AT THE SAME TIME
XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:
I staggered out of the room, the heavy wooden door slamming shut behind me. The hall stretches out in both directions, long and winding, lit with flickering torches that cast shadows along the stone walls. My breath shudders out of me, and I grip the railing beside me just to stay upright. Everything feels...wrong. Off. Like my body's moving to a rhythm I can't hear. I press my palms to my temples, squeezing my eyes shut.
"Get it together." I whispered, but my voice sounded distant, like it's echoing back at me from somewhere far away.
It's like something is crawling under my skin, whispering at the edge of my thoughts. My heart won't stop racing, and that scent, Jaxon's woody smoke, Michael's sharp cheddar tang, it's still clinging to me, stubborn and thick.
"System update... Sync progress: 26%"System said.
The words flash across my vision, translucent but unmistakable, hovering in the air like some damn glitch in the world. I stagger back, nearly tripping over my own feet.
"What the hell?" I gasped, rubbing my eyes, but numbers changed yet again.
"System update... Sync progress: 27%"System said.
"No." I breathed out, shaking my head. "No, no, no. I didn't sign up for this, I didn't choose this." My hands curl into fists, knuckles going white. I can feel it threading through my veins, curling around my thoughts, making my skin itch with a restlessness I can't shake.
"System update... Sync Progress: 28%"System said.
"Stop it!" I shouted, slamming my fist against the wall. Pain flares up my arm, sharp and grounding, but the percentage doesn't flicker, doesn't waver. It just keeps climbing. My breath shudders, and I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to force it out, force it back. But it's still there, creeping higher. Footsteps echo down the hallway, heavy and deliberate. I snap my head up, heart lurching painfully. Michael rounds the corner first, hands shoved in his pockets, grin spread wide and smug.
"Took you long enough." He said, voice dripping with amusement.
Behind him, Jaxon follows, eyes sharper, darker, jaw clenched tight. His gaze locks on mine, and that scent, God, it's stronger now. Thicker, like it's wrapping around me. I stumble back a step, my hands slapping against the cold stone behind me.
"What did you do to me?" My voice cracks, but I don't care. I can barely breathe.
Michael laughs, low and rich.
"Nothing you weren't always meant for." He steps closer, and the scent, sharp cheddar, smoke, heat, it's suffocating. "Selene's just making sure you're... settled. Comfortable in your role."
"I'm not—I'm not anything." I stammered, shaking my head. The world tilts, and I grip the wall harder. "You don't get to decide that!"
Jaxon steps up beside him, eyes fixed on me, gaze unyielding.
"It's not about deciding." He said, voice softer but no less dangerous. "It's just the way it is."
"No." I whispered, voice cracking. "I won't let you-"
"System update... Sync progress: 30%"System said.
A shudder tears through me, and I double over, clutching my stomach as heat flares up my spine, spreading through my veins like wildfire. It's too much too strong. I choke back a cry, knees buckling as the heat twists tighter, making my heart lurch, making my skin burn. Jaxon's hand is on my shoulder before I hit the ground, unyielding, holding me up. His scent is everywhere, filling my head, seeping into my skin.
"Breathe." He murmured, voice softer now, edged with something almost gentle. "Let it happen."
I shake my head, gritting my teeth.
"I, I don't want this." But even as I say it, my body leans into his touch, my fingers curling into his sleeve.
Heat pulses through me, stronger now, relentless. My breathing shudders, and I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing it away, willing it to stop. But it doesn't.
AT THE SAME TIME
JAXON'S POINT OF VIEW:
As soon as I saw him in pain again, I needed to know what was happening. It's was clear that he is in pain and system with Selene is doing something to him.
"Michael." I barked, voice sharp but low. "What the hell's going on?"
Michael looked up, his usual cheeky smirk wiped clean, replaced by a serious edge.
"He's hitting that 30% mark the system warned us about. Physically drained… mentally, it's like he's trying to hold himself together and failing."Michael explained.
I moved closer, catching Xavier's staggering form as he nearly slipped out of Michael's grasp. Without hesitation, I slid an arm under Xavier's knees, lifting him gently but firmly.
"Come on." I said, my voice softer now but still commanding. "You're coming inside."
Xavier's eyes fluttered open, panic flashing for a second before the exhaustion took over again. His body was weak, trembling in my arms like a fragile bird.
"Hey." I murmured, tightening my grip just enough to reassure him he wasn't alone. "We've got you. Just rest."
Michael stepped in beside me, a rare hint of concern breaking through his usual cocky demeanor.
"We'll take care of him." He said, voice steady.
I carried Xavier inside, my mind already racing. This was what happened when the system pushed too hard, when the game started breaking down your walls and stripping you raw. I seen it happen with previous omegas brought here by Selene, but I be damned if I let anything happen to him. Not on my watch.
I carried Xavier through the heavy wooden door, his body limp but still trembling in my arms. Michael followed close behind, his usual cocky grin replaced by something more serious, because even he knows this isn't just some casual trouble.
"Damn, he's barely standing." Michael muttered, eyeing Xavier like a prized possession about to break.
I nod, shifting Xavier so I can sit him down on the couch. His legs twitch, and his chest heaves like he's been running from something no one else can see. I pull the vial from my pocket, a potion Michael brewed to calm the chaos inside Xavier's head. One thing of having Michael around here.
"Xavier, we need you to drink this." I say low, voice rough but patient.
He stares at me, wild and terrified, and just when I think he'll cooperate he jerks his head back, lips clamping shut like a damn vault. Michael steps up beside me, voice deceptively soft.
"You're not getting away that easy."Michael said.
I grined darkly.
"Yeah, omega. We own you now. You're not hiding from us."I smirked a bit.
Xavier's eyes widen, panic flaring. I can almost hear the fight screaming inside him, desperate to cling to control. But it's useless, we both know who's in charge here. I reach for his chin, my fingers firm but gentle, and force his lips apart.
"Just a sip." I muttered.
He gasps, and I tip the vial carefully. The potion burns as it slides down his throat, and he coughs, trying to pull away.
"Shh." Michael soothed, sliding a hand through Xavier's damp hair. "We're just helping you breathe."
I catch his gaze, and something flickers there,fear, trust, confusion, and maybe… a tiny bit of surrender.
"Come on, little omega." I teased him lighty. "You're ours. Better get used to it."
Xavier shivered but doesn't pull away this time. I keep feeding him, slow and steady, each drop claiming a little more of him. Michael leans closer, brushing soft kisses along Xavier's temple.
"You're not alone. We won't let you break."Michael said.
I can feel the heat from both of them, mine and Michael's pressing in on him, possessive and protective. Finally, Xavier's trembling eases, his breathing steadies, and his eyes close like he's falling into a safe place for the first time in a long time. I brush a hand down his arm, voice low and dangerous.
"See? We take care of our own."I said.
"And you? You belong to us now."Michael smirked.
I glance at him, then back at Xavier, feeling the weight of what we've started. This isn't just survival anymore. It's possession. And I'm ready to own his every inch.