Armin had fallen into a quiet sleep after eating.
He laid back in bed, partly to avoid the ‘princess of doing whatever she felt like, whenever she felt like it’, and partly because he needed to think.
His mind was a mess.
Alicia had excused herself after a phone call with her father, citing urgent matters to handle.
Left alone in the ward, sleep had peacefully saved him from the mental turmoil he was planning on putting his mind through.
He was never the type to think things through; he merely accepted situations as they came, hoping bad things would improve and good things would last.
He believed in fate and karma, refusing to bother with things beyond his strength to fix.
This mindset ran so deep that whenever he tried to analyze a problem, he either got distracted or fell asleep.
A hand rested on his face.
He felt a thumb brush over his cheek toward his ear.
It must be Alicia, he thought.
The scent smelled like her—until he realized it didn’t.
The perfume was identical, but this wasn’t an Omega.
It was an Alpha.
An Alpha?
His eyes shot open.
He froze.
His lips quivered in doubt as he grabbed the hand on his face.
Valerius?
Was his mind playing a cruel trick on him?
His gut twisted.
“Valerius,” Armin choked out, his eyes swirling with conflicting emotions.
“Hello, little Min,” Valerius answered, his voice as gentle as a night whisper.
“It’s okay.
You’re safe now.”
“It’s really you?”
Valerius nodded slowly.
“I’ve missed you so much, my sweet boy.” He pulled Armin up into his arms, resting Armin’s head against his chest.
His fingers buried into Armin’s hair, tenderly scraping his scalp.
“I’m taking you out of here.”
Armin pulled back, shooting a panicked look at him.
“But…
Licia…”
“Licia?
When did you two become so close?” Valerius blinked, staring at him in shock.
“It’s not like that—” Armin tried to explain but Valerius face was laced with a doubtful frown.
After a few agonizing seconds, Valerius cupped Armin’s face in both hands.
“Armin, you belong to me.”
“Stop,” Armin cut in, gently pushing the hands away.
“This isn’t me trying to be possessive, but you are mine.”
“I said, stop.”
“That day, we made love—”
“Made love?” Armin glared at him, wide-eyed.
“Was that how people make love?”
“N-no, no,” Valerius stuttered.
“What I’m trying to say is that I accidentally…
we accidentally…”
“Stop it, Valerius!” Armin snapped.
He swallowed hard, glaring at the man.
“Why are you here?
No, the right question is how are you here?
Did you intentionally come here?”
Valerius nodded quickly, unsure of what was going through Armin’s mind.
“Or are we just crossing paths again?” Armin’s voice stiffened, shuddering at the memory of the pains he went through two days ago.
“Because each time you show up, terrible things happen to me.
I wonder what’s going to happen this time.”
“I’m leaving with you.
Alicia won’t hurt you anymore.”
“No,” Armin refused.”
What?” Valerius locked in, unsure if he had heard correctly.
“I’m not leaving.”
“Why?
What have I done wrong, baby?”
Armin looked away, searching for an answer.
“I don’t know you,” he whispered.
“What?”
“I may not know Alicia thoroughly, but I know what she’s like.
But you?
I don’t know anything about you.
And there must be a good reason Alicia hates you.
Am I wrong?”
“Baby, this is all a misunderstanding—”
“Am I wrong?
Answer me!”
“Well, I’m giving you a chance to know me now, am I not?” His voice was pleading.
“Come with me, sweet boy,” he cooed.
“What if you leave me behind again, just like last time?”
“I told you, I had an emergency.
It’s all settled now.”
“No!
I’m smart enough to know that emergencies can arise at any time.”
“Then you should be smart enough to know I wouldn’t be here if I had other things to take care of.”
“You are basically saying I’m not your priority.”
“N-no, baby, no,” Valerius stuttered, exasperated.
“You’re using every word against me.
I never said that.
I meant—”
The door burst open.
The male nurse who had attended to Armin rushed into the room.
“She’s here,” he announced urgently.
Valerius scooped Armin off the bed and into his arms.
“Come now, baby.”
“I’m hurt,” Armin winced, burying his face into his shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” Valerius walked out of the room, the nurse holding the door open for them.
“Alicia punished me.” Armin continued.
“I know.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I know.” Valerius walked into the reception and out of the front door.
“I thought I was going to die.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I was scared.” Armin whimpered like wounded dog.
“I’m sorry.” Valerius gave him a little squeeze while walking toward the car.
“Don’t leave me behind again.”
“I won’t.”
“You promise, Valerius?”
“Open the door!” Valerius yelled at his chauffeur.
He slid into the car, still clutching Armin to his chest.
The door slammed shut, and the car zoomed off the hospital premises.
Alicia walked into the hospital carrying a fresh bouquet of pink and white hydrangeas, beautifully arranged in a brown wrap with a silver bow.
She had previously ordered a cleaner to tidy the room while Armin slept—ordering the removal of the balloons and old flowers per the doctor’s instructions.
Her steps were bouncy and light, a bright smile plastered on her face.
She cradled the bouquet in one arm and gripped a warm flask with the other.
She eased the door open, slipping inside and shutting it quietly to avoid waking him.
She turned toward the bed.
The flowers and flask slipped from her hands, clanking heavily onto the tiled floor.
Her eyes stretched wide in horror as panic seized her.
She launched toward the bed, frantically scattering the sheets, desperately hoping he was somehow hidden underneath.
“He’s gone…” she whimpered, clutching her chest as a sharp wave of pain hit her.
She dashed into the bathroom and dashed out immediately, threw the door open, briskly walking—nearly running—toward the reception.
“D-did you see him?” she stuttered at the nurse behind the counter.
“Who?” the nurse asked, confused.
She had just started her shift and hadn’t witnessed Armin being carried out.
Alicia slammed her hand onto the desk in a fury.
“Where is my kitten?!”
“I’m sorry, this isn’t a vet clinic.
If you want, I can direct you to—”
Alicia snarled at her.
“You are telling me a patient under your care is gone?”
The nurse instantly looked alarm.
She stood straight immediately and tried to readdress the issue.
“Which patient is this?
Kindly give me the patient’s information.” Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
“Armin…
my Armin…” Her voice quivered, her heart shrinking in terror of the unknown.
What could have happened to her sleeping beautiful boy in the span of an hour?
“Ma’am?” the nurse called out, trying to snap her out of her spiral.
“Ward number, please?”
Just then, the male nurse walked into the reception area.
Alicia recognized him immediately.
She flung herself at him, curling her fists into his scrubs and yanking him close.
“Where is he?” she demanded.
The nurse stared at her with an amused, careless expression.
He grabbed her wrists, prying her hands off him, and casually dusted off his scrubs as if she were dirt.
“Who?” he asked flippantly, walking past her to the counter.
Alicia stalked after him, nearly slamming into his back when he stopped abruptly.
He turned around, leaned over the counter, and sneered, “Who are you looking for?”
“Armin.
Where is he?” she fired back, her eyes glaring sharply at him.
He seemed completely unbothered, while the female nurse watched the drama unfold with wide eyes.
“Who is he to you, anyway?” he asked.
Alicia took two steps forward, lifting a cold, stoic face.
In a quiet and composed voice, she addressed him.
“Enough.
I see what is going on here.
I saw you smile at my boy when you examined him today.
I know you know his whereabouts.
Tell me before I get the police involved.”
The nurse stared at her with a deadpan face before snorting loudly.
“Oh, I’m so scared.
I smiled at a patient and he disappeared.
What do I do?
This shit is definitely paranormal,” he mocked, letting out a sharp, derisive laugh.
Alicia stared at him wide-eyed, bewildered by his blatant, unethical behavior.
He suddenly cut his laughter short, standing upright to straighten his uniform.
“Mr.
Vance has him.”
Alicia staggered back, her breath hitching in fright.
“No…”
“Yes.”
She locked her eyes onto his.
“You let a stranger walk in here and kidnap your patient?”
“What was I supposed to do?” The nurse sneered, leaning in.
“We all know Mr.
Vance.
We all know what he does to people who defy him.
And I, for one, like living.
I don’t intend to be a casualty of this little war.”
He paused, a bitter, mocking smile twisting his lips.
“Why should I be a victim of a clash between two people fighting over an Omega?
He’s a beautiful boy, I get it.
But I’m beautiful too, am I not?” He twirled around in delight, sharing a loud laugh with the female nurse behind the counter.
Then, his face suddenly went completely blank, turning dead serious again.
“Even Armin couldn’t fight him off,” the nurse whispered, leaning closer to Alicia.
“You know he’s got a fractured rib, which I believe is your doing.
Poor boy!
Tsk!”
He shook his head frantically, turning on his heel.
He walked away into the back corridor, completely devoid of any sympathy for the princess.
Alicia stood rooted to the spot, struck dumb as a horrific realization hit her.
Her Armin was gone.
Her father who had promised to fix everything, who had promised to fix that bastard Valerius—had failed her.
And now, her Armin was paying the price.
Tears streamed down her face, her brilliant blue eyes clouding and glooming over with fury and sorrow.
“VALERIUS!” She screamed into her palms.
Her knees buckled and she fell heavily to the hard tile floor, her pink flowing silk dress pooling around her like a crushed flower.
“Armin…” She sobbed into her hands, her body vibrating in a broken lamentation.
What do you all think, is this love or mere obsession over a person owned?
Hope everyone is enjoying the story so far!