no escape

disbelief

Something was off.

For months, Porsche and him had succeeded in maintaining a cordial relationship. Kinn had understood Porsche’s desire to be simple in-laws - though he had had to swallow his frustration the first times he heard him call him “P’Kinn” - but Kinn had quickly realized it was perhaps the best outcome.

For one, being able to see him again, as distantly as it was, already calmed his restless mind. It felt right for the beta to be around his house, as he was a part of his pack since Kim and Porchay’s wedding. His alpha was content enough, and if he had hoped for them to become friends after they stopped having sex, at least he could see him when he wanted to and hear from him on a daily basis.

Kinn had been overwhelmed with work recently, as the project to expand his business in China had required him to visit dozens of potential suppliers and subcontractors, but the reports of Chan always lightened his mood.

According to them, Porsche spent every Sundays at the pack house (it seemed Tankhun organized a family brunch every week now) and slept over. During the rest of week, he’d visit the house randomly before his shift.

When Kinn was not abroad, he would bump into him sometimes or eat with the family when he was free. Porsche would always lower his head, wai him with a simple “P’Kinn”, and get on with his life. Which was fine, even if they barely exchanged a few words, at least he got to watch him from afar.

But what Porsche always deprived him of was his eyes.

Porsche never looked into his eyes.

Which was what was strange.

Kinn had bumped into Porsche three times since his return from Shanghai five days ago, and Porsche had not once avoided eye contact when they greeted each other. 

This had never happened since their reunion on the boat.

Just like now.

Everybody was brunching on the terrace, enjoying the clement weather and tranquility of a Sunday, and Porsche had glanced at him nonstop ever since he joined them around the big oval table.

What was happening?

As much as he had missed his pretty eyes, it was disturbing. His gaze left a burning sensation on his skin.

Would they be ok now?

Kinn tried to refrain the glimpse of hope warming his gut and convince himself the beta probably just had something to tell him.

“… can you bring more plates, Erika? Dad said he’ll join us today” Tankhun’s words immediately brought him back to the conversation. Kinn had been avoiding his father like the plague lately, since he would not stop bringing the subject about his ex-mate every time they chatted. His father could be as inexhaustible as his big brother:

“Kinn, will you join us after brunch? It’s board games afternoon today.”

“I have to stop by the office”

“On a Sunday? Kinn, you work too much. Do you want to have a burn out or what?” Tankhun whined.

“Why don’t you send Pete to deal with the Chinese? He speaks perfect mandarin.” Vegas offered as the concerned boyfriend nodded, “I’ll accompany him, it’ll be the occasion to check how my Chinese night clubs are running”

“I’m almost done with the visits”

“Why are you doing the visits yourself anyway?” Kim asked, “you delegated the task for the Cambodian market.”

“What is this interrogation?” Kinn snapped. He didn’t want to justify why he needed to tire himself so that his brain would shut off at night.

“We’re just worried” Kim answered “managing the company in itself is already-“

Thankfully or not, his dad chose this moment to walk out the house, soon followed by the faint scent of the omega his body had been craving despite himself.

What the hell was he doing here?

Tawan walked next to his dad like he belonged in his house.

Kinn sighed. Why was his father so stubborn?

“Dad” he threatened as the two men sat around the -suddenly very silent- table. His family all knew of what had happened between them by now and they seemed as hostile as him concerning the intruder.

“Let me have a cup of coffee first, will you?” his father answered, as he poured orange juice in a glass and handed it to Tawan, before taking his own cup of coffee.

“What is the meaning of this?” Kinn asked as soon as his father took the first sip of his beverage. “I think I’ve been clear enough”

“Don’t be angry at your father, dear” his ex-mate answered on his father’s behalf “I’m pregnant.”

-

Porsche gasped.

He had not meant to, but the words of the omega had felt like a whiplash.

The idea of this bastard carrying his mate’s child gave him murderous thoughts. Towards the omega. The child. And Kinn.

He squeezed the spoon he was holding until his hand turned white.

How dared he touch him again? he thought as he shifted his gaze from Tawan to the man the fucking destiny had granted him as true mate…

But when his eyes laid on Kinn, he discovered disgust on his face.

Was he not…?

“And how does this concern me?” Kinn asked with the same disgusted expression.

“Son. You know the tradition. Your mate’s child is considered yours. ”

Porsche gritted his teeth.

“He’s my EX-mate”

“It changes nothing, you ought to be responsible to your mate and recognize the child as-“

“Did you know?” Kinn interrupted his father with stupefaction in his voice. “Was it a part of your plan all along?”

Did he mean Korn Theerapanyakun was in cahoots with this Tawan guy?

“Anakinn. You need an heir”

What a sick bastard.

Kinn scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.

“You’re sick”

“I did what’s best for you.” Korn replied. “What’s best for the infertile son that you are.”

“Dad!” Kim and Tankhun both interjected as Kinn looked… hurt.

Porsche had heard enough.

He had gathered the courage to talk to Kinn later that day anyway, since the last appointment with the omegalogist was in less than a week.

He took a deep breath and declared loudly: “He’s not”.