Chapter 45 - Broken becomes whole

Just before the fight between Nathaniel and Caspian...

Entering the kitchen to get something to drink, the four friends took advantage that Nathaniel was with Guilherme to talk in private. Jake told his friends about the recent events that made him worried about omega, already expecting their disbelief.

— A list of potential brides? And one of them is from your class? Holy shit.

— Don't even talk to me, she's a good person, but I was very surprised Bianca went to talk to Nathaniel the other day.

Matheus crossed his arms looking thoughtful.

— You said she went to talk about the journalist's break-in last year, right?

— That's right. And today on gym, another journalist approached Nath. He said the guy wanted to interview him for some story they're doing to honor Ares.

— Man, Jake, just look who you got involved with — Junior was sighing leaning against the counter after picking up a can of soda from Ricardo — The joker seems to be a bomb of trouble.

Frowning at his friend, Jake only snorted when Junior apologized. Unfortunately it was true, Nathaniel seemed to attract trouble despite being against his will. 

— What are the chances your family already knows about the joker? — Asked Ricardo.

— High. I suspect Bianca might be involved in this.

— Should we try to investigate her? — Matheus would ask, opening a smile right after seeing Jake arch his eyebrow — Don't look at me like that, her family must be important, my old man might know something.

— If you find something worthwhile. Besides, I need to find a way to protect Nath from journalists. 

— Even if you were kicked out of the family, you still use the last name Mckenzie. Soon you can also be approached by journalists, don't you think?

Ricardo was right. It was only a matter of time before the journalists who were after Nathaniel found out about Jake. The Mckenzie could take advantage of a scandal to increase their influence. He hadn't forgotten what Nathaniel had said about them wanting to sponsor Ares in the past.

In the end, everything revolved around this fighter.

— Can you look into Ares? Not just what's in magazines and news, I've wanted information from him since his debut as a fighter.

— Do you think we're like FBI? It's not easy to get information like that.

— Look at the Mr. Hacker drama, and don't give me excuses, I just want you to use your connections with these rich people and get something good.

Immediately everyone looked at Ricardo, who made a face.

— Come on! I only slept with the woman a few times, and as a favor she gives me what I ask for. It's an exchange of favors.

— That has another name on it, and usually the business card is written on a pay phone.

— You're a rich lady's favorite toy, take advantage of it and get us something. 

— Oh, my little body is worth more than that!

— Marry her soon, hell!

— I like my freedom.

It was amazing how his friends seemed to have secret lives. Matheus was the son of an influential family rival of the Mckenzie, the Castilho. Junior loved spending his time hacking systems and stealing information for Rapoxia, and pointing out the flaw in the security system made him a lot of money. 

Ricardo had a strange relationship with a rich woman, and as far as Jake knew, she was into the fashion world. He never questioned the nature of such a relationship, since his friend neither complained about it. Well, that would come in handy now.

If Matheus got something from his parents and Ricardo from his mistress, surely Jake could have enough information to understand what the hell happened to Nathaniel. He could wait for him to tell his life, of course, but if a journalist approached him, then he needed to be ready for any situation.

And still, keep his family away from omega.

With the plans closed, the four boys returned to the pool facing an intense atmosphere. A shiver warned Jake of something bad was happening, especially when seeing Nathaniel and Caspian being separated by Jonas.

— What the fuck is going on?

— Damn... 

The four boys looked to the side seeing Guilherme holding two glasses of soda. The beta came to tremble while watching that situation from afar. Why was he there? Shouldn't he be on his brother's side?

— Guilherme, what happened?

Jake didn't even wait for an answer. He had trusted that Guilherme would stay with Nathaniel only so that he could talk to his friends for a moment and would soon return to his side. Because he wanted to enjoy the party next to Nathaniel.

But then, what is it?

That guy, Caspian, was around? Was it just taking his eyes off his omega and an alpha was coming up to mess with Nathaniel?

Clenching his fists, Jake approached and smelled Caspian pheromones coming from Nathaniel. The vein on his forehead already pulsed in the purest irritation.

How dare he cover his omega with that disgusting odor?

Should Jake punch him in the face to make it clearer that he stay away from Nathaniel? How many times would it be necessary to throw that mutt in the middle of the street to learn not to mess with them? 

Despite all his anger and eagerness to end the situation once and for all, Jake did not expect Nathaniel to take off his shirt and throw it on the lawn. All he could see was his back, and at a glance Jake could see scars all over his skin.

Quickly the alpha turned his face covering his mouth. 

What the fuck was that?

Why did he have so many?

Is that why Nathaniel didn't want to show it to anyone? Why didn't he let Jake touch him under his shirt even when they were alone?

Jake needed to do something. Nathaniel was not the kind of person who would expose himself for free. And just feeling the pheromones of Caspian on his shirt, Jake already had a sense of why Nathaniel chose to take it off.

Grabbing a towel that was on the table, Jake marched off releasing his pheromones to cover Nathaniel. When he was finally able to cover his shoulders and face him, the alpha felt the body of the omega tremble and use the pheromone itself to protect itself.

Even covering Nathaniel's scars, Jake chose not to look at him directly. He'd keep his face turned respecting Nathaniel's choice to hide, but he'd like to keep him safe in your arms. 

— You never let me see you shirtless, so I'll only look when I have your permission.

By hugging him tight, Jake could calm himself. He was safe with him, could save him whenever needed. Nathaniel shouldn't carry the weight of the world on his back, he could trust the alpha he chose.

And for that, Jake should make it clear to everyone.

That fucking redhead of yours!

— That was the last time I tolerated you, you fucking redhead. For messing with my omega, you're my target.

— Whoa, whoa, Jake! Calm down, man you know what that means! — Matheus reminded him.

Of course he knew, that's exactly why he said it.

Since that son of a bitch wanted to get beat up so badly, then he was gonna make your life a living hell until he realized what he's gotten himself into.

— Ha! Your omega? Do you know what this guy is doing with Guilherme? Besides, what could he do?

Jake could stand there for hours arguing until he lost his temper and drowned that bastard in the pool, but he felt Nathaniel tighten his shirt that Jake hesitated. 

He didn't want to stand there listening anymore. Jake needed to get Nathaniel out of there as soon as possible. His pheromones were out of control and he was reacting because of Caspian.

— I will not speak again. 

Pulling Nathaniel out of the house, the alpha couldn't calm down properly. Jake wanted to go back there and beat that bastard's ass for messing with his omega. 

What was he supposed to do?

What can Jake do to make his omega be happy without anyone bothering him? There was always someone to pull Nathaniel into an abyss. Should he be on his ass 24 hours? Should Jake just bite Nathaniel and bond where everyone would know about him belongs to the alpha? 

Should he just run somewhere where only the two of them exist?

What the hell is he supposed to do?!

— Jake.

As he stopped walking, the alpha realized that he was squeezing Nathaniel's wrist and was walking so fast that he left him panting. 

— Sorry, Nath. I just... lost my mind for a second.

Scratching the back of his head, the alpha continued to avoid looking at Nathaniel. Jake didn't want to be like the other band of curious people who would surely gossip about what they saw when the omega took off his shirt. 

— Can we go somewhere? Please.

— Sure, I'll call a cab and we can go to my apartment.

Nathaniel did not answer, in fact he remained silent while Jake called a taxi for them. Even when they got into the orange car, none of them said anything. To Jake's relief, the omega didn't let go of his hand.

His hand was cold and he smelled like beer. Jake could still feel remnants of Caspian pheromones, but Jake's and Nathaniel's own were prevalent. Even if he felt cold, Jake left the window open to vent the air and avoid making his lover's situation worse.

From the corner of his eye, he could tell that Nathaniel kept his head down as if he wanted to hide. Again he saw that brilliant person trying to escape the world.

How annoying.

The silent path to the building where Jake lived was covered by a torturous silence. Such silence persisted when the boys entered the building, climbed the elevator and entered the small apartment.

Only then could Jake sigh relieved to finally be home. Away from those glances, away from everyone who could do harm to Nathaniel. He was safe now.

— Go take a shower, Nath. I'll get you another outfit.

The omega obeyed quietly going straight to the bathroom. As promised, the Alpha separated some of your clothes and left them on the dresser next to the bathroom door. He then texted Matheus that he had taken Nathaniel to the apartment, so he could warn the beta as well.

Now Jake could focus one hundred percent on his omega.

— How am I supposed to calm him down? — Pondered the alpha, walking around the quiet apartment — Do I prepare something to eat? Maybe candy, Nath likes candy?

Heading into the kitchen, Jake tossed the cabinets behind some sweet snack. He even found a pack of chocolate trakinas, but it was all he had. He needed to shop, he remembered the alpha.

As Jake warmed up some milk, the smell of his soap flooded the apartment. The sounds of footsteps heralded the arrival of omega, and Jake soon turned off the stove to go to the boy who had his head covered by the towel.

His hair dripped, but he kept his head down without looking at Jake. Approaching the omega, the alpha held the towel opening a calm smile.

— You should dry your hair, Nath. You might catch a cold.

Nathaniel put his head against Jake's chest.

— You won't ask me anything?

Sighing relieved, Jake continued to dry Nathaniel's hair gently. He seemed calmer, no longer trembling and no longer had the smell of Caspian itself. 

— I told you, I won't look until I have your permission. And if you're referring to what happened, then I'll wait when you're comfortable to tell me.

— Now everyone knows I'm an omega.

— Now everyone knows you're my omega.

— I said it would be temporary. You don't deserve a broken omega.

Nathaniel raised his head, he seemed worried. Returning to the gaze laden with hidden meanings, Jake caressed the face of the omega gently, weaving his fingers to Nathaniel's wet threads. 

Leaning against his foreheads, Jake stroked Nathaniel's lobe without ceasing to smile. Now, that was your concern? Did he believe the alpha deserved some kind of perfect omega?

— It's okay, I was broke too.

— Was?

— Yes, but... — Without backing away, Jake raised his eyes to Nathaniel having his face reddening suddenly from the shame of admitting it — I like you very much, Nathaniel. So please keep choosing me as your alpha and let me stand by you.

The omega has moved the least to see Jake's face. Nor could he go too far, the alpha proceeded to hold his hands against his chest where he could feel his poor heart beating rampant.

— Would you still like someone like me, even knowing who I am?

Taking Nathaniel's hand to his face, Jake rubbed his cheek in his warm palm without knowing how to control his expressions. It was as if Jake was completely melted by him, he meant several things he kept in his chest, but standing in front of Nathaniel none of them seemed appropriate.

It was a strange feeling, but at the same time pleasant.

— You're Nathaniel. It doesn't matter if you're a boxer, if you're a business student or whatever... You'll always be Nathaniel.

— What if I end up liking you more than I should?

Oh poor Jake's heart could hardly take it, it would jump out of his chest soon enough. The expression that Nathaniel made was charming for making explicit his feelings. It might have been arrogant of Jake to state with such certainty, but Jake knew he was right.

Nathaniel liked him a lot.

And just the thought of it, it was enough for Jake to feel complete.

Kneeling in front of the omega, Jake held his hands kissing his back.

— Haha, no need to be afraid because I have already taken this step towards you. I feel whole when I am with you, and so I will be ambitious in stealing you for myself. I hope you say yes.

— Say yes to what?

— You want to date me, Nathaniel?