Hercules: (Not) My kind of Hero {Complete}

Chapter ιδ

Blinding light. That was the first thing that registered when Nate finally managed to pry his eyelids open. Winching he slowly blinked his eyes and the room came into focus. Cream coloured walls, a big ass bed, a burning fire place and the sleeping face of Hercules a few inches from him. There were bags under his eyes, his skin was pale like he wasn't outside much. A low whimper escaped his throat; he didn't want Hercules to be hurt. "Don't worry brat, he is fine." The deep rumble of his Alpha had his head snap up in fright. He was sure his Alpha was going to hurt him because he was responsible for Hercules' current condition. He was shaking badly, solely focused on the threat of his looming Alpha.

"Do stop the looming Gabe, if your goal is to scare the kid shitless you are doing a good job." Hercules was sitting up rubbing his eyes. "Good morning Nate." He smiled reassuringly in his direction. He slowly stopped shaking as Gabriel stopped his invasive looming and turned to the table in the room grabbing a tray with all kinds of drool worthy foods. Nate's stomach was growling and snarling as Gabriel unhurriedly divided the foods in three equal parts. He blushed to the roots of his hair when Gabriel gave him a questioning look, bowing his head in submission.

"You should eat that before it gets cold." Nate all but shoved the food in his mouth and swallowed most without chewing. "No matter how hungry you are, you need to chew your food." Nate nearly choked on a big piece of toast and Gabriel's warm hand on his back helped him swallow he panted for air. "No need to rush little one, there is more than enough for you to have seconds." Nate felt ravenous, like he hadn't eaten in days. Something that was true but he didn't know that yet. Hercules shook his head lightly at the scene of the big bad Alpha being a worried father as Nate now slowly chewed his food and washed it down with a few gulps of warm ambrosia.

Not much later the Pack doctor arrived, who glanced down his nose at Nate while he was giving him his check-up. Nate was silent; he knew that there were a lot of older people in the Pack that resented him for his new status within the Pack's difficult dynamics. A lot of people didn't like the fact that the Alpha had taken him under his wing and the Alpha's protection. Most saw him as a means to their cause and influence the Alpha to favour their petition or decision. The Pack doctor was one of those people who hoped to influence the Alpha through him.

"Besides some minor bruising and lack of nutrients, he is as fit as a fiddle Alpha." The doctor finally finished his check-up and Nate hopped of the bed where he was seated during the poking and prodding. It was uncomfortable to say the least, and the fact that Gabriel had stand behind the man looking over his shoulder didn't help either. Whatever the faults the man had, he was good at his job. By the previous Alpha he was overflowing with students and materials since it was easy money and they didn't need to do much. With Gabe as Alpha, he had been reduced to at least half his pay check and half his usual budget. Something that didn't go well by the man and his students. Now he only has three students to teach because of all the criteria the students had to fulfil and most died in the battle with the Gods.

Gabe dismissed the man with a curd nod, relieved to know there was nothing too life threating wrong with Nate. Now he needed to hunt down the people who brought them their breakfast on that fateful day and question them on the presence of the nightmare fruit. Once Nate was dressed once more the both of them made their way to the throne room. There most of the Pack were waiting on any news about Nate. There was a collective sigh of relief as he walking into the room slightly behind Gabe. Nate was a little overwhelmed by the warm feeling that coursed through his recent Pack link. His own parents never thought it would do any of them any good if he was connected to the Pack like that. If he was, people would have known about the abuse and could have done something about it.

Nate didn't know he was shaking until the mighty paw of his Alpha rested on his head, ruffling his hair calmed him down. "Deep breaths little one; take deep breaths." Nate managed a watery smile before he shuffled and hid mostly behind his Alpha's bigger body. Gabe let Nate use him as a shield for most of the attention as they walked up to his seat on the raised dais. There they were presented with a new problem; Gabe couldn't act like a shield as he needed to take his seat. So Nate did the only logical thing in his mind; he scampered up Gabe's lap and hid his face in the crook of Gabe's neck, very softly whimpering.