His Majesty (Slide Away)

29.

John stared at the door with wide eyes, still rubbing Paul's back in calming, slow circles. He could honestly not believe what he was hearing... Why did they have to go and find the person who did this right as Paul had slipped into this state? John needed to know who did this, he needed to see them sent down and maybe even talk to the police, but Paul was distraught at that moment!

"Come in!" John called to Stuart, and the door immediately clicked open.

In walked the courtier, who's face turned from seeming rather stressed out to becoming rather uncomfortable at the state of Paul. Stuart stood in the middle of the room, wide eyed and staring at The Omega in a mixture of slight concern and awkwardness. He seemed frozen in place, like he didn't know what to do.

"Stuart?" John asked, over Paul's now small and delicate sobs coming from next to him. The courtier seemed to snap from his trance, his gaze turning back to face John.

"Oh, y-yes sir..." Stuart stuttered, correcting his stance. "The police have caught the man, and he is guilty of attempted murder."

A man?

"Was it Brian? Did they catch him?" John blurted out, rather eagerly. The young beta just stared at him in confusion, tilting his head.

"Mister Epstein? No..." Stuart informed him, bewildered. John suddenly felt like a complete fool.

"Oh..."

"The man they caught is called Anthony Denton, a young man who was known to deliver... Paul... His meals." John's face fell, and Paul's crying turned into short sniffling.

John didn't really know how to feel.

But the question in his mind once more was why on earth a boy who was barely 18 would wish to ruin his own life like that. Paul had done nothing to harm him... And from what John knew, catering staff were payed a good wage, too.

There had to be more to all this.

"W-Why did he t-try and..." Paul took a short breath, pausing his sentence to calm his stuttering down. His voice seemed so quiet and soft. "W-Why did he wish to k-kill m-me?"

"That, I am afraid we do not know..." Stuart inform him, biting his lip anxiously.

"Well find out!" John declared, loudly. He did not shout the words, however he made sure his point got through to the Beta in front of him, who looked stunned.

"Y-Yes your highness... I understand... But that is for the police to do, y-your highness-"

"The police? Are they here?" John asked.

"Yes, sir..." Stuart nodded immediately, seemingly terrified by John. "They wish to speak with you, actually."

John fell silent. He did wish to speak to the police, he wanted terribly to know more about this whole situation and the boy's intent behind his crime. But Paul had just received bad news, news that had left him sobbing in bed.

So John turned to Paul, looking deep into the younger's saddened brown eyes, as if to ask if he should go. Their connection must have been strong, as Paul understood, and a small nod is what John received in return.

"Go on..." Paul sniffed. "I-I'll call George in..."

"Are you sure, my love? I do not wish to leave you here when you are upset..."

"It is okay, John. I promise." Paul immediately reassured him. "Go and find out who did this... Be my protective Alpha..."

They both chuckled, Paul hiccupping through the transition from heartbroken to still heartbroken, but slightly humoured.