Chapter 80

"We are out!" Lia yelled excitedly, startling a sleeping Alpha on his back who jumped and subconsciously tightened his arms around Lia's neck cutting his air. "Bleh! W-Wait…you're choking me, Will." 

Hearing Lia crying, he quickly let go of Lia's neck. 

Gently, Lia set Alpha down who whined because how dare a mere human like Lia, who after crossing the whole forest with him on his back puts him down? It was so unfair in his eyes. 

"No, Lia. Take me again," he complained as he couldn't come up with a coherent argument. 

"You're such a baby sometimes," Lia murmured affectionately, brushing a strand of hair away from Alpha's forehead. But these clingy habits of Alpha were the ones that he always found endearing. 

Whether it was the way Alpha would nuzzle into his neck to seek his comfort, or the soft, almost kitten-like sounds he made when he wanted Lia's attention, each gesture filled Lia's heart with warmth.

"And spoiled too. Come, we have to walk from here," He tugged at a stubborn hand who's owner grumbled and groaned making Lia chuckle, though he was enjoying his cute tantrums. But he gave in. "Alright, come here." 

He was about to let Alpha have his way with him again when he suddenly halted upon spotting a black car a bit further down the road. 

He immediately alerted and instinctively pulled Alpha closer. "Stay close to me, Will." 

He soon sighed in relief when Dexter emerged from the car followed by Scout. 

"Lia?" Dexter yelled as he sprinted towards him. "Lia! Are you alright?" His hands immediately roved over Lia, searching for the injuries he was sure Lia had suffered. 

But before he could continue his inspection, he was abruptly shoved away. Dexter stumbled back, his eyes widening in surprise as he looked up at Alpha, who now stood protectively in front of Lia, looking every bit like a wild beast he's known for. 

"Will, love it's okay," Lia said soothingly, pulling Alpha back to his side. He ran a calming hand down Alpha's arm to reassure him. "Dexter is not trying to hurt me. He's just worried."

But Alpha's glare was nowhere near softened, he continued to eye Dexter warily scaring him out of his soul. For a good moment, Dexter couldn't believe something so terrifying could even exist. 

He was about to complain to Lia and question his weird taste but stopped as he was dumbfounded by the tenderness he found in his love-crazed young master while looking at Alpha as if the feral creature was the most precious thing in the world. 

"Lia…you seriously left Eve for this thing?" He glanced back at Alpha in disbelief. "It doesn't look…normal. Are you sure that you…" 

"That I love him?" Lia finished for him confidently, his hand slid around Alpha's waist to calm him down who leaned into his touch willingly. "I do. More than anything."

Dexter clicked his tongue in disappointment. "Whatever. Eve is waiting for you–" 

Scout cut him off. "We have rescued the victims and subjects. Most of the labs are destroyed and we've captured a few doctors but they aren't opening their mouths to confess against Wagnar. Antonio still managed to escape with most of the doctors. However, the good thing is that the situation is under control for now."

Lia seriously takes in the information. "So, is this case solved?"

Scout shook his head. "Far from it. Wagnar won't sit still after this. The mafias will try to cut him from their channel since they won't want to end up in the same situation as him. And Wagnar definitely won't like this." 

Dexter, still shaken by the earlier encounter of almost losing Lia, took a deep breath. "Lia, you should come home with me. It's safer there."

Lia didn't even consider that option and shook his head resolutely. "No, I can't. I have to go into hiding with Will. Those lab bastards won't give up. They'll come after us and they will definitely come after Alpha." 

"Are you kidding? Where will you even go? You have already messed up too much, Lia. You're coming with me and that's final. Also, Eve is missing you. He-" 

"I think Lia is right. It's too risky for him to stay in one place. The only way to ensure his safety is to stay off the grid," Scout nodded in agreement. 

Dexter frowned. But he's aware of how stubborn Lia could be. He sighed helplessly. "But you can't do this alone. So, let me help you."

Lia placed a reassuring hand on Dexter's shoulder. "You've done more than enough, Dexter. I need you to keep an eye on the situation here. If Wagnar makes a move, we need to know about it immediately. Besides, Alpha and I will be safer if we move independently."

Dexter sighed, reluctantly nodding. "Alright, but promise me you'll stay in touch. Let me know if you need anything."

"I will," Lia promised, squeezing Dexter's shoulder. "Thank you for everything. Thank you for always taking care of me and Eve." 

Scout stepped forward. "Lia, thank you for helping us with this mission. We couldn't have done it without you."

"Well, what can I say? I'm just so amazing–" 

Alpha, who had been silently listening, though not understanding whatever these stupid humans were blabbering about, tugged on Lia's sleeve, and immediately turned Lia's sole attention towards himself. Lia smiled down at him. 

Dexter rolled his eyes and stared at them for a while, a bit annoyed before offering. 

"I have a house in the countryside. It's just an abandoned village, not many people live there. You can stay there. It's secluded and no one would think to look for you there."

"Really?!" Lia's eyes widened. Dexter nodded. "Oh, Dex, I love you so much. It means a lot-" 

"No need. I can't just leave you to die voluntarily now, can I?" 

"Of, course," Then, with a softer tone, Lia asked, "How is Eve?"

Dexter hesitated, his expression turned into unease. But Lia couldn't see it because he was busy with a tired and clingy Alpha, who kept tugging at his shirt and pressing close for comfort. "I'll take you to a safe place, alright?" 

When Lia finally turned his attention back to Dexter while gently stroking Alpha's hair. Dexter forced a smile and said, "Eve is doing…good. He's safe andhappy." 

Lia nodded, a small sigh of relief escaping his lips. "I'm glad to hear that."

Dexter gestured towards the car. "I'll take you to the house now. It's better if you leave as soon as possible."

Scout gave Lia a firm handshake. "Stay safe, Lia. We'll handle things here."

"Thank you," Lia replied earnestly. "Keep me updated on anything important."

As they got into the car, Alpha instantly curled up next to Lia, his head resting on Lia's shoulder. Lia wrapped an arm around him protectively, pulling him even more close. 

Dexter gave them a weird look before sighing and starting the drive. 

The drive to the countryside was silent as they both slept throughout the ride. When they arrived, Dexter helped Lia and Alpha settle in. 

"This place should keep you off the radar for a while." 

Lia thanked him. "It's perfect. Thank you, Dexter."

Dexter paused before leaving. He pulled out a phone from his pocket. "Keep this phone with you. If anything happens, you call me immediately."

"I will," Lia assured him while offering a grateful smile. "Take care of yourself. And Eve too." 

Dexter nodded and left, the door closing with a soft thud. Lia stood for a moment, absorbing the quiet of the countryside. 

He then turned to Alpha, who was already dozing off on the couch. 

Looking at both of their appearances, stained with blood and dirt, scars and injuries, he announced to himself. "Let's do some cleaning." 

 ◾◾◾

Two days later ~~ 

Eve's condition deteriorated even more. 

Sitting in the living room, a cloth held to his mouth stained with fresh blood from another violent coughing fit. 

His body was growing weak and his spirit seemed even weaker. 

"Here, give me the cloth," Dexter took the bloody cloth away, wiped his mouth and settled him on the couch. "Rest now." 

Ignoring his poor health and Dexter's obvious concern, Eve looked up with tired eyes. "How's brother Li?" 

Dexter's expression hardened. "Don't ask about that traitor," he said coldly. "He left you here, sick and alone. Choose that strange…thing over his own brother."

Eve managed a weak smile, despite the pain in his heart. "Brother Li did what was right for him, Dexter. He has every right to be happy with the person he loves." 

But inside, Eve was aching, missing his brother terribly.

"Oh, here you are," Their conversation was abruptly interrupted when Lydia appeared, her face pale and her messy hair. She looked terrible with huge eye bags under his eyes. 

Both Eve and Dexter exchanged anxious glances. Her gaze piercing at just one person as she approached Eve.

Sitting beside Eve she cupped his face, causing him to flinch. "You know how much your mother loves you, right baby?" she asked in a chilling menace.

Eve blinked profusely, unable to respond. Dexter stepped forward to stop her. "Lydia, please—"

But Lydia silenced him with a raised hand and a sharp glare. "Stay out of it," 

Dexter fell silent. 

Lydia turned her attention back to Eve, her grip tightening slightly, crushing his face. "Do you know where Lia is hiding?" 

Eve remained silent, his eyes wide with fear. Lydia's expression darkened as she continued, "Lia killed your father. Do you still want to help him? He's a filthy murderer. When he couldn't get Jasper to sleep with him, he killed him."

"Lydia, Eve is sick. This isn't the time for this," Dexter interjected again. 

Eve swallowed hard in fear. His eyes filled with dread as his hands sweat. "Mom, brother Li didn't kill–" 

"He doesn't know where Lia is currently!" Both looked at Dexter who was clearly panicking, but he couldn't just let Eve tell her the truth, that would be disastrous. "What he means is that he doesn't know where Lia is hiding." 

Lydia's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Don't lie to me. I know you both are protecting him," She stood up aggressively and grabbed Eve's jaw violently, who was once her darling son. "Don't you dare to save that disgusting and nasty manwhore! He killed my love and I won't sit still until I splash his blood with my own hands!" 

Eve began to hyperventilate listening to her words towards Lia. "M-Mom please–" 

"Eve?!" Dexter caught him before he could fall. 

"I will cut his throat and will watch him bleed to death–" 

"MOM! Please stop talking like this about Brother Li! He didn't kill Dad!" He shouted. "I did!" 

A stunned silence followed his outburst. 

Lydia turned to him crazily while he sobbed uncontrollably. She gripped his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin. "What…what do you mean you killed your own father?" 

Tears streamed down Eve's face as he tried to explain with heavy breaths. "It's true. I was the one-" 

"Eve stop-" Dexter, alarmed of the consequences, tried to stop him. 

"Yes, I was the one who killed him…and not brother Li. I caught D-Dad doing terrible things to Brother Li, and I had to save him. Mom…dad also did awful things to me too."

"Stop talking nonsense!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. "You're talking just like that bitch! Jason could never do something like that to his own son. You little bitch, if you dare to help that bastard, then you can't call yourself my child!"

Eve sobbed. "I'm not lying! Dad was hurting us both. He was a monster and I couldn't let him keep hurting my b-brother Li. I had to stop him!"

Lydia's hand shot out, and she slapped Eve across the face, the sound of the impact ringing in his ear. "How dare you! Jasper was innocent! Why would you kill him?"

"Lydia?! What are you doing? Eve, are you okay?" 

She cried out loudly. "You made me a widow! Your own mother! Did I raise you with so much care for this day?!" 

Eve wiped his tears, he realised both of his parents weren't worth crying for. He let out confidently. "I did what I had to do to protect my brother."

Lydia looked at him in anger and disbelief. "You both have been poisoned by Lia. But I will find him soon and make him pay." 

With that, she released Eve's wrist and stormed out of the room, leaving Eve sobbing in Dexter's arms. Dexter held him tightly, whispering soothing words as Eve's body shook with grief and fear.

"It's alright, let it all out," Dexter let him cling to him until his sobs gradually subsided into quiet whimpers. 

"I m-miss brother Li, Dexter."