Sitting in Grandpa Castilho's office, Jake and Matheus were immersed in silence. Finally they finished reading the document on the distribution of the inheritance of the Callegari, which took quite a long time taking into account the much readjustment because of the quarrel between the heirs.
However, that was not what tormented Jake's thoughts.
By punching the table, the alpha could not control his anger.
— Hey... — Matheus got your attention when he heard the punch — I know that's fucked up, but don't break anything.
— I'm sorry, it's just that... Fucking shit. Sadie was sixteen fucking years old!
A few minutes ago Jake had called his cousin, did not ask her anything directly, just asked about his trip to Orlando three years ago. Sadie said that only her uncles, Jake's parents, had gone to meet this Ares. However, Renata Mckenzie had asked if Sadie thought Ares was an attractive man. The poor girl has no idea that the uncles tried to use her as a bargaining chip to seduce the fighter.
Neither did Jake have the courage to tell her.
— If I continue to investigate, I have the impression that I will only disappoint myself more with my parents.
Matheus hugged the friend's shoulder comforting him.
— What do you want to do now? Do you want to tell the joker?
— I don't want to hide anything from him, but neither am I too ashamed to tell — Jake sighed massaging his forehead — See if Ricardo got something more with that woman. I'll... Go see Nath.
Even after Jake left Matheus' grandfather's house, he did not walk fast on the street. On the contrary, his steps were slow and lost. The cloudy weather that was forming in the sky looked like the storm that had on the head of the alpha.
Why?
Why would your family do something like that?
The rain began to fall and Jake started getting wet without caring. He just walked down the sidewalk staring at his own feet. Even if the cold wind blew against his wet body, he did not feel cold. His blood seemed to boil with anger. It burned inside.
His lost thoughts and silent steps led Jake to the front of Nathaniel's house. On the sidewalk, he didn't have the courage to knock on the door and not even call for the omega. In the end, Jake just sat down on the sidewalk and began facing the street.
How would him tell Nathaniel about his parents chasing Ares?
His head was throbbing.
— Damn it...
The rain suddenly stopped falling on him. Raising his head, Jake saw Nathaniel standing at his side covering him with an umbrella.
— It seems that I found a cat lost in front of my house.
Despite the inexpressiveness of the omega's face, Jake felt comfort in those words. Not ceasing to smile, although with great shame, the alpha responded.
— Haha, you found me.
Nathaniel just reached for Jake without asking anything. Then the alpha held his hand and stood up, sharing the umbrella with the omega.
Now that they were facing each other, a knot formed in Jake's throat. It was a fact, there was no courage in the world that would make the alpha say something to those light brown eyes. Just looking at the scar Jake felt guilty.
Would Jake tell him to cause more pain?
What if the accident happened because of your family?
A warm, welcoming touch drove those thoughts away. Nathaniel's fingers stroked Jake's cheek.
— You found something, didn't you?
An arrow in the chest would hurt less.
Hammering a nail into your heart would hurt less.
Jake just agreed with the head.
— I'm sorry.
— Let's go inside, and then we can talk better. — Nathaniel stroked the back of Jake's head on his shoulder — There is no one better than I to help you face hard times.
Jake hugged Nathaniel's waist and squeezed him. Feel the bittersweet pheromones calming him, and the warmth of his body were comforting, which only increased his guilt and hatred. For a long time they were hugging in the street under that umbrella. And only when the body of Jake began to feel cold is that Nathaniel took him into his house.
To his surprise, Guilherme's parents were also at home. They looked surprised at the arrival of a completely soaked Jake.
— Hehe, sorry for the intrusion...
— My, why did you get rain? And if you end up getting cold? — Arabella ran upstairs.
— Come in, boy. I'll make you some tea — Nathaniel's stepfather got up from the couch and went straight to the kitchen.
And in less than half an hour Jake was with a towel drying his hair, changed clothes (borrowed from Nathaniel), a cover on his shoulders and a cup of hot tea in hand. The comfort and welcome that family gave him was unique.
Nathaniel sat on the coffee table so he could face the alpha, looking at him calmly.
— They already know that I asked you to investigate my father's inheritance. So, is it okay if they participate in the conversation?
Jake's clear eyes were to Nathaniel's mother and stepfather, who seemed concerned about him. Maybe it was family to worry about something so simple with someone wet by the rain.
— Of course.
— So, what did you find out?
— In fact, it has nothing to do with your father. The problem is mine — whispered Jake staring at the cup in hand — Haa... I found out that my parents tried to get close to Ares three years ago.
— I know that, I just don't understand why this distresses you.
— My mother tried to seduce Ares — Admitted Jake reluctantly — And when he didn't fall on it, my parents were willing to make my cousin, who was sixteen years old, sleep with Ares!
The eyes of surprise of those three hybrids were covered with horror. The guilt only increased in Jake.
— They must have thought that because of the scandals between me and Ares, he would be someone who was interested in... young people — Nathaniel mumbled still shocked — I didn't expect this.
— All this only because he did not accept the sponsorship. — Jake held hands with Nathaniel, looking desperate — I heard that Ares even denounced my parents for it, and there is a document that proves this. I can get it for you, and you should use this, Nath.
Surprised, Nathaniel tilted his head.
— They are your parents, Jake.
— I know! And this... irritates me even more. — Sighed the alpha leaving the cup aside to be able to hold the hands of Nathaniel — Forgive me. Maybe if my parents had never approached Ares, you still...
— It was not his fault — Nathaniel replied serenely, shaking hands with the alpha — The accident was caused by a persecution of journalists, and this case has been solved. And Ares died to save me, so none of this is your fault.
Even so, the guilt still existed in Jake's chest. And he could only beg for Nathaniel's forgiveness. Even with his body trembling cold, he leaned against the forehead in the hands of the omega.
Pathetic.
Jake felt pathetic.
— Look, boys, I know you're trying your hardest to solve this — Arabella sat next to Jake, and stroked his back to comfort him — But tell me, you really intend to expose everything? And how are you going to do that?
— Exposing it would make the Mckenzies lose a lot of credibility — Nathaniel whispered looking at Jake.
— I've already been kicked out of that family and you know it.
— But you still carry the surname, and apparently your parents still want you as heir.
— This is because neither my father nor my uncle are in solid positions after me and my cousin leave the family. By the way my grandfather continues as the head of the family and...
An idea went through Jake's head.
— What is it?
— I should try to talk to my grandfather — The alpha murmured, starting to cheer up a little more — My grandfather must know about Ares, but must not know about what my parents did.
— And what do you mean by telling him?
— Instead of bargaining with my parents, I can try to negotiate with my grandfather about my position in the family. If I can isolate my parents and unlink the event as something of the Mckenzie, the family name will not be damaged.
— But that's only if your grandfather really knows nothing.
— It's worth a try.
The two did not discuss the matter anymore, since Nathaniel's mother insisted that Jake drink the tea. From the expressions on their faces, they were probably worried that the two boys would do something too extreme, however, Jake was convinced that he could get something if he met his grandfather.
Anyway, the conversation was left aside. Arabella insisted that Jake spend the night there, since they were afraid he would catch cold because of the rain.
And so, Jake entered Nathaniel's room for the first time.
Posters of boxing fighters were hanging on the wall next to his bed. The largest of them was one of Ares, the same image he saw in the farm when they had that retreat and where they gave their first kiss.
Nathaniel's computer desk was cluttered with college books. But the rest of his room was clean and organized.
Taking a deep breath, he felt the pheromones of Nathaniel spread and impregnated in his room.
— So this is where you sleep.
— I don't sleep — Nathaniel mumbled sitting on the edge of bed — Since the accident I have nightmares and suffer from insomnia. I can't sleep without waking up with a nightmare about that night.
That was news. Jake approached Nathaniel and stroked his face, raising his chin so he could look at him.
— But whenever we are together you sleep well.
— Probably because of your pheromones.
A smile appeared on the face of the alpha.
— Wow, it seems like I've become someone's drug.
— I'm not in favor of drug use, so I don't want to become addicted to you.
— I'm hotter than any other drug — Jake winked, gaining a muffled laugh of omega response — Can vitiate the will, I guarantee that the effects will be great for your health.
Leaning over the omega, Jake kissed Nathaniel. A calm kiss as if the two needed each other. Maybe it was really the case, since Nathaniel seemed tired of his sleepless nights and Jake stressed by the latest discoveries.
At the end, Jake ended up lying in bed hugging Nathaniel and resting his head on his chest. The omega fingers stroked the alpha's hair as they covered themselves with pheromones and enjoyed the sound of rain falling from outside.
Now that he was in his arms, Jake felt at peace. It seemed that the world was less annoying, and his problems did not seem about to swallow him. He felt well and protected in those arms. Even he was convinced that he would be able to solve any problem as long as Nathaniel was on his side.
His heart was beating fast in his chest. His strong arms tightened the waist of the omega and words came out of his mouth softly.
— I love you, Nathaniel.