Chapter 16: Chapter 16

“Hey, Mill, you awake?”

Millan closes the book he’d stolen from the library hastily and throws it under his pillow.

Weston opens the door to his room a second after.

That was close. He tries to look like he’s just woken up, yawning and stretching. He’s pretty confident in his act, although the bags under his eyes might be telling a different story.

He’s not too worried about that since Weston’s eyes are locked on the part of his stomach where his shirt has ridden.

Millan smirks, his wolf satisfied at the attention.

“Morning, Weston.”

Weston’s eyes snap back up to meet his eyes. He flushes and coughs.

“I’m going to make breakfast. You hungry.”

Millan hesitates. He was planning on going straight to the hardware store.

Weston rolls his eyes.

“That wasn’t a question, Millan. Come downstairs and eat breakfast.”

Sighing, Millan supposes he could eat before going to the store.

Rolling out of bed and getting dressed, he almost forgets about the book under his pillow. He shoves it in his backpack and as he puts it back in his wardrobe, he thinks he should probably get a better hiding spot since, if someone finds it, he’s absolutely screwed.

Not only will he get thrown out of the Blayne Territory, but he most certainly will have to leave his treasures behind.

It’ll have to wait until after breakfast though. He just hopes nobody discovers it in the meantime.

As he descends the stairs leading to the kitchen, an alpha he doesn’t recognize starts to climb the other way.

The smell of cologne is strong, but it doesn’t mask his floral natural scent. It’s a lot of scents to take in for Millan's sensitive nose and he hopes he doesn’t talk to him.

“Hey! You’re Millan right?”

Millan forces a smile, resolved on making a good first impression if he is going to be here for a while. But the narrow stairs are making their closeness a little uncomfortable and the alpha’s smell is so intense that Millan has a hard time breathing.

“Uhm yeah, I’m Millan.”

“Dax.” The alpha extends a hand, the handshake is made awkward by their proximity.

Millan descends another step, hoping to put some distance between them, but the alpha smirks as he follows him down and puts an arm on the railing, effectively blocking Millan's path.

Millan frowns.

“Heard you were staying with us. I’m really glad.”

“Oh, well. I’m glad too.” Millan smiles tightly and hopes Dax will end it there. He glares at the arm still in his way.

“I was wondering if someone took the time to show you around. I’d be very happy to do so for you if you wanted.” Dax’s smile is off and Millan is getting more and more uncomfortable.

“Millan, breakfast!”

Weston’s voice is teetering extremely close to an alpha command and Millan didn’t think he’d ever be glad to hear that kind of tone in his life.

“You shouldn’t make the Alpha wait.” Dax whispers in his ear and winks before finally removing his arm.

Millan rushes down the stairs, very aware of Dax’s gaze on his back. He stifles a shiver as he enters the kitchen. He’s met with a very productive Weston who’s apparently cooked an entire fucking feast.

“Was Dax bothering you?”

Millan nods distractedly as he eyes the copious amounts of food.

“He was?”

Millan missed the growl in Weston’s voice, and ignores him as he busily gapes at the extravagance… eggs, bacon, pancakes, hash browns, muffins, fruits, all kinds of pastries, there’s coffee, smoothie, juice and...

“Is that chocolate fondue?”

“Yeah, hope you like chocolate.” Weston has a genuine worried expression on his face and Millan looks at him like he sprung a second head.

“Who doesn’t like chocolate?”

Weston sighs in relief.

Is Weston mental?

“Who’s going to eat all of this?”

“Well, us. And then the rest of the pack once I allow it.”

Weston points to the werewolves hovering at the door.

“Really? So the Alpha eats first here?”

That might be the only traditional thing the Blayne Pack does. Although most packs just wait for the Alpha and their mates to take the first bite, not eat the whole meal. Also, Millan isn’t the Alpha or the Alpha’s mate.

“Oh! No. Not at all, it’s just that, well.”

Now Millan is confused. He steps closer to Weston, tilting his head in a silent question. Weston is flustered which has Millan worried now.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

“Umm, it’s just that Nara said you’re underweight and you need to eat more. She said that it’s a cause for concern and to make sure you eat at least three times a day. So I just want to make sure you eat until you’re full before the rest of the pack joins in. And I really don’t want you to faint again.”

Millan smiles, his wolf preening. He tries to be mad at the over the top gesture, but he can’t. Even with his original pack, he had never been shown this kind of kindness and care.

But he still feels this is not worth all the trouble. He is just a rogue omega who stumbles in their territory. There was that nagging feeling in his gut that this is like a last supper kind of thing before everything blows out of proportion.

Is he thinking too much?

Yes, yes he is.

Can you blame him?

No, of course not. With everything that he had gone through for the past nine years, alone, he thinks that that all the doubts in his head is justifiable.

“It’s really sweet, Weston, but…” he looks at the overloaded dining table, a bit overwhelmed.

“I went overboard, didn’t I?”

“A tiny little bit, yeah.”Millan laughs good heartedly and Weston smiles at him. “Well, good thing I am hungry. But you shouldn’t make them wait, there’s plenty for everyone.” Millan points to the door where the smell of food has attracted even more main house residents.

Weston sighs and invites the pack to join in. However, he insists that Millan fill his plate first and keeps growling at everyone who gets too close to Millan's food while they eat.

It’s strange and puts Millan on edge. He can’t figure out why Weston would care so much. His behaviour seems to go further than just welcoming a rogue on his territory. But maybe, Millan is just creating stories in his own head.

With how much his wolf craves attention, he wouldn’t be surprised.

When he suggests he should help with the washing, Weston ushers him away which frustrates him a bit.

If he is to live here, he should pull his own weight. He doesn’t argue too much though and decides to seek a better hiding place for his backpack while Weston is occupied.

While getting into his room however, he hears footsteps at his door and a telling scent.

He doesn’t have to turn to know Dax is leaning on the door frame with a cocky smirk on his face.

Millan groans.

The alpha is going to be a problem, isn’t he?