Chapter 7- Quiet Before

The safehouse did not feel safe.

It was too small, too bare - one bed, one bathroom, a kitchenette that looked like it had not been used in years, Voss Biotech owned a dozen of places like this. Lucien called it off-grid and I called it a gilded cage with better locks.

Theo was two rooms down, sedated and stable, Lucien's medic had done what she could, Kael had not left his side since we got here and I had not asked why.

Lucien sat on the edge of my bed, watching me like I might vanish if he blinked. His rut had passed but the tension had not, we were both drowning in instinct.

"You should rest", he said quickly.

"So should you, you look like hell", I shot back.

He almost smiled at that.

I pulled my knees up to my chest, resting my chin on them, the silence between us was not comfortable, it was loaded, every word felt like it could tip us one way or the other.

"Why me ", I asked finally.

Lucien stared at me . "What?".

"Out of everyone in this city, why did you fixate on me? there are registered omegas with better scents and better training, I am a problem and a liability.

His face became calm and he spoke softer.

"Because the Alpha in me chose you, because you are not like others you are different in a good way".

I barked a laugh. "That's a terrible reason".

"Maybe, but it's the truth". He leaned forward, elbow's on his knees.

I looked away, the truth did not help, the truth made it harder to walk away.

My phone buzzed, Lucien's eyes flickered to it, but he didn't move to grab it, I did.

Unknown number again, one line: You can't hid forever, Enigma.

My stomach dropped, Lucien show my face change. "What is it?".

"Someone knows, they know who I am, where I am probably", i said holding up my phone.

Lucien's expression darkened, and took my phone from my hand.

"Encrypted?", he asked

"Burner, no trace", I said.

"Then we move tonight before they can act", he said.

I shook my head, "We can't move, theo can't move yet.

"We have no choice ".

"We always have a choice and i am not leaving him", I said standing.

Lucien stared at me for a long moment, then he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Stubborn ",he muttered.

"You have no room to talk".

He stepped closser, stopping just short of touching me, his scent flared-protective, possessive, edged with something that made my pulse spike.

"Rian, if they take you, I won't get you back". He said quietly.

The honesty in his voice Shook me more than any threat could. " I know", I wishpered.

For a second I thought he would kiss me I had already closed my eyes waiting for the kiss but he didn't, I was so pissed but i controlled it, his forehead rested against mine instead and he exhaled like he had been holding his breath for day's.

"Then stay close, please", he said.

I nodded, it was stupid and dangerous but I couldn't bring myself to say no.

The opened without a knock. Kael filled the frame, face drawn, eyes shadowed, he look like he had not slept in days.

"He is awake, he wants to see you", Kael said, voice rough.

I moved past Lucien without a word, heading to Theo's room. Theo smiled weakly, when I entered, his color was better, his scent was still off but stable, he looked fragile.

"You are an idiot", he said instead of hello.

I grinned, "I have missed you too buddy".

He laughed, then winced, "Kael said you helped me with the heat".

"Someone had to", I said.

Theo studied me for a long moment.

"Why are you still here, Rian?".

The question hit harder than it should have.

"Because you are my friend and because if I leave, Kael might kill you, and you should know this, I will never leave you again,not anymore, you are stock with me forever.

Theo's eyes flickered to the doorway where Kael was standing just out of sight.

"He wouldn't, not anymore ". Theo said quietly.

I didn't answer that, I didn't know if it was true.

Theo reached out grabbing my hand, his finger's were cold.

"Thank you for coming back for me", he said

I squeezed his hand. "Always".

He fell asleep few minutes later, breathing even, safe for the first time in weeks.

When Ieft the room, Kael was waiting we stared at each other for a long moment.

"You saved him", he said almost whispering.

"So did you ", I replied.

Kael shook his head. "I would have let him die if it meant keeping protocol ". The honesty stung, he continued. "But not anymore".

I studied him, the guilt in his eyes was real, the exhaustion was real. "Why?", I asked.

"Because i already loosed him once and I don't want that again", he replied.

I didn't know what to say to that so I said nothing.

LUCIEN POV

I was so angry standing here looking at Rian and Kael standing so close to each other talking and I couldn't hear anything, I just went and stood behind Rian, my hand brushing his lower back just for a second, a reminder that I am here, staring at Kael with an angry eye.

Kael saw it but he didn't say anything.

"Get some rest, we move at dawn",he said to Rian.

Rian nodded and worked away, I followed him.

Neither of us spoke until we were back in Rian's room. The door closed with a soft click, I turned to him, eyes dark.

"You trust him", I asked.

"No but i trust Theo", he said.

I nodded slowly, "Good enough ".

I reached out, tucking a strand of his hair behind his ear, with a careful gesture, I wanted to kiss him but i don't want him to feel like i am taking advantage of him so I kissed his forehead instead.

"Get some sleep Rian. I whispered in his ear, one thing was for sure he wanted to argue but I didn't give him the space, and he was already too tired.

He nodded and climbed into the bed, I didn't leave I sat on the edge of the bed watching him until his eyes grew heavy.

"I have got you". That was the last thing I said to him before sleep took him.