An Omega's Desire

Chapter Forty-Five: "Nowhere To Hide"

Back on the road in the neighborhood, Mark tried to push himself to keep running, but his lungs and legs were giving out on him. He didn't have the ability to keep up with a speeding truck. Despite his best efforts, his legs slowed and buckled beneath him. Dropping to all fours on the road, Mark panted so heavily that he couldn't think. All he could do was feel disappointment in himself and an overwhelming sense of helplessness. Slamming his hand on the road, Mark bowed his head in shame. Catching up to him, Sean's dad slowed down and panted out just as winded. "Shit... Come on. We can't give up." Mark straightened up, telling him seriously. "I'm not... but I can't chase it down..." Sean's dad removed his phone from his pocket, growling out. "Then we'll go to plan B." Dialing a number, Noah put the phone to his ear and told the person on the other end the license plate number and vehicle model. Then hanging up, Noah dropped to sit in the grass, heaving out. "Your dad has it on voicemail... Fuck. I should have..." Mark glanced at Noah, seeing the blood dripping from his nose and bad head wound. Pulling out his own phone, Mark called an ambulance, then asked Noah. "Did you see where Nate went?"

Noah gestured off, telling him breathlessly. "He cut back through the house. Jumped the fence. Maybe he had better luck..." Mark forced himself up onto his shaking legs, telling Noah firmly. "Stay here. You need to get looked at. I'm gonna find Nate." Noah started to get up, bitterly growling out. "Fuck that! I'm fine!" Mark pointed at him, yelling out sternly. "No! Stay here!" Noah ignored him, climbing to his feet. Staggering up to him, Mark commanded in a loud defensive tone. "Noah! STAY! I MEAN IT!" Noah whined and bent over a little from Mark's powerful influence, but then to Mark's surprise, he shook it off as straightened up. Staring him down, Noah snarled back at him in a dark challenging tone. "He may be your mate, Mark. But he's MY PUP! You want me to stay. You're gonna have to kill me!" Mark turned to face him, snarling back firmly. "Sean, will never forgive me if I let something happen to you!" Noah stepped closer to Mark, his voice calming just a bit as he told him unyieldingly. "I'm his father. It's not his job to protect me. Alpha or not... You are not going to stop me. I've been protecting him his whole life. And I'll be damned if you are going to stop me now."

Mark started to say something, but when he realized that Noah was never going to relent, he just accepted it. Exhaling loudly, Mark gestured for him to follow him down the last road that he had seen the truck turn down. From almost every house in the neighborhood, the Alphas or Betas stepped out to see what was going on, while their mates peered out windows or doorways. Almost all their attention was brought to something farther up the road. Seeing the cluster of Pack Members, Mark spurred himself into a run to see for himself. Reaching the group, a few members moved aside to let him see. Mark's gut wrenched at the sight of Nathan. He was lying unconscious on the pavement. Blood was leaking from the corners of his mouth, and he was covered in red marks that suggested a brutal fight. Dropping beside him, Mark touched his shoulder and asked him with deep concern. "Nathan? Can you hear me?" Nathan's eyes opened a little to look at him, but they were unfocused and a little bloodshot. An Omega standing nearby told everyone in a shaky voice. "I called an ambulance. Here." The Omega removed a little travel pillow and eased it under Nathan's head.

Noah explained to a few of his friends what had happened with Zedekiah, and others listening confirmed they saw the truck. Mark was going to leave and keep going, but Nathan grabbed his wrist. Coughing, Nathan tried to tell him something, but he seemed to be struggling. Holding his wrist, he told him calmly. "You're going to be ok, Nate." Nathan shook his head, reaching out to grab the front of Mark's shirt. Mark placed a hand on his hand, then leaned closer to listen. He could barely hear Nathan's weak strangled voice among the chatting people and the flare of a siren approaching. Shrugging, he told him reluctantly. "I'm sorry. I can't..." The medics rushed from the vehicle and broke up the crowd as they moved in to help. Yet, Nathan's grip on Mark's shirt only tightened. When a medic tried to remove his hand, Nathan snarled at her, causing her to jump back. Mark coaxed the medic back and waited for the siren and people to go quiet. Hugging his ribs, Nate forced himself upright and coughed out to Mark with great strain. "My phone..." Mark reached for Nathan's pockets, but Nathan stopped him. Locking eyes with him, Nathan told him bluntly. "No... Track my phone, Mark."