Chapter Three

They sat on the couch in silence. Cole lowered his head in defeat. "Cole, do you really want to leave?" Reed questioned. Cole shook his head. "Then don't go," Reed advised.

"I won't have a choice," Cole assured him. Reed did not want Cole to go.

"Who is that guy to you?" Reed questioned in a tone that made himself uncomfortable. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't have said it that way," he confessed. Cole exhaled and lifted his head.

"There are things about me that you don't know," Cole said.

"Tell me," Reed implored. "I want to know what's causing you so much distress," he told him.

"You'll regret being my friend," Cole sniffed.

"That would never happen," Reed declared.

Cole got up from the couch, moved across the room, and leaned back against the wall.

"As you probably already guessed, my name isn't Cole," he added, looking down at the floor. "And the person you met was my childhood friend," he told Reed.

"Isn't he still your friend?" Reed inquired in confusion.

"I'm not sure anymore," Cole said. Tears filled his eyes.

"Why?" Reed questioned, passing him a tissue.

"He broke his promise," Cole explained. Reed hesitated before asking, "What kind of promise?"

"For us to be mates and stay together," Cole muttered. Cole's lips quivered as he fought back tears that threatened to flow.

"So, when we first met, you were on the run?" Reed inquired softly. Cole slowly nodded.

Cole collapsed to the floor, bringing his knees to his chest and resting his head on them. The room was quiet save for Cole's heavy breathing.

"I don't want to leave," Cole stated weakly.

"Then stay," Reed knelt in front of him and stated. Cole got to his feet but then felt a dull pain in his head. The room swirled.

"I don't feel very well," Cole murmured just before darkness enveloped him. He hovered between wakefulness and unconsciousness. There were muffled voices around him, and he felt himself lifted and moved. Cole wondered where he was once the movements came to a halt. He attempted to open his eyes, but they felt heavy.

Reed sat in a chair in the corner of the room, hanging his head, as Dr. Newburry cared for Cole. He raised his head and inquired, "How is he?" as the doctor approached him.

"Are you his Alpha?" she inquired. Reed paused for just a second.

"No, we're only friends," he said.

"Does he have an alpha we can contact?" the doctor inquired. Reed was concerned by the question posed of him.

"No, he doesn't," Reed said. "Why?" he inquired, alarmed.

"Your friend is seriously lacking alpha pheromones, and it's affecting his health," she said. Reed asked without hesitation, "Would my pheromones help?" "I'm a dominant alpha," he explained.

The doctor noted Reed's serious expression and said, "I'll let you do it, but under one condition."

"What's the condition?" Reed inquired, standing up.

"Take breaks because this task will tire you out if done for too long," she told him. Reed nodded in understanding, saying, "I will," and followed the instructions. Reed took a break every two hours to rest before continuing his work till visiting hours ended. Reed turned to the doctor and said, "No one except me, you, or your staff is to see my friend."

"I'll relay that to my staff," Dr. Newburry said.

"Thank you," Reed remarked, leaving the hospital.

Cole's sleeping form kept appearing in Reed's mind as he headed home. Reed was disappointed to find an all-too-familiar blonde in front of his residence.

"What are you doing here?" Reed asked in an angry tone.

"I want to see my omega," Hunter demanded. Reed gave out a big laugh.

"Your omega?" "Don't make me laugh," he replied. "I know all about you, Mr. Hunter Schmidt, and how you like to make and break promises," Reed told him. Hunter glared at Reed.

"You can't keep me from him," Hunter said coldly.

"Yes, I can," Reed scoffed. "My friend is trying to get his life back together, and I'll be damned if I let you ruin it," he grumbled.

Reed came onto his front porch, confronted Hunter, and said, "Go back to your pack and the omega you chose." "You are not welcome here." and went inside. Reed pushed the door shut, locking it. Reed was angry, and he had every right to be. Hunter, the pack leader, claimed Cole was his.

"That arrogant sob," Reed complained. Reed drew the curtain to the side slightly and looked out the window. Hunter walked back and forth, moaning to himself. When Reed looked out the window four hours later, Hunter was still on the sidewalk, looking unhappy. Reed needed his strength for Cole's pheromone therapy, so he went to sleep.

Dr. Newburry was checking Cole's vitals the next morning when Reed entered the hospital room.

"How is he?" Reed inquired as he waited for her to finish.

"He's doing better, but he's still in danger," the doctor explained. "We need to do a few more sessions with the pheromone treatment," she told him.

"I'll do a two-hour session in the mornings, check on my art studio, then do another round in the evenings," Reed told her.

"Okay, but remember, your health is also important," the redhead said.

"I understand," Reed replied, nodding his head. "Is there anything else I can do to increase his recovery?" Reed inquired as he began to release his pheromones.

"Talk to him; let him know you're around," the doctor urged.

Reed continued his work, but added, "Cole, I care about you a lot, and I promise that once you're better, I'll help you achieve the life you want." "Just don't run away because of that guy," he had implored. Reed was surprised to feel Cole's fingers move under his hand. "Cole, please fight this because I want to see those beautiful hazel eyes of yours," he told him. Reed gave a faint gasp and grinned as Cole's eyes flickered. Reed gladly hugged him without thinking twice.

"Reed, what's going on?" Cole asked, perplexed as he backed away.

"How much do you remember?" Reed inquired.

"Very little, actually," Cole replied. "Why?" Cole inquired.

Just as Reed was about to respond to Cole's query, the door to his room opened.

"Well, hello," Dr. Newburry replied as she stepped in. "How are you feeling?" she inquired, moving up to the bed.

"Calmer, but why am I here?" he inquired.

"It appeared that you were lacking alpha pheromones and passed out," the doctor explained.

"It did feel as if my body was weakening over the three years I was moving around," Cole told her. "But now I feel somewhat stronger," he said.

"It's because Mr. McLaughlin helped you by providing his own alpha pheromones," the doctor revealed. Cole switched his focus to Reed, blushed, and replied, "Thank you."