Zev Samthonglai
The door squeaked open once more and I groaned from the sound of footsteps around me until it stopped on where I was. Then the chains rattled against the wall and I can feel that I was lifted up by someone and we made our way out. I didn't need to know who was it because there's only one person who had been concerned about me and Film ever since I came back here in the pack years ago. I shut my eyes tightly until I heard another door opened and shut close behind us and my back hit the soft mattress.
"Thank you," it was Film's voice and I stirred up but my whole body was still weak from the shock until I felt her warm hand on my cheek. I cried.
"Shh," Film hushed. "I'm here, don't worry. Nothing happened to me and the pup, I'm safe. Please don't cry."
"I'm sorry," I mumbled and covered my face with my hand. "I'm so ashamed of myself. I cannot do anything against him. I can't even protect you from him. I'm sorry, Film. I truly am."
Film didn't say anything but I can sense her shoulder shaking tremendously from what I just said and my heart clenched, even more, to know that she's hurting. That she endured everything just to stay with me even if all of these happened to us - to her. I wanted to die. I wanted to disappear completely. I wanted all of this to just end. I wanted to be out of her life - so she could live happily. But at the same time, I needed her - her warmth and her love. I didn't want to be away from her but I didn't also want to harm her too much. And I know that after this night - our lives would forever change.
The room fell silent and Film dipped on the bed beside me with her slender arm wrapped on my waist tightly. I turned around to meet her and wrapped her in an embrace - to feel her, to secure her, and to make her feel loved. That was the only thing that I could do for now because I am weak - how can an Alpha be this weak against an Omega? Why can I not find the strength to fight him? I had millions of chances to right all the wrong things that I have done even before - to Luna Maeve, to Sky, to Bright, and to Win. To give them a heads-up about Vince and all of his plans and plots of revenge against Rose. To ask for their help so I can save my mate and be next to my brother. But I didn't - I was a coward and I hated myself for being a coward - so now, we had to suffer because of my own weakness.
I am so fucking weak!
As Film and I indulged in each others' arms - our bedroom door slammed open and banged against the wall making Film flinch under my touch. I tightened my hug on her but I was soon taken away from her again by my Father's guards as we continued to walk all the way to another room. Gord opened the door and the rest of them just shoved me inside like I was a piece of garbage and I gnashed my teeth from the pain - and humiliation.
I stayed on the floor and just felt its coldness against my skin when I heard someone groan making me lift my head up. My eyes widened with the image in front of me and the strength that I thought I had already lost suddenly bolted me out of the floor.
"Win!" I ran to the bed where he was and shook his shoulder to wake him up. Win's eyes were shut tightly. I placed my ear against his chest and was relieved that he's still alive.
"Shit! Shit! What do I do?" I mumbled to myself as I tried to yank away the chains on his hand but it wouldn't budge. And the only thing inside the room was the bed where Win was lying down and that chair in the middle making me whine in frustration.
"Fuck!"
"What do you think you're doing?" I shut my eyes and calmed down before I turned around to meet my Father's eyes together with his guards.
"Why is he not waking up? What did you do to him?"
"Oh for fucks' sake! Don't act all too innocent now that he's here. You helped me with this so shut your trap and do what you're expected to do. He'd be awake anytime soon now - and I want you to act according to what we have discussed. One wrong move, son, and your mate will be dealt with."
"Fine!" I said with gritted teeth and massaged my temple. "Do not lay a hand on Film. I'll do what you want, just don't touch my mate. Fuck!"
"Deal."
Vince and the rest of the guards made their way out of the room while I took the seat that was in the middle of the room. My heart was beating erratically and I was getting nervous about what's about to happen this time - and I'm already hating myself for submitting to him once more. To play the act that I have been expected to do and that was to hurt my only brother. I sighed and planted my face on my palm until Win groaned once more.
It's showtime.
"Baby?"
Film's voice filled my ears and I snapped my head in her direction. But looked away rather quickly while I continued to clutch my knees against my chest and stared at the nothingness outside of my window. Her arms snaked on my shoulders and that was my cue to cry before I turned around and hugged her by the waist while I burrowed my face on her stomach.
"I..." I swallowed hard. "Baby, I hurt my brother. I used the collar on him and he was screaming and crying, I wanted to just stop and hug him. But...I was thinking of you. What would Father do to you if I don't carry on with my task? Baby...I'm so scared. He'd never forgive me for hurting him. No, he won't. Bright would never forgive me, too. I..." I cried harder. "He said that he looked at me like a brother - I was so happy but then I cannot show it. Fuck! Then he called me a monster - I am a monster indeed! Film, I don't know what to do anymore."
Film continued to hum and trace her fingers on the looks of my hair but I couldn't calm down. The way Win shouted and cried earlier lingered into my mind and my heart was constricted upon seeing him suffer from my own hands. And no matter how much I want to help him - I cannot let my own mate be hurt because of me - and my pup. Goodness, why does it have to come to this?
"Do you want me to check up on him? To see if he's doing fine? Well, he isn't doing fine because he was kidnapped - but at least, he can have someone to talk to. Would you like that, baby?"
I nodded. "Please."
"Why is Film inside Win's room?" Father came up inside the room making me startled. "Why the fuck is she there, Zev?! What were you planning to do?!"
"I just wanted to make sure that he's okay - at least Film would make him feel at ease. Dad, let's just stop this nonsense because this is getting out of hand. You...you made me hurt him. I don't want to do this anymore, please."
"Ungrateful moron!" A slap landed on my face and I bit my bottom lip. "Isn't it a little bit too late to act all holy right now, Zev? Don't make a fool out of yourself by being all too indecisive with this because you were made for this! Stop acting like his older brother because Win would never know about it - and he would never forgive you even if you die."
I shut my eyes and regulated my breathing - he was right and there wasn't an excuse for all of my actions back then and now. That I was solely made for this and life being with the one I love would never be fulfilled - because I am weak. But then again, I wanted to make things right even to the last minute and perhaps - Win could find in his heart to forgive me for my wrongdoings. It was pathetic of me to think about knowing that I had caused him and Bright to break up back then. There was really nothing that I can do now - I'm too late.
"Dad."
"Now!" he shouted and his guards were back making me groan. In a split second, Bantad resurfaced and growled loud to stop them from coming at us once and for all. But the fact that there were five Alphas against me wasn't helping my case until I was forced to kneel in front of my father while they held me tightly.
"Let me go!"
Vince squeezed my cheek so hard and forced me to open my mouth while I squirmed with all my might. He then grabbed a bottle from his pocket and poured the contents into my mouth and made me swallow everything. My eyes watered from the number of pills that I tried to gulp down while Vince continued to hold my mouth and forced the same to be closed. Vince stood there with all his glory as I struggled against them until I felt my stomach churn and my head started spinning - the walls moved on their own accord and everything around me was getting hot.
"Let him go," Vince ordered and I slumped on the floor.
I tried to vomit the pills out of my system but Vince yanked my head hard and smirked. My eyes were losing focus and I can feel Bantad getting agitated and awake at the same time - but this time, it wasn't because he was mad. Bantad's rut was poked by those pills that I just swallowed and I can feel my whole body burning with desire.
"Behave yourself," Vince gave my face a tap. "You'll go inside that room while you're still awake because once those drugs kick in - Bantad would cut off all connections with you. Let that little mate of yours out of that room or I'll let her suffer from my own hands. Zev, let Bantad get in control."
"No! No!" I shut my eyes and tried to control my inner wolf but he was slowly emerging.
"Tick-tock! Five minutes and Bantad would overpower you. Bring him to that room," he ordered and I was dragged out of the room and in front of Win's room - cage to be exact.
The drug was slowly kicking in and I'm starting to panic. I pushed the door open and saw Film with Win. No, I don't want to do this but my eyes landed on her tummy, and thoughts of her hurting because of me made me weak. Film looked at me with wide eyes and quickly ran to my side. Bantad savored our mate's scent until I saw my Father in my peripheral vision.
"I'm drugged," I whispered to Film. "Please forgive me, Film. Stay inside our room and wait for me." Film's hug tightened and I can feel my arousal building up with her scent and closeness to us, to Bantad - but was cut short with my Father's voice in my head and Film's scream from the collar making me wince.
"Go now."
"I'll wait for you," she said heaving before turning her head back to Win.
Film let herself out and I shut the door which was then shut close from the outside while I tried to control Bantad inside of me - he was horny and I'm slowly losing my control over him. And the fact that there's an Omega's scent inside the room was making me lightheaded with his scent. It was faint and there was another scent around his scent making my nose scrunch up.
"Isn't she sweet?"
I finally found my voice amidst the crisis that I am in right now because my mind was already clouded with lust. I turned my head around and saw Win sitting on the bed making Bantad pant and drool with the Omega - no, that's my brother. I tried to row away Bantad's arousal as I made conversations with Win but I'm losing. Before I could even register what was happening around me - I was cut off.
"Film!"
I heaved when I finally reached our room. She looked at me with a shock on her face until I finally realized that I was standing in front of her without anything on me.
"Help me."
"What happened?"
She ran to my side and hooked my arm around her shoulder while we sloppily walked towards the bed. Then she helped me lay down while my whole body trembled from the drugs that I took, beads and beads of sweats run throughout my body - the effect was subsiding.
I shut my eyes and listened to the surrounding which was Film walk-run around me until I felt something damp on my arm making me startled. My eyes landed on her who was diligently wiping away the sweat on my body as the chills continued to sear all over me. I didn't know what happened back there when I finally took over - but one thing was for sure - I touched him and I felt disgusted with myself. I became Vince and that thought made me hate myself even more but above all of that - I felt sorry for Win.
"You touched him," Film's voice rang in my ears and I looked at her. Her hands were shaking and her eyes were on my bottom half making me look at myself - there were slick and blood all over me.
"You touched him! You couldn't control Bantad?!" She shouted and I groaned because her voice made my head hurt even more. I forced myself to sit down and I reached out to embrace her while she cried her eyes out.
"I'm sorry."
"How could you do that to him? You touched someone else's mate - your own brother!"
"I told you that I was drugged. I tried to control Bantad but I blacked out. You know I wouldn't touch my own brother!"
"Babe, Win's pregnant."
"What?!" I pushed her slightly away from me and her words registered in my mind. "He's pregnant?! Fuck this!" I planted my face on my palms. "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! What do I do now? Fuck this! Bright's going to kill me for hurting him and forcing him. Ugh, what the hell! Just kill me already!"
Win was sound asleep when I came back to his room and Film managed to clothe him with my own clothes. I sat on the bed silently and the tears that I had managed to hold back started to roll on my cheek. The amount of regret and guilt that I felt was nothing compared to what I have done to Win - and no matter how much I apologize, it wouldn't be enough because all of these things were unforgivable. There's never an excuse because I allowed Vince to hurt him - and I hurt him myself. And to think that he was already carrying his pup - just like Film, made it even more frustrating and I wanted to just die this instant.
"Win," I uttered. "I'm sorry for doing all of these to you. I know that what I did was unforgivable but truly, I am sorry. I didn't mean to force you but I was drugged and I blacked out - and yet, I couldn't even make that an excuse because I could have prevented it to happen but I was weak, Win. I'm so sorry, I don't know if you'll find in your heart to forgive me but I'm very sorry."
"I cannot forgive you, ever," Win answered making me shocked momentarily. "You could have stopped Bantad, but you didn't. You gave in. You touched someone else's mate. You're disgusting and I could never forgive you."
"I know," I smiled because we're having a conversation without shouting. "I met Film a year ago in the supermarket and I felt the mate pull with her. Since then, I pursued her and tried everything to get her attention. After a month, we accepted each other as mates and then a lot of things happened that. I don't know if you can tell, but Film is pregnant with my pup. I was so happy and I wanted you to be the first person to know about how happy I am to be a Dad."
"Why are you telling me this?" His back was still on me but he seemed more relaxed.
"Win, my pup doesn't have any idea of what I have done and what I am about to do, and if ever I get killed tomorrow - please, don't hate Film and my pup. I beg you," I mumbled. "You wouldn't understand this now but someday, you would know the truth about me - about you - about us. And I hope by then, you'd find in your heart to love my pup, Win, like your own family."
"..."
"Bright would be here to save you tomorrow, so please stay alive until then. And always make sure to take care of yourself because you're-" I paused and looked at his stomach. "Just take care of yourself and be happy with Bright. I..." my tears rolled down once more. "I wanted to only have a peaceful life with Film and my pup, Win. They're my world now but I am weak, I cannot find the courage to go against my own father because I am indebted to him - he birthed me into this world. And I love him. But this isn't an excuse for what I have done to you and I would forever hold that guilt here in my heart until the day I die. Win, I didn't want to hurt you - that's the truth, but my mate and my pup are at stake. One wrong move and they'll be taken away from me."
"So you took me away from my mate, instead? Is that it, Zev? You're selfish!"
"I am selfish. I know that really well when I started all of these things willingly. And that was something that I am proud of, as well, that until the very last time - I kept her safe from Vince."
I stood up from the bed with my back on Win.
"Win, I know this wouldn't make sense to you now but I am happy to have you as my brother."
"Gord, you got everything ready?" I asked Gord who gave me a nod making me inhale a lot of air before letting it all out to calm myself. I turned around and placed a hand on his shoulder to squeeze it making him smile.
"Thank you for doing this for me and please take care of Film and my pup," I uttered. "Make sure that they will be away from Vince and don't forget to give that folder to Bright when you get the chance."
"Film wouldn't want this."
"It's not a matter of whether she wants this or not - I want to keep her safe when Bright comes as soon as the daylight breaks. And I don't want her to see me die," I pursed my lip in a line. "I didn't want to do this Gord, but if I don't let her escape now, she wouldn't even stand a chance with Vince. And she's pregnant."
Gord fell silent while I wiped my tears.
"I don't want my pup to grow up without a father but things don't happen just because I wanted it to happen that way. So please be a father-figure to my pup and take care of them for me, please."
"You sound like you're saying goodbye for real," Gord's voice cracked. "You'll live."
"I doubt that. Bright would never spare my life for hurting Win. Just make sure that you keep her safe and away from here. Everything that you need is already in the car and the house that you'll live in would be the safest place for both of you. Vince wouldn't be able to find you there and don't make unnecessary moves to trigger Vince. At exactly 3 at dawn, you will take Film with you. That's an order. And if luck's on our side, Win and I would follow you there - but if not, then you know what happened."
Gord nodded before he left me inside the room. After a few minutes of silence, Film emerged from the door with a smile on her face making me giddy - I'll miss that smile. She just came back from talking with Win who was now inside that filthy room and she dipped on the bed beside me. With all the love and longing that I have, I held her close to me and allowed myself to savor this moment with her. I wanted to stay with her and be with her until we grow old but I can't.
I looked at the clock, it's already 2:45, a couple of minutes more and I'd be sending her with Gord. By then, Film would have escaped, and maybe - just maybe - Win and I could follow them if everything goes according to our plan. My eyes landed back on Film who was still snuggling on my chest making me smile before I kissed the top of her head. Slowly, I moved away from her and kneeled on the floor with my hands gently stroking her stomach making her giggle.
"Pup, it's Daddy," I started and my eyes were brimming with tears. "Promise me that when you grow up, you will take care of your Mommy, okay? I don't want you to be weak like me," I sobbed and Film did, too. "I wanted to see you when you be born in this world pup and to watch you grow. But Daddy cannot do that now, I'm sorry."
"Zev..."
"Please be good to Mommy. Don't give her stress, okay? You will be fine, Mommy will be fine. Please, live for me until we meet again," I wiped my tears and Film wrapped me in an embrace. "Baby, it's time."
"No! You and Win are coming with us, we won't leave you here."
"Shh..." I hushed her. "Kiss me."
We both leaned forward and pressed our lips together as our tears continued to cascade on our faces - this would be the last time that I'd be able to kiss her, hold her, and be with her. We both pulled away and I quickly stood up to grab her coat from the dresser then wrapped her with it. Film was still crying as I carried on with my little task, throwing away all my emotions and just stuck on the fact that I needed to save her now. I glanced at the clock, it's already 3 and Gord carefully slid inside our room with his own coat on him.
The three of us stepped out of the room carefully as we made our way at the back door to where the car was parked. Film gave me another hug and I clung unto her tightly - never wanting to let go but the time was ticking. We both pulled away and I gave her another kiss pouring all of the love that I have for her before I ducked and gave our pup a kiss.
"Keep safe, babe. Gord," I gave him a nod and she held Film by the arm who was still crying.
And before they could even walk far, she yanked Gord's hand and ran back to me making me cry as I hugged her for the last time. No, I didn't want to let her go just yet and the realization of her being away from me was already breaking me into million pieces. But if I continue to be selfish, she would suffer the same fate as I am, and my pup would never have a normal life. As much as I want to hold her and keep her - I can't because I am not destined to stay with her until we grow old. It's my time, and I can't let her see me die.
"No, please. Let me stay with you. I can't live without you, please...don't do this to me and to our pup. Zev...please..."
"Baby, please, you have to go now. And I promise you that we would follow you there, okay? Be brave for me, love." I made a gap between us and gave her our last kiss - a kiss that I would carry with me until my last breath.
"You have to go now, Film. Remember that I love you so much. You mean the world to me. I love you and our pup. I love you! I love you! I love you!" I chanted with my tears. "I love you."
"I love you too, Zev. Please live for us. We'll be waiting for you. I'll be waiting for you. I love you!"
"Wait for me."
Gord took her away from me once more and I allowed my tears to continue falling until I didn't see the car in my vision. I shut my eyes tight and breathed all of the air inside of me as I thought of her and the growing life inside of her. Her memories flooded inside my head and for the first time since we were in this mess, I felt happy. My mate and my pup would live on, and it wouldn't matter now even if I died.
"Please, just let them go."
I know that he'd been standing there the whole time and was just watching us. Vince stepped out of the dark and stood next to me with his hand on my shoulder.
"I will. Now, do what you have to do."