twenty

their present...

***

Jeremiah stood before Tate's house, looking down at him as he looked up at him in a panic. Mainly because he didn't want him to think that he had done anything to Ivan.

The person who was passed out in a room he was able to unlock. He stepped aside, nodding in.

"I don't smell him."

"He told me that he used as much pheromones as he could on you to make you pass out. That...he wouldn't be able to emit pheromones properly for a bit. That's why you don't smell him, but..." Tate inhaled shakily as Jeremiah was now inside and waited for him to finish. "He's unresponsive."

Jeremiah didn't say a word, looking away from him as he nodded for him to show him the way. Tate didn't hesitate to do so as he took him to the room Ivan was in.

Just when he was about to open the door, it flew open. Ivan looking right up at Jeremiah in disturb as his head whipped back onto Tate.

"How could you? I told you what I was trying to do-!"

"You were passed out in my house! I'm not trying to get in trouble!" Tate exclaimed in frustration as he saw how panicked Ivan was.

Jeremiah still remained calm, looking only at Ivan.

Ivan looked back at Jeremiah, his eyes instantly looking away from his. He could tell that he was upset, even thought he looked completely calm.

"I would like to talk to Ivan," Jeremiah tells Tate, looking down at him for a moment, "and I will do it in here."

"But-."

"But nothing." Jeremiah glares at him, Tate instantly nodding as he backed away.

Ivan became startled by the lack of kindness that came off of him. And when he began to step towards him, he backed up in an instant. Only for Jeremiah to close the door and keep his eyes locked onto his.

The silence was making Ivan more nervous, forcing an awkward smile on his face.

"I...I was only gone for less than twenty-four hours. You're making this a way bigger deal than it needed to be. I'm trying to help you and you're doing the most."

"I'm doing the most?" Jeremiah questioned him sharply, and Ivan laughed awkwardly. "What's so funny?"

"Sorry...I didn't mean to say that. You're not doing the most, but I am trying to help. You won't let me help you unless I'm gone. I was trying to disappear and you are still chasing after me. Why won't you let me help you?" Ivan asked him in frustration.

Jeremiah now came towards him, grabbing Ivan's hands. Bringing him closer to him, he pressed Ivan's hands to his face.

As Ivan watched him run his hands on his face, he looked so relaxed by them. His eyes opening to peer down at him. Only to yank him close until their faces were inches apart...still holding onto his hands that he had to his chest now.

"You could try to disappear all you wanted, but I'd just find you all over again." Jeremiah murmured, grinning when Ivan shook his head in disbelief. "I'm serious."

"I know you are, that's why I'm just...at a loss for words. I don't know why you won't let me let you go." Ivan drifted, remembering what the Luna had said. How...the Luna's who once controlled the Omegas and Alphas were inseparable.

The Alpha one...went down with him because of how bonded he was to him. That he was always going to protect him no matter what.

Even if they weren't them anymore...they once were so long ago. Now they were someone entirely different - if any different at all.

Ivan lowered his eyes from him, beginning to think more about it. How the story - the curse - was really working. Where...did it start and where did it end?

She said it ended with them dead, but where does that become set in stone? Is it running away or is it staying with him? Or if he lets Jeremiah fully take control once again...would that change things?

"Because we were made for each other, of course. I can't see myself with anyone else but you. I do not want...to give up on what we have. You are forgiven by me, I can't let you go and won't let you run from me because you think you're helping me. You're only making it worse...running away. I feel like I'm slowly dying when you are apart from me. It drives me crazy...not knowing if you're okay because we never truly mated to each other." Jeremiah confessed softly, grinning down at him.

Ivan just remembered that they weren't mated to one another. His hand went to the back of his neck and he looked up at him, seeing Jeremiah stare down at him softly.

"You can do so much better than me, don't waste your time. Let me go-."

"Stop saying that!" Jeremiah exclaimed in frustration.

Ivan pulled his hands away from his, shaking his head because it wasn't fair to Jeremiah. To the person he loved, he wanted to help him...even if it meant they'd die again.

"But-."

"What if I begged you to stay?"

Ivan looked up at him, Jeremiah's hands gripping his arms. They pulled him close as he let his lips trail up his neck. Only to kiss him softly on the lips.

He looked within Ivan's eyes and saw them. His scent that oozed with want for him too. Jeremiah nodded gently, and he could feel his own pheromones. He could feel them more clearly than he had before.

Ivan was told by the Luna that he wasn't supposed to run away...but now he wasn't sure if it mattered. After hearing what she said, he was concerned if he was doing anything right.

He now felt like no matter what he did, they'd still die together and just be reborn to suffer the same fate. Until it's done right...whatever that 'right' is.

The longer Ivan took to respond, the more impatient Jeremiah grew. That impatience came with the increase of pressure. The pressure that was close to releasing.

To being unable to let Ivan be his 'Alpha'. Because he was his Omega, and he'd do anything to keep him.

"No..." Jeremiah began to breathe, shaking his head as Ivan looked up at him. He brought him so close that Ivan found himself having to go onto his toes just to stand up right.

As Jeremiah had brought him so close he was almost lifted from the ground.

"You're going to stay. You will listen to me." Jeremiah pushed Ivan against the wall, lifting him from the ground as Ivan's legs went around his waist. "No more waiting. I have done things your way and look what it's gotten me? Look what it's gotten us?"

Ivan began to feel his cheeks become warm, his body becoming hot under Jeremiah's stare. The way his body held him and their faces only inches apart.

This heat in his body wasn't the normal kind though... He could tell.

"What has...it gotten you?"

"Pain, suffering, sadness, frustration, wanting." Jeremiah listed off slowly. "And for you: self-hatred and denying yourself the forgiveness you sought after in the first place."

Ivan nodded in understanding, his eyes lowering as he felt his legs around his waist loosen. Now he wondered if this was...it.

"Then...are you going to leave me-?"

"If you still see me as an Omega - somewhere deep in your mind - that's fine." Jeremiah nodded, chuckling as Ivan looked up at him in surprise to him interrupting, "I couldn't care less. For I now believe I understand what it means to be an Alpha. Just by looking at you, I want to keep you close to me. I want to protect you, hold you, impregnate you...bond you to me, mate with you to make you mine so that everyone knows that to be true. There's...there's a lot of things I want Ivan, but what I want most is to be the Alpha you deserve."

Ivan could feel himself getting wet, his hands beginning to shake on his shoulders. He had to swallow a lump in his throat in fears of when he spoke...that he'd sound some type of way.

He didn't realize how much...he liked hearing that.

"What does that...have to do with me seeing you as an Omega? Even when I don't anymore?" He asks breathlessly, beginning to grasp onto Jeremiah more desperately as he wanted to be closer. "Tell me..."

Jeremiah smiled, capturing Ivan's lips hungrily. Kissing him deeply as his tongue entered his mouth, rubbing against his. Ivan held onto him tighter to feel Jeremiah's hands run up his back to pull him closer.

Just for Jeremiah to pull his lips apart from his, biting his lip. Ivan

"I'm your 'Omega of Domination' now."

From those words alone, Ivan felt a chill run down his spine.

"Or should I say, can I be-?"

"Don't ask me." Ivan interrupts quickly as he began to pull him closer. His legs tightening around his body to draw him in even closer. "Just do what you want, yes...please... Tell me what you want."

Jeremiah stared down at him, his lips tightening together at the sweet scent that emanated off of his body. How desperate his hold on him became and he struggled to stay upright.

"I want you to stay with me, and...and let me call you mine. Not just by word of mouth, but by..." Jeremiah faltered, becoming embarrassed at asking.

He just let Ivan onto his feet as he turned him around, his hand gripping the back of his neck gently. As he softly pressed a kiss to his nape, where chills rippled throughout Ivan's body.

"Can I?" Jeremiah breathed against it, his arm hooking around Ivan's waist as he brought his body against his. Kissing his nape gently and completely unaware of how much he unraveled Ivan's being. "You can say no, I'll respect your-."

The door flew open, and Tate looked to see the predicament they were in. Where Ivan was held against him and looked like he was about to melt right then and there. While Jeremiah's lips hovered above his nape, only for his eyes to narrow onto him.

"What are you two doing?"

"We were just leaving." Jeremiah pulled away, grabbing Ivan's hand as he was about to walk them away.

Only for Ivan's legs to become weak as he lost the ability to control them. Jeremiah able to catch him in time, and Tate already knew what was happening.

That was why he opened the door. He could smell Ivan's pheromones that were similar to a Heat. It was fully a Heat yet, but it was getting there. Mainly concerned that they were going to have sex in his home, he intervened.

Except now he wondered if he should...help Ivan.

Because if he lets Jeremiah leave with him, they will end up having sex. And from there...by the look Jeremiah had on Ivan and where his lips were, they were going to mate.

"Wait," Tate went to help Ivan, pulling him away from Jeremiah who looked at him like he was crazy, "He's...He's about to start his Heat and I don't think it's safe for him to leave with you in this predicament and with the issues you both are having."

"You don't think it's safe? I'm his husband, and he's mine." Jeremiah got into Tate's face, causing Tate to become afraid as he began to falter under his glare. "Don't overstep yourself. He couldn't be any safer."

"I...I am an Omega and I understand this much better than you! He was trying to get away from you to help you-!"

"And who brought me right to him?" Jeremiah interrupted him sharply, causing Tate to inhale just as sharp.

"I know! And that...that was my mistake. As an Omega, I should've had his back. If he's trying to get away from you for your own protection, who am I to get in the way? So, I can't let you leave with him in this state. You will only...get yourself deeper into the mess that was about to be cleaned up. And...I care."

Jeremiah stood there calmly, his eyes glancing over at Ivan who was still out of it. Tate held onto him while Ivan didn't even hold onto him.

"You care?" Jeremiah murmurs, looking back at Tate who began to nod.

"I do. I care about...how this will turn out for the both of you-."

"Don't act like you truly care. You're only trying to stop anything from happening because you know what will happen. Accept it, I will never let him go." Jeremiah pulled Ivan away from him in an instant, picking him up into his arms. And instantly, Ivan's arms and legs wound around him, holding onto him tightly. "It's people like you that make this harder. Because you won't mind your business. What I decide to do, is by my choosing."

Jeremiah got closer to Tate while holding Ivan, his hand going up Ivan's back as he gently gripped the back of his neck. Softly kissing the side of his neck as his fingers trailed his nape, Tate became red at the complete dominance that took over his eyes.

Then Ivan's moans into Jeremiah's neck to his actions, Jeremiah grinned down at Tate.

"Ivan told me I can do whatever I want." Jeremiah bit his lip, holding Ivan closer as Tate's legs became weak by the pheromones that enveloped them. "And I will do just that."

"But-!"

Jeremiah turned away, rushing out of Tate's house as he went to the car. He set Ivan down into his seat and when he went to get to the drivers side, he saw Tate blocking him off.

"Tate you are being ridiculous-."

"I am not! Don't do this to yourself! Ivan is trying to help you and now that this has come, you are more influenced by him! Don't let him do this! We all care about you! I...!" Tate became frustrated as he held tightly. "I love you! Don't...do this."

Jeremiah stood there, looking at Tate as he breathed heavily and looked up at him desperately. He approached him and softly set his hands onto his shoulders.

Tate felt like he might've gotten to Jeremiah, only for him to be shoved aside as he got into his car. Quickly driving back home, trying to keep himself together as Ivan's scent filled the car.

He knew, somewhat, that Tate had a point.

This...was it.

If he did what Ivan told him to do, which was to do whatever he wanted to him... Then that would mean he'd not only have sex with him, but he would also mark him to make him his entirely.

He wasn't used to being able to do whatever he wanted. Except so far, he has been doing whatever he has wanted to do.

Staying away from Ivan to process his feelings, only giving Ivan what he wanted as ready to give, and ultimately making his own choices. When concerning Ivan, ever since the 'blessing' was removed - he has been making his own choices.

Yet Ivan was too, and Ivan's choices ultimately decided what choice he would make. Now there was none of that.

When they arrived at home, both of their parents were there. Never having left as they were with Luka. Jeremiah carried Ivan inside who still clung to him, everyone seeing the predicament he was in.

They all thought exactly what Tate thought.

"Are you going to give him medicine?"

"Why would I?" Jeremiah asks quickly, trying to suppress the amount of breaths he took in of Ivan's scent. He knew if he continued to inhale it, he couldn't control himself.

"This is the worst time. Do the right thing."

Jeremiah looked down at Ivan, seeing him looking up at him. His eyes full of want for him too...and he didn't want to suppress that.

"Ivan and I both want this. This feels perfectly right to me."

As he said that, Luka looked at Ivan. Seeing how out of it he was, he didn't like seeing them both this way. All he wanted...was for his mommy to be happy. He was about to speak until everyone went still.

As if frozen in time, Luka looked around in a panic only for the Luna to appear right in his face. His eyes widening in shock to see someone so beautiful.

Only for the Luna to glare at him, and his amazement turned into a blank stare.

"Are you done?"

The Luna stood before Luka, looking down at him in disgust. She found herself enraged because she finally caught him in the act.

Of influencing things to be in Ivan's favor. Just by his presence alone, it was affecting how others chose to respond. She came just in time before he spoke and manipulated Jeremiah once again to not do what he truly desired.

"Ivan and Jeremiah...are about to fix the curse. Jeremiah is so close to feeling like an Alpha again and Ivan is giving himself to him, as his Omega. None of that...nonsense you placed into his mind-."

"How am I wrong? For thinking our mother can be much more than what he was?"

She flinched hearing a toddler have such a deep voice. He remained in his child form, raising his eyebrow at her as she looked so disturbed.

"You did not have that right. You're the one that influenced those thoughts into his mind. He was happy the way he was-."

"I was in our mother's mind, deep down in his thoughts, he questioned if he could ever be more than what he already was. I just helped him realize his potential...and you punished them for it. Now, they have been with me longer than they were ever with you-."

"I know what you're doing." Luna got in his face, glaring into his eyes as Luka remained still. "You will stop. You will not influence Ivan's mind again. He will get better, and then they can come back home. And you will stop trying to encourage the same events that curses them to this fate again and again."

"Or what?"

Luna shook her head, stepping back as Luka began to sigh.

"Or...I'll have to get rid of you."

"You can't get rid of me."

"Yes I can. You no longer have your powers, you gave them all to me-."

"You made that assumption. If I had given all of my powers to you, then how have I kept influencing the same story and balance each time?" Luka questioned her as her eyes widen. "Why do something now? You set this in stone, nobody else. I'm just helping you keep it so."

"You're...way out of line. You have no right-!"

"And you had no right punishing what could have been. You didn't even know what the end result would've been." Luka looked away from her, looking at his parents. "These are my parents. Your parents have been gone for some time. Let me help my parents-."

"They are my parents too. They always have been and always will be. Even if they have been reborn as many times as they were, it changes nothing." The Luna shook her head as Luka rolled his eyes at her. "How can I trust you? You've been influencing this so that they never truly fix a thing while they are trying to. How do I know that if I unfreeze everything...you won't try to ruin what they've worked towards right now?"

Luka doesn't say a word, looking at his parents. The way Jeremiah held onto Ivan and Ivan held onto him. It was obvious...what was to come.

He also knew that if they went back, even if he went back with them, Luna wouldn't accept him back too. I mean, that's the whole reason why things became this way in the first place.

Because he helped his mom see his potential as an Omega of domination, that he didn't need to be what he was all the time. It left him unable to make any decision.

"Hello?" The Luna spoke, looking at him in annoyance as Luka just stared on. "Answer me-."

Luka unfroze time in that instant, the Luna gasping as she let herself disappear at that moment too. Everyone continuing on as normal, Luka remained silent as Jeremiah looked down at him.

The way he grinned at him, he came towards him as he held Ivan, "Is it okay if you stay with your grandparents for a little? I need to help mommy feel better, okay? He'll be better in no time."

Luka didn't say a word, hugging Jeremiah's leg as he nods.

"Okay!" He squealed, his voice back to the way it was before. A toddlers voice that swayed hearts. "I trust you! I just want...mommy happy."

Jeremiah smiled down at him, everyone unaware of how frustrated Luka was right now. Because none of them knew a thing.

"Me too...but he soon will be, I promise."

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↳ ❝ [ i will be updating this once a week (all depends, but at least, every five days). i want to keep people wanting more- 🙇🏽‍♀️. did i succeed? ] ¡! ❞

yep.

it's that crazy. 🙂‍↕️

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