is any easier", Kian teased, "I'll not criticize your decision if you do so. After all it's not everybody's cup of tea", he added.

"I'll do it", came a voice. Kian looked up and saw Elian looking right at him.