"What if I tell you I understand Rain? Your psychological trauma stems not just from the fear of being kidnapped, but because of the sense of betrayal that you have in you. The open gate and the kitten were designed to get you out of the house, because a sweet and shiny new toy would obviously attract a six year old. It's obvious you would have a sense of underlying disassociation with things that attract you, because that triggers you. Am I right?" Phayu asked and Rain nodded, surprised at his Phi's insight. Everyone felt it was fear, but the Alpha had hit the nail right on the head.

"But why did he do it baby?" Phayu asked. Rain looked down at their joint hands. "He figured out I was an Omega," he said. "Even though you hadn't presented yet?" Phayu asked, a bit confused. "Well, he realised that I was apparently presenting many of the traits that Pa had at my age, so he put two and two together, decided I was likely to present as an Omega like my Pa, so..," Rain trailed off. "It couldn't be that simple Rain, but for now, let's let it go. There is something way more important that I need to discuss with you. Your wolf recognised mine as his mate, why didn't you?" Phayu asked. "He did?" Rain looked so cutely confused that Phayu just wanted to crush him to himself. But he refrained. Rain had been hurt, and he was not going to ever be the one to hurt him more.

"He did baby. My wolf and he spoke," Phayu said. Rain's gaze unfocused and Phayu knew he was talking to his wolf. "He did! Ughh! He is a menace! He didn't tell me Phi! That is why he was so constantly annoyed with me this past month," Rain said, huffing out a breath and pouting. "Rain, the mate bond is one of the most special things in the world. It's an instant attraction thing and that's what I felt for you. But I will never, ever force the bond on you. I want you to come to me and accept me on your terms. I want you to not be my mate because chemistry and biology demand it. I want it when you are ready. How much ever I may love you, you are new to this, so I can give you all the time in the world you want. All I ask of you is a chance, a chance to prove that I am here for you; not a kitten that is across the road, but something that is way more lasting. I want you to slowly learn to trust me, and when you are ready, to love me. So? Can I get a chance?" Phayu said.

Rain's hands had tightened in Phayu's as the Alpha had spoken, and now he looked directly into the older man's eyes. He could see the same love and sweetness he had seen in his fathers' eyes for each other, reflected in Phayu's eyes. The gentleness with which Phayu had spoken had also gotten through. He nodded slowly. "Okay Phi. I want to give you a chance. I don't know about your parents, but I have seen so much love and affection between my own, that I could not settle for less. I hope you will not let me down," he said. "Rain, I know a lot about the love you speak of. My fathers share a similar bond, a bond that has only grown all these years. So no, I couldn't settle for anything lesser than perfection either," Phayu said. Rain smiled. "Okay Phi, the chance is yours," he said. "May I hug you Rain?" Phayu asked. Rain nodded shyly and Phayu opened his arms, giving Rain all the chances to pull back, if that's what he wanted. Instead, Rain chose to lean in, gently putting his arms around the Alpha, as Phayu hugged him back, his arms around Rain, but not completely making contact with the Omega's body. "Let me take you home," Phayu said, pulling back reluctantly.

Vegas and Pete watched with growing alarm as Venice punched the third bag in the gym to rips. They could clearly see something warring in him. The two of them known from a very long time that Venice was different. He had presented way before his brother, and had been uncannily strong and vicious, but quiet and gentle, never stepping forward unless asked to. Until one fine day. Pete had taken the boys to the mall. Although bodyguards had gone with them, some member of the Yakuza had decided that it would be easy to kidnap one of the Queens of the Theerpanayakul empire, and their two young princes. They had been dragged off, but Pete had struggled, trying to save his babies, and one of the men had held a knife to his throat to subdue him.

Venice had let out the most blood curdling roar as a drop of his Pa's blood had fallen on the floor, and the young boy's transformation had shocked everyone, including his own fathers. When Vegas had arrived on scene, the sight that had met his eyes had chilled even his cold heart. The whole ground was littered with bodies, most missing body parts, blood and gore staining the walls and the ground. Venice stood amidst it all, maw dripping with blood, a pitch black wolf with bright red eyes, something unheard of in their world. But what had shocked them was the fact that the wolf was able to stand on its hind legs. That's when the first inkling of doubt had set in. They had gone back home and Vegas and Pete had lost no time in contacting one of the best physicians of their world to give Venice a check-up.

The doctor had insisted on getting blood from Pete and Vegas as well as Rome, just to be on the safer side. The results had shocked them. They had known already that Pete had Lycan blood, which he had passed on to his sons. Rome was an Omega, so the blood was safe, since Omegas were known for their gentle and sweet nature. But in Venice, it had been fatal. It was clear that the Lycan traits were more rampant in Venice's Alpha than in Rome's Omega. Were anything out of ordinary were to happen, Venice's wolf would go feral, and the red eyes were an indicator of his Lycan heritage. His wolf was also larger, slightly bigger than even his father and Uncle, who were big wolves on their own. Now his wolf was huge, way bigger than that of Kinn, Kim and Vegas, fast, and able to run on his hind legs, just as a human would. The doctor had said that this was a rare union, the perfect existence of a wolf and a Lycan in the same body, and both in such tandem with each other.

But now, Vegas and Pete wondered what exactly had happened that made Venice behave this way. They knew he had gone to the Uni, wanting to spend time with his Omega, but something big had happened. Pete stepped up first, gesturing with his head. Vegas switched off the music and Venice's head immediately snapped towards them, the red in his eyes sparking. Both of them raised their hands in mock surrender, wanting Venice to be calm. They did not need a feral Lycan running around, all crazy mad, even though his actual Lycan transformation had not taken place yet. "What happened baby?" Pete asked, his most soothing Omega tone out in full force. Phayu plopped down on the mats. "I am going to be using a lot of bad language, so I will talk only if you are okay with that," he huffed out. Vegas and Pete looked at each other. This was bad, really bad. "Okay lu, spill it out," Vegas spoke up.

Phayu told them everything that had happened, and his fathers clearly understood the need for him to swear the air blue. If it had been them, they would have done the same. Although they had never met their son's Omega, their hearts went out to the little boy, who had been so hurt and damaged, that he could not even reconcile at the thought of having a mate. "I wanted to run all the way to Ko Phangan and murder the man! Just rip him to shreds!" Phayu hissed, his face contorted with anger. "We understand lu. But before you go all feral, as is your right, you should have all the information you need about this person. Like your Uncle Kim says, knowledge is power. Let's put Arm on the job, okay? Once we know everything, we will ask Tharn and Type what action, if any, they want to take," Pete said.

"That's not going to happen. Sharing information with them is fine, and I am all for it. But I have all the rights in the world to avenge my Omega, whether his fathers agree or not," Phayu said, his face set in mulish lines. "Okay, fine, but one step at a time, okay?" Vegas said, exchanging a glance with Pete. Their son was growing into his powers and now that he had a mate, his protective instincts would grow exponentially. Not only that, he was fast turning into what they firmly believed was an Alpha of Alphas, something that was known as an Enigma in their world. Enigmas were the rarest breed of Alphas, such powerful beings, that nothing and no one except a mate could control them. There had been stories of Enigmas tearing through civilisations, but one touch from a mate, and they would turn into frolicky puppies.

"Okay, we will get Arm started. You are going to go freshen up, get ready and eat something, and then come to the conference room. We will talk then, alright?" Pete said, ever the voice of reason. Phayu nodded, albeit reluctantly. What his fathers had said was right. There was not point sailing into uncharted waters without having excellent swimming skills. Phayu went upstairs and picked up his phone from the bedside table where he had left it for charging, immensely surprised and thrilled to see a message from Rain. Earlier that day, after Phayu's confession, and after Rain had decided to think about giving Phayu a chance, they had exchanged numbers. Phayu had thought that he would work out his anger and then message his sweet boy, but it looked like Rain had beaten him to it.

Rain🌧️🐰 : Phi, are you already asleep?

The message had been sent just about a minute ago, so Phayu knew that it was not too late to reply.

Phayu🌪️ : Not yet cute boy. I was working out

Rain🌧️🐰 : Cool. I had a talk with my wolf. And I spoke to my parents. They said they approve. How did they agree so fast? Do you have any idea about that?

Phayu sheepishly rubbed the nape of his neck, even though Rain couldn't see him.

Phayu🌪️ : I may have taken permission to court you from them.

Rain🌧️🐰 : WHAT??😳🤯

Phayu laughed. His boy was so cute, the cutest of them all, and all he wanted was to take him into his arms and snuggle into him.

Rain🌧️🐰 : Why did you do that Phi?

Phayu🌪️ : Well, isn't that the right thing to do? If your parents know I am sincere with you, then wouldn't it be easier for you to accept me as well? After all, parents are supposed to be the people we trust most, right?

Rain paused when he read the message. His Alpha was so different; absolutely nothing like he had expected. How had he found someone so kind and understanding? Rain could not, for the life of him, align the big macho figure with the gentleness with which he had been treated. Phayu had never crossed a line, never put a wrong foot forward, always so considerate of Rain. Even though he had found out that Rain was his mate, he had never behaved with anything but propriety, and even though he hadn't known he was Phayu's mate, he had found the Alpha's respectful behaviour very attractive.

Rain🌧️🐰 : Will you take me to Uni tomorrow then?

Phayu was ecstatic!

Phayu🌪️ : Absolutely baby! I will be there perfectly on time!

Rain🌧️🐰 : You better! And who is your baby? I haven't agreed yet!👀

Phayu laughed again. His bunny was too cute for his own good! He rushed in to get fresh, and then went down and picked up something to eat. When he reached the conference room, he could see everyone looking at some information on the large screen in front of him. "We got everything lu," Kim said, "but I think you should sit down before we tell you anything." Phayu looked at the faces around him and something twisted in his gut. "What is it?" he asked, his voice hardening in anger. Macau pushed some papers towards Phayu. "Maybe you should open those and read them," Arm said. Phayu took them out and went through, his face darkening with anger, his eyes stormy. "I think we need to talk to Khun Tharn and Khun Type as soon as possible!" he said, fury etched on his face.