Margot sat quietly and unassumingly on a bench so she could watch the mated pair walk their dog around Patterson Park. She'd watched them subtly for a few days now and was certain the omega was indeed Will, he looked cleaner and significantly healthier, but it was him. She'd spent years under the thumb of her brother and had seen the dark horrors he was capable of committing, sometimes he'd forced her to go along on his trips to 'pick up more merchandise' as Mason had often put it. Margot hadn't liked it, never would, but she'd come to realize that having been born a beta was the only reason Mason hadn't tossed her into the House. It was unclear when she'd actually started helping Mason find omegas, she'd have probably told a jury she'd been forced but that wasn't true; Mason could be violent towards her but he'd never actually pressured her into assisting. No, Margot had begun helping to feel powerful, to remind herself she might not have been an alpha, but she sure as hell wasn't a weak omega; she was better than them. Will Graham had been an unusual case, she and Mason had bought him from his worthless father outright in a surprisingly business-like manner several years ago.

Hearing about Will's escape hadn't really bothered Margot, it hadn't been her fault so why should it have? Jack and Mason seething was enough dramatics in her mind. However, where alphas and her sadistically determined brother had failed, Margot had succeeded for she'd found the lost omega. It had been quite by accident while she'd been at the hospital, brown eyes had just happened to glance around to find Will sat on a chair as though he'd not been raised in an illegal brothel and wasn't being searched for. She'd only seen him a few times in passing since they'd bought him, but there wasn't any denying that was Will. Before she'd been able to decide what to do a handsome alpha had wrapped a red scarf around Will's neck and escorted him out.

Still unsure if reporting to Mason and the House was the best thing to do, Margot had decided to just keep an eye on Will and this alpha. She doubted Will would recognize her but she'd kept her distance anyway. especially from that alpha. He was a thoroughbred, that was plain to see, and something told Margot he – Doctor Hannibal Lecter as she'd found out – hid something very powerful and very bloody underneath that charming mask of his. Yes, keeping a good distance from Hannibal was the wisest course of action. Once she'd realized he'd mated Will and gotten him pregnant, telling the House didn't seem worth it; wasn't like it would be worth fighting a thoroughbred just for Will.

Yet, Margot continued to watch them. Will was just a pathetic little omega who'd been used by more alphas than he could count, but he got a successful handsome alpha and babies while she sat there as a bland beta. It wasn't fair! Omegas were needy little things who couldn't survive on their own, she was a beta who'd managed to ingratiate herself into her brother's dark world – Margot was better than Will! A loving and protective partner, a luxurious home and even the damn dog, those things should have all been hers.

She'd done some digging, she knew of Hannibal's work and reputation, knew to avoid his wrath. However, Will had helped himself to things he shouldn't have and Margot would make him pay for it. She'd go back to the hospital and look through Will's records. Jealousy had always been a powerful motivator. Why should a free-use omega get a family while she remained alone and childless under her brother's thumb?

Will's face shouldn't have shown that much happiness. He shouldn't have had a rich alpha holding him close as they walked, and he sure as hell shouldn't have had twins inside him when Margot couldn't even have one.

~X~

Beverly's room had become a meeting room of sorts when Price could risk letting them congregate rooms. It was the very early hours of the morning – the only real time any of the omegas got a proper chance to sleep since Jack had shuffled off home to be with Bella and nobody ever came in at 2:45am. The alpha guards would do their patrols of the exterior while the beta guards mostly found a place to sit and took turns staring at the cameras. Would have seemed like a good time to escape had it not been for Mason Verger and his alpha wanna-be gang guarding all the exits. Arrogant little bunch who seemed like they just wanted Jack to be proud of them or that he'd somehow magically turn them all into alphas; a fittingly vampiric fantasy.

They'd got probably another twenty minutes before a guard did another loop of their floor, so gather the group had. Price leaned against the door trying not to hate himself while Beverly sat on her bed with Alana who cried softly. Getting used to the House wasn't a natural thing, more of a survival tactic, but it took a great many years to develop. Brian had shuffled closer to comfort the beta while Abigail simply stood there quietly as she was one to do.

"Will we ever be able to go home?" Alana asked as Beverly rubbed her arm comfortingly.

"I think we are home." Abigail's response depressed the whole room, but they couldn't exactly argue with her, not when she could hardly even remember anything before the House. "Maybe Will was the only one free, maybe dying is the only way to get out."

Everybody paled. They'd never admit it but Abigail had always been a slightly odd one, be that from the traumas she'd face or something else they didn't know and wouldn't comment. However, they couldn't let themselves think something so morbid. She'd been fairly close to Will, despite being only four years older than her he'd been rather fatherly toward her. Beverly had tried to help Will but him escaping had taken a toll on the thirteen-year-old Abigail they'd not imagined.

"We don't know for sure that he's dead." Price pointed out as he grabbed Brian's hand to ground himself.

Four sets of eyes snapped to Price then, all with a mix of hope and panic in their eyes. Beverly's mouth fluttered a second or two before words finally managed to seep out.

"Jack told me that his alphas had killed Will. He's dead."

Jack had beaten it into the omegas that they were to call him master and nothing else, but Beverly refused to do such a thing in private.

Price's expression grew puzzled and had his brow furrow deeply. That couldn't be true, if that had happened he'd have known about it.

"Beverly, Will was never found. Alpha's lost the scent in the woods because of all the snow and animals. Besides, if Will had been caught he'd have been beaten and brought back here so Jack could make an example of him before putting him back to work, not killed. Will brought in so much money for Jack that he'd not kill him."

All fell silent then as the door clicked open and Barney slipped inside with a plate. Barney Matthews was the only other person at the House trusted by Price and the omegas. He was a good man with a surprisingly professional personality, genuinely cared for those around him. Price wasn't quite sure how the dark-skinned man had gotten himself wrapped up with the House, but he was pleased to have an ally amongst the guards.

Barney set the plate down on the bed – just a few sandwiches he'd managed to scrounge up for the omegas, Jack didn't have them starved or anything, but none of them were ever not hungry. Brian thanked him and helped himself to one of the sandwiches.

"Is everything okay in here?" Barney asked when he noticed the mood in the small room hardly big enough for them all to fit in. "Something happen?"

"Jack told Beverly that Will had been found and killed." Price told his fellow beta. "He made her think Will had been slaughtered."

Barney shook his head. "Nah, that ain't true. Nobody could find Will, he was just gone. I mean, Jimmy and me weren't really searching properly, but even the alphas couldn't track him. As far as we're concerned, Will got away."

"Then why hasn't the police shown up?" Alana questioned probably a little too loudly. "If he'd escaped this place then surely he'd have sent the police back for everybody else."

Barney shrugged. "I don't know. There could be a load of reasons the cops haven't come. Look at how many cops come through here. What I do know is that none of the House guards – not Verger or Jack or anybody else, has found Will."

"Maybe he died of exposure," lamented Abigail as she picked up one of the sandwiches for herself.

They all hated to admit it, but that was a very real possibility. All they could do was hope Will lived and that one day he'd send someone to help them.

"Will's brave, we all know that."

Conversation died off after Price's attempt to reassure them all. Will could have been dead, but surely could had to be better than was.

After about ten minutes everybody had eaten their sandwiches so Barney collected up the plate and made his way to the door.

"I need to get back. I told Verger I was just going to do my rounds. If I'm gone longer he'll send one of his men to find me. Jimmy, you should lock everyone back up before the next check."

Then he was gone and silence again descended for a few moments until they'd all mentally prepared themselves to return to the tiny boxes that were their rooms – their cells. Price poked his head out into the hallway to check the coast was clear, then ushered Abigail and Alana back into their rooms swiftly before he unlocked Brian's at the far end of the hall just before the stairs. They slipped inside and instantly wrapped one another up in a hug. It was tight and full of need that managed to sooth their tormented souls. Beverly had taken the first opportunity to help Will escape but Price didn't know how to help Brian, especially since security had been increased. He'd no idea how to save the man he loved. They kissed. An omega being in a relationship with a beta was unusual but not unheard of and proved omegas weren't needy little things that couldn't survive without an alpha.

"You know, Jimmy," began Brian with a smirk. "I'm not tired."

"Oh really?"

They kissed again, it was all they could do for there was never time for more – even if there were time, they'd not be able to risk getting caught. Still, that Brian trusted him enough to want things to progress further meant the world to Price. He adored Brian and longed to be a partner worthy of him rather than just a kind jailer.

~X~

Will had popped the last bite of breakfast into his mouth and savored the rich flavor that coated his tongue all while Hannibal watched on happily. Seeing Will enjoy the meals he prepared was truly gratifying to him. Unfortunately, breakfast had to be a speedy affair that morning as Hannibal had a a morning appointment to get to and a fair amount of paperwork for a court case he'd been requested as an expert witness in. That was why, as soon as the dining table had been cleared, Hannibal had donned his burgundy suit jacket and bent to kiss Will goodbye before leaving for the day. Will had remained at the dining room table for a few moments to pet Winston, then the two had wandered into the living room to watch one of Will's fishing shows. Hannibal hadn't once complained about watching them with him but Will knew they weren't of any interest to an alpha like Hannibal.

Settling on the pristine sofa had been a delight for Will, in recent weeks his back had started to twinge in pain from the extra weight of the growing twins. A lazy day was in order – not that Will had chores or anything to do really beyond keeping an eye on Winston and letting him out into the yard. Maybe he'd finish reading The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde later in the afternoon – Will had liked the similarity to his alpha, how everybody saw Hannibal as an upstanding doctor but on the inside their was a demon looking for its next victim.

Before his show could even fully start, let alone get around to reading, the doorbell chimed. It echoed around the quiet house. Will paused, Hannibal had only just left and nobody ever really came over unless Hannibal had a dinner party planned which he'd not done in months. Curious, Will left the living room to answer the door and found a woman dressed in a midwife's uniform. Something about her was vaguely familiar but he couldn't quite place it. Still, a beta midwife on his doorstep was not the most concerning thing he could have opened the door to.

"Can I help you?" Will asked holding the door open, voice slightly tainted by uncertainty.

"Hi, my name is Margot. You're Mister Graham?" Will nodded. "Your alpha, a Doctor Lecter, he asked the hospital to send someone over to check on you so," She laughed. "here I am."

Will lifted an eyebrow. Hannibal hadn't mentioned any of this to him and he wasn't the absent-minded sort. Still, it had taken quite some time for Will to actually go to the hospital so maybe Hannibal had planned home visits instead. That just looped him back to his mate not having told him anything about a midwife visit.

Despite his caution, the woman had known his and Hannibal's names and nothing about her seemed far-fetched even if he was sure he'd seen her somewhere before; maybe he'd spotted her at Doctor Lutz's office. So, not wanting to slam the door in her face only for Hannibal to reprimand him later, Will let Margot in and offered her something to drink. A polite 'water would be fantastic, thank you' had Will vanish to the kitchen a moment only to return to a vacant living room.

"Where did she go, Winston?"

Suddenly the dog started to growl but, before Will could turn, a needle plunged into his neck. His legs instantly went weak and the water glass crashed to the floor smashing into fragments. Winston was kicked away with spite and Will grasped the back of the sofa to hold himself up. What had she done to him? Everything started to go black and then will collapsed into the puddle of water and glass. The last thing he saw was Margot throw something heavy – a bronze figurine – at Winston to keep the dog away.