Thorns And Roses

Chapter Eight

*The next few chapters may be a little hard to read for some because of the content containing them. Demi is physically hurt but not by Theo himself.*

Demi ran as fast as he could, his paws kicking up dirt as they thudded against the solid ground. He knew hiding would be hard with his coat of black and white in a very green forest but that seemed like his only choice in the matter. Besides, he didn't exactly have time to hide. It was a mistake to run and he knew that. If he goes back now, Theodore will punish him.

He came to a stop in a sunny patch of grass, evened out his breathing, and listened. He heard the heavy paws of his chasers, the heavy breaths as they descended upon him. Before the large tiger that came bursting through the brush was able to pounce on Demi, he bolted. What he didn't know though, was that he was surrounded. There would be no escaping.

Demi was sideswiped by Victor, a very good man and a friend in his opinion but that doesn't seem like the case now. He rolled across the ground, his back slamming into the bass of a tree. He grunted, stood up on shaky legs, and started to run again. If he could just make it out of Theodore's territory then he'll be fine. Yeah, he had nowhere to go after that, but he knew he could survive.

He was tackled, a heavy weight settling against his stomach. Demi bit and scratched at the feline on top of him. The black-as-night panther hissed at him, before grabbing at his throat. Demi growled and dug his back feet into the panther's soft belly. Ripping it open, before pushing it off. He rolled over onto his stomach and stood up. Demi was ready to run again before he finally realized that he was stuck. On every side of him, a large cat stood there.

Demi hissed at them, his tail flipping in irritation. He was ready to fight but only if it meant he would be free. He was sick and tired of being treated like a doll. His feelings are being used against him to please Theodore. If he had never heard Theodore and Quinn's conversation, then he wouldn't be in this mess.

"Running is useless. He'll go easy on you if you just come back on your own." Victor stood there in all his naked glory, a glare on his face as his grey eyes stared at Demi. Like hell, Demi would go back willingly.

Demi snarled at them and like the stupid Omega he was, he tried to run. He didn't even make it ten feel without being tackled again. The lion pinned him down, as he bit the scruff of his neck. Immobilizing Demi.

"Shift, Demitri." Demi mewled low in his throat and used his eyes to plead with Victor to let him go. A look of regret crossed Victor's face for a spilt second before that mask of resolve covered it up. Demi would be returning to Theodore's mansion no matter what.

Demi gave up and shifted back to his human form. He could feel the scraps and bruises along his body from his fight with the felines that chased him. His hands and feet hurt from the cuts that layered them. The lion let him get up but as he tried to stand his legs went out from under him. Victor picked Demi up and carried him.

"I don't want to go back, Victor. Theodore doesn't love me, he said so himself. Please don't make me go back." Victor didn't even acknowledge Demi, as they walked toward the mansion.

"There is no point in begging Demitri. Even if he doesn't love you, you are still his Omega." It finally hit Demi, that no one was looking out for him as he thought.

"I thought you were my friend." He whispered. Tears tracked a hot trail down his pale cheeks, making his face flushed. Watery glacier-blue eyes stared up at Victor, waiting for his answer.

"I'm not your friend, Demitri. I was just someone hired to keep an eye on you. I'm sorry you took it that way." Demi broke at that moment. He silently cried and accepted his fate. He could imagine how happy Theodore was to punish Demi any way he saw fit.

As they came up to the yard that separated the house from the woods, Theodore stepped out to greet them. Victor softly set him down and took a step back, so he wouldn't be caught in the crossfire. Demi didn't move an inch, as Theodore came to stand in front of him. He came to the dragon's waist while sitting on his knees.

Demi flinched back as he saw Theodore raise his hand to hit him. He waited for the sound of the slap and the pain in his cheek, but it never came. He opened his eyes to see Quinn standing behind Theodore, holding his raised hand in his.

"Don't, Theodore. Hitting him won't solve the problem. If you must punish him, then do it a different way." Theodore ripped his hand out of Quinn's and turned to face Demi.

"I gave you everything. All I asked of you was for you to be good and you couldn't even do that."

"Your everything and my everything are very different, you fucking tyrant," Demi yelled at him as he found the strength to stand up. He faced Theodore head-on.

"You dare call me a tyrant, you insolent little slut." The insult stung, but Demi didn't back down.

"I thought you liked me. I was finally falling for all of you stupid slimy tricks, but you just had to go and brag to Quinn didn't you? If you had kept your big mouth shut I would have already been yours." He ranted and raved. Demi was so pissed at Theodore. He thought the man was finally coming around and starting to like him, at least a little.

"Why would I like you besides for sex? You're nothing but an Omega to be used and to give me an heir."

"Well sucks for you, you slimy backstabbing bastard because guess what, I can't bear offspring. I'm infertile." He yelled, his fist balling up at his sides as tears poured down his face.

"What did you say?" Theodore was clearly shocked at the news, considering that Demi hadn't told him yet. Really he didn't mean to tell him in that way, but when push comes to shove what else was he supposed to do?

"I'm infertile. I got tested when I was about twenty-two and it came back that I can't get pregnant." Everyone stared at him with wide eyes and gaping mouths. It was a shock to all of them.

"You should have gotten me tested, you fucking prick." By this point, Demi felt like he was going insane. He gave Theodore a sadistic grin and let out a laugh that bordered on deranged at the look on his face.

"You should see your face, sweetheart. It's quite the look." He lost the grin and frowned at Theodore, coming back to his senses. "Now if you would excuse me, I would like to go take a shower."

Demi started to limp past Theodore, his leg throbbing but his arm was caught in a bone-crushing grip. Theodore whipped him around so they faced each other, his gold eyes smoldering with anger.

"You stupid, fucking Omega. You expect me to believe that you're infertile?" Demi grinned at him again and swiped his tongue over his canines.

"Why do you think that one little piece of paper was missing, you fucking bastard. Now let go of me." His smirk vanished as Theodore tightened his grip on his arm and brought him into the curve of his body.

"I will not let go of you, you still need to be punished." Shit. Demi forgot all about that as he spewed his confession.

Demi tried to fight off Theodore's hold on him, but the dragon was stupidly strong. He dug his bare feet into the ground and yanked away from him. All Theodore did was growl before he started to drag Demi through the house. He pushed at the fingers wrapped around his arm. His fight or flight mode kicked in, and he bit at Theodore's hand. He was released but fell back on his ass as he jolted backward.

"Fuck!" Theodore screamed as he held his bleeding hand. Demi spit out the blood that filled his mouth, right at Theodore's feet. Instead of Theodore backhanding him, the panther did it instead.

Demi fell onto his stomach and his world spun. He coughed as his blood filled his mouth from the cut inside of his cheek. He could feel his eye starting to swell. Before Demi was able to recover from the slap, he was kicked in the stomach. He fell onto his side, choking on the vomit in his mouth.

He tried to push himself up, but another kick was delivered. Demi fell back down, lying in his mess. Tears trickled down his face as he tried to focus on the figures standing around him. His glacier blues landed on Theodore, who just stood there watching his downfall.

"What a fucking horrible Alpha." He mumbled between the tears and busted his mouth to sneer at Theodore. He was hit again, and the fight to stay conscious was lost.