171 Chapter 103: The Step
A/N
Hey guys đ so I was overwhelmed by all your comments and also the number of power stones that I decided to release new chapter again Yehey. I know the chapters recently are getting sad and dark again but bare with me, they are necessary to make our characters strong. For me the problems around us, the sadness, loneliness, depression and anxiety. Experiencing and overcoming them makes us strong (Remember Kelly Clarkson song? "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!". I don't believe that people experiencing them are emotionally weak just like what other people says who don't understand the difficulty of what they are going through, no they are not weak. For me they are strong because one of the most difficult enemy in life is not the other people around us but most of the time it is within yourself. I know everyone has different circumstances and different struggles that they are going through but keep holding on, don't ever give up. Remember you still haven't fail yet as long as you are still breathing you have countless of chances in life. Keep on fighting and keep on pushing and one day I wish for you to be able to smile genuinely again.
To those who have someone who's going through this state please try to understand them a little more, don't be too hard on them. So please đ„ș support them, more than anything else that's what they needed the most.
My author's note is getting really long so here's the new update!!!
Happy Reading đ!
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Nash doesn't know how many days he has been asleep or how was he able to survive it. When he made that decision he is so ready to give up his life either way he knew he will be freed from Adrian. If he die their bond end there and if he lives his bond with Adrian will be completely severed. He tried to feel himself to see if it's not a dream that he's still alive. He pinch his skin hard and when he felt the pain Nash sit up and cried because of happiness.
Aiden who's sleeping on Nash room along with the others woke up because of Nash scream and sobbing. "Nash are you ok?"
"What happened is he ok?" Theo asked.
"Are you hurting anywhere?" Drake asked.
Nash shake his head no. "My bond, my bond is gone!" Nash said smiling as he laughed then seconds later that cried of happiness turned into a cry of sorrow. Aiden learned that when a bond is severed an Omega will feel that void within himself. "I'm free, it's really over, this time it's over."
They doctors and nurses put Nash to sleep. "So what's the next plan? We can't leave him by himself." Theo said.
"My father already told me to have Nash stay in our house for a while." Aiden said.
"That's better then." Drake said.
"He might do something stupid again." Aiden said
"Aren't we all?" Theo asked.
"Well yes but not Dexter, this man here is level headed. Why do you think his relationship with Lee lasted that long?" Aiden sighed, he run his fingers to Nash's head who's in a deep sleep.
"It's not just me you know." Dexter walk beside Aiden and looked at Nash with pity to his eyes. "It's also because of Lee that our relationship lasted that long. I wouldn't say it was smooth sailing but because he also keeps on trying to compromise that we were able to make things last without breaking things off between us to even realize our worth."
Theo went to the table, he grabbed one piece of apple and start peeling it. He listens to what his friends are talking about before saying his piece. "Sometimes we learned it in a hard way, we should let things be for now. What Nash need is to be by himself, he needs to fix and learn how to love himself again. If I would to ask I don't think Adrian is the man for him, Nash got his bond with Adrian severed without dying so it means he can start a new, he can be married to another man and have a family with someone who can love him for who he is. Who will choose him." Theo said, the two went silent for a moment after the thought of what Theo said sink in.
Aiden let go of a loud sigh as he laugh lightly. "Yes you're right he's a free man now, he can start a new even without Adrian."
"And we will help him do that." Dexter said.
"Hey what are you two even doing in here? Don't you have babies that you need to take care off?" Aiden asked.
"You also have a son." Dexter pointed out.
"True but my son is big enough to understand things his parents do and beside I always make sure that Lance and I spend time with Lander." Aiden said in defense, Theo move to where they are seated and handed the two a plate of apple slices.
"Here eat first, my twins are in my in-laws they are back and they took the kids because as per them....." Theo begin but Dexter finished the sentence.
"They miss the kids so they borrow even Lexter." Dexter said.
Aiden looked at the two as if he finally remembered something he forgot. "Ow yeah your husbands are...."
"Yes they are siblings and we both have the same in-laws." Dexter answered.
"They wanted to spend some time with their grandchildren, probably will show off their 3 grandchildren again to their friends." Theo said smiling.
***"****************
"T give me some of Axel's tasks, he can't work for a while he needs rest plenty of it but we can't delay things as they are now." Jules said.
"Yes you're right if we miss this opportunity it will all be for nothing." Terrence agreed. "We only have less than a month to prepare for the operation." Terrence added.
"I know that's why I'm volunteering" Jules is getting worried, he needs to focus on their goal but the unexpected turn of events is delaying their operation not to mention Clarence loosing his mind over his feelings. Jules came to a decision of retrieving Rion earlier than plan. He can't let the Omega fall for a man like Clarence. Clarence is Jules best friend but he can see the similarities between Clarence and Adrian and given all that happened to Adrian's lover he doesn't want Rion to be a wreck over love when they have a bigger plan to him.
"I know, I know. About Rion you can get him later, I already prepared everything. I would've taken him to another safe house but Chester my wife decided to let Rion in the house. They knew each other so it's ok." Terrence explained. "Control that friend of yours. I thought we won't have problem with him since he doesn't like male Omegas and only went out with women all his life so what happened Jules?" Terrence closed his eyes while messaging the temple of his head.
"Clarence fell for Rion that's for sure but he's in denial and even if he admit it to himself I'm pretty sure he'll only end up like Adrian making all those selfish decisions for his own benefits. He has a reputation to take care off and his future is already planned out a head he wouldn't risk it to get ruined over love he's not like us." Jules looked at his cousin's face and then disgust appeared to his face. "You're also a scam bag, I will definitely not going to patronize you in a loving husband department. Lee is better than you in that aspect."
"What?! Where did that came from?" Terrence asked.
"You have to admit it, you did a lot of awful things to your wife and kids. Cherish them T you are lucky enough to have kids while me and Axel have to put a lot of effort just to get even one child not that I mind if we don't but I know it will make Axel really happy and it might also be the reason for him to set his eyes on the future rather than in the past."
Terrence sigh "How ironic it was right? Two cousins who got their selves a wife tied up in the same circle of that one syndicate."
"Yeah both have been a victim, same difference. I have to go now T I still have work to do, I also need to go to my Sweety it should have been my wife that I should be seeing first but I run here instead and I need to get Rion back. It will be a bigger problem if the witness will be broken hearted as well all because of an immature alpha"
Terrence ruffled his cousins hair. "You've really grown, Axel has been a good inspiration to you."
"Anything for my wife." Jules said with confidence before he left Terrence.
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Clarence sat quietly in the living room things happened so fast that he just found himself wondering what he should be feeling right now, happy that Rion finally left or sad because Rion finally left. He looked at the direction of his house entrance where Rion exit and left his house together with Jules. He tried to utter a word of protest but then quickly halt himself to do so in the question of what right does he have to stop the Omega from leaving his house. He lay down on his coach and put his arms to his forehead like it would somehow relieve the headache that he has from thinking about Rion. "Let's just rest, you're just used to having Rion around that you act like this. Yeah lets rest." Clarence tried convincing himself that Rion will eventually and naturally will go out of his system but like what happened months ago after he meet Rion, Clarence found himself looking for him everywhere he goes and everywhere he looked at the thing is this time it is worse than the first time.
"FUCK!" A sound of something breaking filled the house again it was the third time Clarence throw a fit and break things inside his house for the past 2 weeks since Rion left. "Why can't I get you out of my head?!"
The body guards and maids who are trying to clean all the mess inside the house all gasp when a man bravely make his way to the room that Clarence is currently raiding with anger. "Maybe because you're into that person." A flying knife welcome the man but the man was quick, he took the broken piece of the table and used it as a shield to stopped the knife from hitting him. "Is this how you will greet your friend?" Says the man
"Robbie I'm not in the mood, what are you doing here?" Clarence get straight to the point, maybe if he's not throwing a fit maybe he run towards the man and happily greeted him for he has not seen him for nearly 3 years now.
"Visiting my friend of course." Clarence sneered at the man.
"So who's this person who had made you this frustrated just because you kept thinking about this person." Robbie asked.
"I'm not thinking of anyone just mind your own business, why are you here? I thought you are doing an undercover?" Clarence asked.
"Ow about that yes, I am but you see my boss just gave me a vacation leave. He just got engaged and he doesn't want to intimidate the man he's set to marry. So he told me to go rest for a mean time about a week till he impressed the man. I grabbed the opportunity cause if I insist he might get suspicious of me." Robbie simply explained, Clarence mouth almost dropped.
"Wait why are you telling me this? Isn't that confidential?" Clarence asked.
"I didn't tell you anything that is confidential, remember I told you that my boss granted me a vacation leave." Robbie repeated. "Where is Jules by the way?" Robbie asked.
"I don't know. With his wife maybe." Clarence leaned back at the coach and close his eyes to relax but someone dare to shake his brain out of him.
"What who's wife? Did I heard it wrong?" Clarence, CLARENCE!"
"STOP SHOUTING!!!!!!!!" Clarence shouted at the top of his lungs. "Jules is married, happy now? Now get out and leave me be!" Clarence leaned back and closed his eye again he was expecting to hear noises indicating that his friend already left but he heard nothing. So he open his eyes to peak if Robbie is still there and yes he's right the man is just sitting there quietly. "What?!" Clarence asked.
Robbie opened his palm like he was asking him of something. "Address, I'll go visit Jules." Robbie simply said.
Clarence sit up straight and got up from sitting. "You know what let me just take you there." From a frustrated Clarence his mood instantly swing the opposite, the Alpha is smiling. "At least now I do have a reason to see him."
"What did you just said? I didn't heard the last part. You are like mumbling." Robbie followed Clarence who went to his red sports car.
"Fuck Clarence! Do you have a death wish?! Why are you driving like someone is chasing you?" Clarence smack Robbie's head.
"Get out now, we will visit Jules." Clarence excitedly hope out of his car like he never throw a fit earlier.
"Tsk crazy mother fucker." Robbie looked at the neighborhood of the place they are in. "You're kidding right? Jules will never going to live here." Robbie said in disbelief. In those many years that they have known each other he knew that his two friends are not someone who will live in a shabby place.
"Not when you're on the job." Clarence simply explain.
"Ow yeah right. You should have seen his house though." Clarence added.
"Jules doesn't have a house, that man is very practical, he's not a house kind of guy." Robbie said.
"Love changes a person a lot you see. Though the wife doesn't know anything about it." Robbie looked at Clarence suspiciously.
"How come.you knew but his wife doesn't know?" Robbie asked.
"That is his gift to their anniversary, he plans on finishing the house before their anniversary comes. Their wedding is a rush one that Jules didn't even have the time to think about the house so both of them are s living in their own houses." Clarence explained. "I'm the one supervising the construction of his house, I would rather say a mansion." Clarence stop in front of a little house as per their description. He knocked three times before someone opened the door.
"Clarence, come in." Robbie was in awe on how beautiful the Omega is which erase all the doubt he has as to why his stubborn philandering friend suddenly settled to a married life. As soon as they reach the living room Robbie immidiately introduce himself taking Axel's hand and kissing the back of it but his hand didn't stay long when someone shot him with a gun that graze his left hand.
"Get your filthy mouth off my wife's hand. That's just a warning the next one will hit you." There's seriousness in Jules eyes who's standing with nothing but a towel covering his lower half. His upper body has love marks and some scratches that made Robbie whistle.
"Ow pretty and wild, far from his innocent look." Robbie commented which didn't fazed the Omega at all. Most of the Omega he knew blushes with such comments but the Omega wife of his friend remained unshaken like it was a natural thing to him. Jules on the other hand went upstairs only to be back with a shotgun in his hands. He lock and load the thing.
"You're not going to shoot me with that are you? You will scare your wife, what do you think he will think of you? A murderer?" Robbie said laughing nervously, he looked at Clarence who's distancing himself away from him and he looked at the wife who just shrug at him. Jules on the other hand lowered his body and take his aim at him. "Fuck!" Robbie dive and duck when Jules pulled the trigger. (WARNING!!! KIDS DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME OR TO ANYONE. REMEMBER SHOOTING SOMEONE EVEN IN THE FORM OF JOKES IS PUNISHABLE BY LAW SO DON'T EVER EVER DO THIS, EVEN TO YOUR FRIENDS OF ANYONE, PLEASE DON'T. THIS IS JUST A FICTION SO PLEASE DON'T."
"You're really going to kill me you shit head!" Robbie's composure was gone just like that.
"Sweety that's enough, dress up or else you might catch a cold. Fix this mess you made later ok?" Axel said. Then he looked at the two men. "Sorry about that, well the living room is a bit messy right now so how about we move to the kitchen?" Axel asked.
Robbie could not understand, the Omega was not even surprised, his husband just fired two guns in their home to his friend who just came over to visit. To Robbie those kinds of things is already normal to them because all three of them are high skilled fighters, they used to spar each other a lot giving them their all with the intention to kill, that's how all three of them became a good fighter.
"Who's that? He didn't even flinched when Jules fired those guns twice at me." Robbie whispered.
"I'm not exactly sure just go ask him." Clarence said coldly
"First someone tried to kill me with a knife, the other one tried to kill me with guns. Yeah what a way to greet a friend who's been a way for three years." Robbie sulked.
"Stop sulking that doesn't look good on you." Clarence contradict.
Robbie looked at the Omega, no matter how long he looked at him he can't help but have this feeling that somehow he already seen his face, he just couldn't remember where or when was that.
"Sorry this is all that we have right now." Axel said.
"It's ok, this is plenty already." Clarence said with delight. "Ahhhmmm Axel, have you, perhaps did you, I mean Rion." Clarence can't somehow get straight what he wanted to ask.
Axel answered him with a smile then he asked him a question to answer his question. "Clarence do you like Rion?" Clarence remained silent he couldn't answer. "Let me change the question, are you falling for Rion?" But Clarence remained silent. "Do you know the reason why we decided to take Rion out from your care?"
"No I don't, it was so sudden actually." Finally Clarence was able to answer Axel's question. "I have a friend, I just recently known him and just like me he's also an Omega that is marked. The only difference is that he's not married and I am. That Omega broke off with his boyfriend who couldn't take responsibility over him. Do you know what happened to that Omega?" Axel asked.
"No I don't, he probably went back to that Alpha and begged him. No marked Omega can survive without his own Alpha everyone knows that." Clarence answered but Axel shake his head no.
"That Omega using illegal means had his band severed. I know I should not be sharing this to you but you and that Alpha are the same. I don't want to see another Omega friend of mine to be in that state all because he was broken beyond repair. Rion is still fragile and vulnerable, he hasn't healed completely. He doesn't deserve the hurt you will going to give him. So as early as now we are trying to separate you two. You have your own plans in your life Clarence, everything is already set for you. If you will take Rion as your lover all eyes will be on you and Rion, we don't want that." Axel reached out to Clarence hands and hold it. "If you can't take full responsibility like how Jules is to me then don't even bother Rion, you'll only end up hurting him. What happened between you two let it be as it is, don't cross the line Clarence, that's my advice to you." Axel let go of Clarence hands.
"He told you, didn't he?" Clarence asked.
"There's nothing that he doesn't tells me except for things that will cost him his life." Axel answered.
"Wait I'm at lost, who is this Rion person?" The two looked at the man who just spoke like they just remembered he was there all this time.
"You two didn't forgot about me didn't you?" Robbie asked with an awkward smile on his face.
"You two still here?" Jules said who's leaning at the entrance of the kitchen doorway. Axel extended his hands signaling him to come to him which Jules gladly obliged. Axel got up to his seat and without saying Jules sit and pulled Axel to sit on his lap.
"Tsk show off." Clarence complained.
"Go find your own if you're that envious, except for Rion. He doesn't deserve you." Jules said without even filtering his words.
"The last time we spoke before you had Rion taken away from me, it seems thar you are supporting whatever feelings that I have for him but why the sudden change of heart?"
"I realized you will going to hurt him, Clarence I know you."
"YOU STILL DON'T KNOW THAT!" Clarence hit the table, his emotion got the best of when his friend told him that he will only going to hurt the Omega.
"If I'll ask you, if you start something with him is it with the intention of having a future with him in a sense that you will marry him?" Clarence didn't answer.
"Let me change the question, do you even want to start something with him?" Clarence remained silent.
"That's the answer Clarence, you can't. You won't go stirring other people's feelings just because you like them but doesn't want to take responsibility. I'm not saying you need to marry him no, I'm saying that if you are sure with whatever you are feeling you at least have that person in your future as well but if not then just let that person go. He has been through a lot Clarence the best thing you can do is let him go, let him find that person who can give what you can't. I know why you're here and unlike you I'm not blind. I can see and I understand your feelings but as your friend I advice you to stop pursuing Rion you are not good for him." Jules said.
Clarence got up. "I'll go home, thank you for inviting me in." When Clarence is gone Jules looked at his other friend.
"So what are you doing here? I thought you said you are in a mission that's why you can't even make a call to us for 3 years." Jules asked.
"Such cold treatment, so what happened to both of you? Clarence throw knives at me when I interrupt his fit session and you on the other hand pulled the trigger twice at me." Jules just raised his eye brow.
"Ok, ok my boss gave me a vacation leave, I took the once in a lifetime offer and visit you two but look what I got such cold treatment. Hey what happened to the man who says that he will not marry?" Robbie looked at Axel and says. "No offense." Axel just smiled.
"Just look at him and you'll know the answer why I got married." Robbie sighed Jules is being the old Jules lazy explaining things so he just asked another question.
"So what happened to Clarence?" Robbie asked.
"I think he's falling but you know the man, he won't let things as love hinder his goal in life. We can't risk giving the man what he wants."
"Wait a man?" Robbie almost scream.
"An Omega male that looks like a woman." Axel corrected, then he got up from his husband's lap. "I'll just head to the grocery store to buy something. You two go and catch up." Axel informed.
"Where's my kiss?" Jules asked. Axel came back and kiss Jules with tongue in front of Robbie. "Go change to pants." Jules whispered after the kiss but enough for Robbie to hear. Axel just kissed his forehead in response. When Axel is out of the house Jules got up and throw his friend a can of beer.
"So early in the morning?" Robbie opened the can of beer and took a sip.
"Just one can, so how things with you?" Jules asked.
"Same old, same old. You know I can't tell you anything about my assignment but I never thought that it will take this long. How about you? How's married life?" Robbie asked.
"Better than I can ever imagine."
Robbie shake his head. "You really got it bad with him, I mean I never seen you that jealous and possessive over someone, I can still remember you sharing some of your flings to u....." Jules move quickly and covered Robbie's mouth
" The house is bugged." Jules mouthed with any sounds, Robbie nodded carefully. Then he took out piece of paper and wrote. "What the fuck why is your house bugged? And who bugs it, why do you look so pale so suddenly?"
Jules wrote back "it's hard to explain but I don't want my wife to hear just how big of a man whore I am ok?"
"So it's your wife your afraid to." Robbie whispered.
"You don't know anything so if I were you I'll keep my mouth shut."
"Ok, Ok fine so much for a welcome from my two best friends. I think I'll have to go now, I still need to report to my immediate. I just visit you two first. I was planning on reporting tomorrow and spend the whole day with you two but since you two tried to murder me I changed my mind."
"Go back here in five days time, we will drink all three of us." Says Jules. The man just wave his hand as goodbye before entering a cab.
"So what's with the sharing of flings?" Jules stilled after hearing Axel's voice behind him.
"Sweety I thought you were in the grocery store?" Jules smile awkwardly.
"I did, I came in at the back door to surprise you."
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AT AIDEN'S OFFICE...
"So how is Nash?" Axel asked.
"He's still in process of healing but he's on steady path we just need to make sure that no Adrian will get in the way." Aiden said without looking at Axel. "It may be hard but he made up his mind, he doesn't want to have anything to do with Adrian."
Axel seated on the coach on Aiden's office. "Adrian is not doing very well Jules said, not that I care. It seems he has been looking for Nash everywhere."
Aiden leaned back to his chair back rest and sigh. "He won't be able to find him, we won't let him. He's better off without him."
"Which I agree by the way. Well I didn't expect Dexter to volunteer in giving him a job at his brother's company though." Nicolas interject.
"Dexter is with us so don't worry about it." Aiden answered. "He's adjusting pretty well there. The light in his eyes is slowly coming but I think it will take a while before he can finally smile genuinely again." Aiden says. Now that Nash is living in his father's care Aiden can finally not worry so much about Nash specially after finding out how badly Nash is treated in the house of his own father. He even thought that if Adrian is genuinely concern he would take Nash out of that hell of a house that only leech off him.
"So what brings you here Nick?" Aiden asked. "I'm getting bored just being a house wife in a house that's not even ours. Aiden say, can you ask Dexter to get me a job to where Nash is working, I mean I get to look after him too while working." Aiden laugh.
"Ask him yourself, you'll be surprised how easy it is to talk to Dexter." Aiden said.
"Really? Ok then, if I get a job I'll make sure to treat you. I promise!" Nicolas run outside Aiden's office.
"How about Rion?" Aiden get straight to the point when he's sure that Nicolas is already out.
"He's at Terrence house. Maica is doing fine by the way they didn't suspect her." Aiden nodded
It has been a week since they planted Maica. No one can pull off this kind of job other than her so they all agreed and let the woman do as she wish. "Less than 2 weeks till the raid." Aiden whispered. "How ready are we for this?" Aiden asked himself.
"In war everything is possible, there's always a thin line between victory and defeat so we can't let out guards down." Aiden looked at Axel who just answered him. They both knew that this is a fight that will need them to work their brains out to outsmart their enemies.
