"We need to find them," Beyond growled as he turned away from the worthless camera footage. As suspected, it had yielded nothing. The Alpha had grown increasingly agitated as the minutes passed and they came up with no leads as to where their mate was. "Damn it, where would this person take them?"

"Could it be more than one?" L interjected as Beyond began to pace a hole in the floor of the office. "Alex has training in close combat fighting from Wammy's. If it came down to it, he could handle himself, but if there was more than one…"

"There were signs of a struggle, but no blood and the furniture wasn't disturbed. Only the laptops and mugs were," Beyond frowned and continued to walk back and forth as he tried to put himself in the assailant's shoes. Profiling had always been one of his greatest strengths and he needed to leverage it now. I have to calm down and think rationally if I want to figure this out.

The laptops looked like they'd been purposely broken, not wrecked by accident in a fight.

The coffee cups were smashed as if they'd been thrown on the ground, not knocked off the table in a scuffle.

There was no fight.

The destruction was a ruse to throw us off.

The person who took them did so without difficulty.

"But why and how…" Beyond murmured thoughtfully. Why didn't you resist, Alex? Were they threatening Light and you went along with-

"L, Beyond," Quillish hurried into the room, having returned from the police station following the meeting with the NPA. "Any luck so far?"

"No, the cameras were looped," L sighed in frustration. "I'm reviewing profiles of past and present associates that could be suspects."

"Let me know what I can do," Quillish replied as he pulled out his phone and answered an incoming call. "Hello? Yes, this is Quillish…Oh, my apologies. I won't be able to come to meet you, but we'll pay you for the trip out."

The elder Beta grew pale as the person on the other end of the line responded.

"Screaming? From inside?"

The two Alphas turned their full attention to Quillish as he put the phone on speaker.

"Yeah, I figured maybe you were watching some sort of horror movie and couldn't hear me knocking," the man chuckled. "Must've left the TV running."

"That must have been it. Thank you," Quillish replied in a hurry. "I'll be in touch to reschedule a meeting about the additional panic room."

"Sounds good, take care!" The contractor responded before hanging up.

Screaming…

Light…

Beyond felt strangely calm as he strode to the wall safe and unlocked it. The Alpha pulled out one of the handguns there, checking the clip as he felt L come up behind him.

"B-"

"Don't try to talk me out of this-"

"I'm not," L growled lowly as he placed a kiss on the nape of the younger Alpha's neck and reached past him to pick up the first gun's identical twin. Beyond nodded grimly as felt his own cold rage mirrored through their bond. "Let's go."

xxx

Light wasn't sure how long he'd been screaming. He was pretty sure he'd passed out at one point, but Alex had dragged him to wakefulness once more with a slap across the face.

"No rest for the wicked, Light," Alex chirped gleefully. "I'm not even close to done with you yet."

"Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh! Stop! Please…" Light sobbed as the blond carved into the top of his right thigh with a look of intense concentration on his face.

"Shh, stay still," Alex warned him as he continued. "Wouldn't want me to nick your femoral artery, eh? Fun would be over far too soon if that happened."

Light screamed again, only to have Alex slap a hand over his mouth to muffle it. His captor cocked his head to the side as if listening for-

*knock knock*

Alex scowled and set down the knife before grabbing the gag and securing it in Light's mouth.

*knock knock*

"Don't fucking move, princess," Alex muttered. He took his gloves off and tossed them aside as he stood. The Omega picked up a gun from the table as he hurried from the room.

Someone's here. Maybe they can help me. This might be the only chance I have... Light stifled a groan as he sat up. His entire body stung and ached from the cuts Alex had made upon it. He tugged at his bound hands again, but it wasn't loose enough to slip free.

I just need to get to the panic room. Then I'll come up with a plan to get out of these and contact L and Beyond. Light rose from the bloodied plastic as quietly as possible. He hurried to the doorway, listening closely and looking around. He glanced down at the blood that was starting to drip down his leg from the cut Alex had just made.

I'll have to hide quickly, or it'll get on the floor and leave a trail. Light swayed on his feet briefly, woozy from pain and blood loss as he leaned against the door. Okay, where is it? I need to remember. If this is the master suite, then-

Light's breath caught in his throat at the sound of footsteps making their way up the stairs.

Shit! Light tip-toed quickly to a room a couple doors down and went inside.

"You stupid, fucking bitch!" Alex screeched angrily from down the hall as Light slipped inside an open closet door in the room.

Stay calm. He took a deep breath and tugged at the rope around his wrists again. It had loosened a bit more, but not enough to wiggle free yet. Light grimaced and closed his eyes as a wave of nausea washed over him. Don't get sick, don't get sick, don't get si-

"Li-iight!" Alex called out in a tone that was free from the malice it had previously held.

It was the voice of his friend…

Light blinked heavily as Alex's lavender scent flooded the floor. The fragrance was laced with promises of safety, beckoning to Light to reveal himself.

"It's going to be okay," Alex's voice soothed as he made his way down the hall, drawing closer to the room Light was in. "Come out so I can take care of you."

Yes, he'll take care of me. He's my friend. Light eyes slid closed as he was lulled by the tempting call of Alex's powerful pheromones. They snapped open in horror as he started to take a step forward and realized how close he'd come to giving in. Light dug his nails into his palms and bit back a whimper as he heard the door to the room he was in creak.

The brunet Omega held his breath, waiting.

"Light? I want to take you home now," Alex was further away now, heading down the hall. "I promise you'll be safe…"

Light released a shuddering breath as the other Omega's voice grew fainter. He cautiously peered out of the closet before heading for the door.

The panic room. Now I remember. It's in the opposite direction, around the corner next to the second-floor office. Light stepped out into the hall and walked softly down it, unconcerned for the trail of blood he could no longer prevent. He passed by the master suite on his way and could barely contain the urge to run at the sight of the plastic covered room. No, I just need to keep it together a little longer. I can't take a chance that he'll find me before I can hide again.

"Tsk, tsk…what a mess you've made of this place."

Light turned with a gasp, feet slipping on the blood-slicked floor and forcing him to slam into the wall to keep from falling. Alex smirked from the other end of the long hallway as he began to walk toward Light.

"Whoever was knocking left before I even got to the door," Alex smugly informed him. "It's just you and me now."

Run! Fucking move! Light screamed in his head as he pushed off the wall and ran in the opposite direction. The door to the panic room was just ahead. If he could get inside-

"Mmph…hnh…" Light let out a muffled cry of pain as he was shoved hard from behind. The sound of Alex's amused laughter rang loudly in his ears. Time seemed to move in slow motion as he stumbled, unable to put his hands out to break his fall, the wood floor rushed toward him…and then, blessed darkness.

xxx

"Keep watch out front," L murmured to Quillish as they stood outside the front door to the house. "If you don't hear from either of us in the next ten minutes, contact the NPA."

The elder gentleman nodded in agreement and keyed in the code on the door to open it. L's eyes widened as they stepped inside, the faint, but unmistakable scent of blood laced the air. L turned to Quillish once more as he and Beyond slipped their shoes off in the entry to allow them to move with more stealth.

Call an ambulance. Now. L mouthed silently to the Beta before closing the door. Beyond signaled to move forward with one of his hands, keeping his gun trained ahead of them as he took the lead. Ever since they'd left the penthouse, Beyond had radiated a determined sense of calm, so unlike the panic and fear that had initially gripped him after they'd discovered Light and Alex were missing.

Beyond stopped briefly and curiously sniffed the air. L took a deep breath as well, picking up on the hints of lavender and strawberries that lingered.

At least we're on the right track. L decided as they followed the scent up the staircase to the second floor where it was thicker. L's heart jumped into his throat as they reached the top and saw streaks of blood painting the floor halfway down the hall. Beyond reached out to grip his free hand and squeezed tightly, never taking his narrowed eyes off the path ahead of them. L reciprocated and steadied himself as they continued ahead.

I still can't sense him. L's stomach lurched with fear. Please be alive…

The smell of cigarette smoke wafted through the air. It was familiar somehow, but L couldn't quite place-

"Wake up, you stupid cunt! We're not done yet!"

What the hell is going on? L wondered as they stopped in their tracks at the sound of Alex's voice and the muffled scream of pain that followed.

Light!

"Welcome back, princess," Alex sneered. "Did that get your attention? Did you like that? You know, you really shouldn't smoke while pregnant, but if you insist…"

A second desperate scream snapped both Alphas out of their momentary shock. They hurried around the corner, coming to a stop at the open door to the master suite.

"Alex, step away from Light," Beyond snarled as he aimed the gun at the blond. L couldn't stay calm as he glimpsed the inside of the room.

Blood was splattered and smeared across the plastic-covered floor.

Cuts, bruises and a few cigarette burns decorated their Omega's body.

All while their closest friend hovered above Light with a gun in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

"Beyond…L," Alex whispered, eyes wild and half-crazed as a bright smile spread across his face. "It's okay, I'm taking care of this. We can be together once I'm done here."

"What do you mean, Alex?" Beyond asked, aim unwavering as he kept his gun trained on the young man.

"I knew I just needed to show you how much I cared first, then you'd see," Alex beamed at them. "All the cases we've worked on over the years…retracing our steps together has been my gift to both of you."

It all suddenly clicked together in L's mind. The pieces of evidence fit seamlessly together in the wake of this revelation.

Oh, my God…

"Alex…are you responsible for all of the murders we're investigating?" L stared at the Omega in disbelief. What happened to you, my friend?

"Yes!" Alex nodded eagerly. "I knew it was the best way to show you that I know you better than anyone else. That I'm perfect for you…so we can be mates."

"We already have a ma-"

"I just want the chance to make you happy," Alex interrupted, smile faltering briefly as he pressed the gun to Light's temple. The brunet whimpered in fear as tears streamed down his bruised face. "I'll prove my love to you."

"Alex, step away from Light," L echoed Beyond's earlier words with a low growl and a rush of dominant pheromones to try and compel Alex to submit and obey.

"W-what?" Alex looked like he'd been slapped, shock and hurt clear on his face as he stood, keeping the gun trained on Light. The cigarette dropped from between his fingers, forgotten as it burned a hole in the plastic. "But…don't you see? I love you the most. I always have."

"If you love us, you'll give our mate back," Beyond snapped angrily as his fragile control frayed around the edges. "He is the only thing that matters to us. He's our everything."

"Please, Alex. We love Light," L implored. "Don't hurt him anymore...or you're hurting us, too."

"I see…you don't want me, even now." Alex's happy expression crumbled before their eyes. A heart-wrenching sob escaped him as he lifted the gun to his own temple instead. "I don't want to live without you."

No…

As angry as L was with the Omega for what he'd done, L didn't want him to take his own life. Beyond must've shared his sentiments as he leaped forward to close the distance, shoving Alex's arm toward the ceiling as the gun went off. The blond wailed in despair as Beyond managed to knock it out of his hand.

"Check on Light," Beyond growled as Alex struggled in his arms and he attempted to subdue the Omega. "I've got this under control."

L nodded and rushed forward to kneel on the floor next to their mate. He quickly unfastened the gag and tossed it aside.

"It's going to be okay," L assured his mate as he pulled out his phone and called Quillish.

"Yes, L?"

"We have Light. Is the ambulance on the way?"

"Yes, should be here any minute."

"Please inform them that we have a traumatized pregnant Omega with multiple lacerations and bruising across his body," L tucked the phone between his shoulder and ear as he gently probed Light's skull. "And a likely concussion. We're upstairs in the master suite."

"What about Alex? Did you find him as well?"

L sighed heavily as he looked over to where Beyond was rapidly securing Alex with duct tape at his wrists and ankles

"Just let me die!" Alex cried out as Beyond pulled off another piece of tape and placed it over his mouth. His muffled screaming continued even then.

"Alex has suffered some sort of psychotic break and it appears he is responsible for Light's abduction," L explained as he gently rolled Light over and grabbed a knife off the nearby table to cut through the rope binding him. Quillish was silent for several long seconds.

"I'll arrange for him to be held at a secure psychiatric facility nearby until you decide how you'd like to proceed," the Beta finally replied. "I should be able to have them here within a half hour or so to transport him."

"Thank you, Quillish." L pulled away the remnants of the rope and rolled Light back over.

"Hurts…" Light's breathing was fast, skin cool to the touch as he gazed up at L. The Alpha looked closely at his pupils and found them dilated.

"He's going into shock, Quillish. I have to go," L released his scent to soothe Light, taking his hand as he tried to connect through the bond.

"Why can't I feel you?" L murmured worriedly.

"A-Alex…injected s-something…" Light shivered. "O…uh…Ox32?"

A bond inhibitor. Damn it.

"It's going to be alright," L forced a smile on his face and stripped off his jacket, placing it over Light's body to warm him.

"Here," Beyond tugged his jacket off and joined them now that Alex was restrained. He draped it over their mate's legs.

"I really liked those jackets…" Light mumbled as Beyond elevated his feet in his lap, while L started putting pressure on the thigh wound through the fabric.

"You wouldn't believe the things that Quillish has been able to get out of clothing. They'll be fine," Beyond smiled reassuringly at Light as his scent joined L's in the air, along with the sound of a swiftly approaching ambulance.

"Just hold on, help is almost here," L took Light's hand again.

"I'm tired," Light whispered as his eyes struggled to stay open and finally closed.

"Light?" L grew alarmed when there was no response. He felt for Light's pulse and found it beating a rapid rhythm against his fingertips. L had never been a religious man, but at that moment, he found himself praying for the safety of their mate and unborn children.

"Stay strong, Light," L squeezed the Omega's hand and brought it to his lips to place a kiss upon it. "You'll make it through this. I know it."

You have to…