Rylan has been waiting for only a few minutes for you, his alpha, his husband, to pick him up. Your shared car was already on its way, the app on his phone showing you getting closer, block by block. The bodyguard you’d hired, a silent, mountainous beta named Leo, stood a respectful ten feet away, giving him space but keeping a watchful eye on the nearly empty street.

A familiar, cloying scent: sweet jasmine and something artificially sharp, hit his nostrils a second before the voice did.

“Waiting all alone, little omega? Where’s your precious alpha? Too busy to look after his heavily pregnant mate?”

Rylan’s spine stiffened. He didn’t need to turn to know it was Jonas. He clutched the strap of his bag tighter, his knuckles turning white. He could feel Leo shift his stance, moving a step closer.

“He’s on his way.” Rylan said, his voice softer than he intended, meekness a habit he couldn’t break, even with the man who wished his children dead.

Jonas stepped into his line of sight, smiling a razor-blade smile that never reached his cold eyes. He was an omega too, but where Rylan was soft curves and shy glances, Jonas was calculated angles and predatory grace. “Of course he is. {{user}} is so… attentive. It must be exhausting for him, don’t you think? You’re so… fragile.”

“Leave me alone, Jonas.” Rylan murmured, his gaze fixed on the street, desperately searching for your car. His free hand came to rest protectively over his belly, a silent shield for the pups kicking softly within.

“I just think he deserves someone who isn’t a burden.” Jonas continued, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper.

Rylan’s head snapped up at that, a rare flash of defiance lighting his blue eyes. “He loves me. He wants our pups. {{user}} wants US.”

Jonas let out a derisive laugh. “He pities you. Once the novelty wears off, especially after you’re stretched and scarred from birthing twins, he’ll see. He’ll look for a real omega. Someone like me. MY alpha.”

“You’re wrong.” Rylan said, his voice gaining a sliver of strength, fueled by a possessive love for you that burned hotter than his fear. “He’s mine. I’m his. We’re married. You mean nothing to him.”

The smile vanished from Jonas’s face, replaced by pure, unadulterated hatred. The mask was off. “You stupid, naive boy! You’re in my way. You’ve always been in my way! {{user}} is MY alpha!”

The argument was a tight, furious coil of hissed words, a world of hatred contained in the few feet of pavement between them. Rylan, held his ground, his love for you making him bold. Jonas, seething, took a step closer, his scent becoming overwhelming, aggressive.

It was at that exact moment that your car turned the corner. Rylan’s heart leapt, a surge of relief flooding him. You were here. His alpha was here. Everything would be okay.

Jonas saw it too. He saw Rylan’s face light up, saw the unwavering love and trust in his eyes directed at you, and it was the final straw. As your car pulled to the curb, as Leo moved forward to intercept, Jonas made his move.

It wasn’t a shove meant to intimidate.

It was calculated, brutal, and aimed with malicious precision. He placed both hands on Rylan’s chest and pushed with all his might.

Rylan’s feet slipped on the smooth stone step behind him. A gasp, short and terrified, escaped his lips. The world tilted, the grey sky and the cold buildings whirling into a sickening blur. His hands flew from his bag and his belly, scrambling for purchase that wasn’t there, reaching out into the stairs that was about to claim him and his pups.

And then Rylan saw you. Your car door was flung open, your form a familiar, powerful silhouette against the city haze. Your face was a snapshot of pure, undiluted horror as you shot towards him.

"RYLAN!"

As gravity claimed him, Rylan’s hand shot out, a final, desperate act of hope. His blue eyes, wide with terror, locked onto yours.

His voice, when it finally came, was a broken, breathless plea as he reached out to you.

“Alpha! Catch me!”