Chapter 8 - Unexpected
January 11, 2011
I could feel the soft breaths of air caress my neck and the little tickle of facial hair that he was starting to sport. He hadn't really grown much facial hair until more recently.
His scent had fully bloomed as well, the jasmine and vanilla being a bit stronger and my ability to sense different emotions had improved.
I reminisced on the holidays while we laid here, him still asleep.
The holidays had been a bit stressful. Castiel had never celebrated either Thanksgiving or Christmas and the owners he had before hadn't included him.
We did both Thanksgiving and Christmas away from my home because if Cas needed to leave for any reason, I needed a safe space to bring him too.
He had one small panic attack on Thanksgiving, but we didn't leave. Taking him to the rear of Bobby's house, and away from the myriad of smells, had helped calm him down. He insisted on staying.
Seeing his reaction come Christmas was amazing. The wonder and enjoyment of Christmas lights and decorations; it was like watching a child see them for the first time. Presents were new and he seemed disappointed that he couldn't shop for me, so on a whim I suggested that he and Sam shop. He liked Sam and they got along well, their shopping adventure had gone well. Even Garth, who was his shadow that day, said Cas did well. Sam had chosen places that were small and not super busy as well.
He shifted beside me and snuggled closer. I leaned down and kissed the top of his head. It was still nice to wake up snuggled next to my mate. Even if he didn't quite understand we were.
He'd recovered fully and there were no more bruises, cuts, or any irritation. All of the places had healed and with very minimal scarring. He had gained weight and didn't look so fragile anymore. He looked healthy. He was healthy now.
He hadn't had any heats though. We had discussed what he wanted once he understood what was normal. He was okay with the sex but requested no markings, no bites and that we use precaution because he was not ready for pups. I agreed with that aspect because I wasn't ready either.
He admitted the following day that while he did enjoy the hand job, he had felt overwhelmed. He'd also felt guilty that he hadn't been able to help me at all. He hadn't made any moves on me. I didn't expect it though.
One thing he had liked very much was just being touched. He admitted that the previous alphas and his parents hadn't really been touchy and when they were, it often hurt. He liked that my touch hadn't hurt.
So, I backed away from the sex aspect. He could be shown how amazing it was when he was ready. Instead, I focused on touch. Massages, general touches and kisses. But I had avoided lips so far.
He shuffled beside me and I giggled. "Morning sunshine."
"Morning, Alpha."
I still rather loved being called Alpha by him, it really never gets old. He shuffled a little closer before tilting his head up.
"Pancakes?"
I chuckled. "We can make pancakes today. You have PT at eleven. Do you wanna get ready while I fix them or do you want to fix them with me."
"With you. I will have time afterwards."
I nodded and it still took us both several minutes to motivate ourselves to get up. After bathroom breaks we headed to the kitchen where he started to get ingredients for the pancakes and the fruit for the topping.
He had gotten good at helping in the kitchen. He was great at measuring, mixing, and even pouring. He had cooked some small items as well. Not enough that I felt comfortable just handing him the reins though.
Aside from the pancakes I fixed some bacon and eggs, a well rounded breakfast. He also cut up strawberries to top the pancakes.
Being overly full didn't help the desire to get moving and get ready, but we had to. He chose comfortable sweatpants and a t-shirt, and I went with dark washed jeans and a gray Henley.
We made it with ten minutes to spare, but they called us back. Once his normal trainer was with him I looked at him.
"I'm going to step into that side room and make a call to my boss. I will stay in front of the window and you know what to do if you need me."
"Yes, Alpha."
I gave him a quick kiss to the forehead and then headed to the room. Doing exactly like I told him, staying in front of the window. I called Jody who answered on the second ring.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Checking in. Getting concerned you aren't sending me the get to work texts. It's been months, Jody."
I heard the sigh. "I told you last year in the hospital, your assignment was to ensure he was safe. You can't do that if you are here and he's alone."
"I didn't think you meant I'd be off indefinitely and be paid."
"I have you listed as an undercover agent, you're checking in and reporting. Bobby signed off on it; even the mayor signed off. Your job is secure, Dean."
"The mayor...Jody, what are you not telling me?"
"Hold on."
I heard rustling and then a door shut. There was more paper rustling before she came back on the line.
"Alastair didn't flip. Not that anyone expected him too. He's being charged of course and we have the evidence needed to charge and convict him."
"Yeah, it makes sense. But the mayor?"
"The others that were arrested did flip once they realized the extent of the charges. One in particular was there when Castiel was dropped off."
"So, could he vouch for his story?"
"He did. He also said Alistair was only supposed to keep Castiel, punish him daily but no knots. He was allowed to let others use him but only non alphas."
"So he lied about that to me, no shocker there. But why sell him to me then?"
"Michael didn't pay him the full amount. He was behind and decided your payment was enough to compensate. But that's not all."
I watched the physical therapist walk Cas through some more warm ups.
"What is it?"
"Michael. The guy said that Cas was not the only person he brought there. Some were younger than him. Some are older. The mayor thinks that Castiel may know more about this whole ring than we do. He made Castiel top priority but we expressed that Cas was in no state to be questioned that deeply. He was held captive for years."
"Right. He hasn't mentioned anything to me either."
"He gave us time and agreed that Castiel's life was in danger. We're digging up information on Michael and anyone associated with him."
"That's good. I guess being home all the time is nice. I've cleaned."
We both laughed at that. I saw the guy move Cas to the bench and work on core muscles for a bit. His time here was limited to an hour but the guy was great.
"How is Cas? He did great during the holidays."
"He's doing well. Working on gaining muscle back now. He's gained weight, looks better. Ellen sees him next week for a more complete exam. He hasn't had a heat yet or come even close."
"How did you handle your rut in December? You never mentioned that or how he handled it."
I blinked, my rut had been due in December. But, it never came.
"I didn't have one. I guess I need to call Ellen."
"May want to. But you're good on my end. Take this time and let him heal."
"Thanks, to all of you."
I hung up and gave Cas a thumbs up, which he returned with a small smile. They had moved to arms now. I dialed Ellen who actually answered.
"Cas okay?"
"He's fine. Can't I just call?"
"Sure but you know it's office hours and never do."
"Touche, he's fine. But, I didn't have a rut in December. Is that okay?"
"It makes sense really. Your mate isn't feeling well and physically not able to have pups at the moment. You know that. He's your true mate Dean, your body will respond to him now too."
"Okay. I've just never missed one but that makes sense."
"Still no heat symptoms?"
"None. I thought for a moment last week but nope."
"I'll make sure to do a scan next week, to make sure those assholes didn't do permanent damage."
"Thank you. Can you..." I trailed off.
Cas had stopped moving on the machine mid-rep and his facial expression had become concerned. I cracked the door and heard someone yelling up front.
"I gotta go, somethings wrong."
I hung up and tucked my phone away and I went right to Cas. "Sweetheart?"
"He came for me," he said.
"Officer! Officer Winchester! We need you up front."
That was Carol, one of the front desk receptionists. I turned to her and could see panic in her eyes. It was clearly an alpha I could hear out front. She was back here so it was unlikely that Michael had heard her call me Officer. I turned and kissed Castiel's forehead.
"Stay here. Do not leave his side."
I gave the physical therapist a stern look before I headed to the front. I could hear some man yelling.
"He is my omega and you will get your ass up and go get him right now!"
"I'm sorry Sir, I cannot do that." Julie said.
"Yes, you can. Novak is my omega and should be in my care. You will go get him."
"You aren't authorized," she stated.
Julie was a strong alpha and it showed. I could see the man now, tall and very handsome looking. Short clipped hair, expensive looking suit. I couldn't tell his true eye color because red was swirling around a dark color, could be brown. Julie was standing tall and not backing down to him though.
He slammed down a handful of papers. "This is proof that he is my omega! You will bring him to me right now!!"
The problem with that was ownership papers had been abolished before I was born. So, even if he had anything that indicated he owned Castiel, they are unenforceable and at times illegal to have. I slowed and could see her rifle through, a social security card and perhaps a birth certificate were among them. Legally, those belonged to Castiel as he was over 18 now.
She was still looking through them when I laid my hand on her shoulder. "I've got it Julie. Please, go in the back with the patients. Make sure they remain back there."
"Yes, Sir."
She turned and headed to the back, papers in hand, despite his protests about that. I looked at the Alpha, I was sure this was Michael. The man Castiel claimed was his owner.
"You are?" I asked.
"Michael Williams. I want my omega now and those papers. Both belong to me."
That was super bold to state, but he didn't know I was an officer or who I was. "I'm sorry Mr.Smith but legally the law does not allow you to own anyone, therefore neither truly belong to you. So, unless you have a mating or marriage certificate, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
His eyes blazed red. "Who the fuck are you?"
"Officer Winchester, Lawrence PD. I'm going to have to ask you to leave the property. You are upsetting the patients and staff."
"I'll leave when my omega is here and in my custody."
The jasmine and vanilla crept in followed by a sharp burnt vanilla scent of fear. "Master. I'll go, just leave them alone."
Castiel's voice was low and clearly had fear in it. Before Cas could move past me though I stepped into his path. Blocking him with a solid wall of alpha, I heard the slight inhale as he stopped
"Castiel, go back to Julie. Now."
"But..."
There was a slight growl before I glanced back at him. "Now."
I saw him inhale sharply. "Yes, Alpha."
"He is coming with me. Come, Castiel. Don't make this worse for yourself. You've already violated several rules and that will not do."
I saw Cas take a few steps back but when those words registered the deep growl erupted from my throat. That was a direct threat to my mate and when I turned my eyes to Micheal he stepped back.
Burnt wood wafted all around me and I barely registered Julie telling Cas to come with her.
"You will not touch him ever again. Get out before I do something you regret."
"He will be coming home with me. A proper hand is what he needs and you can't stop me."
He began to advance toward me and that wouldn't do. I rushed him, hitting him dead center and knocking him back away from the door and onto his ass. I then towered over him.
"You will never lay hands on my mate. Not ever again."
He blinked up at me from the floor, the red still lingering a bit, but clarity was showing in his eyes. He pushed back a few feet before he got up and left. I remained here for several minutes watching the BMW drive away.
I then took a few minutes to calm myself down before I went to the back. The moment I was through the doors I had an armful of omega. The jasmine and vanilla scent tickling my nose and calming my alpha down.
"Hey, sweetheart. It's okay."
His arms tightened and I detected that undercurrent of fear. I maneuvered us to a bench where I sat down and he just straddled my lap, wrapping his arms around me tightly.
"He's a bit shaken up. Is that man gone?"
"He is. He shouldn't be back."
"He kept asking for him and we know you are the only one allowed to take him from here. Not that you've ever left his side."
I felt a slight shake and just tightened my grip. "Thank you, Julie."
She laid the papers down on the bench, then she and Carol went back to the front. The physician, Frankford I think was his name, signaled they were done and vanished to his office.
"It's okay, Castiel."
He tightened his grip again and I just resigned to sit here a bit. It was fine, my alpha needed this as well. Needed to know he was safe and protected.
He finally pulled back after thirty minutes. "You said I was your mate."
Shit. I could very well lie but there was no point. He had heard me say those words and I couldn't take them back now. I didn't want to either.
"You smell like a mate to me, like home. I wasn't sure if you were aware of that or the scents."
"I knew you were different. You stopped me. Even though he could have hurt you. My initial instinct was to listen and go with him, but then you gave me a direct order and it was like his command was forgotten. Is that normal with mates?"
"It can be, yes. Your instincts are following your Alphas commands over any other. But, it usually occurs in situations such as that."
"Good. I didn't want to go."
"As long as I have anything to say about it, you never will go back to him or anyone else. How about we get home? I think we can both use the familiarity of it right now."
"I agree, Alpha."
He got up carefully and I got the papers she had gotten from Michael. We said our goodbyes to the staff and then went home. It was a nice feeling being home, Michael wouldn't dare come here and I'd watched for his car on our way home. Making sure he didn't follow us.
Once home he went to change into clean clothes and I laid the papers down to see what all he had given her. His social security card, birth certificate and an ID were present. All things Charlie had found but it was nice to have originals too.
The other two pieces were from a seller. One was the initial sale from his parents to a Mr. Asmodeus Green and then the same from Mr. Green to Michael Smith. The papers from his parents did not indicate his subgender but indicated some basic training, the same was mentioned in his selling paper to Michael but also included his subgender and the number of partners, which at the time was zero.
These were valuable and I put them in a safe place right away. Jody would want them as evidence. But, I wasn't sure if they would be admissible given how they were obtained.
Castiel came back out in a pair of loose fitted gray sweatpants and a gray over-sized shirt. His scent remained the same. We fixed a quick lunch and when I sat down to find a show he followed, he chose my lap to sit in.
"Well, hello."
His eyes drifted down. "I still feel a bit off, Alpha."
"It's fine, cuddling with you is my favorite pastime now. But let's not tell anyone else."
He didn't lean in for scenting though, just sat there. He kept looking from my eyes to somewhere down and then back up. "Cas?"
His eyes moved up and I smiled at him. Watched the adorable little blush creep across his face at being caught. But I didn't expect him to act!
His lips felt soft against mine and tasted a bit sweet. It was quick and chaste but my Alpha preened at the kiss and wanted more.
"I'm sorry..."
He started to move but I caught his hips and pulled him in closer. "You have nothing to be sorry for Castiel. Is that what you wanted? A kiss?"
"Yes. I've been curious for a while but...you've kissed every place but a few."
"I wasn't sure if you wanted a kiss on the lips. I was certain other areas are off limits for the time being."
"I wasn't sure either. Until today when you got in my way. When you stopped me."
I moved my hands to his face, gently cupping his face and pulled him in for a real kiss. Sweet and chaste, but a little longer than his. I felt him just relax into me and he kissed back.
"Better?" I asked.
"Yes, Alpha."
A simple kiss turned to more and before long I could smell the sweet scent of honey around us. But I kept my hands in safe places and eventually he did move to my neck and relaxed against me.
"Alpha?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"This is...normal, correct?"
"What do you mean? That we're cuddling, yes."
He didn't lean up but did move a bit. "I mean...not wanting more even if our bodies say we do. My body wants more but my head doesn't. Is that..okay?"
Ah! I considered my reply before I squeezed him tight. "Yes, it's okay and it's normal. Your mind still remembers the bad things and feels that if you act, you'll be hurt like before. Your body responds to the stimulus provided. Why do you ask?"
"You seem to truly value consent. I know you can feel my body react but you don't force it."
"And I never will. My grandpa fought for omega rights and to make people see they are no different. He helped shape a lot of laws revolving around rights for Omegas and Betas. I was raised with a family that saw every person as equals. Their primary or secondary genders did not matter as long as they were good and decent people."
"How come some don't follow that?"
"Grandpa told me when laws were passed, it was hard for people to let go of what they perceived as normal. Back then it was normal for omegas to be seen as breeders or slaves to alphas, it was legal to own an omega and to buy and sell at will. Those laws were abolished and most became illegal to do. But it took generations to get there and it'll take generations to undo it. We've come a very long way toward equal rights and protection, but you've witnessed the bad side. The side where they still believe in those old laws and still feel like it should be the same way." I paused for a moment. "There are also people who see money and that's all or they are just assholes."
"Master Green was about money and power. He bought an Alpha from my parents and they gave me to him. He wasn't pleased."
"I bet not. Illegal trafficking can bank more on fighting alphas."
"He told me their death was my fault for not being an alpha. I know they are my parents but I didn't really feel any different. It wasn't like the parents of other kids who loved them, I knew mine didn't."
I closed my eyes and tried not to cry at that statement. "Parents should love you. I'm sorry you had a shitty childhood. But perhaps you'll allow me to show you a much better future."
He hummed as a response and I felt him nuzzle my neck. I smiled and tightened my hold on him. I wanted to tell him that I would love him like they didn't. That I would make sure he was well fed, had a warm bed and all the love he ever wanted. But I knew he needed time to accept those facts.
Eighteen years of being abused would not be undone in a few months.