Pursing his lips, Eric nodded. “It’s okay,” he said, blinking. “I get it.”
“Eric—”
“I get it!” Eric snapped. He buried his face in his hands, sighing. “Sorry. I just miss my home.” He hated how fragile his voice sounded. How fragile he felt. “I want to go home to my family, but I can’t, and you were the only person in Kadar who made me feel like—like that, and now I can’t be around you, either. I feel—” Lost. Alone. Abandoned. He cut himself off before he could embarrass himself further.
It was one thing to like being the baby of the family, like the security of it, and it was another to admit that he craved the feeling of being able to rely on someone else, on an older alpha, and that being around Hugh pushed all the right buttons in him. Or all the wrong ones. He wasn’t even sure what exactly he wanted from Hugh. He just felt so comfortable, so good with him. He liked how mature, protective, and steadfast Hugh was, and that attachment probably wasn’t all that different from what one would feel toward an older brother or father, if not for the fact that Eric also wanted to climb Hugh like a tree. The latter was likely just a product of his hormonal imbalance and heat, but it still made him feel weird, his feelings toward Hugh a contradictory, messy amalgamation of lustful, needy, and familial.
Either way, it didn’t matter. Hugh clearly saw him as a kid and a problematic former patient, nothing more. Hugh didn’t want him, in any way. He was probably glad to finally get rid of him.
A lump formed in his throat, and Eric suddenly felt such crushing loneliness his eyes started burning with tears. He managed, “Please go. Just go, okay?”
There was a long silence.
Then Hugh swore under his breath before striding forward and enveloping Eric in his arms.
Oh.
Eric’s eyelids slipped shut, a whine building in his throat as he was tugged against the firm chest, strong arms squeezing him tightly, making him feel small and so very protected. Turning his head, Eric buried his face in Hugh’s neck and moaned as his senses were assaulted with Hugh’s pheromones. So good. So perfect. Alpha.
“I’ve got you, sweetheart,” Hugh murmured into his ear. “You’re not alone, I’m here for you. I’ll help you, love.”
Eric was all but purring. He was only vaguely aware that he’d climbed into Hugh’s lap, that they were at a very public social event and anyone might come across them in the gardens. He didn’t care. Let them. Nothing could hurt him or touch him while this alpha was holding him. Besides, they weren’t doing anything wrong. Just hugging.
“Fuck, what am I going to do with you?” Hugh said with a sigh. He sounded grim.
Eric wasn’t sure why. Everything was perfect, as far as he was concerned. Beyond perfect. He moaned, nuzzling Hugh’s throat, trying to squirm closer to his scent, breathing with his mouth to get more of it in his lungs.
“…Eric? Fucking hell. Look at me.” Strong fingers tipped Eric’s face up, forcing him to look up.
“Mm?” Eric mumbled, struggling to focus his gaze.
The alpha was frowning. “Fuck, you’re drunk on pheromones. Eric, listen to me. I need you to snap out of it. I know it’s hard, but people can’t see you in this state. Do you understand me?”
Eric smiled dazedly and planted a wet kiss on the alpha’s stubbled cheek. “Okay. Anything for you. Can you call me baby? I like when you call me baby.”
“For fuck’s sake,” the alpha muttered and got to his feet, putting Eric on his feet too.
Eric pouted and reached greedily for the alpha, but his hands were caught in a firm grip. “No,” the alpha said sternly, and when Eric continued reaching for him, he cursed and said again, “Focus.”
The word reached deep into his soul, and Eric froze, his mind clearing. Alpha. Hugh.
Hugh exhaled in relief. “Are you with me now?” he said, using his normal voice.
His face warm, Eric nodded, dropping his gaze. Talk about mortifying.
“Hey,” Hugh said softly, tipping his face up again to meet his eyes. “Don’t be embarrassed. It happens. Sometimes pheromones can affect brain chemistry enough to create a sensation not unlike a high. Trust me, it’s normal. I’m a doctor, remember?”
Eric nodded, trying not to lean into his touch too much.
“What are we going to do?” he said, looking Hugh in the eye. “The plan was to stay away from you.” The mere thought was so deeply upsetting now that it made Eric tighten his arms around Hugh instinctively. Fuck. He had a sinking feeling that the imprint had only become stronger.
A wrinkle formed between Hugh’s brown brows. “I’ll think of something,” he said, kissing Eric on the temple. “Let me worry about it.”