It's a strange sensation for the Omega and while he tries to sit still Alfred can't help but flinch away every few minutes. It's a show of love but, he's finding the Alpha's touch too rough. "Do you want me to stop?" Abel asks waiting for Alfred to open his eye while he sits back on his knees.

When Alfred opens his left eye he says, "No it's okay, just...been a long time since I had one of your baths." He shifts his weight so he's leaning back on his hands, watching the Alpha. "I'm sure the boys like it." It comes with a smile as he feels a flutter of moment where the cat's tongue had been moments before. "And I know you're counting down the days."

"Six days." Abel answers, planting a warm kiss on his lover's forehead. "Four hours and ten minutes."

It's answered by a deep laugh. "You're not that good," Alfred says sneaking in a kiss on his lover's nose.

Abel inches closer, resting his forehead on Alfred's as a wide smile grows on his face. "And thirty seconds."

"You're way too excited about this." Alfred wraps his arms around the Alpha's neck, letting the man rest Alfred gently on his back. "They'll get here when they get here and when they do I want you to-"

"No." Abel doesn't have to hear the rest to know what the Omega's thinking. "It's her fault you nearly died."

"It wasn't her fault." Alfred answers, reaching for his shirt knowing that the moment is long gone. "Look I was talking to her,"

"You were talking to her!?" Abel nearly shouts his eyes wide with anger. "Alone? And why didn't you tell me?"

Alfred sits up trying to reign in his lover's temper. "I was with Natalia if that helps. And I didn't tell you because I knew this is how you would react. She's not a twisted evil bitch like you want her to be." He moves away from Abel as he makes an attempt to stand.

For a moment Abel watches before offering a hand. "I never said she was."

"You really didn't have to." He finally takes the Alpha's hand after a few minutes. "It was pretty damn obvious so I want to put an end to it and," he stops hoping to sway his lover again. "I want you forgive her and let her come with us."

Abel looks him deep into the eyes. "You already talked to the others about this haven't you?" Alfred nods with a sheepish smile. "Well," Abel starts, moving a few strands of hair out of Alfred's face. "If I say I'll think about it will you let it drop for now?"

"No because I know what that means."

Before Abel can open his mouth, the temple's bells start to ring loudly, in quick short bursts. Both men turn towards the noise knowing it's not the usual tolls to mark the hour or prayer. "Stay here."

"No," Alfred says seeing the ax appear in the Neko's hand. "If it's something horrible we need to find the others."

The bell seems to echo louder before suddenly stopping as quickly as it began. For what feels like hours neither moves, their eyes trained on the door and the deathly silence beyond. "Okay," Abel can feel a chill run down his spine as he hides his ax before taking Alfred's hand. "Stay with me." He sniffs the air just as the door opens.

Before him is one of the younger priestess, her eyes full of fear. "Quickly you have to come with me." She looks behind her so fast she nearly loses the large pink flower in her hair. "The Lion's guard is here and they're looking for both of you."

"Shit, how did they find us?"

"I'll explain later." Mei says taking Alfred's hand. "Right now I can hide you before I can move you to the cavern." Her heart is beating out of her chest as she ushers them into a side hallway, into a small room and behind a bookshelf. "I'm sorry it's such a tight squeeze but as soon as they move to the floor above I'll take you somewhere safer."

For a brief second Alfred doesn't even notice the other person hidden behind the oak shelf. "Are the others safe?"

"Yes Yao has them in rooms already." She slides the case back into place, leaving only a sliver of light for the people with in. "I'll be back as soon as I can." She doesn't have time to say any more, as she races out and to one of the prayer rooms.

"Well..."

Abel's head whips around to the owner of the whisper. He doesn't need light to know who else is there with them. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Leaning on the wall Elizabeth tries to smile. "Same as you and really I would whisper unless you want to be found." Normally she wouldn't try her luck but, she's feeling the walls closing in on her and needs a distraction.

It's not hard for the Omega to pick up on. "We'll be out of here soon." He gives her a smile, keeping his lover on the other side of the crawl space. Beyond that very little is said as a feeling of dread washes over them. In rooms down the hall they can hear muffled voices and shouts before heavy footsteps draw near. Alfred swallows hard, mentally swearing as the door beyond their hiding place is opened. It's not that he's afraid they'll be discovered due to their scents but because of his body's sense of timing.

Without making a sound the Omega squeezes his mate's hand hoping to relieve the sharp pain. Abel rubs his thumb against Alfred's hand as the Omega's grip tightens. It's not much but it's all he can do to comfort the man as the room is torn apart.

One Alpha stands in front of the book case carelessly pulling out each book, skimming through a few pages than tosses them aside into a heap on the floor. He's sure the Omega is close though unlike his other companions he doesn't care. He stays long after the four others have moved on until there's only one book left. "Down to one." He says pulling it out and thumbing through it. "Looks like I ran out of books." Once he lifts his head his eyes meet with ones staring back through the tiny crack.

Their eyes lock, both an identical shade of blue. The soldier is no Lion, he's a mystic though he'd never let his comrades know. "I think I'll keep this one. It's one I thought I'd never see again." With that the Neko turns on his heels and walks out, closing the door as he goes.

Abel lets out the breath he didn't know he was holding but he can't look away from where his brother once stood. "We're okay." He says in a coarse whisper.

Taking a deep breath Alfred bites his lip. "No we're not..." The pain as dissipated for the moment but soon it'll be back. "You were wrong about the twins."

"I knew the minute you took my hand." Abel wraps his arm around the Omega's waist. "They won't be here for a few more hours..." He can already hear the group of Alphas on the next floor.

Another wave hits him and it takes every ounce of restraint for the Omega not to cry out. "We don't have a few hours. Can you stop it?"

"Not here and," Abel looks down, pressing his hand to his mate's stomach feeling every movement below. "Not without hurting them or you." His gaze turns to the other Alpha watching silently from her corner. "When Mei comes back I might need your help." He doesn't want to but if the Omega is hit with a strong contraction he won't be able to carry him alone.

Elizabeth nods, her own anxiety forgotten. "I'll help any way I can."

"Thank you." Alfred manages resting his head on Abel's shoulder. "That Alpha didn't see you right?"

"No," Abel starts as the door slowly opens again. "He saw right through me."