Yuki was fussing, it was getting annoying, but every moment with her best friend was becoming precious. The omega was carefully pulling the brunette's hair into a ponytail.
"I'm gonna miss you." Jennifer said.
"Don't talk as if we're never going to see each other again." Yuki scolded.
"It's certainly not likely." Worried brown eyes played with a lock of hair that Yuki was allowing to frame her face. "I'm practically getting kidnapped."
The smaller girl turned Jennifer's chair around to glare at her, "I want you to stay positive, okay?"
"Positivity is over rated."
"Your face is overrated."
Jennifer rolled her eyes and got up, brushing her skirt down nervously, She followed Yuki out into the regal hallway of the Kuran manor. Kaname had offered for Jennifer to meet her alpha in his home. Since her father wasn't alive to oversee it, Kaname had graciously offered to step into the role.
Down in one of the sitting rooms Luke was playing his DS in a stuffed chair. Naomi was trying to read her book and not cry. Jennifer sat next to her mom and wrapped her arm around the beta's waist, "Heya."
The older brunette hugged her daughter back, "It's going to be okay, lovely."
"I know." Jennifer whispered, "I know."
A sleek black government car pulled up the drive to the Kuran manor, inside Jeff was getting twitchier by the second. He hated leaving the compound, the city was too clean, too peaceful. His head itched and the sun was too bright. He kept his white hood pulled up, shading his face from the glare. Sitting across from him looking very annoyed was a pencil-pusher that the compound had sent to make sure it went smoothly.
Standing on the steps was the alpha, Kaname Kuran, next to him his petite omega. Rich burgundy eyes, watched the car as it pulled up. The last time Kaname had had the pleasure of meeting a member of Section 13 he'd nearly gotten into a fight with them. He did not think this encounter would end any better.
Yuki took his hand into her own, "It'll be fine. No worries, right?"
The alpha smiled down at his precious omega. Yuki was such a blessing, so sweet and trusting. Even though her friend's future was on the line and primed for disaster, the omega was hopeful. He brought up her hand and kissed her fingers, "Thank you for your faith, love."
The driver of the car opened the door in the back, letting out a mousy beta male in glasses. Then the alpha, wearing a rumpled white hoodie and torn jeans, emerged from the car. Kaname scented old blood on the alpha. His grip on his own omega tightened, he felt a maw of concern for his mate's friend sink in his gut.
The official bowed to Kaname, "I thank you, on behalf of Section 13, for allowing these proceedings to occur in your home. It is a truly great alpha that would represent an omega that he had not sired."
"Yuki would never forgive me if I didn't help her friend. And Jennifer is very dear to me as well. I would not have it anyother way." Kaname responded with all the dignity of an alpha lord.
Jeff scoffed, this alpha wouldn't last ten seconds in Section 13. All fluff and show, no real strength. He followed the official into the house, his droning a dim echo in his ears. His senses were on high alert, he could practically hear the quick thumping of the small omega's heart. Feel the tension in the air radiating from the taller alpha. A scent in the air caught his attention, it didn't seem to belong in the house that was rich with the scent of flowers and red wine. It was light, and much fainter in quantity The scent had come on so gradually that it had surprised him.
Then the small procession stopped, Jeff's eyes snapped into angry focus, he needed to know where that sweet fragrance was coming from. A woman was in the middle of the hallway, she was a thin beta, with dark brown hair and eyes. She bowed and said in a thin voice, "I'm Jennifer's mother and I would like to again voice my disapproval of my daughter's match."
The government's associate sniffed, "Mrs. Snow, perhaps you don't understand the full importance of your daughter's engagement. To be matched with one of your nation's protectors is a great honor."
"Honor?" The woman shot a terrified look at Jeff, "You're taking my daughter away and giving her to that- that… killer!" The stutter was obvious but the beta managed to finish strong, a determined fire alighting in her eyes.
Jeff felt his adrenaline begin to rush, the scent that was beginning to gnaw at his instinct was just in the next room. Less than six feet away, a door opened, a boy poked his head out. He was looking nervously at the confrontation quickly building in the hall. But with the door opening came a concentrated burst of that smell. Jeff took a step forward, his body moving without his bidding. A maddened look flickered into his normally dead eyes, a grin more befitting the cheshire cat spread across his face. The light in the hall illuminated the scars on his face. The young beta quickly drew back into the room, frightened.
"Mrs. Snow," The official said, his tone growing slightly dangerous "where is the omega?"
"Sir," Kaname said, his voice laced with alpha authority, "please, keep your manners when you speak to the women in my house."
"My apologies, Mr. Kuran, but I'm afraid we have a bit of a schedule." The man said, the sourness still plain to hear.
The young omega broke from the group and darted into the room, the rest following at a more sensible pace. By now, Jeff's patience was wearing thin, then he rounded the corner and saw her. The scent's owner. She was standing at the window, her back to the door, shoulder's stiff as she looked out at the darkening sky. She turned slowly, alit by the dying sun, her dress swished about her like a waterfall. Her long auburn hair was tied in a high ponytail, with two shoulder-length locks to frame her tense face. Her photo had not done her the proper justice, or maybe now that he could smell her it was different. She was beyond words.
"Miss. Snow," The official said, "It is a pleasure to meet you. This is-"
"Jeffrey Woods. " Jennifer said, her voice had a slight quiver in it, she twisted her hand together nervously.
"Who else?" He says as he begins to move closer, much faster then she was comfortable with.
The omega drew against the wall, a hand moving to grip at her arm, she looked like a cornered animal, "I-It's nice to m-meet you."
"It's nice to know I'll have such a pretty omega." He said as he reached to touch her neck.
A panicked look forms in Jennifer's eyes, she glances at the the other alpha in the room, pleading. Kaname materialized on her other side, a defensive shadow. Jeff grew even more impatient, he was getting in the way of him and his omega. Jeff wanted to get rid of him and had a hand reach for a knife before he remembered that he lacked his weapons, irritating him even further, "Back down." Jeff growled as he pulled his hood off revealing his scars and black rimmed eyes
"She isn't yours yet." Kaname said dangerously, placing a comforting hand on Jennifer's shoulder as she gasped at the disfigured alpha. She stepped closer to the noble alpha, reaching up to grip his jacket.
Jeff's mouth twitched revealing his teeth to the alpha, "She will be sooner than you think." Jeff said with the intent to kill thick in his voice.
The tension between the two alphas forced the betas to leave the room, Yuki tried to stay behind, but Naomi pulled her along. Jennifer watched them escape, longing to join them, but she was trapped, unable to so much as breathe.
Kaname bared fangs of his own, "If we succeed she won't be yours at all." He hissed.
"Then I guess it's a good thing that you won't." Jeff grinned as he reached for the omega once more.
Desperate to dispel the violent storm, Jennifer allowed him to grab her arm, even though her instincts screamed at her to run. "I-it's okay, Kaname." She looked back at him, "Y-you can go."
He frowned at her, casting the pale alpha another glare, "Are you certain?"
Trying to be brave, Jennifer nodded, "Yeah, I'll be okay."
The brunette alpha gave her hand a squeeze, "We'll be close."
She nodded, watching his retreating back, wishing she could leave too."Took long enough." Jeff sighed as he cupped that back of her neck looking into her eyes, "You're even prettier then your picture."
The frightened omega jumped, her eyes flashing over to meet his gaze, but at hearing his words, dropped it. "T-thank you, I-I guess." She muttered, his touch was cool against her skin, and she wished he would let go.
"That mouth would look even prettier screaming my name." He said as he brought his hand from around her arm up to her lips and began tracing them with his thumb, tilting her chin up.
Beating like a jackrabbit, her heart froze, her lips parting, wide eyes staring up at him, "If- If I scream, they'll come back in." Jennifer choked.
"Then don't scream." Jeff said as he tightened the grip on the back of her neck, drawing her closer. Her scent was getting stronger, mixed lightly with the scent of her fear, "We might even get to have some fun before the meeting is over if you don't."
Needing to get some air, she broke from his grip and stepped around him. Shaking fingers lightly touching her lips where his touch lingered. Jeff's cheshire like grin returned as he advanced towards the omega once again, "I always did like a little chase." He whispered as he grabbed her by the waist, spinning her to face him again.
"Please," She gasped, her hands on his chest, trying to push him back, "let me go."
"But why?" He asked as his hand trailed up to her neck "When you'll be mine to do with as I please soon enough."
Courage spiking she smacked his hand away, "I will never belong to you." Jennifer swore. Her voice steady, eyes fierce.
Jeff's hand shot to her delicate neck, his grip tightened enough to labor her breathing slightly, "Who else will take a noisy omega like you?"
She had to work for her air, but his words made her angry. "K-Kaname would." She snapped, "In fact, I'd much rather be with him and Yuki than a monster like you."
"Least this monster," he begins as he throws her into the ground, pinning her down, "doesn't need to hide behind an omega to look big."
"Kaname is a better alpha than you'll ever be!" She yelled, taking no notice of the angry alpha hovering over her.
Jeff wraps his hands around her throat and squeezed tight, to tight for her to draw air, "Shut it! He'll never be anything more than a pretty boy hiding in a castle!"
When Jennifer felt his fingers begin to strangle her neck, she realized how stupid she'd been to push him. She tried to scream, scrabbling at his wrist, trying to pry his grip loose. "I'm sorry." She gasped, "H-help. Help!"
"I should just breed your cunt right here, right now!" He shouted, his hands squeezing even tighter.
The door slammed open, Kaname the first to rush in. With a roar he yanked the smaller alpha off the distressed omega, throwing him into the far wall. Jeff darted back as quickly as he was thrown off the omega, but now his anger directed at the alpha who interrupted him.
Yuki ran in next, rushing to Jennifer, helping her sit up, "Are you okay?" The omega asked as her friend choughed.
Mouth gaping at the two alphas fighting, the official scrambled for his phone, "This is Agent Johnson! Woods attacked the omega, he's out of control!"
Jennifer was sitting in her own room, a cup of warm cinnamon tea clutched between her hands. Yuki was sitting next to her, head resting on her shoulder as the two girls watched a show together. Then there was a knock on the door, Kaname pushed it open. Yuki paused the video, "Well, will they annul the bonding?" She asked.
He didn't say anything, just slid next to the two girls, pulling Yuki into his lap. He took a moment, breathing in her sweet smell. "Honey," Yuki said, "as much as i'm enjoying this, we have more important things to take care of."
Kaname looked at Jennifer with a measure of sympathy, "I'm sorry, but they won't back down. If anything this episode has only accelerated their time table. They want you to be in the compound by the end of the month."
"What!?" Yuki exclaimed, "He tried to kill her and now they want to send her to him gift packaged!"
"That was my fault." Jennifer found herself saying, "I crossed a line."
"He was choking you!" Yuki yelled at her, "Don't defend him! Wait. Why are you defending him?! He tried to kill you!"
"I don't think he would've killed me."
"Jenn," Yuki's eyes grew fearful, "he threatened to rape you. Do you know what that could do to you?!"
"Yuki, we were in health class together." Jennifer sighed, focusing on the swirling bubbles in her tea.
"Pre-heat sex is dangerous for maturing omegas. It could mess with your hormones, you might never have a heat, you might never bond properly to any alpha!"
"Yuki!" The younger omega yelled, "I know." Her hands were shaking, tears glimmering in her eyes.
Yuki took the tea from her, setting it down on the bedside table, then pulled her friend into a hug. Kaname drew both the omega's into his arms. Dropping a kiss on both their heads, Jennifer was still shaking, her fear scent growing heavier. "Jennifer," Kaname said softly, "We will do whatever it takes to keep you home." He rubbed her back, trying to calm the scared omega, "I promise."