Soulmates II

Central Library

Archer left Nian's lips after a few more kisses, touching his brown hair and looking at that magical butterfly brooch he use to hide his real appearance, he didn't know how long they had passed lost in their bubble, kissing each other and recognizing his other half. They didn't even know how they ended up sitting on the floor between two large piles of books surrounding them; the alpha was simply enjoying the company of his mate, acknowledging him from head to toe.

Archer wanted to kiss his lips relentlessly until Nian was breathless but thanks to the minor's inexperience; which was divinely tender, it was obvious that he couldn't do it as he would like, since the moon festival where he found out Nian was his mate Archer saw him so delicate that he had become somewhat overprotective with him; it was a very annoying feeling...

His past where he bothered his omega and tortured him physically and emotionally at every opportunity hit him on the face like a strong punch of reality and although it was a very distant memory for him in reality it only barely had passed a day.

"So?" Archer whispered that to him with a soft sigh.

Archer breathed on the minor's ear, biting his left earlobe a little while his hands ran over Nian's injured back, and noticed how he jumped at his touch.

"W-well…. It's hard… to say"

Nian answered with a trembling voice, he was in a difficult position, even though he wanted to tell him everything about why he hide his appearance, there was also the fact that he can not reveal his mother's secret because it could be something dangerous.

"Why it's hard? What's wrong Nian? You can tell me"

Nian looked him straight in the eye, he really wanted to tell Archer everything, after all, he was with his first love, the boy he had liked for who knows how many years, and now they find he was his mate but at that moment everything seemed so unreal to him that he didn't know what to do. After some time Nian gain the courage to open his mouth ready to tell him everything, even if he tell the truth to Archer maybe he wouldn't believe him, but in a few seconds all the memories of when Archer tortured him filled his mind and the pain in his heart came back, Nian feels anxious, what if Archer abandon him after hearing his secret? Nian knew that Archer only wanted him and cared about him because he was his destined partner not because he liked something about him and that fact hurt him more...

"Well..."

The boy came back to his sense and he opened his lips again but after he could say him something the voice of one of Archer's friends was heard near to them, at record speed Nian got up without saying anything more, with panic in his body he going to hide behind one of the shelves.

"Where did he go? Are you sure you saw Archer come in here Matt?"

"I said you a thousand times Leah that I saw him enter the library, I have no reason to lie"

Archer got up too and settled on one of the shelves with a book, pretending to read it while he looked over his shoulder at Nian hiding behind a bookcase.

"Archie!"

When Leah found him she jumped to his body with a smile plastered on her face, Archer greeted her and hugged her.

"What are you doing here guys?" he asks first sawing how they look at him confused.

"Because we were looking for you" Max answers him laughing what else could they be doing there?

"Archie, you smell weird, were you with someone?

Archer got a little nervous but Leah glared at him, the alpha didn't know what to say, he didn't mind telling the world about Nian but he also was a little scared about what they could think of him if they find out his mate was Nian.

"Oh my our dear lord have a girlfriend?" Max jokes around but Archer didn't answer.

Leah and Max look at Archer’s serious and calm face before they look at each other.

"Is that true? How could you have a girlfriend knowing how much I like you, Archie"

"Hahahaha why aren't you denying it? Oh my god, do you really have a girlfriend?" Max look at him surprised

Archer was a bad liar and if he was caught he couldn't deny it or he would make a strange face, so if he couldn't deny he had a relationship it could be a big possibility that was true.

"How cruel Archer… I was going to tell my father to ask for an engagement… how could you…"

"I have never liked women Leah I TOLD you many times"

Although he didn't accept or deny having a "couple", fed up with the girl's claims, he reminded her that he was not attracted to girls, and without further ado, he began to move away from that place so they wouldn't see Nian.

They both followed him trying to release his anger, meanwhile, Nian sat on the ground with a red face from embarrassment, he never imagined that Archer would accept that he had a "partner" even in a vague way, but with just that the heart of the omega was already fluttering with excitement.

…

After that disaster in the library, Archer arrived at the academy, although the classes hadn't started yet, he had to prepare everything for the new students, because he was the president of the student council, and that role required him a lot of hard work, much more since he had to hide it from his family and friends that secret.

He didn't remember how he managed to convince everyone on the committee to help him hide that great secret, and as the time passed it was getting more and more exhausting to hide but he knew that no one would understand, not his friends, and even more his family... being the next leader of his pack was the biggest honor so how could he lower himself to being a committee leader?

He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice the person he bumped into until he saw him.

"Killian…what are you doing here?"

"Hahaha I could ask the same thing to you, you never come to school if we don't have classes"

The tall boy with chocolate skin, black hair, and blue eyes got up from the ground and approached Archer to help him get up, Archer, of course, accepted his help but when Killian smell him his eyes widened with surprise.

"Archer, were you with Nian?"

"What?"

…

Nian was really happy even though their relationship started a bit strange and before they weren't on the best terms, Archer was now his partner and although he hadn't accepted he had a boyfriend, he hadn't denied it either.

When he heard the voices disappear completely he walked between the shelves until he found one far enough away from he was with Archer. From that shelve, he pick up a couple of books that he found interesting and went straight to the receptionist to borrow the books.

He took four books in total and was about to go to his home when he passed in front of a store and saw a pair of notebooks for couples, they had a special lock that could only be opened with the key of the couple.

He came into the shop excited and without thinking he bought those diaries, they would be a nice gift for Archer, and although they had started to change their relationship, Nian wanted to give him something that connected them.

With that happiness showing on his face, he ran to the carriage that was waiting for him in the distance and would take him to his home.

The drive to his house was fairly slow and wonderful, it was a relief from the torment that he knows awaits him when he arrive. Being outside his home Nian slipped into the trees surrounding his family's mansion to hide the books he brought before returning to the front and finally entering his house.

"Ugh..."

As soon as he entered, Nian feel a small warmth on his face, the sound of that slap was heard throughout the palace and the pain was impregnated in Nian's cheek, well, in fact, he didn't know if that feeling on his body was pain or just his mind making tricks on him; he was already so used to the pain that sometimes he felt that it was already part of his skin.

"Where the HELL were you, Nian?"

"In...the library mom…"

"How many times DO I have to tell you? YOU can leave the house unless you have to?"

"I'm sorry… I needed a book for my homework"

"Why didn't you bring the DAMN book here? I don't want to see you out of the house again, understand?"

"Yes, mom…" Nian answer her trembling

The beautiful woman go to the room next to the entrance while Nian went up to his room after that scolding, he managed to see his stepfather drinking wine in the comfort of the living room, he never did anything to help him, on the contrary, he was the one who encouraged his mother's abuse.

But he had a clear reason, when he was a child after his mother beat him until she almost killed him, Vikram came like a hero to protect him and took the opportunity to gain his trust, and since he was twelve, Nian had realized that his stepfather looked at him and touched his body in a perverted and unpleasant way.

But of course, he couldn't say anything to anyone... Because nobody cares for him...

Who would believe him anyway? Moreover, who would help him?

When he turned fifteen he was on the verge of being sexually assaulted by Vikram but thanks to someone who had come to look for him, Nian was able to avoid that event, from that moment Nian never opened his door to his stepfather.

"Nian… are you alright?”

The young Omega jumped nervously when he heard the voice of his stepfather behind the door, his body tensed and he began to tremble involuntarily. Every day he wondered why? … why the hell did he have to live like this? What had he done to deserve such abuse and mistreatment?

He quickly lock the door and placed a chair against the handle so his stepfather couldn't open it and he did just in time as Vikram was already struggling to get in.

"My God, Nian, open the door"

He didn't answer him, he was terrified just thinking about what he could do to him, he puts a pair of earplugs in his ears so that Vikram’s alpha voice couldn't control him and he hid in a corner of his room very far away with a blanket covering his body.

Without realizing it, he had fallen asleep to exhaustion...

After a few hours he woke up startled and scared as he realized how dark was, he quickly removed his earplugs and in that darkness, he managed to see the chair he used to block the door back in place. The sound of footsteps approaching his door made him react instinctively, he was terrified but he needed to think with a cool head, he took some pillows and arranged them under the sheets leaving his room through the balcony as quietly and quickly as he could.

He was on the verge of stress, he leaned slightly through the glass of the doors listening to a "click" before his door opened slowly, and there he was, his stepfather was walking casually into his room closing and locking the door.

The panic invaded him and Nian hid again quickly, he knew that he was no longer safe at home, he took a deep breath and using a rope that he kept hidden in case of that type of “emergency” he began to get down from his balcony as fast as his nerves allowed it.

His legs were shaking but still, he managed to stay straight on the ground and hide in the trees where he left his books earlier this afternoon, he settled behind the bigger one so he could see when he left his bedroom; However, when his stepfather went out on the balcony looking for him frustrated, he was shocked to see his mother next to him trying to calm him down.

With his great hearing, he was able to hear how his mother told him "Don't worry, I’ll make sure he can't escape the next time"

His eyes widened in surprise and he crouched down slowly to hide better, once his mother and stepfather left his room he looked for those books he had bought for Archer and took them before he ran out of the Winterlane's castle, he didn't want to go back to his room, he wanted to see Archer, he needed to be with him...

…

The rest of the day Archer felt extremely uncomfortable after that talk he had with Killian because his friend knew that he was with Nian and he couldn't lie about it, he was only scared that after he discovered the truth he would tell the rest of their friends.

Flashback

"Archer, were you with Nian?" Killian was surprised so he whispered that just for him to hear.

"What?"

Those words had taken him off guard and of course, his surprise stuck to his face.

"What are you talking about?" He immediately responded somewhat nervously.

"The aroma… that you have on you is from Nian" his friend replied looking at him seriously.

Archer gulped at hearing this, if he recognized his scent then he couldn't hide it anymore, he let out a soft laugh and shrugged.

"Oh, well you found me out"

This time it was Killian's turn to widen his eyes in surprise as he hadn't expected that honest answer. Archer knew Killian wouldn't pay any more attention to it but he surprised him with his next response.

"That reminds me of when we were kids," Killian smirked a little at his friend.

"What are you talking about"

"Archer... you always liked Nian, although the truth is I never thought you would make him your boyfriend, I'm very proud"

Archer was stunned because he didn't know what was he talking about.

"O…hey wait…what are you talking about?"

"Leah send me a sad message in a dove saying you were in the library with your boyfriend"

"That was…"

"Archer... you don't have to explain it, I would never judge you"

His friend patted him gently on his shoulder but that couldn't calm Archer's nerves, his stomach struggled, and he still didn't understand what he meant by saying he had always liked Nian.

End Flashback

Moved by his curiosity, he searched among his diaries for the one he used to record everything about his childhood, when he found it he let out a small expression of emotion leave his lips but when he opened the notebook a letter fell from it, he had not remembered that was there before.

He took it but seeing that it was from his father he frowned his eyebrows, he wanted to squeeze it and throw it in the trash but he had to admit that he missed him more than anyone because despite everything his father had always supported him in all he did not like his mother.

With a long sigh, he opened that letter and began to read it.

My dear Archie

You have grown a lot and I want to tell you that I am very proud of you, I heard that at school you protect a defenseless boy with courage.

That's wonderful, always looking to fight for justice, saving someone who needs your help is what makes a true leader strong. That is what I always wanted to teach you and I am glad that you have become someone who protects.

That little guy, I think was called Nian, isn't he? Everyone says that he is an illegitimate child, your mother was shocked when she heard you say that you wanted to marry him... hahaha but never allow people’s opinions to stop you from loving who is in your heart.

Remember that the important thing in life is not the appearances or doing what others expect of you, you must be authentic by being yourself, enjoy the path that makes you happy, and be proud of who you want to become in the future.

With love, Asher Winterlane…

Archer was surprised to read that letter, he had said that he wanted to marry Nian?

He wanted to be able to sink into his thoughts but the sound of a small stone hitting his window brought him back to reality.

He hurriedly opened the door to the terrace of his room only to see Nian there shaking, sweating, and pale as death. Fortunately, his room was on the ground floor because as soon as Archer saw him like that with terror on his face he ran out of his room to take him in his arms without asking him anything, he carried Nian and took him inside without looking if someone saw them.

To be continued