Twin Mates

Chapter Two

Ring Ring Ring

Elias groaned as he reached for his phone and winced. The bright screen blinded him for a split second. The caller ID read Hayden. He pressed the answer button while laying his head back onto his pillow, uttering a small "Hello?"

"DUDE!" Hayden's voice exploded through the receiver, catching Elias off guard with the suddenness. "Hugh got fired this morning!"

Elias was jolted into a sitting position at the news, his voice trembling with shock, "What?" The sudden news about Hugh's firing was like a bolt from the blue, leaving Elias in disbelief.

"Yeah, I don't know why, but he was cursing your name the whole time. What happened, man?"

The previous morning's events flooded Elias' mind: going to the bar, being stalked by Hugh, being rescued by a tall, handsome Omega, and then being offered a job by him and his fraternal twin brother. Elias relayed the information to Hayden, his disbelief mirroring Hayden's own shock.

"Bro, that's nuts," was all he could utter.

Hayden then informed him that the company had sent a temporary manager to hold things down until they found a replacement. By the sound of his voice, the temp was a cutie. Elias rolled his eyes, leaving Hayden to fall for a cute face. He just hoped he wasn't rushing into anything unprepared.

"Well, I'll let you go," Hayden sighed. He had been on the phone too long while still on shift. "Keep me posted, alright?"

"Yeah, sure thing, bye," Elias replied with a relieved smile. Despite the upheaval in his life, he was grateful for Hayden's continued friendship, a comforting constant amid change.

He glanced back at his phone and decided it was time to get up. Stepping out of his room, he glides down the hallway to the last bedroom. Taking a deep breath, he knocks softly on the door.

"Papa, oki teru?"

A pause "un, oki teru yoi," was a muffled response.

Elias entered the room to see his father hunched over his computer desk, typing away. His glasses glared from the screen's brightness, and the smell of cigarettes permeated the air. The room was neat, minus the piles of books and papers surrounding the man. It was a barrier to prevent outsiders from entering his safe space.

Elias covered his amethyst eye with his hair as he stepped further inside. "Onaka sui ta?"

"Un, chigau yoi," his father mumbled.

The son sighed, noting that he would return to check on his father later. He wanted to relay the news of his new employment, but he knew there was no point in trying once he was hyper-focused on his work. Despite his father's often distant demeanor, Elias's strong sense of responsibility towards him never wavered.

"Mata ne," Elias said as he stepped back out.

He approached the kitchen, hoping to find something to sustain him until lunch. He chose this cereal because, after a long night, he really didn't want to cook it. Elias sat in the living room, thinking about what to improve in their house. The furniture needed updating and chipped walls repainting. His eyes scanned the room when they landed on the picture frame tilting to the right. His heart clenched at the image in the frame. There stood his father, dressing in a traditional Japanese black wedding kimono. He had no hint of strain on his smiling face. Next to him was a woman in a lavish wedding gown. Her vibrant purple eyes stared back at him, making Elias want to rip them out.

What would their lives be like if she hadn't abandoned them? Elias often found himself lost in this question, longing for a life that could have been.

Elias could only remember snippets of his sire. He remembered how she smelt like autumn spices and would comb his hair so all could see his beautiful eyes. These memories were bittersweet, a reminder of the love he once had for his mother and the pain of her absence.

Sixteen years have passed, and no sign of his mother coming back.

He didn't understand why. He asked his father, but the pain in his eyes made him feel icky. Ever since then, he has watched his remaining parents' lives spiral and committed to only his work as an author. His books have not been selling well over the past several years. He was in a profound writer's block for three years until recently.

Ding A message popped up on his phone.

Onyx: Good Morning, Elias. I hope your morning is going well. Would you like to come by and fill out the paperwork so we can get started on your work?

Elias: Good Morning, sir, and yes, I can."

Once Onyx sent him the address, Elias started to get ready for the day. He wore a white button-up dress shirt, a light tan sweater, navy blue dress pants, and his cleanest white sneakers. He tried styling his hair but gave up on it halfway through.

"Dekakeru ne!" He called out from the doorway, knowing his father wouldn't respond.

It took Elias less than an hour to bike to the address. When he arrived, he looked up in awe at the towering building. He felt underdressed and unqualified to enter such an elegant building. Chaining up his bike, Elias took a deep breath and hesitantly entered the building. The lobby was massive and smelt of expensive leather and floral flowers. There was a beautiful woman at the reception desk with a seemingly kind face once she noticed him.

"Hello, Welcome to M & M; how can I help you?" She asked.

"U-um yes, hello, I um-" Elias stammered, feeling a sudden nervousness overwhelm him. "I'm here for an interview with Mister Tempest."

The young woman taps on her computer, searching for confirmation. As she does so, Elias can feel her eyes glancing up from her screen a few times, her steel grey eyes taking in every inch of the small man's frame. He shivers, not knowing how to feel about the sudden attention.

"Ah, yes, Mister Tempest is waiting for you," the receptionist said, causing him to jump, "take the elevator to your right; I'll send you right up."

Elias thanked her and followed her instructions. There were two elevators. One was for public use, while the other was personal for the C.E.O. and company. The light turned green, signaling Elias to enter. To his surprise, the elevator didn't have a sterile scent like most public ones. It helps neutralize the overwhelming scents of the public just in case a person goes into a rut or heat. He could smell the hint of one of the twins' sweet scents. It wasn't overwhelming but somewhat comforting.

Elias's eyes widened to see him being sent to the top floor. The hundredth floor! The alpha sighed as he leaned against the wall, hoping the way up wouldn't take forever.

Five minutes later, the elevator door opens to reveal Onyx at his desk, hands folded with a broad smile on his lips. His sapphire eyes gleamed once they landed on the tiny alpha. "Elias, welcome! Come sit, I promise this won't take long," he greeted.

Elias did as told and sat in a cushioned chair before the desk. Onyx placed a folder in front of the alpha and reviewed the responsibilities he would be tasked with: scheduling appointments, taking notes, corresponding with clients, taking phone calls, etc.

"Zephyr is likely going to want to use you as a guinea pig for his designs," Onyx sighed, shaking his head. "He can be a bit eccentric but is a fabulous designer."

Elias recalled seeing a few covers of Zephyr's models, and the clothes looked terrific, but he doubted they'd look good on him. He was a plain-jane alpha who stayed cooped up in his room most days besides working. He'll have to toss that lifestyle to look like a PA for the Tempest Twins.

Onyx leaned forward, his eyes now severe, Elias gulped. "I must ask you, Elias, do you have a normal rut cycle?"

Elias's cheeks burned red at the question. Alpha rut cycles occur once every three to six months, but in rare cases, they occur every other month if the person has a hormone imbalance or is taking supplements that prevent them. Elias's rut is irregular due to his previous stressful job. He recalled how Mr. Huogh would berate him for having to call off at random when his rut started.

"No, sir," Elias admitted, looking down at his hands. "My last rut was approximately two months ago."

"Your old job caused it," Onyx stated. Elias nodded. That's understandable; your old boss was a prick. Just let us know whenever it hits, and we will provide you with the necessities." Onyx's eyes then flashed, an emotion Elias couldn't pinpoint. "Unless you have someone to help you?"

Elias could feel his cheeks burning, noting what his new boss hinted. "N-no one," he started. "I usually rent out a Rut motel downtown. "My father is an omega, and I don't want to cause him any discomfort with my presence being there."

Onyx hummed in understanding. "Well, no employee of ours will spend their time in a crusty rut motel. We know a nice facility with excellent services and will provide you with anything you require. Or we can rent out a place for you to use-"

Elias had to stop Onyx from going further; everything he offered was too much. Just for one week sounded too excessive. However, he accepted the facility because he constantly felt uneasy in the downtown area. The glances he would get made him want to crawl up into a deep hole and disappear.

"I highly appreciate your generosity, Mr. Tempest," Elias bowed his head.

"Now, Elias, you must call me Nyx." Onyx beamed. The sweet scent of fresh-baked cinnamon and vanilla filled the air. And that's an order from your boss."

Elias smiled shyly. "Yes, sir, I mean Nyx."