CHAPTER 463: A BAD PATIENT

Maxwell and Andrew went together to where everyone else had gathered. Andrew didn’t want the man going alone and he was feeling very protective of the other man. He was ready to yank the man back to the car at the first sign that the man wasn’t doing well.

However, Maxwell did perfectly fine. He did flinch once when they got close enough that the scent from the mansion itself could wash over Maxwell, but beyond that, he was fine. It was a relief to Andrew, but he didn’t trust it right away.

He observed Maxwell, not even paying attention to the others that clearly wanted to talk to him. Thomas and Ben noticed what Andrew was doing however, since they themselves had spent a significant part of their own lives worrying for the omega of the Beckett family. They made sure to explain the situation in hushed tones to the others until Andrew had his head back on.

Andrew was having tunnel vision as a side effect of all of the pheromones in his body, but if that was the only side effect he was getting, he was doing very well. Maxwell had told him that he was doing well, Maxwell wasn’t fainting or shaking, so Andrew felt like he could relax just a little bit.

The police officer and a paramedic were the first ones to approach Andrew after he’d finished his examination of Maxwell.

"We would like a chance to examine you and make sure that you’re alright, Dr. Knox." The officer said and Andrew glanced at Maxwell. Maxwell encouraged him to go, motioning that he would stay by his Mom’s side. Andrew nodded, his eyes probably looking like a demons, but he turned and went to the other ambulance that was still there. Andrew hadn’t even realised that it was probably for him and the other alphas in case something went wrong.

It wasn’t until he had a blanket around his shoulders, the paramedics were checking on him, asking him questions that he knew the answers to, that he realised that they were very worried about him.

Andrew felt his lips curl up slightly. It was strange to be treated this way. As a beta people had just not cared about him, and now as a true alpha, most people thought he was fine. It must have been a shock to see the state that Nicole was in for everyone involved.

It wasn’t until Andrew had tried to tell them he was okay for the third time that the nice gloves came off.

"You’ve only recently manifested as a true alpha. This is a very serious situation for even an experienced true alpha like Mrs. Proctor. If you keep saying that you’re fine, I’m going to call the Beckett’s over." The paramedic threatened.

It was a valid threat, considering that after a moment, Andrew realised that the paramedic working on him was from the hospital that the Beckett’s funded.

Well then, Andrew better behave himself.

Once Andrew was properly attended to and told that he wasn’t in the clear, he was having mild traces of being overexposed to omega heat pheromones but that he seemed to be functioning, the officer took over. The paramedic left to give Andrew and the officer a small moment of privacy. The body cam was still on, but Andrew didn’t think that it was that kind of conversation.

"Dr. Knox. I find that I have to thank you for your help and leadership during this...horrible situation. I feel terrible that the police had to take a step back and you had to handle a situation that no civilian should have to." The officer began, looking genuinely apologetic. Andrew stared at the man, taking in his own expression. He had held up well, but even he looked pale, sweating.

Andrew let out a soft chuckle, his lips turning up into a smile. He reached over, patting the officer on the shoulder.

"Honestly? I really appreciate you apologising. It means a lot, but I don’t think I would have trusted anyone if they had known how to take care of that situation." Andrew told him. The older man stared at Andrew and his smile before he sighed.

"Thank you for being so forgiving. You have every right to be upset. I should never have left you in charge, alone with Ms. Abraham, but she was the calmest with you. You’ve even been injured." The officer looked ill at the sight of Andrew’s bandaged up arms. Andrew just let out a chuckle in response.

"These are just love bites. I’ll tell Nicole the same thing when she comes to as well. I really...I’m just glad that you didn’t get upset that we were so strong-willed about entering the mansion. This could...this could blow up in everyone’s faces." Andrew said, his gaze going past the officer and towards his family, his friends who were working hard even now.

"I can’t say I don’t agree with you, Dr. Knox, but I am to say something presumptuous," he started and Andrew slid his gaze back to him, "the Beckett’s are not going to let this stand. Nor is Mrs. Proctor. Do I know what is going to happen for sure? No, but I am sure you have a clearer picture of what is about to happen to this family than I ever could. I’m just a cog in the machine. I go where I’m called." He let out a bitter laugh. "Speaking of, Mr. Beckett the senior was asking if it was alright that we went back into the mansion. With you." The officer gave him a strange look and Andrew felt the smile fade from his face.

Right, the lab.

Andrew hadn’t forgotten about it, he had just pushed it to the side so that he could deal with the more urgent issues at hand.

"Ah, yes. That issue." Andrew muttered. "It’s because I’m familiar with labs. Since...I worked in them." Andrew said, before making a vague gesture towards Maxwell. "I worked in the lower levels of Maxy’s company before we were outed to the public. Or, I was outed to the public." Andrew told the officer.

It wasn’t a lie. Andrew would never lie to someone who worked for the law of the common people. Even though he was sure he had a mile long list of ’warnings’ since he was able to raise his fists to defend others. No, Andrew would never lie. He just told a little twisted truth.

The officer believed him. Didn’t even hesitate to trust him.

"Ah. That would make sense then, since none of my men would have any of that kind of experience. I’ll send someone with you. I have to stay up top, keep an eye on the others." He told him and Andrew completely understood. He was a key part in making sure that this scene was completely taken care of.

What did that entail? Andrew had no idea. He just knew that he was the boss, and now it was time for him to step back and let the people he trusted handle the scene.

"Thank you again for apologising. Really, I’m just glad that it didn’t turn out to be the worst case scenario." Andrew said with a soft smile. The officer offered a hand and Andrew shook it.

"I shudder to think what you think is the worst case scenario, Dr. Knox, and please, don’t elaborate. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with further once you get out of your fun tour." He joked, and Andrew grinned.

"You’ve got it." He told him, before Andrew said goodbye to the grumpy paramedic and joined the group of people who came to help him at the drop of a hat. However, it wasn’t his turn to thank everyone. The replacement officer, the escort, arrived as soon as Andrew arrived at Maxwell’s side.

"I’ve been sent to escort Dr. Knox and Mr. Beckett the senior to the lab location." The officer told them professionally and Andrew watched as everyone tensed around them. The officer had no idea why they had all grown so serious, but Andrew just smiled. Kim grabbed Andrew’s shoulder, turning him to face her.

"Do you want me to come with you?" She asked. Her amber gaze was serious, even as her cheeks were flushed. She was still struggling, but she wasn’t going to let it show. Andrew smiled at her, pulling her in for a hug. It was a tight, bruising thing before Kim pulled away.

"I’ll be okay. I got a Maxy refresh, I’m going in the opposite direction. If things go wrong, we have our trusty officer friend who will call someone down, alright?" Andrew assured not just Kim, but the others with his words.

"If you were looking for a refresh, you certainly didn’t ask for much." Maxwell muttered, maybe a little bitterly. Andrew’s eyes widened, before a silly smile touched his lips.

"Was that not enough? I’m sorry, I should have also considered that you might have needed an Andrew refresh. That was rather selfish of me." Andrew said, turning to Maxwell and holding open his arms. "What does my Angel need?" Andrew asked and watched as the onlookers did their best not to stare.

It was clear that they were finding this situation rather surreal as Maxwell Beckett, the stone-faced omega himself, wrapped his arms around his fiancé and pulled him down for a kiss. Andrew even heard a little sharp inhale from Maxwell’s Mom. Clearly Luis was surprised by Maxwell’s open display of affection.

Andrew knew that while he was recharging, he was clearly marking Andrew as his own. It was so freaking cute how he was doing that, even though he didn’t need to. The ring on Andrew’s finger said enough in his opinion.

Andrew didn’t let the kiss get too deep, worried that if he did that, there was no way he was going to be able to go back into the house of horrors. Maxwell clearly didn’t like it that Andrew drew a line, but he respected it.

Maxwell pulled back, looking a little upset, but not at Andrew. Andrew cupped the other man’s face with his bandaged hand.

"I’ll be back soon. And safe." Andrew added. Maxwell swallowed, scanning Andrew and his injured hands.

"You better. Otherwise I’m calling Noah and telling him about what Nicole did to you." He threatened. It wasn’t a threat. He was sure that Noah already knew what had happened to him, but he appreciated that Maxwell was trying to sound serious in the moment.

"Awe. I’ll make sure of it then. It shouldn’t take long." Andrew told him seriously, and Maxwell nodded. When Maxwell finally let Andrew go, it was Luis who tugged him in next and gave him a tight hug.

"Stay safe, Andy." She whispered to him and Andrew softened. It was crazy how he had gotten so much affection from everyone around him, and how quickly it had happened too.

He would need that to go back into the mansion. He was pretty sure that this wasn’t the lab he was held in, but just in case...He needed that affection blanket for his sanity.