Author's POV

It's been a few weeks since Vegas confessed to Pete. He's been lingering around Pete ever since, but Pete hasn't responded to him. He hopes Pete will give in to him one day.

Vegas has also been sick for the last few days, with high fever and constant vomiting. One day when he went to visit his mother at the hospital, he saw Pete was there beside his mother's bed. He was checking Siena's condition since he works in the same hospital.

"Your blood pressure is low, you should stress less ma'am," Pete said with a blank face. Siena actually found out what happened with Vegas and Pete during her nephew's wedding through Macau, who was also excited about it. When Pete entered Siena's room to check her health, both mother and the younger son started convincing him on giving Vegas a chance since they have already mated now.

"Son, my Vegas is a very caring alpha, unlike his father," Siena said with a sad face.

"Yes Phi Pete! Phi Vegas really likes you, I have seen it in his eyes. He genuinely cares about you," Macau added.

"Macau, ma'am please, this is my workplace. It's will be better if we drop this topic," Pete requested.

Siena and Macau looked at each other with a sad face and nodded at Pete.

No one was talking in the room so it got awkward for everyone. An awkward silence.

Soon after, Vegas opened the door of the room. He became the centre of attention for a second. Pete quickly looked away and started packing his equipments. He's been ignoring Vegas for the past few weeks. For some reason, he's been having a strange feeling whenever he sees Vegas or gets close to him. His heart starts to accelerate like crazy, so he wants to avoid it as much as possible. He still thinks it's happening because of the fact that they are mates now. Although part of it is due to that reason, Pete did experienced similar feelings  towards Vegas when they weren't even mates.

"Ah... I'll leave now, please ma'am take care of your health and don't stress much," Pete left the room, passing by Vegas. His heart almost jumped out of his chest as he got near Vegas.

°°°
Pete was going around the hospital, learning about some patient's condition as the senior doctor (s) guids him and some other students around different wards.

After few hours, they were told to go home and revise each patient's report. Pete was ready to go home as he went to the staff room to collect his things. While on the way to the staff room, he went to the toilet to wash his hands and face.

When he entered the toilet, he saw someone vomiting in the sink.

"Excuse me," He called.

The man turned around. Pete's heart rate increased rapidly at the sight.

"Pete?"

"Vegas?"

"What's wrong? Are you okay,"  Vegas was looking not well. His face was pale and there was sweat everywhere on his face. Pete slowly approached Vegas.

"I am fine," He said.

"You don't look like it,"

"I said I am fine leave me alone, and why do you care anyway? Remember you have already rejected me?" Pete was silenced with the sudden response from Vegas. It was true. Why does he care about him? 

"Huuk," Vegas vomited again.

Pete didn't care anymore and got closer to Vegas.
"I am a doctor, and it's my duty to help those who are sick. You are not exception,"

"As I thought... I am just a random person for you," Vegas scoffed. Pete's heart was still accelerating like crazy.

"Let me help you," Pete took Vegas' arm and wrapped it around his shoulder. He held Vegas' waist and helped him to walk.

"Can I scent you?" Vegas asked suddenly. Pete paused for a moment and looked at Vegas.

"But-"

"It's okay if you don't allow it, I am used to being rejected by you at this point," Vegas sighed.

"Fine," Pete said.

"Hmm?"

"You can scent me, but be quick,"

Vegas immediately sunk himself into Pete's neck. He saw his mate mark there and smiled calmly. He seem to be craving for the sweet cupcake scent of his little omega. Pete felt his body heating up as he felt Vegas' wet breath on his neck. He too was craving for the familiar redwood scent the alpha. Suddenly he felt a wet, jiggly object on his scent gland.

"Hmmm," he moaned.

"Th..ats enough," He moved his head away from Vegas' reach.

"Thanks... I feel much better now," Pete just looked at him and frowned.

"Why are you surprised? Don't you know a marked alpha and omega can't stay away from eachother for long periods," Vegas commented.

"There's is nothing like that," Pete Denied.

"Don't you feel anything? Your body... Doesn't it behave weirdly?" Vegas asked curiously.

"No" Pete lied.

"You are indeed very stubborn as Porsche said," Pete frowned.

"What else did he tell you about me?"

"He would choke me if I tell you what he told me about you," Vegas admitted.

"I'll ask him directly,"

"Don't please or else he will beat me again,"

"Again?"

"Yeah... He already punched me twice," Vegas laughed.

Pete brought Vegas to the staff room and sat him on a chair.

"Sit here, I'll get you some medicine," Pete went to the hospital's pharmacy and bought some medicine for fever and vomiting.

As he entered the staff office, he saw a beautiful omega nurse flirting with Vegas near his desk.

"You are so handsome," She complimented. She touched Vegas' shoulder, slowly moving her hand down, towards the alpha's chest. Vegas held her wrist and shoved it away.

"Behave," He said fiercely.

"I just want to help you handsome," She smiled crookedly.

"Do you need any help ma'am?" Pete interrupted.

The nurse immediately looked at Pete.

"Nong... Who are you?"

"I am a medical student from Thamasit university. I have been assigned to work here," Pete smiled sarcastically. Pete walked towards Vegas and sat beside him. He took out a capsule from a medicine package and filled a glass of water that was nearby.

"Here take this medicine. You will feel better," He stretched his both hands towards Vegas, one holding a glass of water and other holding a capsule.

Vegas took the capsule and the glass from Pete's hand and consumed it.

"Do you need anything?" Pete asked the nurse who was still staring at them. He then moved his chair closer to Vegas.

(CHUP)

Vegas was surprised when he felt wet, soft lips touching his cheeks. He looked at Pete in shock.

"Pete you-"

"I hope you are feeling better now, love" Pete smiled widely.

The nurse was witnessing the lovey dovey moment of the couple and immediately strode out of the room in frustration. As soon as the nurse left the room, Pete looked down with a red face. Vegas Smirked at the sight. For him, Pete was the most adorable human being.

"What was that?" He asked innocently although he very much liked that.

"Hmm... I was just helping you get her away from you," Pete answered swiftly. To be honest, Pete had no idea why he did that. As soon as he saw the omega touching Vegas, his heart rate increased rapidly and eyes were red from anger. He wanted to pull her hair and keep her away from Vegas. Right. What was I thinking? Pete thought to himself. Did I want to show the other omega that Vegas was his? With what rights? Disgusting. Pete shook his head.

"I see," Vegas Smirked. Pete hesitantly looked at Vegas and he seemed to notice something on Vegas' face.

"Your face... There is a mark on your cheek," Pete doesn't understand why he didn't notice the red mark previously. Pete extended his hand to touch the mark, but Vegas dodged it.

"It's nothing," Vegas immediately stood up from his chair and was ready to leave.

"Wait.." Pete held his hand.

"I won't question anything, I don't have a right to do so anyway. Let me just treat it at least," Pete requested. He knew where the mark came from. It's definitely from Gun. Pete knows how cruel Vegas' father was as he realised it that day when he barged into Siena's room. Pete often hears from Kinn and Thankhun about their vicious uncle, who always seems to pressurise Vegas into doing things for his selfish desires. Kinn couldn't help Vegas unless he doesn't ask for help willingly. It's their family's matter in the end. Pete really wanted Vegas to stand up for himself and fight against his father to protect his brother, mother and himself of course.

Vegas sat back on the chair. Pete took the ice pack from the fridge and covered it with a towel. He approached Vegas and sat next to him again. He gently pressed the ice pack on the alpha's cheekbone, blowing it with his warm breath as he does that.

While Pete's focus was on Vegas' injury, the alpha was staring at the beautiful face in front of him. I will really keep you by my side Pete. Thank you for coming into my life. Thank you for... caring for me. The alpha thought. He was really touched by the omega's action. No one has probably thought about this poor, pathetic alpha, how he must be feeling, or cared about the unhealed injuries on his face caused by his cruel father. He have to stay strong for his mother and younger brother. He can never express his feelings properly to anyone. He had thought of ending it all once for all, but than he saw the face of his mother and brother. He had to stay alive for them. Then after all this suffering, he met this beautiful young omega. At first, he thought it was just a fling. He thought wrong. It's much more than that now. Pete was the person who asked him how he was. He was the person who actually cared about him. He even dared to argue with his father that day to defend Siena which Vegas never dares to do. He makes everyone around him so happy and cheerful with his contagious smile. He is the one who has captured Vegas' heart. Vegas loves him so much. How he requested Vegas to allow him to treat his wound despite the awful situation they are in right now. How Vegas wishes he had ability to reverse the time so he could start everything fresh with Pete. Or they could be born as ordinary people so they would not have to face the selfish desires of these power hungry monsters. If only Vegas could make this beautiful person in front of him his. Without any complications. It's all about 'if only' for Vegas.

"You Pity me don't you?" Vegas asked suddenly. Pete paused his activity and looked at the alpha.

"I don't have right to pity you," Pete answered. Vegas scoffed and glanced at the omega.

"I am very pathetic aren't I? I mean you would be  recommended to not show pity for the bastard like me. I know you hate me. You don't have to do it for me," Vegas took the ice pack from Pete's hand.

"Only you can pity yourself Vegas. Other people have no right to pity you because they don't know what you are going through. They are not in your shoes and... Don't call yourself pathetic. That word is too niche to describe life. How can you be pathetic when you have such a loving mother and brother? And also your cousins. They genuinely care about you Vegas" Pete said calmly. He took the ice pack form Vegas' hand and started pressing it slowly again. Vegas just stared at him, amazed.

"Keep pressing this for some time. You have to do it regularly for it to heal quickly," Pete instructed. Vegas smiled sincerely and nodded.

"Thank you Pete," the omega smiled at that.

"Hmm... Take care,"

°°°
"Pete son, come here," Pong called Pete to sit next to him in the living room. There was also Park present in the room.

"What's the matter dad?" The omega questioned.

Both Pong and Park looked at each other and nodded. Pete thought his father and brother looks very suspicious. Pete took off his bag from around his shoulders and placed it on the table. He then moved to sit next to his father. Pong wrapped his hands around Pete's shoulder and nodded at Park.

"Your engagement is arranged on next week Friday," Park confessed.

"My what?" Pete widened his eyes. Pong patted Pete's shoulder.

"We talked to Gun Theerapanyakul this morning. You and Vegas will have to marry," it was Pong this time.

"Pa, you are kidding right?" Pete pretended to chuckle.

"Nong, we are not kidding," Park said seriously.

***

This Morning

"Sir, Khun Gun Theerapanyakul have arrived to meet you," a bodyguard informed.

"Gun? Send him in," Pong looked at Park with a confused face.

The bodyguard nodded and left the place.

"Why is he here pa," Park asked.

"Could only be one reason son."

"His business is not doing well nowadays, especially with the arrival of the new underground Mafia called Skull," Park informed.

"Hmm... You are correct son. He probably wants anl ally to back up his business, and what's better than forming a relationship between two families," Pong Smirked.

"What are you thinking Pa?"

"I am thinking of how the Skull is dominating the mafia world. We have to take them down," Pong suggested.

"So... What are you planning to do?" Park asked.

"Pete." Pong Smirked.

Soon after Gun entered the office.

"Good morning," Gun sat on the couch.

"Hello, Khun Gun," Pong smiled.

"I'll come to a point Khun Pong. How about we join hands by uniting our sons," Park and Pong chuckled at the suggestion.

"Just as I thought son,"

Gun looked at the father son duo and groaned on his throat. Are they making fun of him?

"What do you mean Khun Pong?" Gun asked fuming.

"I mean, we are ready,"

Gun understood what the father son duo ment and smiled widely.

"Well then, what's the schedule?" Gun asked.

"Engagement can take place next week Friday, I need time to convince my stubborn son," Pong scoffed.

"Alright then, I am really eager to find out how this emergent will turn out," Gun stood up and both of the adults shook their hands to solidify their union to achieve the ultimate power.

Who will win in this game of power?

--- End Of Chapter 19---

Hey Guys,

So... I genuinely sympathise with Vegas' character here. Pete is indeed really stubborn and wants to deny his feelings.

Finally my babies are going to get married or not? Will Pete agree to this marriage proposal? Comment down your thoughts.

I am actually struggling a lot right now, I keep losing motivation to whenever I am half way through the chapter so please do comment down anything you are confused about coz the storyline is kinda messy.

Lastly, please excuse any misspellings, typos and grammatical errors since I haven't proofread anything (I am too lazy, hehe sorry 😅)

Thanks for reading!