That night, Alex refused to sleep. She sat in bed, watching the door, visibly shaking. Dean watched her, concern darkening his face. Finally, he sat up. She was sitting on the edge, back to him, facing the door. He shifted over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Come back to bed," he murmured, burying his face in her neck. "You need to sleep."
Alex shook her head. "They'll take them," she whispered back.
"They wouldn't take them at night," Dean insisted. He pressed teasing kisses along her warm skin, wanting her attention on him. "Please?" He shifted so his chest was flat against her back. "If you won't sleep, at least relax with me."
Alex shook her head again, and Dean sighed. He kissed around her neck to her throat, leaning up to her lips. Alex couldn't resist. She kissed him back, melting under his warm hands running up and down her body. Her fears melted like morning dew beneath him, and she let him roll her back, crawling over her. There was nothing else she could do but submit.
...
There was a bump. Alex sat up, dislodging Dean, who let out a verbal complaint. "What was that?" she whispered, all senses on high alert.
"Nothing," Dean insisted, but paused to listen as well. The sound of footsteps could be clearly heard. Alex jumped out of bed, tearing into the hall. There, standing near the twins' room, was an alpha. Alex let out a snarl, her heart jumping into her throat, but was shoved back as Dean rushed past, launching himself at the man. He pinned him against the wall. "What. The. Hell. Do. You Think. You're. Doing." Dean accentuated each word with a punch to the face.
The alpha cried out in pain, ripping himself out of Dean's grasp. He cast one glance the bedrooms, taking a step back.
Dean stepped forward. "Why are you here?" he demanded.
"I was told to grab the pups," the alpha replied shakily, holding his nose. It was bleeding and was most likely broken. "Geez, man, give me a break."
"Give you a break?!" Dean's face twisted into a snarl. "You're here to take our children!" He stepped forward menacingly, and the alpha turned tail and ran. Dean gave chase.
Alex hurried into her children's bedrooms. Abel was awake, standing in the doorway, and Alex scooped him up. "Get into my bed," she whispered fiercely. "Now."
She put him down, and Abel nodded, hurrying off down the hall. Alex turned into the twins' room. Sarris was wide awake, but Merlin was still groggy. "Mommy, who was that?" Sarris got out of bed and walked over to them, eyes wide.
"It doesn't matter, darling." Alex looked down at him. "Come with me." She walked over to Merlin and gently pulled him out of bed. "Grab Plato, sweetie. You're going to sleep with us tonight."
Merlin tiredly did as she asked, and Alex led the her children into her room. Then she hurried out and retrieved Ashlyn, who was still fast asleep. As she stepped out of the room, Dean appeared at the top of the stairs. "He's gone," he growled. "I don't think he'll be back." He looked at the sleeping toddler in her arms, and he understood. "He won't be back," he repeated. "The kids can sleep in their own rooms."
Alex shook her head, carrying their youngest into the bedroom. Dean followed. "She can at least sleep in the crib," he insisted, referring to the infant's crib in their room.
Alex nodded dumbly, and placed Ashlyn in the crib, covering her with a small blanket. Dean got into their bed, already full with three young boys. He held out his arms, and Alex laid down next to him. "It's okay," he promised. Alex shifted, looking over at the kids next to her. Merlin had already fallen asleep, his stuffed platypus in his arms. Sarris was curled up next to him, eyes closed. Only Abel remained awake, sitting up near the headboard.
"You okay?" Alex asked him quietly.
Abel looked over at her, eyes wide. "Was the alpha coming for me?" he asked quietly.
Alex shook her head. "No, sweetheart." She sat up, pulling her oldest into a hug. "No alpha will ever take you away, okay?"
Abel nodded, and, as Alex watched, his eyelids slowly closed. She let him go, tucking him in,before turning back to Dean. "We'll move the bunk beds in here tomorrow," her mate whispered. "And put the other mattress on the floor. They'll all fit."
"Thank you." Alex curled up on his chest. His scent filled her mind, and she knew she would not be able to live without him.
...
They were not bothered again that night. When Alex woke up, the twins were awake and climbing on top of her, obviously excited at having slept in their parents' bed. Her eyes snapped open, and she sat up, angry and slightly surprised that she had fallen asleep. Abel was still asleep, and, as Alex looked at him, a twinge pity shooting through her. He looked so young, and so innocent. Tears clouded her vision, and she barely felt Dean pull her close. "We're gonna be okay," he promised. "We've overcome everything so far. We can get through this." He got up. "Let's go have some breakfast, okay? It should be here by now."
Alex nodded and got up, slowly following her mate. She picked up Ashlyn, who stared up at her mother, confused. "Mom?" she asked.
"Hey, Ash. You got to sleep in our room last night, didn't you." Dean walked up, taking Ashlyn from Alex. Alex let him and he carried her out of their room, the twins and Abel trailing behind.
By the time they got downstairs, their food was sitting on the table, and all six sat down. Dean passed out their plates, and Alex took up her fork, picking at her food. However, upon Dean's persistence, she ate as much as she could. That's when the room started to spin. That's when she knew.
"Dean," she gasped out, stumbling to her feet.
Dean stood up, eyes wide, only to collapse on the floor. Alex grabbed Abel, stumbling out into the living room. The room spun at a dizzying pace, and bile rose in her throat. They had been drugged. She heard the door open, and footsteps entered. Her steps faltered, and she fell, still clutching Abel. A dark figure approached, and hands pried Abel away. Alex fought back with all the strength she could muster, but her drugged body offered little opposition. Her children screamed, crying out for her, but Alex could do nothing. Darkness pulled at all sides, and she collapsed into the overwhelming blackness.
...
She was awake. Was she? She was. She opened her eyes, confused. Where was she? Who was she? Why was - her kids. Alex jumped up, her legs shaking. "Abel!" She screamed her son's name. Her voice was a broken sob. "Dean!" She stumbled through the house, but there was no one to be seen. "They took them," she screeched. They -" She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. Her heart had been ripped apart inside her chest, and she could no longer stand because of the pain. Alex sunk to the ground, holding onto a chair for dear life.
...
She didn't move for many, many hours. The drugs wore off, and so did the initial shock, which only made the pain from the loss that much more. Lunch was brought it, but it was ignored. So was dinner. Alex couldn't eat, couldn't think. She was dead inside.
Finally, Dr. Milligan entered. Alex hadn't moved; she was still laying on the cold kitchen floor. "Alex." The alpha knelt beside her.
Alex wrenched her mind back to the present, but said nothing.
"Alex. Look at me. You have to eat."
Still, no answer.
"Get up." The alpha pulled Alex to her feet. She remained limp, and, when he let go of her, she collapsed once again. Milligan huffed, kneeling back down. "You'll get over it. They're only -"
Alex pulled herself to her feet, launching herself at the alpha. Rage fueled her strength, and she pinned him against the wall. "Only what?!" she spat. "Only my mate and children? Damn you, you fucking alphas. Damn you to hell!" She clawed at the alpha, drawing blood. Dr. Milligan tried to fight back, but he couldn't match her strength. Finally, alphas appeared, dragging her away.
"She's mad!" Dr. Milligan cried. "Insane."
Alex snarled, struggling. Dr. Milligan limped out, and, as he left, so did the rage. Alex once again collapsed, every emotion and feeling draining out of her body. She was left on the floor.
...
At some point she must have drifted off, because she suddenly woke up, screaming her mate's name. He didn't come running in, and Alex screamed again, an inhuman scream fueled by pure anguish and misery. Another scream followed that, and then another. She screamed until her voice grew raw, and then fell into broken sobs.
...
Time passed. Alex didn't know how long. There were times when she came out of her mourning long enough to think rationally, all she could think about was how her mate was out there somewhere, being sold to some alpha. And her children. They were less than six years old! And they were being sold, separated - Alex fell back into maddening despair.
...
After some time, she was moved out of the house. She heard alphas talking, but she didn't understand words. She let her dissociation take hold, refusing to come out of it. It must have been days later, because she had to be force-fed, trying to get her back to her healthy weight. Dr. Milligan tried to talk to her, but she refused to listen.
Finally, she slipped back into the real world. She sat up, becoming aware of her surroundings. She was chained to the wall, with a needle in her arm. "You're back." An alpha looked down at her.
Alex huffed, tears slipping down her face.
"Is she still crying about her kids?" another alpha asked discouragingly. "It's been six days."
Alex let out a miserable snarl, and the first alpha let out a breath. "Well, apparently betas are much more protective than we originally thought. From what I've heard, the other isn't doing so well either."
Dean. Alex immediately perked up. "Dean," she whispered, leaning forward.
"Yeah, Dean." The second alpha huffed. "Never cared much for betas myself."
"How is he?" Alex begged. "Is he here?"
The alpha immediately dashed her hopes. "Don't think so. Even if he is, you don't get to see him."
"He's been sold," the first alpha explained. "I think his brother scrounged up some cash. Guess he had first dibs, too, being his legal owner and all."
Alex closed her eyes. He would be safe. "What of my kids?" she dared to asked.
"Shut up."
"She deserves to know, Hal," the first alpha chastised. "Abel will be fine. He's gonna continue what you guys did. Don't know about the other three. On the market, I suppose."
At that, Alex lost it. She struggled at her bonds, trying to be free. The needle was ripped from her arm, but the iron chain held her in place. The alphas barely payed attention. Alex stopped moving, already exhausted. "What about me?" Alex whimpered.
"You'll be sold. You'll probably bring in quite a bit, too." The first alpha looked thoughtful. "I'm surprised Luce didn't want you. Apparently he doesn't think you'll do well around the omegas. Can't blame him. Although I heard he might buy one of the kids, you know, to at least have a beta. He'd probably get one, too, cause he owns you or whatever."
Alex fell back against the wall, closing her eyes.