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When Alpha Ryan’s yell echoed throughout the building, Derek let out a low growl, his chest vibrating with the sound. He pulled Stiles closer against him in a protective gesture but noticed that Stiles had frozen in terror. The frozen state of the omega made Derek pause and he nipped at Stiles’s neck to invoke a reaction.
Stiles gasped and his eyes locked with Derek’s, his voice coming out soft. “Alpha?” he inquired, his scent full of the bitter smell of fear mixed with a sharp tang of terror.
Derek’s wolf was whining at the fear and echoed thoughts of Protect. Comfort. Mate.
Derek nodded and couldn’t help the smile that formed when Stiles bared his neck for the alpha to nip at again. Then Stiles tucked his head under Derek’s chin, nuzzling his nose against Derek’s neck and curled into him.
“Beautiful Omega,” Derek praised with a rumble and Stiles began to purr in response. Derek wanted nothing more than to stay there in that moment with Stiles but what Derek wanted didn’t seem to be what anyone else cared about.
Erica hurried to his office, her knock loud on the oak door. “Der? He’s here,” she informed Derek with an underlying rage that Derek understood would require him to intervene. She glanced towards the elevator and then back at Derek, her eyes even wider now. “He’s on our floor.”
That made Derek tense and let out a low growl. How dare that alpha come up here. This was his floor, his company and his omega. He looked down at Stiles whose scent of fear had just started to fade and nuzzled his cheek. “Stiles? I have to handle this. I need you to stay here. Can you do that for me?”
Stiles looked at Derek and his scent spiked with fear again, but he nodded once. “Yes Alpha,” he whispered as he sat up and moved off Derek.
Derek placed a gentle kiss on Stiles's temple as he stood up. The alpha's growl grew louder and more furious as Alpha Ryan’s footsteps grew nearer.
“WHERE THE FUCK IS HE?!?!”
Derek and Erica moved in sync to block the office door. Erica’s eyes flashed omega gold and Derek’s eyes flashed alpha red.
Stiles watched and tried not to shiver, but he couldn’t contain his fear.
What if Derek changed his mind and made Stiles go with Alpha Ryan?
What if Erica got hurt before Stiles could explain all the pros of them being friends?
What if—?
Stiles closed his eyes and covered his ears, a soft whimper slipping past his lips regardless of how tightly he pressed them together to prevent exactly that from happening. He was terrified, scared and he definitely didn't feel safe. Stiles needed to feel safe. Suddenly, he was floating. He could hear voices close by and one was so venomous that he backed away from it. His eyes were still closed but it was darker which was fine by him. Stiles knew he was safe, and he relaxed more at the next words he heard.
“Safe. He’s safe and that’s no thanks to you,” Erica spat, her anger bubbling over.
“You better tell this omega to shut her fucking mouth before I shut it for her,” Alpha Ryan growled, flashing his eyes at Derek.
“This omega has a name you piece of shit,” Erica snarled, and Derek smirked, knowing she could more than hold her own.
He was tempted to let her do just that and he could check on Stiles. Speaking of Stiles-Derek had noticed something change through their bond, but he was so focused on keeping Alpha Ryan out of his office that he didn’t pay too much attention to it. He waited to see what Erica and Alpha Ryan would do next. He was curious just what outcome the other alpha was expecting.
“I don’t give a fuck what your name is! I came here for my omega, and I order you to turn him over to me immediately!” Alpha Ryan fumed and if he’d been a cartoon character there would have been steam coming out of his ears.
Derek’s voice came out low and authoritative. It was a tone he learned from his mother, one meant to intimidate and one that would chill even the bravest of people. “Your Omega? Since when is he yours? Did you complete the mating bond? Did he consent to it? Have you applied for a mating license according to the clause in our contract that states it is required that an alpha obtains said license once an official mating has occurred?
“Of course, you would have been required to let us know of said development in the relationship according to Section 8 of the contract. We were not made aware of any such development. Therefore, it would seem that has in fact not occurred. Now that you’re here though I think it’s time for you to answer some questions about what occurred between the two of you,” he informed the other alpha with a demeanor that could be likened to a chill cucumber despite his blood boiling with rage and his protective instincts in overdrive.
Alpha Ryan didn’t budge from his place. “It’s none of your business what I do with my omega. I was going to get a license. That little fucker decided to pull an escape. Don't worry. I'll see that the little bitch, the little heat whore, the little breeding brat is dealt with.”
“Escape? Why would he have to escape from you? I mean according to his paperwork, paperwork which we looked over extensively, he wasn’t due for a heat and only a perfectly matched alpha could invoke a non scheduled heat.
"Considering the fact that you are not his perfect match, I’m going to say that you did not invoke one. Therefore, he was in no danger of being taken against his will by anyone other than you. So, if he escaped, that was due to you keeping him captive.”
Erica was smirking as Derek continued to stand against Alpha Ryan. It was personal in a way she knew Alpha Ryan would never see coming.
“Fine!" Alpha Ryan snarled from between gritted teeth. "He ran away and that’s fucking ridiculous. So, give him back to me so I can see that he is punished for his actions. I will then claim him like I should have done the night I got him. Now hand him over. Let's do this the easy way, shall we?” he demanded, his eyes flashing alpha red. “I won’t ask you again.”
“He. Is. Not. Yours.” He’s mine. His wolf offered but Derek did not dare say those two words aloud.
“Did you know that your contract also states that if anyone from this company were to interfere with the mating of a matched alpha and omega, you would compensate said alpha handsomely? You’re not trying to interfere, Hale, are you?” Alpha Ryan inquired with a smug expression, smirking at his perceived victory.
“Did we interfere with a mating?" Derek said. "No. Did we prevent a forced mating? Yes.” Derek stepped towards Alpha Ryan threateningly. “He showed up with bruises. He had a gash on his cheek so deep that I nearly saw through it and into his mouth. Don't get me started on the cuts all over his body and the way it hurt for him to move at all. He was just a hair shy of underweight and he was pale as a ghost. He missed his half week check in and after watching him drop, there is no way in hell that I’m letting you anywhere near him." Derek went toe to toe with the enraged alpha and snapped his teeth in warning. If it came down to a fight, Derek knew he would win.
Alpha Ryan was practically vibrating with fury. “You won’t fuck me over Hale! Not again,” he snarled before raising a clawed hand and swiping at Derek. Derek’s eyes widened and he brought his arms up in a defensive posture, but nothing happened.
“Now now, Mr. Sorenson. That simply won’t do. You cannot attack an alpha without proper proceeding and even then, after seeing their reactions to you, I think you belong in a jail cell. What do you think Derek?” his uncle-to-be asked, leaning against the opposite wall. His posture was relaxed, and he began dusting off his hands as if he had all the time in the world.
Derek looked down and saw the dark circle now surrounding the other alpha and his eyes flashed alpha red. “I couldn’t agree more. This knot head thinks that omegas are breeding bitches and fuck holes. he called an omega a heat whore, a breeding brat and a cum dump. I'm sure he has many other such derogatory things to say as well.”
Alpha Ryan was trapped in a dark ring of mountain ash, his fury palpable. “I said those things because they are true. Alphas are stronger, better and more superior. Omegas are for breeding and fucking. You would know that if you had ever gotten your knot in one of those pretty pink honeypots. It’s how it is and always will be,” he stated his voice dripping with disdain.
Chris faced the alpha and his expression was chilling. “Only an alpha who is still living according to the ways of the old world would say such things. If you believe that, which I’m positive you do then knot head is the kindest term we could use for you.
"I could call you an abuser, an oppressor, a rapist and oh so many other things. See, I’ve run into many alphas that have nothing but contempt for omegas and are determined to degrade them at every opportunity. That thinking makes you less than them and yet you think you’re so much better. You are lucky mountain ash is all you’re facing right now,” he said, giving the alpha a good tongue lashing, his voice dripping with acidity.
A low growl vibrated as Alpha Ryan swiped at the barrier. “What gives you the right to have any input in this circumstance? If omegas aren’t put in their place, they’ll think they can do anything. They’ll think they can get jobs, be independent and hell forbid they start to think they don't have to bear children. So, it’s our job to put them in their place and use them for what their instincts need. It is our job to use them the way they are made to be used.
“I was good and ready to mount that omega bitch and he would’ve begged me not to, but I would’ve shown him that I know exactly what he needs. He'd learn his place eventually. I would make sure of it. What an omega wants doesn't matter. They belong on their stomachs, on their knees and beneath their alpha. What I want is what matters and is all that he should care about. He’s a fuck doll plain and sim–” He was cut off by a fist connecting with his jaw. The action made Alpha Ryan's head snap back and blood spurt from his nose.
“Omegas are beautiful. They have dreams, aspirations, hopes, talents and gifts of their own. They are so much more than sex and bearing children. If an omega wants sex and wants kids, then they should do so but if they never want sex, if they never want to carry children, then that is their right.
"The new world order and the new law state: Everyone is equal in rights and freedom whether they are an Alpha or an Omega. Though biology would infer differently as would natural instinct, those aspects are not taken into account when the equality of every citizen is blanketed. Alphas and Omegas are equal under the law of the land. Now and forever,” Derek stated with assuredness. He was furious but he felt the conviction of those words on a personal level.
Derek knew many omegas, including some in his own family. Part of the reason he built the company was to honor his mother but the other part of why he built it was to support the change of the law. His mother had been an integral part of the change and he was proud to be her son, proud to call her his mother. Every Omega deserved love and Alpha Yours, Omega Mine offered a safe way for everyone to reach and obtain a mate.
Chris tilted his head and placed a steadying hand on Derek’s shoulder. “So, Alpha Hale. You got yourself in a pickle here, didn’t you?”
Derek growled when Alpha Ryan smirked despite the blood running down his chin. “The things he’s done can’t be forgiven. Not by me. I need someone who won’t be biased.”
“And you think asking your uncle’s boyfriend is the best way to keep bias out of it?” Chris arched an amused eyebrow at Derek who merely gave a one shoulder shrug in response. “I see. Well, what has he done to make it so you would ask this of me?”
Derek smiled with all teeth, his eyes shining brightly, red as rubies. “For starters, he tried to force a mating between himself and an omega we matched him with. He beat said omega and—” Derek swallowed thickly, his anger at the surface while heartache weighed heavily on his heart just beneath it.
Chris could see that there was more to the situation than Derek could put into words at the moment and from the look Erica was giving the alpha, he knew the first thing to do was take care of Alpha Ryan. Once that was handled, they could answer his questions. Chris used a syringe to incapacitate the alpha and as if waiting for his cue, Peter arrived to help restrain him. Then the two mates proceeded to escort the alpha to a nearby holding facility.
Relief filled Derek from head to toe when he received a text from Chris.
[Chris]
The knot head alpha is no longer a concern but that we need to meet and talk. We'll need to decide what course of action to take next.[Derek]
Understood. Thank you for the assistance.[Chris]
Anything for my nephew to be.
Erica let out a soft whine and Derek placed his hand on the back of her neck to ground her. With a sigh of relief, he felt her relax into his side and smiled when she started to purr. They scented each other and then Derek pulled away at his wolf’s insistence that they get back to their mate. His wolf demanded that they go back to Stiles.
Erica headed to her office to do some paperwork and go over the applications involved in the case while Derek turned back to his office. His eyes went to the couch where he had left Stiles, but Stiles wasn’t there.
Derek’s blood went cold as his eyes scanned the office for his mate. There was no sign of him, but Derek forced himself to stay calm. Now that he knew for certain that the soul bond Stiles had discovered was a soul bond with Derek, he knew how important it was for him to stay calm so that he wouldn't startle the omega.
Slowly and quietly, Derk walked into the office. “Stiles?” he called out softly. “Where’s my beautiful omega? Don't be afraid, precioso.” Derek was shocked at himself for using that endearment, but he didn’t regret it at all. “I'm here. You're safe. I promise.”
A soft whimper echoed from under the couch drawing Derek’s attention to it. The alpha's brow furrowed slightly, and he tilted his head confused. Was Stiles under the couch? He quickly moved the table out of the way and slowly lowered himself to his knees. After waiting a minute or two, he slowly lowered himself to lay on his stomach and glanced under the couch. When he saw Stiles, he inhaled sharply at what he found.
Stiles was shaking and was huddled against the wall, his eyes glowing omega gold. All of that was to be expected after everything that had happened, but he was smaller and shouldn’t have been able to fit under the couch. He whined seeing Derek and tilted his head.
“You’re all right, little omega. He’s gone. You’re safe, cariño,” he assured the omega and slowly reached towards the omega. He didn't grab Stiles though, simply letting his hand rest, palm up for the omega to scent if needed.
After a brief moment or two of hesitation, Stiles crawled forward, and Derek smiled when a small nose nuzzled his hand. when a tongue flicked against his fingers, Derek slowly pulled Stiles out from under the couch. It only took a moment for his eyes to adjust, and they quickly widened at the sight of a now fully shifted baby fox. His arms shook with surprise as he muttered under his breath. “Holy shit.”