Chapter XXII – D for Dog

Berwald walked silently to the car waiting for him. He felt incomplete and bored. With Tino spending his days with Arthur and that Canadian Omega, the Swede had nothing to do since class ended. He had offered to accompany the Omegas on their shopping trips or hanging out times but got flatly rejected by his cousin.

"I want to be able to move around without your shadow following me! Besides, it's not like anybody will attack us, especially with Arthur around!" Tino had said.

Yes.

Yes of course.

Berwald knew that but … he felt so useless! Even Lukas was occasionally allowed to join the Omegas but it was a strictly Alfa-forbidden time out. Normally, Berwald wouldn't mind. He really wouldn't. But since recently, he felt restless and as if something bad was about to happen. He didn't dare share his fears with anyone, not wishing to alarm the others on such a joyous occasion, with Christmas coming up. Especially since he might just be imagining things.

Watching the scenery flash by his window, Berwald headed back home from his own Christmas shopping trip. In his hands, he clenched the small gift neatly prepared and wrapped for his beloved cousin. He was worried. He was worried but he didn't know why. Should he tell someone? Maybe Matthias …

The thought of asking his older brother for help deeply revolted Berwald, his ice-blue eyes flashed of irritation and frustration. Like Hell he would ask the Danish bastard for help!

Besides, it didn't matter either way.

His job is to protect. And so he will. With or without anybody's help.

"Shield and protect." The teen muttered, his mind briefly picturing Arthur's face.

He knew his duty. He knew his role. He knew why he was to do this. Because it's a dog's job to protect his master. From all danger. And so he will.

From all danger.

In his hands, Berwald clenched the smaller wrapped gift that he had aimed for his Omega master. This Christmas … held a hidden darkness in its trail. For the first time in a long time, Berwald felt … afraid.

Matthias looked up as he heard his brother walk back in their house. Their father was out working abroad (not unusual since Björn Kohler works as one of Merwin's Shadow Agents) and their mother, Valkie Kohler, worked under the orders of Bridget Kirkland as her personal assistant. Berwald kept a constant watch out for Arthur with the help of Lukas and Tino. And even Erik, the youngest of the Kohlers, was in the same year as Fiona Kirkland, keeping her in check so that she doesn't do something Alfa-stupid (like beating up too many people).

From every aspect, the Kohlers protect and watch over the Kirklands. Matthias himself used to watch over the three older Kirkland brothers but his main charge is to support the Heir of Head-Alfa. When they were still in Middle School, that person used to be Patrick Kirkland but … well, now he's keeping tabs of Alistair instead. To be fully honest, it's easier for him to watch Alistair since they are of the same age and so they often were in the same class. Now, with Alistair having joined the police force, Matthias too followed him. As expected. A Dog must remain by his master's side.
Always.

It's to be expected either ways. All of the Kirklands feel the need to excel in their work. Lacking Omegas and Betas, they have no choice but to become the best of Alfas in order to find their ideal mates. Hence, Patrick graduated early from Medical School with top marks of his class and is now creating his own field of research studying Omega and Alfa hormones. Alistair joined the police with the firm objective of reaching his grandfather's Shadow Agents department and is already showing high promises. William, having just graduated from school, entered a top university with the best law department.

All three succeeded splendidly. All three are still reaching higher. All three followed by shadows guarding their backs. As it should always be.

Matthias blinked out of his daydream as he heard his phone ring. Glancing at the caller, he hurriedly answered, a smirk on his lips.

"How may I be of help, master?"

"… Are you done with your bloody jokes? We don't have time for that! Get your bloody arse to the station! We've got work!"

"On my way!" The Dane chuckled as he heard his friend grunt and hang up. It was always fun to rile up Alistair. Especially since he's been more agitated than usual recently. And darker.

Strangely darker.

Matthias couldn't help but notice every change in his friend. He couldn't help but notice the dark mood and the spark of fear in Alistair's eyes. Not a fixed fear of anything. More a fear of something yet to come.

He could remember the last time Alistair had shown such a dark expression. Even though the Briton did a great job in hiding it from the rest of his family, Matthias was not one to easily be tricked. The last time Alistair had shown this much concern was …

Hopefully, it's just their imagination.

Must be.

Antonio sighed heavily as he looked up at the starless sky.

What on earth is he doing, he wondered as he lifted his hand up and stared blankly at the shining silver pendant of a rose. He should wrap this up. Or throw it away. In fact, throwing it away is probably the best thing to do. Antonio grunted as he got interrupted by a sudden message on his phone. His expression turned into a cold dark mask as he read the order. Looks like he won't be sleeping in his bed tonight. Duty calls. Preys to hunt. Crooks to slay. People to see. And secrets to hide.

The usual.

It had been a while since he last was given a mission. In fact, it had been so long that he got distracted enough to grow a heart. And of all people … a Kirkland. Of all people, he had to pick a Kirkland. It's more than well known how Merwin Kirkland and Julio Vargas were at odds with each other. In fact, that's the reason why he was expressively ordered to keep a watch on Feliciano's friendship with Arthur.

It's a job.

He shouldn't be enjoying this.

…

Being a dog … Antonio can feel the weight of his chain and the tightness of his collar. How he wished he could simply forget all about his family obligations … or better yet, change masters. He wouldn't mind being assigned as Arthur's body-guard rather than silly Feliciano. He didn't hate the Italian but he was always jealous of Feliciano's freedom and the fact that the Italian was wasting something he could never have.

"When a dog starts thinking … shoot him down." Antonio muttered with a smirk, knowing he cannot let any of this show or influence his work.

Was it worth running away or baring with the chain?

Antonio clenched the rose pendant, briefly smiling sadly as he remembered Arthur's face. A gift? Or gamble?

Christmas … shall soon fall.

A man wandered by one of the many average houses of that average street. It would seem. But this man knew for a fact that this house was far from average. Any house holding the name of Kirkland cannot be average. He smirked maliciously as he watched from afar, through the windows, a young blonde Omega arguing with his irritating over-protective older brother of hair like blood. The man watched silently.

Snow started falling.

Arthur suddenly laughed as he decorated a large Christmas tree along with his siblings, smiling sweetly at his younger brother who was desperately trying to reach the top of the tree to put up the star. The man gritted his teeth, hissing in frustration. He loved seeing the sweet Omega laugh. But he hated seeing other people make him laugh. He hated seeing Arthur smile to others … others than himself.

Arthur felt a sudden shiver and turned to the window. Peering through he saw nothing but the quiet falling snow.

"Arthur? What's up?"

"… Nothing. I thought I saw … nevermind." The blonde closed the curtains but couldn't shake away the impression that someone had been watching him.

Outside, in the cold white night, a lone wolf licked his lips in anticipation. Not long now. Not long until he finally catches his delicious prey.

The snow covered his trail.