unspoken secrets.

After Stephen had laid Sadie's limp body down in the bed, he had gone about the rest of his evening. As if his omega wasn't laying in the bedroom, swinging between life and death. He knew she would wake up, but it might be a while. Stephen focused on his homework and showered, before he came to bed and slipped into the sheets next to her. He even pulled her into his side, as if nothing was wrong at all.

The next evening, he expected Sadie to continue sleeping, but when he heard the bedroom door creak open, he shut the English book he had been reading. Sitting up straight, he sat forward and pulled the sleeves of the cardigan up that he wore. Stephen was ready to completely give Sadie a new chance. He was a fair alpha, he liked to think. If an omega disobeyed and took her punishment, then all was settled. Now, if Sadie repeated her bad behavior, that'd be something else.

"Omega," he breathed, a small smile pulling to his face, "you're awake." Pushing himself to his feet, he closed the distance between himself and his omega and gently sat his hands on her shoulders. Giving her a gentle squeeze. "How are you feeling? Still sluggish and sleepy?" Her eyes were slightly yellowed, and he could see the tears that she was trying so hard to hold back. Running his fingers through her hair, he was willing to give her a bit of slack.

"Why don't we order in tonight? Let you rest up just a bit more. You can start showing me that you've learned your lesson tomorrow. How does that sound?" He hoped Sadie wouldn't take advantage of his kindness.

@ castle.

If Sadie had realized that she had slept for an entire day, she probably would have broken down in tears. She was already so on edge because she had thought that she was late even starting tonight's meal. When Stephen stood, Sadie had to bite back a whimper as she shrank in on herself. Her entire body shook as he neared her, her fear tainting her scent. Stephen was going to lash out at her for what she had done, late with starting their meal. That had to be what this was. That was the only thought running through her mind as Stephen's hands settled on her shoulders. Sadie flinched, lifting her gaze to meet his. Sadie blinked rapidly, desperate to stop herself from crying because she was afraid of how he would react.

Sadie could only convince herself to shrug her shoulders when Stephen asked how she was. She sniffed, her bottom lip wobbling despite her best efforts as she hung her head. She balled her hands into fists, her nails digging into the palms of her hands in an effort to calm herself down. Sadie wanted nothing more than to wrap herself up in the blankets on the bed, the closest thing she had to a nest here at Stephen's home. Sadie had never been brave enough to, knowing some alphas frowned upon the practice.

Resisting the urge to step closer to him, not wanting to push her boundaries anymore, Sadie gave a tiny nod of her head. "I-If.. if that's what you want," she explained in a low voice. She would do whatever Stephen wanted because she had been so afraid of never seeing her mother again. Her mother never seeing her again. She had been afraid that her mom would never even find out the truth and that had made her sick to her stomach.

"Or.. Or I can cook," Sadie added, not wanting to even try to limit Stephen's choices.

Stephen was actually pleased when Sadie didn't answer with a simple yes. He knew she had to feel like death warmed over, and the fact that she was still willing to cook for him if he requested it... Good. He hoped this wasn't just her reaction because her punishment was still so fresh in her mind, though he doubted she could forget such a traumatic experience.

He brought his hand up to brush his fingers over her cheek and then forced her closer so he could press a kiss to her forehead. "How about Chinese?" He moved away only to head into the kitchen, where he kept a few take out and delivery menus magnetized to his fridge. Being a college student, and an alpha who didn't really care to cook, he relied heavily on takeout. Pulling the menu off of the fridge, he looked back towards Sadie.

"What's your favorite? We can get whatever you want, omega." He knew being nice now wouldn't fix anything. Offering her however much yummy food she could desire, wouldn't instantly make her fall back into his arms. But Stephen was hopeful that one day Sadie would come around. He wanted to be feared and respected, but he also wanted her to love him. Just as he loved her. He would serve her endlessly, protect her and make sure she had everything she could need or want. He had the means to take care of her. If she'd only behave herself.

After she picked something, he called the order in and was told delivery would take about 30 minutes. "Perfect, thank you." He smiled as he hung up the phone. Laying his cellphone down on the counter with the menu, Stephen came back out of the kitchen and moved to sink back down on the couch. His books and homework were strewn across the coffee table and he'd need to pick it up before the food came. "C'mere, omega," he called for Sadie to come to him.

@ castle.

Sadie let out a sharp whine, taking a tiny step closer to Stephen then he brushed his fingers against her cheek. it was so clear to her that she had been punished and if she didn't do as he said, it could happen all over again. She didn't want to suffer the consequences of that. The first time had been more than enough for her. Plus her inner omega felt a pull toward Stephen that she couldn't deny. He had claimed her, he was her alpha. He meant comfort, even if she was afraid of him. If she just behaved as she was supposed to, how an omega was meant to... then he wouldn't be so upset with her. Right?

Nodding her head at the suggestion of Chinese, she lifted her gaze from her feel when he held the menu out to her. She was admittedly in a strange place, starving with no appetite at all. Would it be wrong to tell him she didn't need food? Would it upset him? Sadie decided it was the last thing she should do, figuring that Stephen wanted to provide for her. He was her alpha, it was natural. If she just understood what was normal, maybe she could adapt properly.

"Um, sesame chicken," Sadie supplied in a low voice. "A-and some chow mein if it's not too much," she offered after a moment of silence stretched between them. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her body as she studied Stephen, trying to anticipate his next movements. She was hopeful that what she was doing was right by his standard but she was still hesitant, afraid of doing the wrong thing. Sadie didn't move from her spot in the doorway of the hall until Stephen called out to her.

Sadie was by his side as quick as her legs would allow, chewing on the inside of her lip. "H-Here.. let me.. pick up," Sadie stumbled over her words as she moved to sit on the edge of the couch cushion, doing her best to keep his notes organized as she started to pick up the coffee table. When she finished, Sadie settled her hands in her lap as she lowered her gaze. "I-Is... it okay if I.." she trailed off, her shoulders curling in on herself as she spoke. "Can I.. have one of your shirts?" She decided that something like that was simple, that she could find comfort in it without making Stephen upset with for trying to nest. She didn't want to do a single thing without his permission.

Stephen watched her rifle his notebooks and papers together, as well as his study books. Neatly stacking them together and hiding them away carefully in his bookbag on the floor. Perking an eyebrow up, he was admittedly a bit shocked by her request. She...wanted one of his shirts to find comfort in? To be swallowed up by his scent. The thought made his heart jump and before he even answered he was back on his feet. "Of course."

Holding his hand out to her, he wrapped his fingers around hers and guided her back to their bedroom. It seemed his punishment was already working wonders. Perhaps, finally, it was getting into Sadie's head that if she just made him happy, she'd be happy too. "Let's see.." He dropped his hand from hers once he stood in front of his closet. Pulling the doors open, he pushed most of his clothing to one side. The majority was button ups and nice henleys, a few v neck t-shirts, but in the back he had a few more casual tees he usually just slept in or wore to things like football games.

Stephen pulled out an old, faded red shirt from his sophomore year in high school. It still fit him nicely, though it might be just a bit small on him now. It would still swallow Sadie, enough to where she could wrap up in it and be as comfortable as possible. It had his class year and the old school logo and was the oldest shirt he still had. His scent was practically one with the threading. "Here," he pulled it off the hanger and held it out to Sadie. "Does this look comfy enough for you?"

@ castle.

Sadie had taken a deep breath and held it as she waited for Stephen’s response. She could have cried from the emotion she felt when Stephen agreed to her request, quick to take his offered hand. She followed after him, her stomach twisted into a firm knot as they stepped up to the closet. Sadie shifted her weight, her eyes catching on the corner of the closet. She all but preened, forcing her attention back to Stephen before she could get carried away.

Quiet until Stephen held out his shirt, Sadie all but ripped it out of his grip. She nuzzled against it, unable to stop herself from pouting when she had move away from it so that she could peel her own shirt off. Sadie breathed a small sigh of relief once she had pulled it on, the material enveloping her. It hung to her mid thighs and for once, Sadie didn’t mind at all. It was a comfort that dulled her need to nest.

Sadie huffed was she yanked at the collar, until she could press her nose to the fabric. Her body visibly relaxed before she froze, realizing just how silly she must have looked to Stephen. It was the most vulnerable she had ever been with him. The shirt dropped from her fingers as she cleared her throat. “‘M sorry,” she murmured, chewing on their inside of her lip. “D-Did you... want me to.. do anything else before our food comes? I can get some plates and drinks ready,” she supplied after a moment. Sadie was simply trying to find something to focus on so that she didn’t get in her own head too much.

Stephen stepped back when Sadie jerked the shirt from his grip. She looked so excited, so eager to get her hands on it, it shocked him. It had to just be her instincts, but Stephen wanted to tell himself it was something more. Watching her rub the fabric against her face, bringing it to her nose so she could make sure his scent was there. In that moment, she didn't look terrified or worried sick, afraid of what mistake she might make next. Sadie just looked like a happy omega, enjoying her alphas scent. The look of her caused his heart to beat faster and once the shirt was draped over her body, he felt his cock pressing against his jeans.

His shirt looked like it belonged on her. Falling down her thighs and enveloping her like a warm hug. Stephen was almost salivating looking at her, and it had all been brought on so suddenly. "Omega, don't apologize..." He breathed, ignoring her question. They had to have plenty of time before the food arrived, plenty of time for him to... He stepped closer to her, his hands reaching out for her sides. They fell to her hips and he brought her against him, lowering down until his lips crashed on hers. It was an overwhelming desire he couldn't ignore, he just hoped it didn't scare her.

Driving her back until she was pressed firmly against one of the walls of his room, Stephen continued to sprinkle her face with kisses. Along her lips and over her cheeks, across her jaw... Her scent was impossible to ignore, wrapping around him and making the urge that much more unbearable. Watching her find so much comfort in his scent, it sent him over the edge. He needed her, but he didn't want to rip the shirt away from her right after she had slipped it on. Not after seeing how excited it had made her. Instead, he just pushed his hands under the fabric, letting his fingers slide around the waistband of the little shorts she was wearing. Pushing them, along with her underwear, down her hips, Stephen nipped and bit at the sensitive skin of her neck. "Mmm, god, I need you, Sadie..."

@ castle.

When Stephen didn't answer her right away, Sadie couldn't help but let her nerves start to get the best of her. She lowered her gaze from his, afraid of how he wasn't answering her. When Stephen reached forward and pulled her close, Sadie realized all too quickly what was coming. She knew what Stephen was getting at and she wasn't about to tell him no. His lips pressed against hers and she realized that she didn't want to tell him no. she shivered as she pressed herself closer to him, desperate to feel him against her body. Sadie needed to know that she was doing at least something right because the nagging fear of messing up was right there, in the back of her mind.

"A-Alpha," Sadie whispered, tilting her head upward to give Stephen more skin to kiss. She rocked against him, biting down on the inside of her lip. She breathed lowly, her face heating as Stephen pressed her back against the wall. Sadie squirmed as Stephen pushed her shorts down, wiggling her hips so the material would fall down to her ankles without their intervention. "Please. Need you. Please," Sadie whined, her desperation only continuing as she lifted her legs so that she could wrap them around his waist. Tugging at his shirt, Sadie gave a shy little smile as she dropped the shirt over his shoulder. Her hands roamed his chest, her excitement only growing as she started to rock her hips against his. "Please, alpha. Want your cock," she murmured, leaning forward to nip along his neck.