“Shh, I’m here sweet boy.” Phayu says, motioning for Sky to bring him some towels so he can get Rain dried off and dressed. 
Rain clings to him as he takes him out of the bath. “P’Phayu I didn’t run away. That bad alpha tried to…..” Rain starts.
“Rain, I know, I’m sorry I left you alone.” Phayu tells him, he towels Rain off and dresses him as quickly as possible so he won’t get chilled again from the air conditioning. “Sit on the side of the bed and let me dry your hair.”
“P’Fah,” Rain remembers suddenly. “Is P’Fah okay?”
“He’s fine, he sent me a text himself earlier, he has a mild concussion and the doctor ordered him to rest, otherwise he would have been out there helping us look for you. We were all worried.” Phayu dries Rain’s hair then makes him lie down and tucks the blankets around him. 
“Get some rest.” Phayu tells him. 
Rain’s eyes start to drift closed, the fly open, his hand going to his neck, “My collar, I didn’t take it off I promise. You made me promise never to take it off.” 
“I know Rain, I know what Stop tried to do. Once you are well you can tell your story to everyone, P’Chai will need to hear it as well.” Phayu tells him.
Rain’s eyes widen, “Will he believe me? That bad alpha said people would believe him if he said I tried to run away. I didn’t try to run away.”
“Stop overestimates his importance and that of his father. He is nothing more than a barking dog. There is no reason why P’Chai won’t believe you. P’Pakin had declared the races to be a violence free zone and a safe zone for omegas many times. He will not appreciate the fact that Stop tried to harass you.” Phayu tells him, “Now sleep, I will make you some food.” 
Pai and Sky watch this exchange, Pai with amusement and Sky with thoughtfulness. Once Phayu goes to find Rain some food, Sky pulls Pai aside and says, “Would you consider giving Rain to P’Phayu?” 
Pai looks at him surprised, in truth the idea had been growing on his mind for awhile but one reason he hadn’t brought it up was he thought Sky would be upset if he did. “You wouldn’t be mad if I did? Speak honestly.”
Sky seems to think it over for a while. “To be truthful, I wish things were different, that Rain could make his own choice, although he might make the same choice for himself. He seems to care for P’Phayu and I believe P’Phayu cares for him. Although strict he doesn’t seem like a cruel person. If Rain has to belong to someone there are certainly worse alphas he could belong to.”
Pai studies him, “And you, do you wish things were different for you as well?”
Sky shrugs, “I grew up in this world, it’s all I have ever known. Rain is different, he grew up knowing freedom.”  
“What if I were to give Rain a choice? If he wants to stay with Phayu he can if Phayu agrees, or he can live with Mae and Pa without an alpha.” Pai says.
Sky stares at him, “You would do that for him?” 
“I would do that for you.” Pai tells him. “I want you to be happy and you care about Rain. If it makes you happy, I will give Rain a choice in his future. I can’t give him freedom, he wouldn’t be safe out there on his own but he can choose a mate or to live with my family. It’s the best I can do for him.”
“I would like that for him.” Sky says.
“Okay let me talk to Phayu first,” Pai says, "you can stay here if you like in case Rain wakes up. If he does, he might be comforted by a friendly face.”