Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Weston is still growling at anyone that comes an inch too close to Millan's food.

Although exasperating, it’s also extremely endearing. They’re having breakfast with other members of the pack and Weston’s hand hasn’t left Millan's knee the entire time.

It’s almost impressive how well the Alpha can eat with only one hand.

Millan isn’t used to so much protectiveness and he still isn’t so sure he likes it. His wolf is ecstatic, that’s undeniable. But Millan's still on the fence about the whole thing.

He is so used to taking care of himself, making his own decisions and defending himself. He doesn’t need anybody to do all that for him and he certainly doesn’t want Weston to feel obligated to protect him.

Still, surrounded by familiar faces, he thinks he could get used to this morning ritual.

Jace and Amir are in an intense debate about a video game Millan wouldn’t know the first thing about. Now that he thinks about it, he hasn’t played a video game in more than a decade. Weston’s in conversation with Nara, sitting next to him. Madelyn is talking about poetry with another beta girl at the other end of the table.

There are numerous other werewolves he doesn’t know yet, talking or eating quietly. A pup, not more than ten years old seems close to falling asleep in his cereal bowl.

Millan is content just sitting there, observing the domestic scene, feeling like he’s almost part of it.

He looks back at Weston smiling and Weston returns the smile, squeezing his knee slightly.

“So, Millan, I heard you’re interested in building boats?”

Weston chokes on orange juice.

Millan gawks at Andy who pauses, spoon full of way too healthy foods mid air, confused as to what prompted such a reaction.

“I remember Jace mentioning that you’re reading books on building sailboats or something. Our dad was a sailor for a good portion of his life. So I know a thing or two about that and I’d be happy to help.”

Weston’s hand tightens on Millan's knee and Millan side eyes Weston nervously.

“Oh. Well yeah, I was interested in that for a bit, but I don’t know anymore.”

“Okay. Sure. If you need, I’m there is all I’m saying.”

Andy’s genuine smile is infectious. It’s apparent Andy doesn’t know the whole story but his eagerness to help is endearing.

“Noted. Thank you.”

Millan doesn’t need their soul bond to know that Weston is annoyed.

Jaw set tight, eyebrows furrowed, the Head Alpha is nodding at something Nara is saying, but it’s apparent he is tense.

Just as Millan is racking his brain for something to say or do to alleviate the tension, Dax comes up behind him.

“Hey, Millan. Could I talk to you for a minute?”

Before Millan could even think to answer, Weston is grabbing Dax by the collar and pushing him on the wall harshly.

It takes a moment for Millan's brain to register what’s happening, but when it does, Millan knocks his chair over in his haste to stop Weston.

“Weston!”

“I thought I made it clear before. Apparently not. You are not to come near Millan ever again.”

Every omega in the room whimpers at the Alpha order’s strength. Even Millan has a hard time not submitting.

Millan despises Alpha Orders.

He despises it even more when it’s coming from Weston’s mouth.

“Next time you have the nerves to show your face in the main house, I won’t hesitate to banish you indefinitely. Is that clear?”

“Weston! No!”

Weston is going way too far. Millan's attempts to get Weston off of the scared alpha are futile.

Keeping a tight hold on Dax, nearly choking him, Weston turns to Millan, the anger on his face unnerving.

Millan doesn’t recognize the Weston in front of him. Kind and carefree Weston was no where in sight.

“He hurt you. He-“

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Weston. He didn’t hurt me. I mean, he may have a problematic understanding of consent and personal space, but he didn’t hurt me! I over reacted. That’s all. You’re being too harsh!”

Weston’s grip on Dax loosens and the latter gasps in a breath. As soon as Dax gets the ability to speak again, he doesn’t waste a second.

“I’m so sorry, Millan. I really am. I didn’t mean to, I swear. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay, Dax.” Millan tries to reassure him.

It only seems to anger Weston more. Millan tugs on his arm once again to no avail.

“Come on, Weston, let go.”

Weston turns his gaze back to Dax, eyes glaring.

“No. Not so fast. Millan may forgive people way too easily, but I don’t. Not when it comes to him. Banishment is still on the table. Any step in the wrong direction, any misplaced advances and I won’t hesitate. Am I clear?”

Dax swallows audibly and looks down in a display of submission.

“Yes, very clear.”

“Good.” Weston lets go of Dax who nearly falls to the floor. “Scram.”

Again with the Alpha Order, Dax doesn’t need to be told twice.

Millan's in shock. He’s starting to see this new side to Weston.

A protective and downright scary side. An aggressive side he’s seen too many times before in other Alphas he had encountered.

Weston’s expression softens significantly as he takes in Millan's demeanor.

“I’m sorry, Mill, if I scared you. I just-“ Weston looks up.

Everyone has stopped eating, too entranced by the scene unfolding before them, a scene undoubtedly more interesting than cereal.

“Maybe we should talk more privately. What do you say?”

Just as Millan nods his agreement, Grant enters the dining room, confused, when he takes in the heavy silence reigning.

“Uhm, Weston?”

Weston closes his eyes in annoyance and opens them again, forcing his gaze towards Grant.

“What is it?”

“We need you at the South Border. A foreign woman is asking permission to enter our territory.”

Weston sighs.

“Okay, I’ll be right there.”

Grant leaves without another word and Weston looks at Millan apologetically.

“We’ll have to talk about this later, yeah?”

“Of course. Duty calls.”

Millan does his best to smile, but his mind is racing.

Weston isn’t fooled in the slightest and is very reluctantly follows behind Grant, leaving Millan with his thoughts.

For a moment there, Weston nearly looked like the countless violent and aggressive alphas Millan has met in his rogue life when just a moment ago, he’d thought Weston was the furthest thing from it.

He is standing in the middle of the dining room, so enthralled in his internal crisis that he’s unaware of the numerous eyes on him.

“Millan?”

Millan turns to see Andy standing beside him with a worried expression on his face. He tries to go for a smile, which probably looked like a grimace.

“Hey, Andy.”

Andy stared at him, probably looking for any sign of discomfort. “Are you okay?”

Millan doesn’t know actually knows what he feels right this moment, so he goes for the better answer. “I’m fine, Andy. Don’t worry about me.”

Andy looks around and sees that some of the pack members are still looking at them while the others start to continue with their breakfast. Andy held Millan’s hand gently and before he could react to it, another voice joined their bubble.

“Hey, Millan? Can we talk for a moment?”

Millan startles and looks up. Nara is standing in front of him, a questioning look on her face.

“Sure.”

Nara turns to Andy then looking at their hands, before taking Millan’s hand from him. Andy is about to say something but Nara stops him by shaking her head at him.

Millan was confused as he follows Nara robotically, anxiety growing in his chest, replaying the last events in his head over and over again.

Is he just over reacting again?

Maybe Weston wasn’t so scary. Maybe it’s his mind playing tricks on him again.

Maybe.