Chapter 4: Cohabitation

Leo was once again left alone. With David now taking his anger out on the hospital and it's staff, Leo looked back up at the ceiling. Counting the tiles.

"38...39...40....forget it"

He couldn't even concentrate on that.

He looked as calm as he could be on the outside: while on the inside he was wrestling with his own Existential crisis.

His composure cracked.

"This has got to be a dream right?" He gave a Boisterous laugh. Hitting the bed with his fists.

"I mean come one! You only read about this crap in fiction. A big Ceo and a poor girl and in the end they fall in love."

Leo placed his hand over his eyes: laughing loudly.

"Okay this nightmare has gone on long enough I need to wake up."

Removing his hand he looked up. Noah had been standing there watching him.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

Leo just stared for a moment before grabbing his blanket and pulling the sheet over his head.

"Mr. Meadows. I understand all of this has come as a shock for you and as for is as well. It seems there has been some sort of misunderstanding from both parties and the Blackthorn family has deemed it best you come to our estate, for now."

Leo flung the blanket off his face.

"I don't get a say in this I see." He glowered.

"I'm afraid not." Noah said: slightly solemn.

"What does it matter. I don't want this baby anyways. Why don't I take care of it and pretend like this all never happened-"

Noah practically jumped at him.

"PLEASE WAIT!"

Leo leaned away.

"Why not? This was all a misunderstanding right? You said it yourself."

Noah sighed.

"If it were only that simple..." He muttered. Adjusting the glasses on his face.

Leo gave a puzzled look.

"Then Mr. Blackthorn, himself, wants the baby?"

Noah was hesitant.

"I'll take that as a no".

The secretary felt he was in a tight spot.

"I'm afraid the...." He chose his words carefully.

"...issue of this matter falls to the head of the family. In this case, Griffith Blackthorn, the current head of the Blackthorn empire."

Leo gave it some thought.

He had heard the name drift around where he lived. Though a majority of the neighborhood despised the family: the name had been tossed around with other words such as lowlife, greedy bastard and others of the sort.

"It's because of this online article that we can't let you leave even though you have been discharged. Also because of the matter with....well..." He motioned to Leo's stomach.

"You've unfortunatly have been pulled into this mess."

Leo settled back.

"So what do I do?" Leo asked.

"For now you must stay here, in this room. The staff taking care of you is limited and this part of the emergency wing has been shut down to everyone else who is not associated with us.

"That's a little overboard wouldn't you say?" Leo lightly chuckled.

Noah just looked at him.

"Right..." Leo mumbled.

"It's for precautionary of course." Noah tried to rectify the situation.

"Sure". Leo looked towards his window.

The soft beeping of the machines now filled the silent atmosphere.

Leo peeked back over, Noah was still standing there.

"You know, you don't have to be so stiff, just sit down". Leo motioned with his head.

"Also you can just talk to me normally, I'm not some stuck up rich boy who would fire you for stepping out of line". He smiled.

Noah felt a bit more relaxed with Leo's kind expression.

He took a seat next to his bed.

"I probably know what you wanna ask though." Leo started.

"Bet your wondering why all of my papers say beta?"

Noah's ears perked up. He WAS interested but did his best to not let it show.

Leo sighed looking up.

"It may be hard for upperclass people to understand but it's hard enough for single, poverty-stricken, people to aquire jobs and live within the city. Even harder if you're an Omega. No one wants to hire a person who could become a liability for their business."

Noah listened intently.

"That also doesn't take in account Male Omegas too."

Leo turned and looked Noah in the eye.

"In a normal society where men are men and women are women: I'm looked down on as a freak: to say the least. At least I can take my suppressants and live the life as a beta."

Noah slightly tilted his head to the side.

"So at the Blackthorn gala...why were you...?"

Leo shook his head.

"If the reason I'm involved with the Blackthorn's is because of a fetus then I want to keep it at that."

Noah could tell Leo was more than reluctant to tell his story. He let it go."

Peeking down at his phone he immediately stood up.

"Please excuse me for a moment." He said with some urgency as he practically ran out of the room.

Leo: Looking over at his IV pole, the bag was sucked dry.

Another two hours had passed. It was now becoming the early morning. Between all parties involved no one got much sleep.

Leo had barely gotten a nap in before the hospital staff came back.

He sat on the edge of the bed as they unhooked him from the machines. Taking the IV out of his hand and taping up the puncture wound.

The doctor handed his discharge papers to him.

"Herr you are Mr. Meadows, we expect you to follow up examination with one of our speciatly doctors."

Leo took the papers.

"Just so you know your stay here had already been paid in full so please take it easy and make sure you keep yourself and your new little one safe."

The doctor smiled.

Noah tapped on the door as he entered.

"Everything is all ready, I just need to sneak you out to the vehicles.

Leo stood up.

Now standing in front of Noah he realized how much shorter he was to the secretary.

Noah took the jacket that hung on his arm: tossing it around Leo and covering the top of his head as it draped down his body.

"Please make sure you keep this on you. I want to warn you that the media is staked outside. I will lead you to a other exit but use this as a precaution. The Blackthorn family has requested all members to keep your identity hidden."

Leo gripped the sides of the jacket, tightening it over his head.

"What would you think would happen if I showed my face?" Leo smirked as a joke.

Noah gave him a stern look.

"Worst case is you die". He bluntly stated.

Leo's eyes widened.

Noah bent slightly to look Leo in his eyes.

"Don't misunderstand. The Blackthorns are a well endowed family that is highly respected. That is to say with all the good there is the bad."

Leo's heart thumped loudly.

"Yea. Sure." He replied looking at the ground.

"Sounds like the mafia to me." He thought.

Noah went first. Walking into the hall he made sure the area was clear. Standing off to the left of the hallway were two men clouded in black. As Leo followed behind Noah then two men followed behind him.

The halls were cleared just as Noah said. They passed through some doorways falling the signs for the emergency exit.

"Were almost there, are you doing alright?"

Leo, panting behind Noah, waved his hand.

"I'm good.."

The secretary slowed his speed. He was used to matching the speed of his Alpha boss he didn't take in consideration to Leo's condition.

The Omega was silently grateful for Noah's speed decrease.

Coming to a door that had 'EXIT' printed in large letters: Noah opened the door. Stepping into the morning light Leo squinted, adjusting his eyes.

Parked just outside the door, we're three black SUVs. Noah walked to the middle one and opened the door for Leo.

Leo climbed in with no hesitation.

Shutting the door; Noah made his way around to the other side: getting in.

Leo took thr jacket off. Rubbing his hand along the interior of the vehicle.

"Fancy." He smiled: taking in the posh inside.

The cars pulled out of the side parking lot and onto the main road. From the window Leo could see the mass amount of reporters standing in front of the hospital.

The ride was silent for a time before Leo spoke.

"So wherr are you taking me exactly?"

Noah had his nose stuck in the tablet on his lap.

"You are being taken to the main estate of the Blackthorn family. From there you will meet with Mr. Griffith Blackthorn."

He explained as he maintained eye contact with the electronic device: not once looking up at the curious passanger.

"I see." Leo responded. He looked back out the window.

His mind a bit slow to catch up.

"Wait. what?!" Leo turned back.

Noah looked up as well.

"As I've told you before, the decision of what to do falls on the head of the family."

Leo didn't say anything more. His heart was in his throat, his hands slightly shaking. To say he was nervous was an understatement.

The buildings outside turned to numerous rows of degrees as the cars drove up to a large gate. A guards post at the front: the driver ID'd himself: effectively letting them drive through.

The driveway was a long stretch. In the distance Leo could make out a relatively large house.

Getting closer the structure became larger.

The mere house had evolved into a three story mansion. The driveway twisting into a circle around the main front. A glorious fountain. Four angels guarding its circumference: their hands reaching out as if praying for their deity. The water spewing into the morning rays: making it sparkle.

The front door had a double wide staircase that wrapped the left and right merging into a landing which formed into another set leading to the door.

By the stairs stood maids and butlers. No doubt the backbone in keeping the high manor in ship shape.

The cars came to a stop.

The men, clad in black, stepped out of the front and rear vehicles. Both stopping on opposite sides of the middle vehicle. One opened Noah's door while the other Leo's.

Stepping out Leo felt like he was in another world. The sounds of the city had been shrouded by the thick trees that surrounded the home. The sirens wails along with the chatter of people on the busy streets were silenced. Making the manor feel like a foreign land.

"Please come this way". Noah motioned for Leo to follow him.

Climbing the large stairs into the foyer.

Leo spun in a circle taking in the decor. He let out a whistle.

"Wow". His eyes nearly popping from his head. The foyer itself was larger than his apartment.

Noah led the man through the house down a long passage. Lining the walls were photos. Some where of what looked like the family: others closed business deals with a firm handshake and the smiles of both parties.

The man that reappeared in each photo was a older gentleman. His hair Grey with years with slight wrinkles. Though he was up there in age his face remained as handsome.

"So is that Blackthorn senior?" Leo asked pointing with his thumb.

Noah snuck a peek.

"Yes."

Leo looked ahead at the secretary. He took note how stiff he had become.

Noah walked up to a grand doorway.

"I must warn you. Please don't speak unless spoken to". Noah whispered.

Not looking at Leo.

He knocked twice.

"Enter". A voice echoed.

Two men stationed at the doors etched grabbed a handle and pulled the doors open.

Noah walked in.

"Good morning sir, I have brought the Omega like you requested." He gave a slight bow of respect.

"I trust no one saw?" A man's voice bellowed.

"Yes sir".

Leo walked in gawking at the finery that draped every surface of the room.

"Ahem". A man cleared his throat.

Leo snapped back to reality: coming face to face with five people in the room.

Over, at what looked like, a conference table, sat an elderly man at the head.

To the right of him were two men. The closest to him was David. His eyes trailed to wherr Leo stood. He didn't have his normal look of distain, instead he seemed composed.

Next to him was a younger looking man. Roughly a little older looking than Leo. His hair color and eye shape resembled David's. Leo guessed him to be a younger brother.

On the left side, across from the men were two women. The closest to Griffith Blackthorn was an older looking woman. Many years younger than the old man. Shoulder length black hair with dark brown eyes.

Next to her was a young lady. Long brown hair that curled at the ends. Wearing what looked like the top of the line fashion. She remained unbothered by the situation as she looked at the table.

The rest of the eyes were on Leo.

"Sit". The man ordered the Omega. Motioning for him to sit at the other end of the table.

Leo took his seat. He glanced around at the people in front. He could tell straight away it was a house full of Alphas.

He felt incredibly small compared to the rest of them.

Noah placed a hand on his shoulder as he stood next to the Young man.

"Now that we are all here, hand...erm.....him? The paper". Griffith motioned towards Noah.

Noah pulled out a packet of paper and placed it in front of Leo.

Looking down he could make out the word contract plastered at the too.

He looked back at the head of the table.

"That there is a contract. In light of what has happened and through your grievances that you have dumped onto him". He gestured to the secretary beside Leo.

"The Blackthorn family has come up with a solution that will be beneficial to both parties."

He began to read.

"Because of the current circumstances, we as the family of Blackthorn have decided that the Omega, named Leo Meadows, will remain within the estate so long as he carries the heir to the Blackthorn fortune."

Leo moved to speak but Noah gripped his shoulder as a warning.

"In doing this we will ensure the heir is born healthy. Once born the Omega, Leo, will cut all contact with the Blackthorn family as well as the child."

"Upon doing so the Omega Leo will obtain a vast sum of five million dollars."

Griffith stopped reading and looked at Leo, maintaining eye contact.

"While living in the estate the Omega, Leo, will not be unattended unless being confined to...erm....HIS room. While here the Omega will be given anything ...he...needs to ensure a safe birth of the child."

"Once the child is born and you have your sum you and David will both break your bond with oneanother."

"If that suffices then sign."

Noah sat a pen next to Leo.

He looked at the pen, then the paper and then to the family members sitting there primp and proper.

He felt more like an item being used and sold rather than a person. He was a bit disgusted. He knew full well both him and the Blackthorn's were from different sides of the city. Different planets perhaps.

Leo didn't want this anymore than the Blackthorns did: that was apparent.

Leo looked down at his hands, placed in his lap.

"Well?" Griffith questioned again. He didn't seem to be the patient type.

Leo saw he didn't have a choice at all. He wasn't feeling particularly attached to the idea of having a baby. In fact it still didn't feel real to him.

The money on the other hand sounded good. He thought of all the things he would be able to accomplish. How he could finally get out of the craphole of a neighborhood.

He picked up the pen and signed on the dotted line.

"Very well". Griffith seemed pleased? Maybe that wasn't quite the word.

"From this point you will be living in David's estate until the birth."

David's head spun around to his father. The look on his face was of shock though he tried to compose himself.

"Father, if I may? Why not have the Omega live elsewhere?"

He tried to keep his calm demeanor.

Griffith glared at his son.

"From what I am told Omegas who are with child need a regular dose of pheromones from the Alpha through this period. Therefore you are to make sure nothing happens to the baby. Your choices have lead you to this!" Griffiths voice seemed to get louder as he went on to chastise his son.

Leo couldn't help but turn his head to hold back a snicker.

David clenched his jaw.

His brother glanced at Leo and gave a subtle smirk. The women said nothing.

"Now then." Griffith sat back down. " It has been decided."