Chapter 20

Tiwa runs faster, toppling over a few trash cans on the way. His heart races, his head pounds, and his lungs beg for air, but he can't stop. If he does, it will be the end for him. Some guys chase him from the store, and he has no one with him for help. He doesn't know what to do. He can't take it anymore, and his legs give out from underneath him. He falls to the ground with an 'oof!'. But then he hears their voice.

He gets up quickly, ignoring his pain the best way he can, and hides behind a corner of an old abandoned building. He takes his phone out and calls his brother, wanting to inform him about the situation, but he gets no signal. "Goddamn it!" He groans, trying again and again in hopes of getting the signal and reaching him.

When he hears his aggressor's voice, his hard breathing stops. He presses the end button on the phone and holds it against his chest, praying to God to save him. He doesn't want to become a meal for these dominant alphas.

"You think you can get away from us, don't you, you little bitch?" The menacing tone of one of the guys' voices, followed by a sharp, dark chuckle, makes Tiwa shiver.

Tiwa can hear the footsteps getting closer and closer. Right when he thinks it is 'it' for him, he shakes his head and moves backward. "No!" His heart nearly bursts out of his chest when the guys find him out and walk toward him. "Please, don't!" He cries.

A hand grabs his wrist and pushes him against the wall. "Please leave me," he whimpers, frightened for his life. He feels weak, worthless, and wasteful as he begs for the stranger to release him. However, the stranger shows no sign of letting go, so he looks around frantically for help. In the distance, a pair of bright lights reflect off the side of a building.

A slight hope swells in his chest. This could be his one and only chance to get help. With rebuilt courage, he uses his full strength to push the alpha out of his way before running away as quickly as possible. Escaping from them, he knocks into another person on the way, releasing a sour scent as their bodies touch. Holding onto them, he looks up and finds himself staring into dark brown eyes. "P-Pravat!"

Pravat growls as he looks over Tiwa's shoulder to understand the situation and pulls the omega behind his back. He rushes over to the strangers and fights them off, brave and strong. Just like a whirlwind, he finishes all the strangers and makes them sprawl on the ground, unconscious. His actions confuse Tiwa because Pravat usually wants him to suffer, but now?

After teaching a moral lesson to those strangers, Pravat glances back at Tiwa, who seems lost and utterly despondent. It feels unnatural, like a spell has been cast on him, so Pravat walks over, wanting nothing more than to wrap the omega close and never let him alone, out of reach, out of sight. After all, it is unsaid.

Pravat pulls Tiwa into his arms, and they fit perfectly together, like they were molded as one at birth but separated, left to find each other once more. Their bodies press closer together, trying to bring forth the feelings they've tried to suppress. They are so close yet so far away when Tiwa pushes Pravat away, instantly getting tense.

Pravat notices the wheels running on the omega's head. He moves his hands and waves them in front of Tiwa's face, making him concentrate. "Do you want me to leave?" He asks so earnestly that it's almost disarming.

Tiwa swallows hard and looks up. He knows Pravat will go if he says yes, and nothing will change between them. "No." He breathes too quickly. "Stay."

"I thought so." Pravat grins.

The air shifts around them, or maybe they are just settling into wanting each other again. Pravat's nostrils flare instantly as he leans forward to take in Tiwa's scent, which calls for an audience. Realizing that Tiwa is in heat, Pravat grabs him by the wrist and drags him to the car, showing him the passenger seat. "Get in," he says firmly. 

"W-What? Me and... together? No! No, not at all. No," Tiwa splutters, coughing a little. He has a hard time believing in Pravat. "I believe you, but… just ignore it. I can take care of myself," he insists.

Pravat suppresses the urge to roll his eyes and makes a mental note to work on teaching Tiwa how to lie convincingly in the future. Disregarding the protests, he firmly grabs Tiwa and pushes him into the passenger seat, grinning mischievously. "Baby deer!"

Tiwa's face pales as he hasn't considered the possible dangers of being recognized. "Are you kidnapping me?" He asks nervously. The laugh that Pravat provides scares him a little, so he quickly steps his foot out as Pravat tries to close the door. "I'm no defenseless child. My brother has trained me well with several weapons. If you try to take advantage of me, I will kill you." He warns sternly.

"Hmm. Of course. You will. I saw your courage a few minutes ago," Pravat says with a grin, leaning against the door and winking.

Tiwa's eyes widen as Pravat wets his lips and grips the door. One of the hundred little things about him that Tiwa doesn't know how to forget. He bristles at the tone that Pravat is using. "What makes you think you can talk to me this way? You're what, some crazy alpha? I'm.." The words stop in his throat when Pravat raises an eyebrow.

"That's some way to talk to the guy who saved your ass a few minutes ago." Pravat shakes his head, laughing again. His legs are probably going numb, but it doesn't matter as much as he's okay standing outside and bantering with Tiwa for the rest of the night or forever.