Leo's p.o.v
"You seem to be really close to Noah."
Leo wrote down the dates and Alex stacked the boxes in the storage room. 'Since they had less than four years left of medical school, familiarising themselves with the stock is crucial' according to their professor who will never admit the fact he just wanted free labour. The equipment was a duo task; it would go on until everyone has done it and the rotation will start again once more. Today it was their turn to record.
"He won't leave me alone."
She shrugged, nonchalant. Hiding her adorable flush behind the box of gloves.
"Why are you blushing now? You went to lunch with him."
"As friends and I am not blushing."
"Okay-okay. Are you sure he sees it that way? Believe me you are not observant with blatant interest"
"I am fine Leo and I'm learning to be better. He has anxious attachment that's why his around me all the time, I'm trying to meet him halfway."
"His lucky. You find change difficult, we usually don't hear from you for weeks and last time I touched you had a mental breakdown." Leo is right, she's naturally trying to accommodate him in her world and it's exhausting. "His lucky his getting this version of you."
"You know fate contributes to that."
"Yeah, I guess." They are done organising, labelling and prioritising medically relevant tools to the next dissection. "Best way to know is to see if you are compatible, it all aspects."
He teased and right then the door swung open with a bang. Lucas stormed in, his expression grim and unreadable. Leo's phone buzzed, and he relaxed slightly, glancing at the screen.
"Leo, where's your phone?"
"Right here... Why?" Leo asked, holding it out.
Lucas snatched it. "I believed in someone so much... and they did this."
"What are you talking about?" Leo frowned, confused.
Just then, Alex's phone buzzed. She glanced down and her eyes widened. Panic flickered across her face before she turned around, forcing a smile and subtly slipping her phone behind her back.
"You're right," she said quickly. "I do want to talk about Noah and me. Let's go to my apartment it's a long story."
She tried to steer them toward the door, but he wouldn't budge. The weight of suspicion froze them in place. Curiosity could be dangerous. But lies? Lies were worse. They knew Leo wellonce he made up his mind, it would take a jet crashing into the ocean to change it. With reluctant sighs, they handed over his phone. One glance and Leo turned pale. He staggered toward the trash can and wretched violently. Moments later, wiping his mouth, he handed the phone back to Lucas.
"Please... give that to Jayden," he whispered.
"Leo, just... give him a chance to explain," Alex pleaded, why is she defending Jayden? Last time he checked she did not approve of their relationship. "I'm sure there's an explanation for this."
"Explain?" Leo said coldly. "Can you explain it?"
"Well… no… but-"
"Then there's nothing to explain."
"Thank you. Lex, can I still take you up on that offer?" Leo asked, voice soft but hopeful.
He grabbed his bag and books; they are done anyway, so leaving early would not hurt. After all, their group always managed to turn boring tasks into something fun, efficient, and most importantly easy. That was the power of real friendship.
"Sure, man. Lucas?" Alex asked.
"I'll come over later," Lucas replied, a strange glint in his eye. "I have a promise to uphold."
"Lucas?" she repeated, concerned.
"Don't worry. Just... take care of Leo."
Leo didn't reply. He felt more pain than he expected. A space in his heart one Jayden had carved for himself was now painfully empty. Jayden had cheated on him with a human. The sameconniving human he had warned him about. He always thought maybe he would distance himself from Jayden because he is not an omega. He foolishly disregarded his concerns and opened himself up for a meaningful relationship but now Jay wants to defy the odds with a human too.
With bitterness dulling the edges of his pain, Leo convinced Alex to go for just one drink. One turned into five. Then six. Maybe even seven, thanks to his secret stash of Niptide a herb shifters use to feel the effects of alcohol his lit. Now, Leo was floating in that perfect state numb. Just numb enough for the memory of Jayden to feel like a dream instead of a dagger. The bar filled quickly as the night crowd rolled in, jostling and loud. In the chaos, Alex got pushed away, her voice lost in the noise. Leo didn't notice. Not really. One moment he was looking for her, the next he found himself in someone else's arms. He wanted to go back to Alex. He really did. But his legs refused to listen.
"What..."
He slurred... Right there and then he was pushed on the wall as lips tried to meet his. Leo was rendered helpless because he could not do anything about this. The lips dropped to his neck, fuck there is no way he would ever be into this, and he did make it his displeasure vocal, but the person did not stop.
"No... Let me... No... Stop."
He struggles but due to his condition his too drunk to think straight. Where is Alex? Why is his body not reacting to danger? Damn his never going to drink alcohol ever again. He struggles harder when he feels his groin being cupped, his going to get raped. He cries this time but all he could do was fight until his mate or friends come to save him. A familiar scent dragged and suddenly his head was slammed onto the wall and darkness met him halfway.