Omega

Chapter 6 (Updated a lot)

*Will's POV*

The life suddenly drained from Galen's body again and I barely managed to catch him before he fell. Wordlessly Lawrence took him from my shaky arms, forcing myself to let him go though my heart twisted painful as I did, and laid him back in the cot. He stood stiffly, his face stony and collected.

"I have some things to consider. Do not leave this room." Lawrence strode out of the room, tension oozing off of him like a mist. The door slammed shut behind him. I stared after him, frightened by his coldness.

I lost track of how long I sat on the hard cot across from Galen, dying to go to him, to touch his face and make sure he was okay, but fear held me fast. Only the soft rasping of his breath kept me from crossing the room. It was terrifying that this boy had such a hold on me already. All I knew about him was his name, yet I felt the need to protect him and never leave his side.

Finally I couldn't help myself. Leaping off of the cot, I crossed the room and dropped to the floor by his bed, resting my head on his arm. Instantly the tension began to drain from my body. Seized by a sudden urge, I grasped his arm, pulling it so his hand rested against my lips. Mine. I smiled slightly. I didn't know how or when it had happened, but I knew that this boy was mine.

A loud clearing of a throat caused me to jump. Lawrence stood in the doorway, arms crossed and eyebrow cocked. Thankfully his mood seemed to have changed since he left. He looked more inviting than the angry Lawrence who had stormed out of the room. 

"It seems we have things to discuss." I swallowed hard and nodded. He gestured toward the door.

"Follow me to my study. We can talk there." I involuntarily tightened my grip on Galen's arm. I couldn't leave him by himself, not while he was so weak. I knew I had to stay here, that he would get better faster. In his sleep Galen whined as well, though his eyes remained closed. Lawrence's brow furrowed as he watched us both.

"He is stronger when you're here." He spoke my thoughts aloud, startling me.

"Very well. We will stay here." He strode to the opposite bed and sank down on the edge. I eyed him warily, not entirely trusting him to stay were he was. For all I knew he could be planning to kill me once I let my guard down. He knew what I was now. Lawrence sighed and dragged a hand through his golden locks before locking eyes one mine.

"How old are you William?" I shrugged and dropped my gaze down to my hands, nails picking threads from the worn hospital sheets. The last birthday I'd celebrated had been with my mother when I was eight. Those had been the good years before... I stopped myself from continuing the thought, not strong enough to revisit the panic I'd finally managed to quell.

"How long have you been without a pack?" Lawrence tried again, sensing he wasn't going to get a satisfactory answer from the previous question. This one was easier to answer. I'd been gone long enough for the summer heat to die out into the harsh frost of winter and then lapse again into spring.

"H-Half a year-ish." I stammered out, still unsure where this line of questioning was going.

"How much do you know about Were society? About mating bonds as far as two males are concerned?" Lawrence's tone was gentle, almost coaxing me to relax. Still I steeled myself for the response I would receive.

"I know that a true mate is the greatest gift anyone can ever receive. It's said the Goddess herself hand makes two Weres to fit so perfectly together that nothing could ever tear them apart. I know that they're supposed to be more common with Alphas, so that their pups will be strong and carry on the bloodline, but even then it's still rare. And I-I know that I'll never have a mate, Sir. Even if- even if I was worthy of it." Tears welled in my eyes and I blinked rapidly to clear them away.