1) Demand Jake and Ryan Leave Dawn Alone

It was time for action. I climbed to my feet and curled my fists then stormed downstairs. "Lads. Out. Now. Game is over. Dawn is too pissed to make definite decisions."

Jake turned to face me. "Hey, hang on Rocky Big Balls. I wondered where you got to."

"I don't want to make a scene."

"Er, well, you kinda already are."

"Just leave. You've had your fun. Now fuck off."

"Mate, in whole honesty, you need to move on.You're a good lad. But that girl in there, Dawn, is not the sort of girl you wanna be with." Jake folded his strong arms. "She is made for guys like us. "

Ryan, standing behind Jake, slapped his bare chiselled chest. "Yeah. Us. Alphas."

I spoke through gritted teeth. Inside I was shitting it. Never been as scared in my life. But I did my best to show my strength. "So-called Alphas or not. I will take the both of you on. I'm not scared. "

Jake, clearly the leader of the two, stepped up to me, leaning forward until our noses touched. He smelt of cheap aftershave. "You don't want to threaten us. Believe me."

"Dawn's already taken. She's mine. I'm protecting her."

"She's not yours to protect. We were invited. She wants us. All you're doing is spoiling her fun, and hurting yourself in the process. Move on."

"**** doesn't agree with Dawn. Makes her reckless. Now leave."

Jake wore a disbelieving smile while pointing to the kitchen door. "Before you take a beating. Go and ask her yourself. She's in there. "

"I wouldn't get any sense from her in that state. Anyway, I know what's best for her."

"You're an idiot, fighting for a girl like her. If she doesn't break your heart now, she will in the future. She's nothing but a slut."

"How dare you!" Calling Dawn a slut made something deep inside me snap. I pushed Jake with both hands. "Go. You're not wanted here."

"You know. I've had enough of you" Jake lashed out, hitting me in the stomach with a quickfire jab. I dropped to my knees and doubled up in pain.

Their laughs belittled me.

My eyes closed while I focused on regaining my breath. But I sensed movement. I glanced up seeing them walking towards the kitchen door. Without thinking of the consequences, I jumped up and went on the attack like a cornered dog. I threw a punch, my fist colliding with Jake's chin. With my adrenaline pumping, a second punch quickly followed, this time landing square on his chest. Jake rocked back on his heels. I then threw an immediate third but this time it glanced off his forehead as he rolled my punch like a boxer.

Surprise seemed on my side. My shock tactics were clearly working as Ryan looked too shocked to join the fracas.

High on success, I went to kick Jake in the bollocks, but he grabbed my leg... and this is when my attack turned to defense. I couldn't break free and Jake **** me to hop backwards, eventually causing me to fall. On my way down I collided with the wooden coffee table... which hurt like a bitch. But what hurt more was all the kicks that came after it.

Jake and Ryan proceeded to kick and stamp on me. I formed a defensive ball and screamed for Dawn who came out from the kitchen, screaming for them to stop. "Oh my God. What's happening?"

I then passed out.

~

I woke to Dawn, leaning over me. Her eyes redden with tears. I muttered, "Dawn?"

"Thank god you're awake." She covered her mouth as if she was frightened of coughing. "Oh, I'm, so sorry, Dan. I really am. I promise to be a better friend. A better person."

"Don't worry about it."

" How are you?"

"I... feel like shit." It then occurred to me that I was in a hospital. The ward was dimly lit so I supposed it was still nighttime, maybe just before daybreak. It was quiet and no nurses were around. I wasn't attached to any drips or sensors. So guessed I was not critical. But my body ached all over and it even felt uncomfortable to talk. But seeing Dawn made me feel slightly better. She was dressed in a red winter coat nursing a plastic cup of coffee. She looked rough but at least she appeared well on her way to soberness. "But I'll live.

"What the hell happened, Dan?"

I smiled wryly. "You."

"Me..?" Dawn began to well tears. "Me? That's not nice... but, unfortunately. not far from the truth."

"Don't' cry. I'm sorry."

Dawn took hold of my hand. "Dan... I don't remember anything from last night. I swear. I don't even know who the two men were."

"Really?"

"I'm not lying. It's... scary. I don't know what the guys were doing there. "

"You met them in the club with me."

Dawn sighed. "Yeah. I do remember that. Maybe... Maybe my drink was spiked or something."

"Possibly. They were bad, bad people."

"So why where they at my place?"

"Because when we got home, we argued, you know, like we usually do when I tell you I love you." I coughed and held my aching chest. "I went upstairs to go to bed. Next thing I know, you're about to have a three..."

Dawn snapped. "Dan!" She covered her mouth, as not to draw any unwanted attention. "That's awful."

"True. You had invited them around on a promise."

"Oh my god." Dawn squeezed my hand.

"But I knew you weren't in the right state of mind... so I stood in their way. Tried to protect you."

"Oh Dan." Dawn embraced me. Which absolutely fucking hurt. But her soft kiss on my lips soothed my nerves and fixed my broken pride. " You're my hero."

"I try to be."

"I love you so much."

My ears pricked. "You do?"

"Listen, Dan. Your parents are coming."

I felt myself fall back down to earth with a bump. "That's all I need." I love my parents but I had a dark secret I had to tell Dawn. "Err.. Dawn, about my parents."

"I know. I spoke to them on the phone half an hour ago... they think I'm your girlfriend, don't they?"

"Sorry about that."

"No need to." Dawn brushed my cheek with the back of her finger. "Because, I would be proud to be your girlfriend... if you're willing to forgive me."

"Of course I forgive you." My heart soared. " Just be a little less wild in the future. Drink less, yeah?"

"I promise. Might even try to give it up. Oh... one last thing?"

"What now?"

"The police said they're coming back later to take a statement."

My emotions were up and down like never before. I pushed my head back into the pillow. The aches and pains now seemed the least of my worries. "Shit."

"But I have to ask... What will you tell them happened? Can't tell the Police the truth, surely?"

I let out a sigh as I pondered what I should say. "The problem is Dawn, I was always raised to tell the truth, no matter what."

"But Dan... your parents would hate me."

I needed to think about this carefully.

1) Does Dan tell the truth.

2) Make up a story to save Dawn's face.