(BL)Alpha Made-Chapter 304: We’re all idiots here

As time ticked on and Richard was only getting better and better, Andrew and Maxwell had to come to a realisation that they weren’t dressed for work. They would have to go home and get some fresh clothes, but Maxwell wasn’t in a rush.

He was already working away on a laptop that someone from the secretary team had provided for him. Andrew was a bit surprised it wasn’t Mr. Newman, but Maxwell said it was ’his time’ and Andrew didn’t ask anymore questions.

That was all he needed to know.

Ford and May finally were bullied into going to sleep by Richard, and Richard had a long chat with Rose and Jordan privately before they headed on their way as well. Andrew spent more of his time waiting his turn speaking with Dr. Liu so that he could learn about what he needed to know when it came to an omega manifestor versus an alpha manifestor.

Richard hadn’t manifested as a dominant omega, so that was one good thing for him. He wasn’t going to have the same issues that Maxwell had, which meant, hopefully, things would go smoother. It was also a good sign that when he had woken up he hadn’t reacted to Andrew’s pheromones.

The small amount that Andrew had emitted when he was overwhelmed in the doorway could have been enough for Richard if he was sensitive, so that was a good sign for him. With that said, Andrew and the rest of the team, were noticing that Andrew’s pheromones seemed to have a different reaction for most omegas.

Andrew didn’t want to put any weight behind that because they didn’t have a large enough pool to work from, but it was a good sign for Andrew that he would not cause Richard any discomfort while he was living with them and adjusting to his new way of life. If Richard was anything like Andrew, it would for sure take a month for him to settle in.

If he wasn’t stubborn, it would take him about three weeks. They would want to keep him longer just to help him integrate into a newer, smellier environment, which Andrew whole-heartedly agreed with. They had lots of medication that they could give Richard to test, which Andrew wasn’t going to be bitter about, maybe just a little salty, but that was fine.

There was a reason that Richard worked in the alpha department, so that he could help work on this imbalance. Unfortunately, all alphas had a damn chip on their shoulder. Andrew thought it was stupid and foolish, but that was just his opinion.

Dr. Spencer, who had noticed Andrew’s face when talking about all of the options for Richard, had laughed. Then she had suggested that if he was so bothered, he could just become the poster child for the alphas who do get testing. What better way to get the word out then through another alpha?

Andrew didn’t actually hate that option, but he’d want to wait a little longer. When he felt more confident in himself, and so that he didn’t overflow his already critically low on man power department. Dr. Spencer had agreed, her expression lighter after their conversation.

Obviously, this was a stressful time for everyone, and Andrew was greatly appreciative of their help during this time. Andrew made sure to let the ladies know that he appreciated all that they were doing. He knew that Richard was a colleague, but that didn’t matter. They were still doing a wonderful job and he was sure that his family appreciated it.

Dr. Liu and Dr. Spencer were thankful for his praise, and Maxwell made sure to let them know that he was also grateful for their professionalism in the face of one of their friends, managers, and someone that the whole team relied on went through a sudden change in their life. It did not go unnoticed.

Maxwell’s words might have had more of an impact than Andrew’s, but that was to be expected. He was their boss, their CEO. His words would always carry a bit more weight.

Soon, it was Andrew’s turn to speak with Richard, and Andrew could feel how the energy in the room shifted. As Rose and Jordan were leaving, Rose pulled Andrew in for a hug.

"Thank you for everything, Andy. Truly. You and Max are...life savers. I...I don’t know what we would do without you here." Rose told him, squeezing him tightly before kissing him on the cheek, ruffling up his hair, and heading to Maxwell to thank him as well. Andrew gave Jordan a hug before he headed into the room.

It was different when it was just the two of them. Richard’s expression was hard to read. He wasn’t giving anything away as he sat in his bed, his back pressed against pillows. He looked...smaller. Tired. Worn.

Andrew didn’t know what to say, so he just pulled over a chair and sat at his side. They were silent for a long moment.

"Thank you for calling me an idiot." Richard finally said. "I think I needed to hear it, especially from you." Andrew glanced up, meeting Richard’s gaze. Richard looked nervous, a little anxious, and Andrew could only feel sympathy for him.

"I’m sorry I did. I shouldn’t have. Your whole life has changed, and instead of supporting you, I got mad." Andrew’s mouth was turned down in a frown. He did feel a bit bad about that.

"You didn’t get mad right away. You supported me when it was important, and then yelled at me when you knew that I was okay. I don’t think you’re giving yourself enough credit for when I was on that stretcher." Richard told him. "You also called me out when it first started, and I was brushing it off. In fairness to me, I’ve never been around people who manifested before. I don’t remember what Rose was like, and you didn’t really talk about what the beginning was like, and who the hell was going to take your beginning as what everyone else went through anyways?" Richard joked but Andrew just swallowed.

"I can’t help but shake the feeling that this was my fault." Andrew said and Richard stared at him, his eyes widening.

"Your fault? How?" Richard asked, stunned. "How are you able to think this is your fault? Where?" Richard asked and Andrew stared down at his hands. They were in his lap, fiddling with the skin on his thumbs. He was trying not to make eye contact because he was embarrassed. It was a silly thought but that didn’t mean he didn’t have them.

"I...What if I’m the reason you manifested? Like, being around me is the reason you manifested?" Andrew suggested and Richard didn’t laugh him out right away for his thoughts. He sat with it for a long moment, before he spoke.

"Okay. If that was the case, why didn’t Dr. Piper and Dr. Cox manifest as well?" Andrew hadn’t considered that before Richard brought it up. He had been too busy worrying that he was the reason for Richard’s problems that it hadn’t crossed his mind before.

"I, uh, I don’t know?" Andrew offered and Richard chuckled.

"You don’t know? Yet you’re suggesting that you’re the reason that I manifested? Andrew, I didn’t take you for such a fool, but then again, fear does do some crazy things to your mind." Richard’s voice was kind, and Andrew felt his face flush in embarrassment.

"It’s not a crazy thing to say. I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging, but I’m a true alpha and-" Richard’s laughter filling the air had Andrew shutting his mouth. Andrew felt his whole body heat as Richard continued to laugh.

"No no, please. Continue that train of thought. I’ll contain myself." Richard couldn’t even stop himself from laughing long enough to get the words out. When he met Andrew’s upset gaze, he bent in half, laughing again. "Sorry, sorry. It was just so hard to hear you say that you were a true alpha in this context. Andrew, alphas can influence others, but not to the same level that you’re thinking. You’re fine. You had nothing, or very little to do with this." Richard told him. He was laughing, smiling, but the longer Andrew watched, the more his face fell.

"Richard, you didn’t have anything to do with this either if that’s the case." Andrew told him, watching the other man as the humour he’d felt just a second ago was gone, and he was back to being slightly pale. "If you’re going to fight me about this, which after your point, I can see why, then you can’t fight me when I tell you the same." Richard glanced away from him.

"It’s not the same. I was always interacting with alphas, not just you. Unlike the girls, I was the first line on contact." Richard said. He swallowed. "Besides, I was part of a test group forever ago and they told me...I had the potential chance that I could manifest, I just brushed it off since that wasn’t the purpose of the test." That was news to Andrew.

"Wait, you knew that there was a chance?" Andrew asked, horrified for his sake and Richard let out a loud snort and waved dismissively.

"It was like a 10% chance. Who the hell would bet on a 10% chance?" Richard said, and given where they were right now, Andrew was pretty sure that Richard should have.

"Did they give you any advice to avoid manifesting?" He asked and Richard gave Andrew a cold look.

"To avoid it? Andrew, you should know better. No one in this company views manifesting poorly. We’re probably the only people who work here who do. I brought it up with Dr. Cox and Dr. Piper once, over lunch, and both of them said that they would be excited if they manifested. It would be a blessing." Richard’s face had scrunched up, grown bitter. "You and I both know the trouble we went through just because we were betas. I don’t even want to begin to consider what kind of trouble I am going to go through now as a tall, built omega." Andrew frowned.

"Well, anyone who wants to pick a fight with you has to go through not only me, but Max and his family as well." Andrew stated firmly. Richard turned towards Andrew, staring at him as he blinked.

"What?" He asked, sounding slightly confused.

"I said what I fucking said, Richard. No one is going to get near you until you get the all clear, and after that? I’ll fight any alpha, hell, any omega or beta who tries to take advantage of you. I know you can take care of yourself, but there will be hell to pay if they try to take advantage of you." Andrew rumbled. "Not until you’re ready to face your omega nature. None of that." Andrew knew he sounded a bit archaic, but Richard didn’t seem to mind.

His expression softened from the deep bitterness that he had to a more warm, welcoming expression. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"Yeah?" Richard said, his voice cracking. He cleared his throat. "Until I’m ready? What if I’m never ready?" Richard asked, his face warming and he looked away from Andrew. Andrew swallowed too.

"Then we’ll figure something out. You aren’t alone during this, Richard. Everyone wants to support you, I promise, and both Max and I will be there for you."