Surprising news for an alpha

Theodore hadn't shown up for class. It was enough to make a certain alpha, the volleyball team's stand-up player, worry. Something was telling him things weren't right. His instincts desperately urged him to seek out his omega, for they needed to be close to each other.

But he couldn't just get up from his desk and leave class to go after Theodore. He needed to trust him.

It had been hard to concentrate on training. Even Milles had noticed his concern, questioning him about what might be going on. He limited himself to saying that his intuition was bothering him. Even Nicolas had listened to his words without retorting as he usually did. His silence had been considered one more flag for the desperate alpha.

There came a moment when Gabriel's exercises became stronger and more aggressive. As if he was angry with himself for getting frustrated. Controlling himself was hard, only imagining that having the omega on his side could calm him down. Feeling its warmth and smelling its scent.

― Go to the changing room. ― Nicolas said to Milles and Gabriel, as the two rested on the floor.

― Why?

― I've already spoken to the coach, I'm taking you to Theo's house. ― Holding out a hand for the two boys to stand up, he helped them up even though they were surprised by his posture. ― I'm worried too, since you look like shit. And it's customary to ask him to analyse some techniques the teacher asked for.

― But I can go alone...

― Theo always helps me, so I'll do the same for him. Don't complain, you'll have to put up with me. And if you complain I'll kick your ass until you turn inside out.

Gabriel let out a low laugh. He couldn't argue with a short guy like that who was worried too. And so the three boys went to the changing room to take a quick shower, put on their uniforms and get their backpacks to leave the school.

On the way the alpha had calmed down a little with the usual discussions of Miles and Nicolas. It was impossible not to laugh at their chemistry, even when they exchanged curses and almost exchanged slaps they stayed close to each other. Would they ever walk hand in hand? Gabriel wished he were alive to see it happen.

― Why buy cake? Really, this way we'll be late.

― Theo likes sweets, so I want to take it. Come on, hand over the money.

― You want me to pay? Fucking shorty...

― Let me buy. ― Said Gabriel walking straight into the bakery.

Bought a small chocolate cake, favourite candy of certain omega, the three returned to walk. No surprise Nicolas was tired in the middle of the way, needing to be carried by the alpha who cursed him.

Would Theodore laugh along with him when he saw his friends like that? Then he would consider it a good idea to have come with them.

Arriving at the Moss house, Nicolas was about to knock on the door when Pete had suddenly opened it, surprising himself with the three young men standing there. Holding his lab coat and bag, the red-haired man grinned as he recognised Nicolas and Gabriel.

― Hello boys! Have you come to visit Theo?

― Hey uncle! Are you leaving for work?

― I got a call and I need to take it. Are you okay Nico?

― Ignore him, he's my personal slave. ― Said the omega about Miles.

― Slave my ass. ― Turning to the beta doctor, Milles cracked a charismatic smile ― I'm Milles, Theodore's friend. We came to escort the handsome guy over there, since he's been all bitter all day.

― Really? ― Pete turned in surprise to Gabriel. ― You look pale, have you eaten anything, Gabriel?

― Uh...

― Shit no, uncle, he been frowning all day, saying he needed to see Theo because he felt something strange.

― Seriously, why am I friends with you two? Will somebody explain it to me?

Pete let out a relieved laugh, patting Gabriel on the shoulder.

― 'It's great that you've come. You're going to help our boy put a smile on his face. Come in, I'm sorry I can't stay longer. But make yourselves at home.

Leaving in a hurry, the doctor got into his silver car and soon left the house. The three of them looked at each other before entering the house. Nicolas had gotten off Milles back looking around finding Aline in the kitchen stretching her neck to see the entrance to the house. As soon as she had noticed Gabriel she had pulled out her napkin to dry her hands and ran over to the alpha, holding his hands.

― Oh, Gabriel I'm so happy to see you again!

― Good times I was welcomed here ― Nicolas complained, making a face at Gabriel. ― By the way... When did you meet each other?

― You're evil, Nico! I met my son-in-law last night, something you and Theo should have done a long time ago.

Nicolas and Milles looked at each other in surprise, peering at Gabriel in great suspicion.

― Your son-in-law?

― I asked Theo to date me yesterday. ― Said Gabriel with a proud smile, but soon falling apart as he looked around. ― Speaking of which, where is he?

The woman's smile had gradually faded. Pointing upwards, she had soon said.

― It would be good for you to talk to him. He didn't leave his room after we got back from the hospital.

― Hospital? ― Gabriel despaired, throwing his backpack on the ground before running up the stairs.

Left behind, Nicolas and Milles watched as Gabriel ran up the stairs and out of sight like a jet. Taking the camera from his pocket and looking at it, Omega sighed.

― So much for my fun of recording that guy having a hard time meeting the in-laws. I was counting on this to brighten my day. ― Raising his tired eyes to the blond woman, Nicolas crossed his arms. ― What's going on, aunt?

She stepped between the alpha and the omega, grabbing his arms and smiling broadly as she pulled them into the kitchen.

― How about some tea? I'll have to leave for a moment to pick up Lisa. Oh, how about staying for dinner? Our Theo might cheer you up...

Upstairs, Gabriel left knocks on the door to Theodore's room. He waited to hear a reply, but there was none.

― Theo, it's me, Gabriel. Is it okay if I come in?

He waited some more and no answer. What could have happened to make his omega weird? Last night things had been so good, he had seen him smile so beautifully showing how happy he was.

Turning the door handle, he was surprised to notice that the door was unlocked. Putting only his head inside the room, he noticed the partially dark environment due to the closed curtains, being able to recognize the blond hair beside the bed.

Gabriel had entered the room closing the door behind him, walking until he came around the bed where he had found Theodore sitting on the floor hugging the pillow with his face buried in it. Crouching in front of him, he hadn't known what to say.

I mean, it was the first time he'd seen him like that. And the newly created bond between them was very confusing to understand yet. All he could understand, or interpret, was that Theodore was not well.

Touching his knee gently, he realised that the omega would not pay attention to him. Running him hand up his head where he stroked the golden strands, Gabriel had heard him sob.

― Theo, I'm here. Can you tell me what happened?

The omega had stirred and then lifted his face. His eyes were swollen and tears were still streaming down his cheeks. Despite his heart clenching with pure worry, the alpha had opened a smile as he slid his thumb across his face wiping away the tears.

Sitting down next to him, he had slung his arm across his shoulders and immediately Theodore had hugged him tightly releasing the pillow. Just from the squeeze he was receiving he could tell how much his omega was suffering. It would take as long as it took for him to calm down and tell what had happened.

After a few minutes of silence, Theodore finally whispered.

― We are ruined, Gabriel. ― His voice had sounded shaky and low, having the alpha's instinct to clutch him in his arms. ― What are we supposed to do?

― It depends on what happened, Theo. I need to understand the situation first.

With those reddened, swollen eyes again turned to the alpha, Theodore straightened, released from Gabriel's embrace, and stared at his own hands.

― Yesterday, after you left, Lisa started talking about eggs. ― laughed Theodore, though he was still crying. ― Like, she was hugging me and saying that I had eggs inside me. Weird, isn't it?

― Well, she's a kid...

― But Lisa kept sniffing me and saying that I was going to lay an egg. My mom thought it was weird and kept sniffing me saying that my smell had changed. We talked about that the other day, didn't we?

― Yes, since mine has also changed since your heat. So you told your mom about it?

― I did and then we talked about it. Anyway, they started to suspect I was expecting a baby. It's the only thing that made sense for my sister to keep her face stuck to my tummy lately and still say I'm going to lay an egg... Oh my God, that's so ridiculous, I can only laugh.

The mere mention of it was enough for Gabriel to be surprised and frozen. Without taking his eyes off the omega, the alpha held his hands and squeezed his fingers.

― What do you mean? I distinctly remember using a condom. I mean... Except for that time in the locker room. But...

― I told them we were careful, but they still took me to the hospital this morning for a blood test. ― Wiping his face with the back of his hand, Theodore kept his eyes downcast as he continued. ― They said it was routine, that because I have a steady partner I should have these tests. But the biggest suspicion was that if I was... Shit, it's unbelievable.

Impatient with the story unfolding, Gabriel stroked Theodore's face, making him look at him. More tears rolled down his face as the omega soon said.

― It's positive, Gabriel.

― What? What was positive? ― Questioned the stunned alpha. ― Wait... Does that mean that you... And I...

Theodore nodded, closing his eyes again and shedding more tears. It was now clear as water the anguish he had felt all day. His instincts knew very well that the omega was expecting a son...

A son...

A son...

It... Would... be... father...

At sixteen.

― Are you sure about this result Theo? I mean... These tests can be wrong. A false positive, isn't that what they call it?

― Pete thought of that too and that's why he had a colleague examine me. ― Laughed Theodore in sheer disbelief as he stretched out on the floor to take an envelope from his bed and pulled out a small piece of paper with a black and white image on it. ― I mean, look at the size of it, it's too tiny. But it's there... I mean, here.... Oh I don't know.

Taking the sheet of paper in hand, Gabriel looked at that image so confused. If it weren't for the red pen circling that tiny white ball in the darkness, he would never have imagined it was an embryo. Passing the tips of his fingers over the image, a feeling was born at that very moment.

For that sixteen year old teenager, it was the most dreadful news he could receive. Many things went through his mind, thinking that his life would be more difficult because of that measly little baby.

But there was an alpha instinct screaming in the purest euphoria inside him. An alpha that seemed to celebrate his victory. After all, he had managed to impregnate an omega. Even more, his omega. His soul mate. Instincts were stronger, completely ignoring reason and rationality, which insisted on analysing the negative points of that happening.

The result was an enigmatic smile from Gabriel, still staring at that image.

― Do you realize what this will bring for us? I mean, we haven't even finished school. And... I don't even have any money, how am I going to take care of a child? I won't be able to get a job, and I won't even... Oh, we're screwed. Really screwed.

― Will he get your eyes?

Theodore stared at that alpha with surprise, noticing the smile the alpha was delivering. Confused, the omega hurriedly wiped away his tears.

― What are you talking about?

― The baby, of course. I hope he has your eyes, and your little fangs. I love it when you smile and show them off.

― Gabriel!

The alpha had finally turned his eyes away from the paper to aim them at the omega. What were they really talking about?

Oh yes...

Theodore was preoccupied with more serious matters and he was giving way to his instincts. He was right to be desperate at the thought that their lives would change completely with the arrival of a new human being. However, they needed to clarify one point first. Taking a deep breath, the alpha then looked at the omega.

― What do you want to do? Do you want to take it out?

― Take what out?

― The baby, of course.

Horrified Theodore had denied with his head, hugging his own belly.

― It's a life, Gabriel! Don't think nonsense.

― I just want to know how much you want this child. ― Said the alpha holding the omega's face. ― I'm not going to lie, it hasn't sunk in yet, and it's probably going to take a while to understand what's going to happen from now on. I can only guarantee you one thing, that I will never leave your side. No matter what decision you make.

― Don't you get scared? What will they think of us? Our families will think we're irresponsible. And we're not even adults yet, how will we survive?

― Of course I'm scared. It's not like I want to be a father now. Besides, I haven't even told my dad about you, and I already foresee a headache over the matter. But it's done now. He's already here. ― Gabriel rested his hand on Theodore's stomach. ― I just need to know your answer. Do you want to have this child with me or not?

Lowering his eyes to his belly and Gabriel's hand resting on it, the omega had felt that warmth that made him comfortable. Biting his lips he had looked at his boyfriend again, he had shaken his head.

― 'I would love to, of course. But, I don't feel safe. I'm scared, Gabriel.

Hugging his omega, Gabriel had cracked a simple smile.

― It is from fear that courage comes. I will protect you, whatever it takes. We'll find a way to overcome any obstacle. Always together.

Theodore clung to Gabriel, crying again. This time he was relieved. Maybe it was the smell of his alpha, or the bond created that conveyed the reassurance he needed to feel... It didn't matter. Only in that embrace, the two felt capable of facing all the obstacles that the world dared to put before them.