21 <Goodbye>

Bang!

Donovan was hit on his rear flank. The wolf pup shrieked loudly. He looked behind him. From the direction it could only be...

It was. His beloved Uncle Bertie shot him himself. His eyes mirror's Gabrielle's look of horror, minus the rage.

Donovan was stunned. Never before had he felt lonelier. Not when omega mommy Iris was ignoring him. Not when he was the only child in the entire daycare with a SkinTab. Not when Gabrielle was too busy to play with him and he had to spend the whole day making sure not to bump into Iris.

But Donovan turned his head away and did his best to run towards Maverick. Tears flying.

<Maverick!> Donovan shouted once again, hoping that his brother could hear him. Even if it was a futile attempt to open up their connection.

Finally Donovan dodged the last of the men in the rescue group and landed in front of Maverick. Funny how it was just this afternoon the very men shooting at him were the same people who played with him inside the warm and cozy kitchen of Uncle Bertie's house. Tickling him, giving him treats, cracking jokes.

That memory seemed like it came from another dimension, another universe. How did it come to this?

Maverick wasn't moving. His eyes were half open. Was he...

No. No he wasn't. He was breathing. Barely but Maverick is breathing.

You should have used your abilities! Donovan could only feel remorse as he forcefully grabbed the traumatized baby from Maverick's arms, making sure not to bite into any flesh. As he did, the intricate small braid that Maverick made fell out of the bundle and onto the floor.

Maverick's hand moved at lightning speed to catch it. Then he fell forwards into the elevator, all energy depleted from his body.

Ding!

The doors closed and Maverick was on his way to safety.

-----

There was silence. Nobody moved. What a turn of events. Looks like all along it wasn't the Alpha X they had to watch out for.

It was the omega they brought with them. The traitor.

Donovan transformed back into his human form. Arms tightly holding his baby brother. Easton had cried himself to sleep. Now it really was silent.

The sight of this innocent small child covered in blood that just hours ago was laughing gleefully brought mixed feelings to the group. But that was vanquished when the thought that Donovan was going take advantage of them, purposely making them feel sorry for the boy so they would let him go. Let him live.

When Donovan opened him mouth to say his last words, the sounds of guns cocked rang. He saw knives and daggers of all shapes and sizes sheathed from their hiding places. Everyone was still but so impatient.

Donovan could only close his mouth and sigh regretfully, eyes looking at the floor. What if he never came on the mission? What if he never insisted on coming? He should know it is futile to win Iris's affection, even if the last couple of months have been a dream. That's all it was. A dream and now's the time to wake up.

What were they waiting for? Donovan raised his head. Orange meet chocolate. Gabrielle's eyes are full of fear, disgust, horror. Donovan's heart sunk. It hurt more than the bullet wound on his hip.

At least Easton's safe. Maverick's safe.

Even if I did lose my alpha mommy.

Even if I did lose my Uncle Bertie.

Even if I will lose my life.

Gabrielle was the first to move. She took a step forward. In her eyes, the boy holding her baby isn't her son. Not anymore. Not since the minute Donovan protected that thing. Not since the minute Donovan transformed into a monster. Just like his twin brother.

The cursed Alpha X. The one that ruined everything.

At first Gabrielle felt sorry for the wriggling bundle. She had overheard the order to dispose of the omega baby, and felt it wasn't fair. That he would never get a chance to live. To experience the joys of life.

Now, she regrets ever feeling sorry for him. If she could only turn back time when rescuing Iris, she definitely would leave Donovan behind. Then her baby would never have gotten stolen. Iris wouldn't have anxiety attacks looking at Donovan on her down days.

Donovan was a mistake. And she must eradicate it.

Gabrielle's hand rose, pointing her gun at the boy. This time, her hands aren't shaking. There was a determination in her eyes that told Donovan: Today is the last day you will ever feel the sun on your face.

Donovan gently set down the baby down onto the ground-guns and eyes following his every movement-then he stepped back.

He once again transformed into his wolf form, causing horrified gasps to resonate in the room. Perhaps this would make it easier for Gabrielle to kill him. Lesson her guilt of killing a child.

No not a human child. A monster that would one day grow up to be something terrible, capable of unimaginable harm. He must be eliminated.

Donovan understood. In his heart he thanked for the past four years of his life. He regrets nothing.

Then he sat down the way good dogs do and looked up at Gabrielle. He gave his caretaker a wolfish grin before lowering his head and closing his eyes.

Bang!

Donovan fell silently. His world went dark.

<Goodbye> Maverick's voice echoed hauntingly in the darkness.

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