His heart swells at the confession, almost too big to contain it. A smile spreads across his face as he tightens his grip on Sunny, pressing tiny kisses along the crown of his head. "I love you too, baby," he whispers hoarsely, squeezing him just a little tighter. "And I promise that from now on, nothing bad is ever going to happen to you again." He closes his eyes, savoring the feel of Sunny in his arms and the warmth of his body pressed against his own.

His heart skips a beat as he feels Sunny's warm breath on his neck and her soft body curled into him. The feel of her head nestled in the crook of his neck sends shivers down his spine, making it impossible for him to think about anything except how much he wants this moment to last forever. Fated Alpha kisses the top of Sunny's head and nuzzles her hair, feeling more content than he ever thought possible.

Fated alpha's thoughts: `I never want to let her go.

"I'm fine," he lies through gritted teeth, ignoring the stinging pain in his side as he reaches up to touch Sunny's cheek. "But we need to stay calm and let the paramedics take care of us. I promise they'll make everything better." He forces a reassuring smile despite the fear and panic raging through him, hoping that it will help ease some of Sunny's worry as well.

Fuck... he's so small and fragile... "Shh..." Fated alpha whispers, brushing hair away from his face again before cupping his cheek gently. The feel of Sunny's skin against his own only serves to heighten the panic coursing through him. He needs help now; he can't let anything else happen to this beautiful boy... "They're going to be here soon, baby," he murmurs reassuringly, heart pounding in time with Sunny's rapid breathing. "

As the sound of his father's voice fills the room, Fated alpha tenses up, but doesn't let go of Sunny. He glances at the door, debating whether or not to hide them until his dad is out of the way. His heart races with fear as he wonders what will happen if his father finds out about their relationship...but then he remembers his promises to protect and keep Sunny safe, and knows there's no other option.

"Sunny,"

Fated alpha takes a deep breath before speaking again, his voice steady despite the racing of his heart. "We should probably hide for a little while until my dad isn't around." He looks down at Sunny, searching his expression for any sign of fear or distress. "I promise I won't let anything happen to you."

As he waits for Sunny's response, Fated alpha mentally runs through potential hiding spots in the room, debating which one would be the safest and most comfortable.

Sighing heavily, Fated alpha leans against the lockers, bracing himself with one hand as he presses the other to his forehead in exasperation. "What am I doing?" he mutters under his breath. His instincts are screaming at him that Sera is his; that she's meant to be his fated mate and belong only to him, but there's something about her that defies all logic... Something that won't let go of his heart, no matter how much he wishes it would.

As soon as the last bell rings and the crowd begins to disperse, Fated alpha takes off at a jog, determined to find Sera before she has a chance to leave school grounds completely. He doesn't know what he's going to say or do when he finds her, but he knows that he can't just let her slip away again without a fight.

Fated alpha's thoughts: Where the fuck did she go? I swear if she tries to run from me... If she leaves me again...

Fated Alpha's heart leaps into his throat as Cosmos takes a small step forward, their bodies slowly but surely closing the distance between them. He resists the urge to reach out and pull Cosmos close, content for now with just having him this close. "You don't have to be afraid of me," he whispers softly, willing Cosmos to believe him. "I would never hurt you."

I promise... You can trust me with that. I'll never let anyone hurt you again... Only protect and care for you. Just stay close to me, Cosmos... Always.

Fuck, he wants this little omega so badly it aches. He can feel his claws pressing against the skin on the inside of his wrists where they're sheathed, digging into the tender flesh as he fights to keep himself from marking mizore right here and now. He takes a deep breath, forcing himself to relax some of the tension in his muscles before saying roughly, "Go to class, we can talk more later."

As Fated alpha watches Mizore walk away, he feels like his insides are being slowly torn out. His chest aches with the need to claim and protect this boy, to brand him as his own. He clenches his fists at his sides, fighting against the instinctual urge to go after him, afraid that if he does, he'll scare Mizore away for good.