Warning: ⚠️ misogyny, self deprecation ahead

Author's POV

"You useless shit! Why can't you do anything properly!" Gun's voice -more like a scream resonated around the house.

Vegas shuddered.

"Sorry Pa, I-i tried my best,"

"Best? So you are telling me this is your best!?" The older alpha scoffed.

Vegas hated this. Hated himself for being a shit. Hates his father for always treating him like a shit.

"I really tried my best... Pa," Vegas mumbled low. He is really weak in front of his father.

SLAP!

The sound of the slap echoed in the office. It stings.

"Useless punk, just like your mother," that's it.

"Don't bring ma in this conversation!" Vegas snapped at his father.

"You dare to raise your voice at me? For that filthy omega whore?!"

"Stop it Pa!"

And another slap landed on Vegas' face.

"Don't you dare! Not that woman atleast,"

"She is your mate!" The younger alpha declared.

"Yes, Of course! A mate who gave useless kids like you!"

"Pa!-"

Another slap landed on the younger's cheek, making him wince from pain. Gun walked towards Vegas and held his color, pulling him to his level.

"Listen you shit, that Skull clan is already messing with my brain, and you better not let them get their ways with us. This is your last warning, or else I have to bring your young brother in this business," hits the right place. Brother card, which has been always played by his father to make ge do things he never wanted to. He very well knows Vegas won't let his younger brother to get involved in this filthy business, especially the 'business' his father was talking about. No never.

"Don't bring Macau into this matter... Please, I'll try my best next time,"

"You better or there'll be no next time for you and him," Gun stormed out of the office, leaving a wounded Vegas behind. Wounded, both mentally and physically.

The alpha plopped down on the office chair and grabbed the tuff of his hair to went his anger on it. A moment later, a beautiful piece of glass landed on the floor, shattered into little fragments of glass.

A sudden inclination to find his omega and embrace him into his arm. He is craving for his omega.

"Pete," he muttered.

He grabbed his motorbike's key and looked for the presence of Pete. Though he never had anyone by his side when he was in such situation, he suddenly wants to be with his omega. Hoping to feel better around him. He can't even visit his mother now since he has those red bruises decorated on his cheeks. It would make her upset and he can't stand that.

---

"Pete!" Arm approached his friend who was heading for the parking lot.

"What's up Arm," Pete hung his cross body bag around his shoulder.

"I want to talk about the assignment,"

"Yeah what about it,"

"Can we do the assignment together? we can meet at the usual cafe if you don't mind of course,"

"Hmm... Fine we can start today, I am free anyway but first I need to get some food since my stomach is really empty," Pete suggested.

"Sounds good! let me call Pol then,"

Arm called Pol who was talking to his junior.

"Let's go guys!"

The trio headed to the nearby cafe to grab some food and complete some assignment, however they were abruptly stopped by a red Ducati.

"Vegas?" The alpha didn't dare to take off his helmet.

"Pete," the alpha inhaled the sweet smell, flaring his nostrils to get as much of that scent as possible.

"What's wrong? Why you suddenly here," Pete asked.

Arm and Pol looked at eachother and understood what they need to do.

"You know what Pete, we are actually busy tonight so we better leave. We can carry on with the assignment tomorrow,"

"Wait, you said we can do that today!" Arm and Pol quickly walked away, leaving the two alone.

"Let's go," Vegas said.

"Wait, where? I have my car with me, I can go home alone,"

"I am not talking about home,"

"Where're we going then?"

"Just get on the bike,"

"But--" Vegas grabbed Pete's hand and pulled the omega towards him so now they were face to face- though Pete could only see his eyes since he was wearing a helmet.

"Just get on the bike..." Pete saw something in those eyes. Emptiness? Remorse?

Whatever it was, Pete felt a surge of tightness in his chest.

"Fine,"

"I don't have an extra helmet, so you can use mine," Vegas was unbuckling his helmet, hesitantly.

"No, no it's fine, I don't like wearing helmets anyway,"

"It's for your safety,"

"What about your safety then?" There was a moment of silence between them. Vegas gave a sarcastic smile under his helmet.

"It doesn't matter, really."

"It does! Everyone's life matters, no one's life is more or less important than others. Now keep that dirty helmet to yourself and drive safe!" The sentence made Vegas smile genuinely under the helmet.

He fixed his bag around his shoulder and hopped on the bike with the help of the alpha.

"Hold tight," Vegas tightened Pete's hands around his waist and started to drive his Ducati.

Half way through the journey, the alpha speeded up, causing Pete to hold him even tighter while he shit his eyes close.

"Slow down, you crazy," Vegas chuckled.

"Where you taking me?"

"What? I can't hear you!" Vegas pretended.

"Where. You. taking. Me. You. Moron!" Pete shouted each word.

"Just wait and see little one," The alpha gave a smirk.

"Not this time Vegas!"

"Why? You are my fiance now, soon to be my husband," Pete clicked his tongue in annoyance. Vegas suddenly speeded the bike, causing Pete to bounce forward, colliding with his back body.

"I said stop?"

"Okay okay, stop getting mad,"

Pete pressed his face into Vegas' back, making the alpha smile.

After a 30 minutes of ride, they finally arrived to their destination.

"We are here, you can get off now," Vegas said gently, but there was no movement from latter.

"Pete..." when Vegas finally took off his helmet and looked at the rear view mirror, he saw a sleeping Pete stuck to his back like a koala to a tree.

"Adorable," Vegas muttered.

He then carefully held Pete's arm and leaned the Ducati to park it, slowly getting off without disturbing Pete. The alpha felt a cool breeze hitting his back, which made him realise how his back seemed to be wet.

"Is he drooling in his sleep?" Vegas let out a soft laugh and cupped Pete's cheeks, gently kissing his forehead.

"Hmmm," the omega slowly opened his eyes, blinking at the alpha for few times before coming back to reality.

"What are you doing?" he mumbled before removing the Alpha's hand off his face.

"You were drooling in your sleep," Vegas laughed.

"It seemed like you haven't slept for ages,"

"Yeah actually... This was the best sleep I got in ages..." Vegas Smirked.

"Don't think too much... It just I was stressed because of the upcoming test... And the cool breeze hitting my face made me sleep well,"

"You are so good at gaslighting yourself," the alpha scoffed.

"Hey! I am not lying, my exams are around the corner" the omega let out a long sigh.

"Forget about it, come with me," the alpha held Pete's wrist and pulled him to a cliff face, displaying the beautiful sunset. The sky was painted with orange and purple, while the calm river was flowing underneath it.

"Wow," the omega muttered unconsciously. Vegas curved his lips to display a smile.

"You like it?"

"Very much! It's beautiful and calm,"

"I thought so..."

"Thank you!" The omega smiled looking at the alpha.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you for bringing me here,"

"Hmm,"

Pete fetched his phone and started taking some photos of the scenery. He also took some photos of himself and then swapped his camera to take a selfie with Vegas.

"Here Vegas, smile!" The alpha looked at the camera and smiled before realising how those red marks were still visible on his face as seen in the phone's camera.

"Wait..." He quickly covered his cheeks with his hands and winced from pain as he realised about it's existence. The omega, who was confused at first, understood what was going on.

"Are you okay?" Pete was genuinely concerned after looking at those marks in the selfie he had taken.

"Yeah, yeah I want actually fine, look the sun is about to set," Vegas tries to change the subject.

"Let me see," Pete moved his hand, wanting to touch the alpha's cheek but Vegas stepped back.

"No, I am fine,"

The younger was offended at the statement.

"That doesn't look 'fine' to me. Here, I have a small first-aid box in my bag, Incase of an emergency," Pete looked inside his bag to find the box. He looked for the remedy and pressed it on his finger. The alpha just stared at the little man in front of him, he didn't know what to do so he decided to go with the flow.

The alpha hissed as he felt the cold sensation of the remedy on his skin.

"I am sorry, I'll be gentle," the omega moved closer to Vegas' face, making his heart flutter. He then slowly started blowing the injured area on the alpha's cheek. His cheeks puffed up from air, causing his cheeks to turn red due to the pressure. The alpha was stunned by the action and fondly started at the small figure in front of him.

"That'll should do for now," the younger man packed everything and placed it inside his bag.

"Thank you," the alpha smiled.

"Hmm, no worries."

"Pete..."

"Yeah?"

"Won't you ask me anything about it?"

"About what?"

"About... You know-" the alpha couldn't utter a word about his terrible fate.

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable asking about it. I understand, some people don't like to talk about their misery to others though I highly recommend they should since it can lighten your mind," the omega gave a genuine smile to the alpha.

Vegas held Pete's wrist and guided him to sit on a bench nearby, with a beautiful scenery at the front.

"He really hates me," the alpha muttered.

"He even hates my mother, and Macau. Because of me perhaps." The omega immediately wanted to object the idea but he resisted in doing so to allow the alpha to continue first.

"I am really useless, I can't do anything that would make him say 'i am proud of you son.' I can never be like... Kinn. I have always followed what he said. But at last, I have always disappointed him. I am the reason why he always curses ma... for giving birth to a useless son like me. I can't protect her against that overbearing man. I am the worst son she could get. And a worst brother. Perhaps... a worst mate too," the alpha choked on the last statement, tears threatening to spill out but he refused to be weak like this in front of his mate.

"Vegas..."

"I...I am sorry. I've trapped you into this hell with me. I should've controlled myself better instead of acting like a lustful alpha. I liked you the first day I saw you in the bar with Porsche. I know I should've approached you in a better way. Going through courtship and then boyfriends to mate. In that order exactly, but once again I have managed to mess things up. I-"

*CHUP*

The alpha felt warm lips against his. Pete moved his hand to caress Vegas' shoulder, while the alpha gently caressed the Omega's nape. The kiss was chaste, expressing love and affection.

Vegas was the first one to pull away as Pete chased his lips causing the alpha to let out a small chuckle. Pete whined.

"You are so adorable my little omega," the alpha cupped the younger man's face. He then proceeded to kiss Pete's forehead.

Both stared at eachother until, "Vegas..." The omega caressed the alpha's hand.

"Hmm?" Vegas displayed a tiny smile.

"You don't deserve all this. Neither Macau and Ms Siena. You all deserve the best," the omega smiled in reassurance.

"You have tried your absolute best Vegas." The younger guy gently touched the alpha's injured cheek as Vegas looked at him with hopeful eyes.

"You did. If your father thinks it's not enough then it's his problem. Not yours. And Macau always praises how of a brother you are. He really admires your resilience, even Ms Siena who is always looking forward to meet you. They wouldn't behave like this if you weren't a good brother or a son."

"But..." Pete immediately put his finger on the alpha's lips.

"You had your time, now let me finish first," Vegas nodded and kissed Pete's hand.

"I know where you are coming from. But, you can't blame yourself for everything that happens. You followed everything your father told you to do which makes you a very diligent son, but you can't do everything he commands you to do. You have right to go against him. It's completely okay to not do something you don't want to even if it's your father's order... And you don't need to feel disappointed for it. I am sure Ms Siena is proud to have a caring son like you, so whatever your father says about your worth as a son doesn't matter really. You have done the best of your ability and it is appropriated by the people who loves you. About Kinn, you guys are completely different people. You both have your own unique character, you don't need to be like him. You might be good at something that he struggles with and Vise Versa,"

The mates stared at each other for a while before Vegas made a move to gently kiss the Omega's lips. A chaste kiss again.

"Thank you, Pete. I should have met you way before," the omega smiled and pecked the alpha.

"Pete..."

"Yeah?"

"Can I scent you please?"

"Sure, I have your scent on me anyways,"

"That's different, I feel safe and comfortable when I scent you,"

"Then go for it I guess,"

"Thank you,"

The alpha immediately dived into the Omega's scent gland, leaving few kisses on the neck before scenting him. Their hearts beating in rythem in the process.

"Pete, your scent is different," the alpha noticed and pulled away to see a fainted Pete who collapsed in his arms.

"Pete? Pete!"

The alpha kept calling Pete, who was no longer conscious.

---End Of Chapter 24---

Hey guys!

I hope you liked this chapter, it took me long enough! 😅

I might also update another chapter soon I order to compensate for taking too long due to my exams.

My results are coming next week and I am literally scared 😭😭

Anyways, I hoped you enjoyed this fluff before the real shit starts.

Please excuse any typos, misspellings and grammatical errors since I haven't proofread anything and I never do coz I have a lazy ass.

Enjoy!!