* * *
Paul's succession party was a huge success. Although traditionally he was still a little too young to handle such a huge company, he had already proven his capabilities since he was already running a branch back in the UK and it had received countless achievements since its launch a little more than 4 years ago, under his name.
"Thank you so much everyone for coming tonight and celebrating this joyous occasion. Please enjoy the rest of your evening." Paul announced, indicating that the celebration was ending. After the brief announcement, he then went back to his seat where Fyre was together with his parents. There had been a little misunderstanding between Fyre and his parents earlier, but Paul could see that the two were trying to get to know Fyre, respecting his request. Thankfully, Fyre didn't mind as well, so he was no longer worried that the Omega would feel like an outcast when he decided to have them seated together.
"Thank you so much for coming with me tonight, Fyre. I really appreciate it." Paul expressed as he approached Fyre, who was now having a casual conversation with his parents.
"No, it's fine. I enjoyed it a lot too." Fyre replied softly. Although he got too nervous talking to Mr. and Mrs. Hymlyn after the awkward encounter earlier, he was glad that the two were trying, and so far it was going smoothly. The both of them had even apologized and explained their earlier behavior towards him.
"Paul, I think your friend has drank a lot. You should let him rest in the hotel before sending him home. Your father and I will also head back soon after a few more minutes." Mrs. Hymlyn said with a gentle smile, noticing how Fyre had been constantly massaging his temples after drinking one glass of wine.
"Oh no, please. I'm fine. I just got a little dizzy. I'll be fine after a few minutes." Fyre insisted, waving his hand. Ever since that time in Hawaii, he'd avoided alcohol as much as he could, especially in public, but he never really thought that his alcohol tolerance was this low. He only had a glass all throughout the celebration, just to help him loosen up his nerves, but he didn't know it would make him feel dizzy.
"No, Fyre… I think you should rest if you aren't feeling well." Paul said in concern because he knew better than anyone that Fyre was a recessive Omega. If anything happens to him because he's intoxicated, things could get complicated. Fyre said so himself that his body was unpredictable and he could have an attack anytime. It was better to be safe and prepared. As for Fyre, he tried to insist that he was fine, but Paul clearly wasn't going to have that so in the end, he had no choice but to nod. After all, he was indeed already too tired and it had felt like something was off with his body since earlier and it would be too dangerous to ignore it further.
"Okay... I understand. I apologize, Sir, Madam," Fyre excused after a while, receiving Paul's hand as the Alpha offered it to him.
"Don't worry about it. Please go ahead and rest." Mr. Hymlyn said this time with a smile. They still weren't sure whether Fyre was good for their son or not, but so far, it didn't seem to be like he was taking advantage of Paul.
Fyre and Paul finally left after excusing themselves. They used the back door in order to avoid the reporters waiting outside but as they did, Fyre suddenly lost his balance, losing strength on his knees. It was then that he realized something and he cursed internally. He thought it was finally over but now it had come back.
"Fyre, are you okay?" Paul asked as he caught his friend. He wasn't very sensitive to pheromones, so he didn't notice it right away.
"I-I think my heat came back..." Fyre replied helplessly. This had been happening quite often now, he didn't know why and what triggered it but it was really frustrating. Furthermore, his suppressant was no longer as effective as before and he'd have to visit his doctor to help him find a new one.
"I better help you settle into a room for the time being." Paul worriedly said and was quick to remove his coat and cover Fyre in hopes that his scent would at least prevent some of the raging pheromones from leaking elsewhere and attract attention. Since he already booked himself a room just in case, Paul helped Fyre towards the elevator when a hand suddenly snatched the Omega away from him. For a moment he was alarmed but as soon as he saw an Alpha glaring at him, his strong muscled arms wrapped around Fyre, and the Omega not seeming to be bothered by it, Paul halted and frowned.
"Where you think you're leading him to." Tian Zi growled, pressing Fyre against his chest. He had been observing the two for hours now. He wasn't intending to go and confront them, as he'd planned to only observe from afar, but seeing that Fyre didn't seem well, he could no longer hold back. And he was glad that he did, because it seemed like Fyre was in heat. His mind went crazy thinking what could have happened if he'd decided not to intervene.
"Fyre's in heat. I have to hurry up and put him in a room." Paul replied, frowning. He had a slight idea who the man in front of him was, but he couldn't just let him take Fyre. "Can you let him go? You're an Alpha. It'll be dangerous if you took in his pheromones." He added and attempted to snatch Fyre back but failed due to Tian Zi's quick reflex.
"Look who's talking! Aren't you an Alpha too?" Tian Zi argued, continuing his sharp annoyed glare.
"I am, but I'm different," Paul responded with his frown getting deeper. Earlier he wasn't sure, but now he was sure that the Alpha in front of him now was Mo Tian Zi. Fyre described him as an overbearing and arrogant young master, not to mention he looked very similar to Mo Laotian and Mo Hanlu, so there was no doubt he was the third son of the Mo household.
"Tsk. Yeah right!" Tian Zi said with a smirk. He didn't know Paul Hymlyn personally but he hated him already. It was something about the Alpha that just made him feel so annoyed.
"S-stop it you two..." Fyre finally interrupted in a daze. He seemed surprised to learn that Tian Zi was at the hotel, as he was dressed as if he attended the celebration, but he should not have comfortably clung to the Alpha just now.
"Fyre/Fyre!" The two called in unison.
"Paul, it's okay... Tian Zi won't hurt me." Fyre voiced out, slightly pulling away from Tian Zi feeling embarrassed with his earlier action. He couldn't deny that he was too used to Tian Zi' scent as it gave him comfort but he should have at least held back. 'This is why no one would believe we aren't lovers. I'm too dependent on him without knowing.' Fyre thought as he dazedly gaze upon Tian Zi and then to Paul and then back to Tian Zi.
"Why are you here?" Fyre couldn't help but ask. He knew for sure that even if he was indeed invited, Tian Zi would just ignore it and wouldn't go.
"That's not what's important. We need to get you out of here." Tian Zi replied with a frown. Fyre was obviously in heat but he still managed to ask him such an irrelevant question.
"I prepared a room for him to rest in. It's on the 10th floor..." Paul interrupted and attempted to snatch Fyre, but once again he failed, causing him to frown deeper, finally feeling annoyed. He wasn't the type who easily gets angry, but Mo Tian Zi definitely had a talent for triggering people, just like how Fyre had described him to be.
"No thanks. I'll be sending him back myself." Tian Zi declared stubbornly.
"Are you out of your mind? He's in heat!" Paul exclaimed as he was finally able to snatch Fyre's arm however still was not able to fully pull him away. His argument was valid because it was dangerous for an Alpha to be with an Omega in heat, but Mo Tian Zi was still being stubborn about it. He was being hostile against him when he only wanted to help Fyre while his heat was still manageable. Additionally, they were in public. If people saw them fighting over Fyre, the media would go crazy about the story.
"That's why I'm taking him back. You don't need to involve yourself." Tian Zi insisted again. While he understood what Paul Hymlyn was wanting to express, his pride didn't allow him. He could help Fyre perfectly fine, all by himself.
Meanwhile, Fyre watched all of this unfold in front of him in daze. He didn't really understand what the two were fighting over but he did know that if the two continued to argue, he'd soon faint and cause more trouble.
"Please stop it! Both of you are making me dizzier..." Fyre whined, pulling his hand away from Paul and then pushing Tian Zi away. "If you want to continue arguing then I'm leaving myself. I don't need either of you to take care of me!" Fyre cried before turning around to leave the two. Of course, he only managed to take a few steps before Tian Zi reached out to him and lifted him in his arms princess style.
"There's no way I'm going to let you do that." Tian Zi frowned and then glared back at Paul.
"I'm taking him back." Tian Zi only uttered before he started walking away. There was nothing Paul could do except watch the Alpha walk away with Fyre in his arms. He didn't bother chasing after them because it didn't seem like Fyre was against Mo Tian Zi taking him. But he did feel a little bitter because back then, Fyre only had him to rely on but now, he had another person who was taking care of him.
Picking up the coat that fell earlier from Fyre when he was suddenly lifted, Paul decided to go back to the venue. As for the two who had just left, they were both unaware that their relationship would take a huge turn after what was about to happen. Whether it was the beginning of the chase or where it ended, only the future could tell.
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To be Continued...
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