as fast as you can.

Henry frowned, turning back to sit at the table after Taylor disappeared back upstairs. It was like they were back to square one. Henry was having to teach her everything. He tried not to think about it, not wanting to get angrier. Instead, he focused on his breakfast and ate.

Barely looking up as Taylor reentered the room a while later, he noted how she had gotten dressed and the bruise on the side of her face was much less noticeable. She no longer looked like she had just rolled out of bed. Pushing his plate across the table towards her, he sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Better." He noted as he relaxed back in the chair, watching her as she cleaned the dishes. Henry didn't want to stay put inside all day, but he wasn't sure how he could trust to take her out. Or leave her alone inside. "How does going out today sound? Do you think you could handle that, omega?" He asked her, his gaze narrowing as he watched her. "I need to do some shopping, we could get some ice cream. If you think you can behave yourself?"

Henry wished he was joking, that he didn't have to ask Taylor such questions. It was ridiculous that he had to worry about whether or not he could leave the house with his omega, worried that she might cause more trouble for him.

@ castle.

Henry's comment about her appearance being better did little to help calm her nerves. She swallowed thickly, moving as quickly as her feet allowed as she plucked the plate from the table. She was quiet as she carried it to the sink, unsure of whether she should be the one to break the silence or not. She felt awful, like she was failing at her job as his omega and it was breaking her. She knew that she had made the choice to run away in the first place but things were different now. She realized that there was no point in trying to run again and she was going to do everything she could to prove that to Henry. But it seemed like every time she had a chance to, those hopes were dashed to nothing.

Looking up when Henry spoke, Taylor couldn't help the way that her stomach flipped. He wanted to go out, after the way last night had gone? Taylor hesitated for a moment longer before she nodded her head. Her attention remained focused on the dishes in front of her as she chewed on her bottom lip. "If it pleases you, alpha," her voice came out gentle despite her panic.

Taylor hated this dynamic between them. She felt like she wasn't doing anything right, like she wasn't making Henry happy and that went against each and every one of her instincts. She sucked in a deep breath before she glanced his way, drying her hands off on the towel that hung from the stove. "Did you want my help to get ready?" She offered, trying to hide just how nervous she was. Taylor knew if Henry pieced it together, things could go south quickly.

Henry sighed as she finished the dishes, his eyes glued to her as she turned around, drying her hands vigorously. It was clear she was nervous, the way she refused to look directly in his eye, her scent... Biting down on his tongue, Henry pushed himself up from the table and made his way towards the sink, where she stood.
.
"Sweetie," he frowned, stepping directly in front of her, leaning down and placing his hands on either side her on the sink. Caging her in. He didn't like how she was acting like a frightened puppy. "Why are scared, hmm?" He tilted his head as he looked in her eyes, forcing her to look back at him. "Yesterday was yesterday. You took your punishment and now we can move past it." He kept his voice low. He didn't want his omega living in fear, anticipating abuse at every turn.

Bringing a hand up to cup her cheek, he leaned in lower and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "You don't have to be afraid of me, Omega. I'm here to keep you safe, to protect you." Again, he kissed her, his hands dropping to her hips to keep her pressed against him. When he pulled away, he looked down at her with a little smile. Hoping that did something to calm her nerves.

"Yes, help me get ready. How about you go start a shower for me?" Henry saw the desire behind Taylor's eyes. She wanted to be a good omega, he could tell. She just needed a good guiding hand. He could be that for her.

@ castle.

Taylor's heart skipped a beat when Henry stood, her shoulders pulling together as he closed the distance between them. She was quick to turn to face him, still keeping her head lowered as Henry caged her in. Her heart was racing but she managed to keep herself contained otherwise. She was relieved by that because she knew Henry wasn't ever pleased when she freaked out too much. She whined as he forced her to look up to him, her eyes widened despite her composure.

She wanted to laugh when Henry said he was there to protect her and keep her safe. The only person who had hurt her was him. Taylor sniffled as he leaned down to kiss her again, forcing herself to relax as Henry's hands settled on her hips. She reached up, hesitating for a moment further before she wrapped her arms around his neck. Taylor's nerves started to calm as Henry comforted her, giving a tiny nod of her head as his prompting.

Taylor was reluctant to peel herself away from Henry but she nodded, squeezing the back of his neck before she forced herself to make her way up the stairs. She turned the shower on and made sure to gather a towel for Henry. She decided not to grab his clothes right away because Henry had the tendency to want to pick his own out. Chewing on her bottom lip, Taylor eyed Henry when he appeared before dropping her gaze again. "Did you want me to grab your outfit for you?" She asked, lifting her gaze to his for a moment before she dropped back to the floor between them.

Slipping his robe from his shoulders, Henry wrapped it over his arm as he walked into the bathroom. His shoulders slumped as he watched how her eyes fell to the floor. Still, so sad, like a beaten puppy. Hanging the robe on the back of the door, he moved towards the shower, before he turned to face Taylor.

"Black long sleeve? With the gray slacks." Henry instructed her, thinking for a moment about telling her no. Instead, wanting to reach out and take her hand, pulling her into the shower with him. Perhaps if he hadn't made her already do her makeup and get dressed, he would've.

After his shower, he stepped out and grabbed his towel. Drying off, he walked out with his towel wrapped around his waist. A fresh towel in his hand, one he was running vigorously through his hair. After he found the clothes Taylor had found for him, he dressed and brushed his teeth. Ready to go.

"Come on, sweet girl." Henry tried to cheer her up. He led her out of the house, deciding they could walk into town. They lived in walking distance to the downtown and after Henry would run into the store he needed, he would treat Taylor to some icecream.

@ castle.

Taylor was relieved that today was going so well. Her arm was looped through Henry's as they made their way toward the ice cream shop. It had been so long since Henry treated her to something like that that she was elated. She was so excited, unable to contain herself because she was doing it. She was making Henry happy and he was proud of her. He hadn't said those words but he was treating her to a little dessert. They were going to be eating together, a thing that she wasn't particularly used to.

She nodded at Henry's instruction to find a place for them to sit down. Even still, Taylor leaned up and pressed a quick kiss to his jawline before she twisted around. Off on a search for a table, Taylor sat and twisted around in her seat so she could spot Henry. At first, nothing seemed off as he ordered for them. She was left wondering what he would bring her but she would take just about anything she was offered.

Taylor was far enough away from the line that she couldn't hear what was being said but she certainly saw the way an omega sided up to him. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end as the omega set a hand on his arm, giggling and leaning into Henry's personal space. She frowned as she pushed to her feet, taking.a slight step forward.

Taylor knew that Henry smelled like him, she knew damn well there was no mistaking that Henry was claimed. After their time together the night before, Henry would smell like her for days. She took a step forward, intent on telling the omega off but then Henry laughed and smiled at the omega. Her brows pulled together as she let out a small whine. Several alphas turned toward her, their nostrils flaring as they scented her. A distressed omega would raise alarm from just about anyone.

Knowing that she couldn't cause a scene, particularly when Henry appeared to be enjoying himself, Taylor couldn't stand to watch it. She turned, clinging to her purse as she rushed toward the door. The moment the door behind her closed, Taylor let out a sharp sob. She started running toward their home, knowing that she could get there in a few minutes if she pushed herself hard enough. She needed to get home, she needed to get away from Henry, she needed to.. Taylor whimpered as she slowed to a brisk walk. She reached up to wipe away her tears as she turned off of the main street in town, her gaze lowered as she tried to focus on the only task in front of her. Get home. Get away from prying eyes. Get away from the sight of her alpha welcoming another omega's advances.

Henry watched as Taylor left his side, off to find them a place to sit. His eyes trailed down her curves, admiring the way her sweater dress hugged her in all the right places. His tongue licked over his bottom lip as he pulled himself away, stepping in line to order their ice cream.

He had barely gotten his order out when he smelled something, quite delectable. Not as sweet as his own omega, but still, enticing. It was sugary sweet, like french toast on a cool morning. Still, he was shocked by the omegas direct advances, seeing as Taylor's scent was pouring off of him. It was clear some omegas weren't raised right, and briefly, Henry imagined putting this little pup in her place...

The smile that appeared on his face began to twist into a smirk, as he leaned forward to the little doll and threatened her. He had eaten up her compliments long enough, but he couldn't actually entertain another omega. Henry wasn't that kind of man. Though the advance had still made him feel good. Inflated his ego.

"Oh, I'm not the one you're looking for, sweet little. I'll tear you to pieces," a low grumble sounded from the back of his throat as his smile fell, being replaced with a hardened expression. Henry was very territorial, and in the same aspect, he knew he belonged to Taylor. And anyone who tried approaching him would soon find that out. The young girl all but scurried away, her face bright red from embarrassment, but unfortunately, it had been too late. The moment he caught scent of Taylor's distress, she was gone.

Great, of course she had seen.

Still, Henry felt his fists tighten. Today had been going so well. Leaving the ice cream shop, Henry headed home, knowing that was where she was headed. At least she wasn't trying to run away from him again. Tracking her every step, Henry arrived home. Stopping in the yard, he looked up at the front door, cursing under his breath, worried about what would happen once he stepped inside.

@ castle.

The moment that Taylor burst through the front door was when she finally let her sobs take over. She was trying to get to their bedroom because she knew that she could nest there, she could try to calm down before Henry found her. She knew the moment that he stepped through the door, he'd be angry with her running off but all Taylor could picture each time that she closed her eyes was Henry flirting with another omega. So blatantly, out in public. With each step that she took, Taylor's knees started to buckle and the bedroom was out of her reach. She managed to collapse against the couch, pulling her knees into her chest as she started to rock back and forth. Anything to try and comfort herself because she knew that Henry would be angry. Angry or maybe.. maybe he would tell her to leave. That he'd found a better omega. One that could please him.

Her face screwed up, Taylor covered her face with her hands. Her anxiety was only continuing to worsen when she heard Henry's footsteps just outside the door. She smelt him, smelt his anger and that only made it worse for her. Taylor slid off the couch, to her knees and pressed herself as close to the floor as she could.

Her body shook as she pressed her cheek to the floor, trying to flatten out as much as she could to prove to Henry that she was sorry. That she could do better. THat she wanted to do better. That he didn't need to replace her. She loved him. Her mascara ran down her cheeks in strips, her eyes red and puffy as her nose ran. Taylor hands balled into tiny fists as the front door opened. Taylor wanted nothing more than for the floor to swallow her whole. She couldn't bring herself even to acknowledge Henry's arrival, , her body shaking as she tried to curl in on herself even more, attempting to make herself appear smaller to Henry. A smaller target was more innocent. Or so she hoped.

The only sound Henry could focus on coming from inside the house were Taylor's sobs. They led him by the staircase and into the living room, where he could hear her crying, trembling atop The floor at the foot of the couch. "Why are you always crying, my little omega?" Henry sighed, his shoes clicking against the wooden floor as he entered.

He was angry, denied another comfortable outing due to another one of Taylor's outbursts. Her emotions had won her over again, she couldn't have just sat at the table and waited for him. No, she had to overwhelm herself and leave. Stepping up to her, he clicked his tongue, forcing himself to calm down. Only remembering how he felt when he had caught her speaking to Adrian. Jealousy never looked good, but he knew the feeling all too well. And could he really ask Taylor to not be territorial? Would he even want that?

Slipping down to his knees, Henry slid his arms under the shaking girl and pulled her close to him. "My sweet little thing, please calm down." His head leaned forward and be nuzzled his forehead against hers, his best attempt to calm her for the moment. "You are mine and I am yours," he tried to assure her. Keeping her pressed firmly against his chest, he lifted himself to his feet and turned back towards the stairs.

Heading towards the bedroom, he ran his fingers through her hair and pressed soft kisses all over her face. "Did it upset you that badly?" He whispered as he packed her into the bedroom. "She only complimented me, I sent her away." He assured Taylor, but still, he could smell the strange omega. A quick whiff of powdered sugar. So sweet. Looking down at Taylor, he was quick to gentle lay her down in his bed. Falling to his knees once more, he pulled Taylor to the edge and pressed his face into her neck. He planted little kisses, but for the most part, he was just there to indulge himself in her scent. The sweetest of all.

@ castle.

Taylor visibly flinched when Henry started to kneel down. She pushed herself backward, against the couch because she was so sure Henry was going to beat her like he had the night before. She had been jealous and she knew that. It was her fault. If she had been a better omega, Henry wouldn't have flirted with the other omega and she wouldn't have felt like such a failure. Taylor should have tried harder but now, he was finding solace in someone else. Someone who wasn't going to run away from Henry when things got a little harder than she could handle.

Henry lifted her into his arms and she barely paused long enough to let Henry nuzzle against her forehead before she had buried her face into his neck. Her nose pressed into the crook as she cried, desperately trying to calm herself with his scent. She sagged against him, her strength being drained from her as she wrapped her hands into the fabric of his shirt.

"Alpha," Taylor whined, sniffling as she squeezed her eyes shut, tears rolling down her cheeks. "'m sorry," she mumbled the words, nodding at Henry's question. All she could picture when losing Henry to an omega who would be proper, like he wanted her to be. how would she handle that? What she had tried to do to Henry was suddenly what seemed like a very real situation she would have to deal with. Relaxing into his arms when Henry set her on the bed, Taylor didn't hesitate as she reached out and wrapped her arms around him, just wanting to be as close to him as she could be.

'm sorry 'm not a good omega," Taylor mumbled, choking back a sob as the panic spiked again. "please don't replace me," she forced the words out, her stomach twising into a knot now that she had actually put them out there.

Henry hated how Taylor had been sobbing against his neck as he carried her up the stairs. How the moment he set her down in the bed she seemed to crack a little. When was the last time she had come to him for comfort? "Oh, no..." He whispered, wrapped his arms back around his small love. He hugged her tightly against his chest, his cheek pressed against the side of her head. "I'm never going to get rid of you, baby." He pulled away slightly, just so he could press a kiss to her forehead.

His hand slid up her arms, and he held her still as he pulled away from her. Standing to his full height, he looked down at her and placed his hands on his hips. "How about we nest?" It had been something Henry has stripped from her. It wasn't something he had ever done his household. Even growing up, his father hadn't allowed his mother to do it and even though he never truly knew why, he had kept the tradition. It didn't seem necessary.

But now, looking down at how upset his omega was, listening to the sob that threatened to break in the back of her throat. Taylor was trying so hard, but she wanted to cry and for once, it had been from something Henry had indirectly done. He hadn't meant to make her jealous. He failed as an alpha. He would never be able to apologize for it, but he could do other things...

"C'mon, you nest? I'll help." He held his hands out for her, hoping the invitation seemed enticing. He supposed she could've been nesting during the time she was gone from him, but he knew he had put a stop to it early in their relationship. So, he was hoping that by suggesting it, it would help cheer her up. Helping her off the bed, he steadied her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Find a good place? Ill get her some blankets."

@ castle.

The whine that Taylor let out was pathetic when Henry stood up away from her. Her bottom lip jutted out as she looked up, trying to calm herself down. When Henry suggested that she nest, Taylor’s face faltered slightly. She couldn’t help but wonder if this was somehow a test that she needed to pass because if she didn’t, would Henry be upset with her?

Her gaze dropped from Henry’s and it was clear that she was trying to sort out how to answer him. It wasn’t until Henry prompted her a second time that she gave a hesitant nod of her head. “O-Okay,” she stuttered as she started to look around the room. Henry walked out of the room and she started tiptoeing around, checking the closet before she decided that it wasn’t what she wanted. Chewing on the inside of her lip, Taylor found herself tiptoeing toward the corner of the room by the window.

Taylor huffed, wringing her hands together as she looked up from the floor when Henry reappeared. She had not nested when she was away from Henry because she had been on suppressants so that took her heats away and because Henry had ingrained in her that nesting was a bad habit.

Was the corner okay? Dragging in a shaky breath, Taylor raised an eyebrow. “T-This... here?” She stumbled over her words as she tilted her head to the side. It had been so long since she nested that she wasn’t even sure if she would be able to calm down as much as it was supposed to help her. “Or... or the closet, too,” she added, rubbing her eyes because they were red and sore from how hard she had been crying.

Henry had first disappeared upstairs to the hall closet. They kept spare blankets and pillows there and the alpha wasn't sure if his omega would want fresh unscented sheets to nest with or the ones from their bed that smelled like him. So he made sure to grab some of both. He didn't come back down into the living room until his arms were piled high with anything she could possibly want to build her space with. He nodded to her first suggestion, knowing it was best to let her choose wherever she wanted. Henry dropped the blankets into a pile on the floor and stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest. The thought of her nesting did make him uncomfortable. It was something no one in his family had ever done. He didn't know about the benefits that could come from nesting and he had never really cared to learn, but it was something he could feel his inner alpha was telling him to help her do. So he would.

"I.. brought these from the bedroom too," he pulled from his pocket a folded up photo of her family that she kept on the dresser and one of his old bracelets he used to wear. It was the only thing he remembered about her nests before, the few times she had nested at the beginning of their relationship. She had loved having little trinkets and things tucked away in the blankets. Maybe Henry didn't like her nesting because of the way it had made him feel, inferior. It was a place he had no dominion over. It was hers, a place she could invite him into if she wished, but it was all for her. In his mind, he should be the only thing she needed. Whether it was to calm her down when she was upset or sad, or when she needed to be taken care of in the midst of a heat. All she should need was him, so he didn't understand the purpose of needing to nest.

But he hated seeing her so broken. Even now, it was hard to stare into her bloodshot eyes and force a smile as he offered her the gifts for her nest. "I hope these are okay?" He lowered his head to press a kiss to her forehead, before turning his attention back to the pillows and blankets. "How do you want this?" He asked, puzzled as he began to just shift the blankets around on the floor into some sort of a makeshift bed in the corner.

@ castle.

Taylor hardly looked up when Henry appeared, her stomach twisted into knots as she squeezed her hands shut. Her nails dug into the palms of her hands as she tried to fight back the urge to panic. Nesting was wrong. It was bad. She wasn't supposed to do it - Henry had made that much clear. He'd been uncomfortable with it even in the beginning before things had gotten worse between them. before she had started being afraid of him. Taylor never understood why but she had accepted it at first, she had just nested in private. Until Henry had forced her to move in with him and he'd stripped her of the right to nest. Staring down at the blankets, Taylor tried so damn hard to resist the urge to start rearranging them. All she could picture was Henry being angry about coming home to find her nesting. But he was standing right beside her and he was supporting her. He was offering to help.

Taking a tentative step forward, Taylor was just about to kneel when Henry produced the photo and the bracelet. Taylor's face lit up at the sight and she couldn't help but purr as she stepped forward, leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek. She wished she could tell him how much it meant to her but Henry had never been very good with his emotions. She settled on giving his hand a squeeze before she turned and knelt in front of the blankets, where she started pushing the items around. Taylor shifted backward before she huffed, her shoulders sagging at the mess in front of her. None of it was right. absolutely none of it. She reached forward and started ripping apart the nest before she started pushing the unscented blankets beneath the others.

When that didn't work, and Taylor pulled one of the unscented blankets that Henry had been trying to rearrange for her, toward her, she realized why. She gulped as she looked up to him, her eyes widened as she pushed it toward him. "C-Can.. you scent this?" She tested in a low voice, unsure of how Henry was going to react to her. it was nerve-wracking to think about, that even if Henry was offering her the chance to nest.

It was like a system, Taylor would push an unscented blaket at him and place it down with the rest of the scented items while passing another one to him. When she was finished, Taylor was satisfied. She reached over, blindly as she grabbed Henry's wrist before tugging at it. "Here," she murmured, pushing him into the corner of the nest that she had made. It was cushioned with plenty of the blankets, as well as the pillows and cushions from the couch so she was sure it would be comfortable enough for him. The moment that Henry was situation, Taylor had all but launched into his side, her face buried against his neck so that she could soothe herself with his scent so strong.

Henry could feel the frustration that was rolling off of Taylor I'm waves. The way she would push the blankets and pillows around one way, only to huff and rip them apart again was somewhat adorable to him. But he couldn't enjoy it when he felt just how distressed she was. He took the clean sheets she held up to him in his hands and nodded, answering her without even thinking about it. If she needed him to scent every single pillow and blanket, he would. Whatever would make it easier for her to nest. Henry rubbed sheet after sheet against his neck until Taylor was satisfied.

He wasn't expecting her to want him to bother her nest, but he also wasn't going to decline her invitation. Crawling into the little nook she had made, Henry propped himself up against the pillows leaning against the wall and did his best to relax. If anyone had seen this, especially his parents... But did that matter? Especially when Taylor curled against his side and seemed so peaceful and relaxed.

"You're already looking like you're feeling better, Omega." His fingers ran through her hair as she cuddled against him. Henry still wasn't about to take any responsibility for the situation, even though he knew it was his own fault she had been upset in the first place. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her against his chest and cradled her closely. Just because he couldn't apologize didn't mean he couldn't praise her though.

"You know I could never replace you, right, Omega?" Henry pressed soft kisses along her forehead, down her nose. "I chose you. You're mine." He could feel his heart drop into his stomach, knowing he had done something to make her question her position in his life. No matter how badly she ever messed up, she would always been his omega.

@ castle.

Taylor gave a shy nod of her head when Henry pointed out that she was already beginning to feel better. She all but wanted to cry with the relief of being able to nest without fear of getting in trouble. "Happy," she spoke in a whisper, her fingers wrapped so tightly into the fabric of his shirt that her knuckles were turning white. "Safe," she added, her body already melting into Henry's side. She was sure that she had never felt this content before.

Until Henry mentioned never replacing her. Her scent soured as she. whimpered, seemingly trying to meld herself against him. Taylor only pulled away from him so that she could tug his shirt up his body. The moment his was pulled free, she did the same with hers. The skin on skin contact would hopefully help her to continue to calm. "'m not a good omega. I'm bad," Taylor voiced, refusing to look up at Henry as she cuddled closer to him.

All of the times that Henry told her that she wasn't being good enough, that she needed to do better, that she wasn't being a goo omega. That she wasn't fulfilling any of her duties to take care of him. If another omega came onto Henry and proved that they could be better... would he stay true to her? Taylor had never worried about it before but she found herself overthinking just about everything at the moment.

"Wanna do better," Taylor said, her voice cracking slightly. She could feel tears welling in her eyes all over again and she tried desperately to stop it, biting into her bottom lip to keep from letting herself break down.

Henry's hands ran down Taylor's bare back, trying to enjoy how smooth and warm her skin was. It was hard when she was almost in tears in front of him. "You are not a bad omega." Henry frowned, wrapping his arms just slightly tighter around her. She had done bad things and gotten into trouble, yes, but Henry wouldn't say she was a bad omega. She just made...huge mistakes, often.

He didn't understand why she would be so upset about it, though. From his knowledge, she had never wanted to be a good, proper omega before and she had intentionally run away from him. Before she had tried leaving him, Taylor never tried to submit. It was always an argument as to why things were the way they were. To see her so upset about not pleasing him... He wasn't complaining, at all. Just surprised.

But he wasn't going to say she couldn't do better. Lowering his head, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "You just have to control your emotions better, listen to me better. Specifically in public," He murmured, gently pressing soft kisses around her face to calm her down more. "But don't ever think I would replace you. I would never." Henry assured her, his hands sliding down her sides, over her hips. He held a tight grip on her, wanting her to feel secure against him.

@ castle.

Taylor couldn't ever remember being this upset about pleasing Henry. She had always wanted to argue with him about the way he expected things done and she had for a while in the beginning. Toward the end of their time together, she had been nothing short of an abused puppy - afraid to so much as glance toward him without Henry telling her to. Now, things were a mix of the two. She thought that if she pleased Henry and showed him that she could be a good omega, that he might be kinder to her.

She was sure it was the very real idea that Henry had another omega come onto him that caused this reaction. Even with her scent all over him, Henry had others looking at him. Her stomach twisted at the thought as she looked up to him. Her eyes were still wet with tears but she had managed to contain them, for the most part. "I'll never do anything to upset you again," she mumbled, a promise she was making to Henry just as much as she was making to herself.

---

It was a few hours after Henry had left for work that morning, with the promise that he would be home tonight. Taylor had been reluctant to see him go but she knew that no amount of pleading with him would stop him from going so she had kept her concerns to herself. She'd only experienced one heat since Henry had found her but she was almost sure that her heat was coming in. With the hour, the cramping had started and she started contorting on the couch, curled into a ball as she tried to ignore the pain. The sweats that became inevitable and soon enough, all she could think about was Henry and henry coming home. She whined, lifting her head and looking around the room. She wanted desperately to call him but she had no way to reach out to him so she eventually settled on bringing their blanket from the bedroom downstairs to curl up with. It wasn't quite a nest but it would do.

There was a knock at the door and Taylor forced herself to her feet, whining as another shock of pain rolled through her. She forced herself over to the door, thinking it was Henry because surely it was - but Henry wouldn't have knocked. By the time that she could think clearly enough to realize that, Taylor was already pulling open the door.

Adrian stood at the door, his fist still poised as he knocked. When he heard shuffling around on the other side, he dropped his hands into his pockets and put on a devilish smile as he waited. It wasn't hard for him to know Henry was away on a call, and that he would certainly not be making it home tonight.

At first, Adrian's intentions had been pure. He only wanted to check on Taylor. It was clear to him that she wasn't being treated properly, not to his standards of how an omega should be treated. But when the door came swinging open, the gust of air scent Taylor's scent washing over him. Her scent was already strong and enticing. Amplified by being her being brought on certainly didn't help. His gaze darkened as he looked down on the young girl, feeling warmth pool in his gut and his cock twitch slightly. Did Henry know she was in heat? And he had left her anyways?

"Taylor," Adrian breathed, just about the only greeting he was able to get out. His straightened his posture, puffing his muscular chest out just a bit more. His inner alpha wanting to impress her, to come off more strong and attractive. And then, suddenly, all of his good intentions went flying out the window. His eyes draped down Taylor's frame, the way her blanket was wrapped around her tightly and beads of sweat were forming across her forehead. Her eyes looked wild and he just knew she was in the thick of her heat. "Henry wanted me to come check on you," he lied, "he won't be coming home tonight. Busy with a call. Can I come in?"

Before Taylor could even answer him, Adrian had pushed himself inside. Right by her arm. His strong hand rose, slinging the door shut as he looked down on the omega. "Oh, omega..." He smirked, locking the door behind him. "Left all alone in your heat? I can help with that." A smirk was pulling at the corners of his mouth. Taylor was becoming nothing more than prey to him. Closing the distance between them, he took her in his arms, his lips pressed against hers in a second. This was incredibly dangerous for her. When Henry would come home the next day, and he would smell Adrian's scent in his home, on his omega... She would be in danger.

That didn't stop Adrian from wrestling the girl into the kitchen, ignoring her pleadings and her cries. "I'm just helping you with your heat," Adrian insisted, forcing Taylor to bend over the dining table as he ripped her panties down her hips. In seconds, his cock was freed from his jeans and the alpha was having his way with Taylor, her cries and screams going unheard.

@ castle.

The colour drained from Taylor's face when Adrian appeared. She started to shake her head, even before Adrian had asked about coming inside because she knew that she was in danger. The slick pooling in her panties was just another reminder of her heat and the fact that Henry wasn't here to help her through it. She bit back a whimper, deflating at the knowledge that Henry wasn't going to come home tonight. When would he be done? When would she have relief? Before she could react to him, Adrian was pushing himself inside the house. Her eyes widened as a wave of panic washed over her.

There was no way for her to ignore Adrian's demeanour and the way that his gaze darkened. Her grip tightened on her blanket as if it would protect her from Adrian's advances. Her stomach churned as her gaze dropped to his hand twisting the lock on the door. "Y-You need.. need to leave. Right now," Taylor voice wavered slightly. She felt absolutely ridiculous, knowing that there was no way for her to fight Adrian off if he didn't listen to her.

Taylor began to stumble backward, whimpering as Adrian pulled her into his chest. She began to squirm, pushing as his chest "A-Adrian.. stop. Y-You can't.." she whimpered as he dragged her into the kitchen. Taylor started to scream as loud as she could as tears started rolling down her cheeks. She had knocked over a small table by the front door in the process, sending the bowl and items from the table all over the floor. Taylor flailed, trying desperately to get away from him. She kicked out at him, letting out a sharp sob as Adrian pressed into her.

It seemed like forever before Adrian had left her alone, curled into a ball beside the kitchen table.

---

Taylor had cried herself to sleep right there on the kitchen floor. She felt so violated, sick to her stomach thinking about what was going to happen when Henry finally came home. He was going to be so angry, he was going to hurt her. He was going to leave her, he was going to send her right on over to Adrian's. He would kill her - there were no laws outright forbidding an alpha from killing an omega.

It was only an hour or so before Taylor found herself jerking awake, looking around wildly because she was terrified that Adrian was still there. That he'd found his way back into the house and he was going to have his way with her. Just the thought of mating with someone who wasn't Henry made a pit open in her stomach. She let out a sob, her nails digging into her sides as she thought about how mad she was sure Henry was going to be. She should have tried harder to stop Adrian, she shouldn't have opened the door. She should have locked herself in their bedroom the moment that she had realized she was in heat.

She had failed. Again.

Dragging herself up the stairs, Taylor made her way into the bathroom. She wanted nothing more than to nest right now. Taylor wanted to wrap herself up in the blankets on their bed and be comforted by Henry's scent until he could arrive home. But there wouldn't be any chance of comfort in Henry came home to find her nesting in their bed - he'd be angry. Nesting wasn't something she was supposed to do. She knew that.

She lowered herself down in front of the toilet, emptying her stomach as fear consumed her. Taylor wished she could call Henry, beg him to come home but instead, she found herself crawling into the shower and turning the water on as hot as it could go before she started scrubbing her skin raw.