Beta Complex-Chapter 65: I Can Tell This is Driving You Mad.

Ethan raises an eyebrow, waiting for the alpha to give him an explanation. Why is Ethan in his room and not at the hospital? And why did he bring him here without telling him beforehand?

Zander clears his throat and rubs the back of his neck as he stares down at the black comforter. He reaches down to pick at a stray thread, "You can receive better care from my family doctor rather than at that hospital." The excuse feels lame as it leaves his lips, but it’s also the only one that makes the most sense.

Ethan frowns, "Okay." He says and then, "But why?" Why would the alpha go out of his way to help him after he ignored him at Leo’s fashion show? Isn’t Zander upset with him? He bites his lip, he sure acted like it.

Zander sighs, "I couldn’t bear the thought of you getting mid treatment. Just let me do this okay?" He picks up the glass of water and takes a drink. He wishes it was alcohol instead, but doesn’t bother to get any.

"And my mother?" Ethan asks with furrowed brows. "Does she know I’m here?"

Zander winces, "I haven’t told her yet."

"You haven’t?" Ethan gasps and then coughs, whimpering when his neck flames. He reaches up with his uninjured hand and rubs at the cast. Just how long will it take for him to heal? "Let me call her, she must be worried sick."

"You mustn’t tell her where you are though. She’s not allowed to visit. Not yet." Zander says, his voice firm. Who knows if she’ll end up telling the omega.

"Why not?" Ethan frowns, scanning the alphas’ hardened face. There has to be something more to this, "What aren’t you telling me?"

Zander sighs, his dark eyebrows pinching together. "Drink some more water," he passes the glass, straightening out the straw, "You must still be parched."

Ethan gently pushes the cup away and stares at him, "Tell me, please." Ethan won’t budge.

Zander taps his forefinger against his knee as he puts the glass back down. Then he puts his hand over Ethan’s and squeezes. He half expects the beta to pull away from him, remembering the last conversation they had, and is relieved when Ethan doesn’t. Instead, he turns his hand over and links their fingers together. Zander can’t help but perfume the air between them, his pheromones thick in the air.

While an omega would be scenting him just as much, Ethan remains oblivious to it. "I believe someone purposely made an attempt on your life." Zander finally says. That person being the scheming omega you call a friend, but he keeps that part to himself. One thing at a time is probably best, considering Ethan’s condition.

The heart monitor picks up Ethan’s stuttering heart, and Zander frowns.

"What?" The beta tries to laugh but winces when it causes him pain. His eyebrows scrunch together, because that has to be absurd. "Why would anyone do that?"

Zander presses his lips together. Maybe he should tell him the whole truth. Putting him against Chris would work in his favor, but again, would Ethan believe him? He didn’t try to hear him out when he thought Zander was two-timing him. Why would he believe - Zander flinches when Ethan tightens his grip on his hand, not because it hurts, but because Ethan draws his attention back to his injured self. He hates seeing him like this.

"Hey," Ethan’s voice is soft, "I can tell this is driving you mad. I’m all ears, so please talk to me."

Zander looks into Ethan’s eyes, searching, hoping that the beta will believe him. Then he takes in the cast around his neck and arm. And the matter turns into something else entirely. Why should Ethan have to worry about this? He shouldn’t. Not when he has Zander to take care of everything for him. And Zander will. He promises that.

So, the alpha forces a smile to ease Ethan’s worries, and raises his hand to his lips to give it a kiss.

"You look like you haven’t slept in a while." Ethan whispers, accepting the momentary distraction. "I’m sorry if I worried you." Then he takes a gasping breath. If Zander won’t open up now, then Ethan might as well. "I know about Chris."

Zander goes rigid, his dark eyebrows rising, "You do?" His head tilts to the side, black hair falling into his almost glowing eyes. He does?

"Mhm." Ethan licks his bottom lip, drawing the alphas gaze there, and his skin turns red. "I know that you two were never in a relationship."

Zander blinks, and the tension in his shoulders ease. Ethan isn’t talking about the car accident. He’s talking about what happened before. He turns to look at the wall, the finger that isn’t connected to Ethan’s hand continuing to tap against his knee.

"Right." Zander clears his throat before turning back to face Ethan. "How did you figure that out?"

"Chris told me. I hope you can forgive me. I said some mean things," Ethan peers at Zander through his lashes and frowns. "I underst-"

"Of course I forgive you." Zander chuckles. He reaches up to ruffle the hair on Ethan’s head, pausing when his fingers catch on a knot. He makes a mental note to brush his hair out for him later.

Ethan cutting him off the way he did, feels insignificant now. All that matters to Zander is the beta getting better. Ethan yawns and he blinks up at the alpha.

"The medicine the doctor gave me is very strong." He murmurs.

Zander smiles, "He told me he gave you some that were meant for alphas. It will only put you to sleep."

Ethan hums, "You’ll let me call my mom when I wake back up, right?"

Zander chuckles as his words begin to slur, "Of course. I’ll be right here when you wake up."

Technically it’s not a lie. Zander plans to be back as soon as he’s finished with his agenda. Finding that damned omega is at the top of his priority list, and as soon as he does, he’s going to make Chris regret everything he’s done. He won’t let him off so easily this time.