I had forgotten. I forgot about my best friend. I don't even deserve that title anymore!

Teru smelled Kieran's hair once more to confirm. Yeah, this scent was definitely Lucas's. He didn't think Kieran would go that far in killing him, but given their rivalry and how Lucas despised vampires...

A made-up vision played out in his mind of the worst-case scenario:

Arriving here, wherever here was.

Teru sleeping in the car. Lucas's last-ditch effort to take down the eldest prince and claim the sole human omega as his.

Kieran was left without a choice and slaughtered him immediately-

"Little one," the alpha said firmly, standing up to grip Teru's shoulders. His tone stopped him from thinking of any further dangerous thoughts. "I don't know what you're imagining exactly, but I can understand the false conclusions you're making based on your nervousness. Your friend is fine."

"He is?"

"....As fine as a human with a slit through can be."

"But the blood in your hair-?"

Kieran's eye twitched. He clearly didn't want to answer, like it was a bad memory he wanted to forget. "As I said, he's fine and resting in the car."

"O-okay," Teru hesitated, wanting to know why Kieran was skirting around the issue.

"For now," Kieran sped off and returned within three seconds. He had a stick with four small fish from the lake behind them, mouths gaping at the shock of being cooked over a fire. Their scales had already been scraped off, meat ready to consume. He held it out to him. "Eat. There's not much I can provide from this environment. The sooner we get to our destination, the closer we are to prenatal care."

Destination...

They were going to a city called Los Angeles, or 'the angels,' as it was translated from a language Teru could not speak. According to Kieran, it was far away along the West Coast and the last human-run settlement in North America. Much to his shock, it was a co-habiting mixture of vampires and humans. No collars and blood slaves. All species were equal.

The government nicknamed them the Rebellion, but there wasn't an official title to call them. Just knowing there was a group of people rumored as 'the Rebellion' ruffled pro-Abaddon supporters, bringing in more army volunteers to send to the decades-long conflict. Abaddon had tried for over a century to squish them to nothing and take over. Yet, Los Angeles's sturdy military and headstrong leadership made it a thorn in the king's side. It was especially more challenging around twenty years ago when they became unusually good at fortifying their defense and grew offensively.

The eldest prince knew all about it, knowing what they were capable of, as many banned professionals fled there. In other words, Los Angeles would be their best option to help Teru's pregnancy and safeguard him from Lilith's threats.

Safety. Mortals they could trust.

"Thank you." Teru grabbed the offering and stared, grateful for the food. Yet...

Why am I unsatisfied? It smells fishy, but I don't need to throw up. Do I need something more?

Kieran squinted, trying to read his expression. He looked around, scanning the lake. "I will find a better alternative for you-"

"N-no!" Teru panicked and grabbed the end of Kieran's coat sleeve. Honestly, he just didn't want to be apart. "I'm glad. Really. I guess...I'm having cravings?" Gosh, he didn't sound confident at all.

"For what? I'll make sure to provide plenty when we arrive. Whatever you want."

Whatever I want?

Teru thought about it. He was positive these were food cravings, the first time to experience it after weeks of nausea. Hopefully, being sick was over, and on to a new milestone. What exactly should he request? Raspberries? No. Steak? No. Mushrooms? No, that last one was a joke. Still, did anything sound good right now?

What do...I want...to...eat...?

His eyes wandered from the meal he held, senses out of it like a daydream. Teru stared at Kieran. To be precise, he was staring at Kieran's neck, the spot where he could see a slight thumping pulse. The gurgle in his hungry belly liked what it saw.

Warm liquid.

Coppery taste.

Thick consistency.

That was where the blood was, ready to be-

A touch to his cheek made him flinch. Like when Teru inspected Kieran's body for any scarring or infected bullet holes, the startled vampire did the same to him. His large hands grabbed the sides of Teru's head, moving it slowly in all directions to examine his throat. He let go and pulled at his omega's sweater collar with a finger to see his bare shoulders underneath. Okay, this was odd.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm checking." Kieran turned him and brushed his hair away to see his nape.

"Checking? What are you trying to find?"

He avoided answering the question directly and spun him again so they faced each other. His crimson eyes were wide with panic. Teru swore he could hear Kieran's heartbeat. It was fast and didn't show signs of slowing down. What was making him so frantic?

"Have you been bitten? By whom? Was blood exchanged if you were?"

This wasn't what Teru expected. "No, you're the only one ever to bite me."

"Are you sure?" Kieran gripped Teru's shoulders and squeezed, kinda painful. His serious gaze penetrated through him, trying to get to the truth. "Are you positive that no one else bit you in the past week? You cannot lie to me, Teru. Not about this."

Why was he being so adamant? "No, I swear! Why are you asking me this? I'm confused!"

Kieran sighed and released him, rubbing the worry in his eyes away. "You...you were craving blood. Blood, Teru. I felt your carnal desire for it. Are you aware your dominant side is out, too?"

Huh?

Teru touched his canines with a finger. Ah, they had become longer. "My eyes?"

"They're half gold."

He didn't know what to say, not understanding what this meant. "Why, though? Why is my dominant omega showing itself?"

Unlike moments before, Kieran seemed to know what to do next and was relieved that Teru had not been turned. He sat back down and crossed his legs, patting his lap.

He wants me to sit there? I feel like Kieran might know the solution to my problem. Teru listened, plopping himself on his mate's legs while still holding the stick.

Kieran pointed to the smoked fish. "Eat everything first. Be careful about the bones. I want to test something after you're done."

As Teru ate and threw the thin bones on the grass, they watched the lake in front of them. Its waves gently glided over the surface, reflecting the darkening sky. Some stars glittered above. Leaves rustled. The forest...it was unreal to be here. If this was a dream, Teru never wanted to wake up.

The birds finding a place to sleep for the night reminded him of the weather. Shouldn't those birds be in the south, or at least beginning to migrate home? It was too early in the year for their return.

"It's warm," Teru commented. "I remember it snowed two years ago at this time. It is like mid-spring than late winter." He was almost finished eating. One more fish to go.

Kieran rested his head on his shoulder, talking next to his ear. "Abaddon opened the pits of Hell."

"...You mean those wide cracks in the ground?"

"Mhm. Some are bottomless. Anyone that fell into them is still descending as we speak. Others lead straight to Lucifer's realm. The crevices had affected every corner of Earth. The escaping heat will damage our world. I believe the incoming summer will be catastrophic. I need to keep you cool in the next few seasons so you don't suffer a heat stroke. You prefer the cold."

"You remembered? That I hate hot weather and summer?"

"I remember everything. It's common knowledge that omegas are more affected by the heat."

Teru scoffed lightheartedly. Maybe it was common knowledge for Kieran; not for mortals who never met an omega. He put the stick aside. All the fish were in his belly, but not fully satisfied. "No one remembers everything."

"Well, I do."

When Teru leaned his head back, he stared at Kieran's face and poked his smooth cheek. How was he still clean-shaven? Perhaps he shaved earlier. "I need to smack some humility into you. Your pride is unbecoming."

"Will you ever let that phrase go?" His alpha looked annoyed.

"What? 'Unbecoming?' You're the one who said it first to me. My mind has become tainted."

"Tainted...that's true. You are learning harmful things." Kieran wrapped his arms around him. "How do you feel after eating?"

"Umm," Teru hesitated, analyzing his hunger. He thought of various snacks he enjoyed, but Kieran's pulse kept sprouting in between his craving fantasies. Damn, the entire human race would chase him with pitchforks, believing he was actually one of the undead. "I...think you were right earlier about me wanting bl-"

The scent of blood reached his nose.

He paused mid-sentence. They watched the other, not breaking eye contact. The smell became stronger. Teru felt Kieran's arm move a little. This was his mate's blood, fresh from a new wound somewhere. When he finally looked down, scared, Teru watched as Kieran's long nail make a deep, straight line across his other wrist. Since he was doing it to himself, the cut would heal more slowly than if another person had inflicted it.

"S-stop!" Teru squealed, slapping the bloodied nail away. "What the hell?!"

"Does my blood repulse you?"

Red streams oozed from his wrist. Though repulsed by the action, he wasn't of the blood itself. In fact...

His throat was parched suddenly, as if he hadn't drunk any water all day. The urge for a specific food or drink was all he could think of, knowing he'd be cranky until he had it. Blood. Blood was what he wanted. What would it taste like? Can he try-?

Teru didn't remember grabbing Kieran's arm, pulling it closer to his mouth. Holy shit, what was he about to do?! "Sorry," Teru apologized with embarrassment and pushed Kieran's hand away. "I don't know why I-"

The alpha put his bleeding wrist close to Teru's mouth. "A pregnant mother will crave things their body needs, mainly nutrients for fetal growth. That could be meat, eggs, fish, nuts, and so on. Perhaps all four together in a blender, if that's what you find good. For them," Kieran rubbed Teru's bump with his free hand, "they want blood. They're halflings. If I'm correct, then your dominant side is seeking that craving. It wants to provide for them. Your maternal instincts are already strong."

Teru could sense the fierceness within himself, ready to find stability, protection, and a safe home. Maternal instincts? If that's what it was, it really wanted the meal dripping to the ground, going to waste. His omega fangs ached.

Still...

"You're blood deprived. I can't-"

Kieran interrupted and placed the cut wrist on Teru's lips. The hot liquid touched his tongue, intoxicating him. Everything about the blood was better than any dinner prepared by the best chef in the world.

He needed to eat. He needed nutrition. He needed to feed the pups. Like a feral animal, Teru growled low to warn other approaching people or creatures from getting close. This was his food. Fucking back off. Teru's elongated canines were not sharp enough to puncture, so he licked the beautiful wound and pressed his opened mouth over it.

SLURP. SLURP. SLURP.

The sounds of sucking blood were loud since he had never done this before. The metallic taste cooled off the aggressive appetite overtaking his mind. Blood accidentally spilled from the corner of his mouth. A bird landed next to them to pick at the fish bones.

"GRRR," Teru snarled loudly at it, spewing red droplets. The intruding pest couldn't have any.

It's mine!

When the bird flew into the forest, he went back to drinking, canines digging into the flesh. His inner werewolf appeared in his thoughts, standing there with barred teeth, encouraging Teru to drink more...and more...and more. Provide for the pups. Healthy offspring. Build the pack. Do whatever it takes.

The arm gently pulled away, taking the blood source. He growled and yanked it back towards him, slurping hard. No one can take this.

"Little one."

His food was being taken again. He purred angrily.

"...Teru."

No, it was his-

"Teru! That's enough!" a voice bellowed. The blood disappeared from his grasp.

The dominant omega turned and hissed furiously at the one who dared to steal from him, his teeth bright with shiny red. He was face to face with an alpha, his alpha, hissing right back. They were both pissed off, purring in short spurts.

Mine, Teru purred.

Kieran rumbled in return, No. I don't have any left to spare. Tomorrow.

Now. Mine. More.

His mate's patience was thin. Kieran showed his fangs, a sign that he wanted this fight to be over. No argument. No discussion. Musky pheromones blanketed Teru, making him tremble. Though he was a dominant omega, this was the dominant alpha in the relationship. The muskiness thickened, demanding submission.

Teru's inner wolf laid its ears flat, prompting him to cower also by breaking their stare-down first. The alpha sensed his compliance and rumbled in a certain tempo, encouraging the dominant omega to calm and retreat. When it didn't, leaving a golden-eyed Teru sulking on his lap, Kieran nuzzled his partner's sweet scent gland.

Mine.

Teru wasn't the one to mentally say this. Kieran had thought of it in his own mind. Their starry trail connecting them had revealed the alpha's strongest desire.

The desire to lick Teru's everywhere. Get rid of the bruises.

The desire to bite the omega's nape to remind bachelor predators that Teru was his.

The desire to kill all who came close to his pregnant mate.

The desire to protect and be a deserving alpha.

Mine. My omega. Mine.

Yours, Teru purred, noting the sudden thickness of mint in Kieran's pheromones. It had vibes of 'don't come near. My mate. Guard. Protect my bigger pack.' Wow, so he wasn't the only one feeling parental instincts? The man was on the verge of guarding, a behavior alphas could be triggered into if their partner needed bodily protection. Evidently, the scent of future pups was his trigger. Kieran was unknowingly displaying signs of guarding, capable of going feral in an instant.

His fangs nipped at the pheromone-emitting site, pleased that there was still mint within. The ache in Teru's groin tightened, making him moan. Kieran liked the pretty noise, rumbling when smelling a faint detection of slick between his legs. The vampire reached up to feel Teru's chest, which would be swelled with milk later-

There was movement between the trees' darkness. It was close enough that Teru's human sight saw it, stiffening at the potential danger. Teru clung harder to Kieran and growled, Intruder. My territory. Must make nest.

Kieran, on the other hand, hissed. He didn't need to look to know who it was. "I said to stay and rest in the car. Don't even think of coming near him, or I'll fucking end you where you stand. My mate is not in the right state of mind to see you, Lucas."