I'll never forgive you. The both of you.
"Uncle Bertie!" Donovan burst into a fit of giggles when strong arms caught him safely and brought him to a warm broad chest. "I'm going to find my baby brother! You know that?"
Gilbert's heart broke at the look of determination shining in the almost five-year-old's bright orange eyes. He received the memo from his twin not long ago and frankly didn't believe her. But the Donovan in his arms seemed to prove that they were going to send him back under the guise of a "mission".
"We don't know if we can find him, don't be too disappointed if you can't alright?" Gilbert awkwardly said, wincing when Donovan began playing with his outrageously neon pink afro. He lost a bet a year ago. This was the punishment or something worse, much worse. He has in a moderate length, otherwise it would get in the way of work.
What was Gabrielle thinking? Did Iris finally convince Gabrielle that once they have their own child they were to abandon the omega, like an unwanted pet? Immediately Gilbert's mind spun, trying to find rationality that would explain the bizarre situation, or at least try to come up with a solution to keep Donovan. His work takes up much of his time. Not ideal for a single parent.
He would take in the boy if he could, but his work... The poor boy would be stuck home alone most days of the year. It was because Gabrielle had sent a red flag that he didn't leave to the airport. Gilbert internally cringed. His bosses are going to tan his hide for that. He hopes that it won't be another outrageous hairstyle.
Donovan only looked at Uncle Bertie quizzedly. What did he mean they don't know? Of course Donovan's going to find his baby brother, that much is obvious. Before he could protest, Donovan's perspective changed.
Uncle Bertie was right, there was a chance they wouldn't be able to rescue his baby brother. Instead he saw Maverick standing his ground, blocking Gabrielle from getting to her baby. His unruly hair was an absolute mess. His lips pulled back in a menacing, threatening snarl. His nails sharpened and poised for scratching.
And worst of all, the stark white gown had large patches of red.
Donovan couldn't tell if it was a monster or Maverick in front of him.
"Maverick…" Donovan whispered, in that instant he felt betrayed and disappointed. Now it seems like they can't be friends.
"What was that?" Gilbert asked, concerned.
"The baby's guarded by a scary monster." Donovan bitterly said. "I thought he was my friend."
"Of course he's being guarded by a monster." Gilbert didn't take Donovan's words seriously. After all, children have vivid imagination and sometimes confuse it with reality, right? He used to do that too.
Seeing his other comrades pulling up to his house-the closest safe spot near base X, even though it was miles and miles away-he gently set Donovan down on his front tree's tire swing, built especially for the boy. "I have to do something. Don't run off ok?"
"Ok!" Donovan laughed with glee when his Uncle Bertie gave him a strong push. But the swing couldn't take his small mind off of Maverick. Unfortunately, with every swing, the young boy's worries grew.
Gilbert swiftly ran towards the back. His sister was in the "garden" shed, rummaging through the equipment. Gilbert immediately began rambling on trying to get Gabrielle to change her mind.
"We can't take him. Too many risks. Even if Iris doesn't like him, which I understand-"
"Donovan is special and it's not about Iris. Mostly" Gabrielle tried to calm her erratic brother. "Where's your sharpener?" She held up a machete. Light from a nearby window gleamed off the metal satisfyingly.
"That's too sharp around a child! And of course he is. But we still can't-"
"He could tell the decoy wasn't ours! He wasn't even near the baby." Gabrielle waved the dull machete around exasperatedly before rummaging through a drawer of throwing daggers.
Gilbert ducked-avoiding a potential scratch-and paused in his crouching position; taking in the newfound information. "Wait, wait wait-"
"I'll explain later. We need to go." Gabrielle stuffed a knife in the safe pocket of her vest. With her arms carrying drawers of weapons she nodded towards the wall of pistols, polished and dark as ink. "Help me grab those."
Gilbert sighed and got up. Looking at Gabrielle in the eyes, his demeanor changed to that of seriousness, pheromones leaking out. Gabrielle wasn't affected much but she could still feel it in the air. Making her senses tingle, putting her on edge.
"I'm in. Only on one condition."
Gabrielle nodded at her twin. She knew what he was going to say, she could already hear it.
"His safety and return are priority. Let the boys know." His voice deadly, pheromones rising. "If he so much as gets a scratch, I will never forgive you. The both of you."
Saliva landed on the female alpha's face from Gilbert's splutter. Gabrielle didn't flinch. Still got that spitting problem eh?
She knows Gilbert isn't the type to throw around empty words. She swallowed, her throat parched before she inhaled and exhaled. She looked at her twin, leveling her gaze. One hand balancing the drawers as the other hand flicked away the wetness.
"I won't let that happen." Gabrielle matched his tone before shoving her way out, making sure to bump into him purposely.