Castiel was lying behind the couch, half of his body loosely covered by his trench coat. The young beta was miserable. He clutched the closest of the coat to his chest and cuddle with it seeking childhood comfort. The blue eyed beta had not said more than two words to his alphas since his last doctor's visit. He knew Dean was going to press him for answers soon, but for now, he would just lie behind the couch.
Since the last visit to the doctor, Castiel had been more withdrawn than usual. Worst yet, the, already slim, beta was barely eating. Sam, used to using his words and reason to get anything he wanted, had tried coaxing the young beta into eating with no luck. The hazel eyed alpha was extra gentle with Castiel since his hot headed outburst at the local super market a couple of days earlier.
Two days earlier...
Castiel had been going stir crazy and just needed to go somewhere, anywhere. The blue eyed beta had finally convinced his alphas to go to the grocery store under the condition that he was to stay in between them at all times. The combined stresses of Dean's growling and Sam scanning of the area were driving him crazy, but since he was outside the young beta figured he would just deal with it. Everything was going well until an unmated, alpha; store clerk scented Castiel and stole a glance in the direction of the scent. Sam attacked the man without as much as a warning growl for merely looking in Castiel's direction. It took Dean and three store managers to get Sam off the poor man.
Castiel, who was all ready an unnaturally resistant and hesitant beta, was torn between loving his alpha's protectiveness and fearing Sam losing control of his alpha traits near their pup. The slim beta had shied away from Sam a little that day, which had hurt the giant alpha more than he would admit. Castiel was worried that his over reaction might cause a territorial rift between him and his mates.
Sharing a beta as a pair was an unusual phenomena since most alphas were extraordinarily territorial over their mates. Merely suggesting sharing a beta, normally, resulted in a challenge or a kill. The main characteristics of an alpha were being territorial and protective over pups; that protection was not always extended to an alpha's mate. It was weird to create any physical bonds prior to pupping, but somehow the trio had managed it. Castiel had gone so far as to somehow develop a split bond with his two mates. They figured the bond formed because of Castiel's unusual beta personality. Castiel was a strong willed beta; he did not gravitate easily to any alpha's advances, despite proper beta instinct demanding otherwise. He was not really sure why Dean and Sam had not developed a territorial bond over him, but the blue eyed beta suspected it had something to due with Dean's unusual personality traits. Dean was extraordinarily protective, for an alpha. Most would argue that he was even too protective for a beta.
Castiel thought back to the first time he had this conversation with Sam.
Sam had his head buried in a book in the dim lighting while Castiel was sitting on his stomach on the floor.
"How certain is it, that Dean is an alpha?" Castiel inquired.
Sam quirked an eyebrow and raised his head up from his book. Castiel knew he was treading dangerous territory question an alpha status directly was unwise to say the least, but he felt oddly comfortable around his alphas.
"His behavior is much more suited for a beta, is it not?" Castiel considered.
"You mean like yours?" Sam chuckled. Castiel pouted and continued.
"Well I mean he's so protective and nurturing even with you, especially with you, even though you are an alpha. Alpha law would state..."
The giant alpha sighed and closed his book at the mention of the alpha law.
"It is unheard of for an alpha to be protective of another alpha." Castiel defended.
"Well, that probably has something to due with our past." Sam said softly. Castiel tilted his head interested. It was rare for either of his alphas to talked about their past. Sam put his head on the back of his head and stared at the ceiling.
"Well. When we were kids everyone thought I was a beta, didn't present until I was 17. He laughed at Castiel's wide eye expression."Yeah super late, I know."
"So were you umm…" Castiel trailed off unsure. Sam turned his gaze back to Castiel, understanding the unasked question.
"Yeah, an alpha prepositioned for me when I was only six months old; lost my mother that night." Sam said remorsefully. "Still can't quite remember what she looked like. My Dad left me with Dean. Dean was only four, at the time. By the time I turned two, the man ending up leaving me with Dean so often people thought he was my intended. Dean was practically mother, father, and alpha to me for all that time," Sam turned to face his young beta. "So yeah he's a little protective." He added curtly. Sam walked towards his young beta with a smile and ruffled the beta's hair before exiting the room.
The young beta smiled at the memory as he slowly drifted back to the present. He knew that Dean's alpha responses had been affected as much as Sam's, and the green eyed alpha's nurturing nature was seeping out with it. The dirty blonde alpha was practically overbearing with his young mate. As Sam put it, the green eyed alpha was in complete mother hen mode. According to Dean's instructions the young beta was not allowed out of his alpha's ear shot, even though said alpha could sense him a block away. Add that to the fact that Dean had being pumping water into him religiously; a half bottle for every hour he was awake. The young beta just needed a break. He understood his alphas' concern. He really did. They were doing what any good alphas should do, but his alphas with their constant care and smothering were driving him insane!
These events were why the young beta was currently hiding behind the couch. He knew his alphas could see and sense him but after the blue eyed beta's last outburst, said alphas had the good sense, to give their young mate some space. Not to mention the dark haired beta was still mulling over what the doctor had said.
But he knew he needed his alphas' comfort and knots, and he needed them soon. His mind was begging for it. His body felt so empty without his alphas. But he wanted to hide his impending need from his alphas for as long as he could. The young beta was not stupid; he knew his treacherous pheromones were going to give him away. Matters of fact, he was surprised the potent stench had not given him away all ready. He did not need a doctor to tell him what this was, he knew. But he had just completed his first heat, had he not? He had no desire to have a second heat; moreover he could not have a second heat. What if he was pupped?
Because of his first messed up heat, his pups were all ready in danger, which was sure to damage his relationship with his alphas. The second fever would surely burn his pups. He felt tears well in his eyes at the mere thought and placed his hand over his belly buried under his trench coat.
No, I will not allow anything to happen to my pups! Castiel steeled himself and sent up a silent prayer. "Please," he whispered.
Dean who had been stirring a pot over the stove noted his mate's odd behavior. He had been checking on him the entire day. Sam with his feeling may not be able to get Castiel to eat but Dean was all action and his beta was going to eat regardless of whether he liked it Dean thought. Alternating between stirring the soup on the stove and throwing worried glances over to his mate. Sam was sitting on the couch trying to inconspicuously keep an eye on his little mate as well.
"Cas, you all right?" Dean asked concerned as the room filled with a potent mixture of distress and determination.
Castiel, surprised, turned around toward his dirty blonde mate, and nodded.
The young beta tilted his head down and resumed fiddling with his trench coat. Sam and Dean shared a glance over the couch, feeling their mate's distress, but completely unable to help. Castiel felt as if he had zoned out but was unsure if he had been taking a nap or just deeply lost in thought, who knew really? What he did know was that he was hot, so hot.