Chapter 57: Chapter 57

Even though Millan keeps his expression steady while pain shoots through his shoulder, Weston must have sense it and he gives Millan's hand a reassuring squeeze.

Nara is removing his bandage, careful not to disturb the sling holding his arm to his chest, to assess his recovery.

The wound doesn’t look very good, red and swollen and Millan can feel Weston worrying by his side. Judging by her widening eyes, Nara thinks the same.

“That’s really something…” Nara says mostly to herself.

Weston tenses beside Millan.

“Is it bad?” Weston asks, hand squeezing Millan's almost painfully.

Nara is brought out of her own thoughts and smiles widely at Weston.

“Not at all. Millan is doing great! I’m amazed at how great he’s doing, considering everything that had happened.”

Weston sighs and eases his grip on Millan's hand. Millan relaxes as well, hoping he’ll be out of the hospital quickly.

While Nara redresses his wound, however, Millan sees her eyes water slightly.

“Are you okay, Nara?” Millan asks.

“Yes, I’m sorry, everything’s fine. I’m just a bit emotional today. My rut must be approaching or something.”

Millan doesn’t point out that this doesn’t make any sense. Alphas typically don’t get emotional before a rut, maybe more aggressive or protective but not really emotional.

Seeing his and Weston’s confusion, Nara sighs and elaborates.

“It’s just… I remember how long it took you to heal a simple cut when you first arrived here and now, you almost died from blood loss, your shoulder was dislocated and here you are, recovering from it like it was nothing. I haven’t seen a lot of omegas heal as fast as you are healing right now.”

“Oh.” Millan looks at Weston who is grinning unabashedly and Millan smiles back, knowing that Weston’s presence has a lot to do with his current healing capabilities.

Then Nara’s words crush through Millan's happiness like a needle through a balloon.

“Still, I’m putting you on bed rest for a week with Weston nearby as much as possible. You can go back to the Main House, but you are to avoid any physical activity.”

“Wait, what? No way. I’m fine!” Millan goes to show just how fine he is, wanting to move his wounded arm out of his sling to prove it, but Weston anticipates his move and restrains his arm to his chest.

“I’ll see to it.” Weston says diligently and Millan shoots him a glare.

“ANY activity, Weston. I mean it.” Nara reaffirms looking at Weston who nods understandingly.

Millan glares at the both of them. This isn’t fair at all. A week in bed not being able to do much is one thing, but another week in bed when he feels like running… that’s just unacceptable.

Besides, he feels fine.

Surely, Weston is just humoring Nara.

*****

“Oh come on, Andy! I’m so booooreddd!” Millan does his best rendition of puppy eyes he can muster along with a pout that, he’s learned, gets to Weston every time.

Unfortunately, Andy isn’t so easily persuaded as he shakes his head, unwavering.

“Millan, you need to rest. You almost died only twenty-four hours ago, there’s no way you’re already bored. Besides, Weston would flip- “

“Weston would let me get out of here if he were here.”

“Maybe, and that’s why I’m here instead.”

Millan rolls his eyes. “He’s not here because he had to attend a Council Meeting.”

“You can always try your puppy eyes on him when he returns. For now, it’s your turn.”

Millan sighs dramatically as he brings a +4, making Andy groan.

They’re at their third game of Uno and Millan thinks he’ll go crazy from how bored he is. He thinks this whole ordeal is complete bullshit as he’s been hurt before and never had to rest for a whole week in bed.

He would have never been safe enough to rest for a week when he was on his own. He always had to keep moving.

He can’t deny how nice it is to be looked after and safe enough to just lay in bed all day doing nothing. But it’s also incredibly frustrating.

It’s only been one day, and Millan feels like crawling out of his skin. He needs to move, go outside, run. But he’s stuck here with Andy playing Uno instead.

He can’t wait for Weston to come back so he can convince him to let him outside.

Surely, he’ll be easier to convince than Andy, right?

*****

“How is he?” Weston asks as Andy puts away the playing cards.

“Exhausted, but somehow already bored.”

Weston snorts looking at his mate’s sleeping form. That’s just like Millan to feel restless after only one day in bed. He smiles as Millan snores softly in his sleep looking positively drained.

“How did it go?” Andy asks.

Weston tears his eyes away from his mate to look at an anxious Andy reminding him of the Council Meeting and his own fatigue. Weston sighs heavily and sits on the bed next to Millan who unconsciously snuggles closer.

Petting Millan's hair gently, Weston answers, “I don’t know what to do. It would have been so much easier if the bastard had just died.”

“Yeah. We can still arrange that.”

Weston is surprised by the venom in Andy’s voice, Andy who’s usually so calm. Weston tries to glare at his friend, but he can’t bring himself to condemn the sentiment.

If anyone wants to kill Travis, it’s Weston. He wants the Head Alpha of the Caelan Pack to suffer more than one death for what he put Millan through. But…

“Millan should be the one to decide. Besides, we don’t have the death penalty here. Even though I’d love to make an exception as Millan's mate, I can’t make that decision as the pack’s Alpha.”

“Travis isn’t pack.”

Weston feels the signs of a growing headache. He’d had the same debate during the Council Meeting, and they hadn’t come up with anything productive other than keeping Travis imprisoned and talking to Millan about it.

“Death seems too easy for him.”

At that, Andy nods. “That’s true.”

A few seconds of silence passed, both alphas lost in their own head as they stare at the lone sleeping form in the room.

Weston, despite thinking a lot of things, senses this and had to stop himself from snarling at Andy and throwing the other alpha out of the room for staring at his omega with eyes full of emotions.

He knows that he and Andy have to talk about things eventually and looks like that time already has arrived. He took a deep breath before speaking.

“Andy, I want to thank you.”

Andy looked taken aback, surprised by Weston’s gratitude. “You don’t have to thank me or anything. Taking care of Millan is no trouble and... I… like spending time with him.”

Andy observes Weston as the Head Alpha glares at him before shaking his head and staring back at Andy again.

“I… want to thank you, not just for accompanying Millan today, but also for bringing him here in the pack. Thank you for insisting the he stay here. If not for you, I wouldn’t meet my Fated Mate, and Millan would’ve been somewhere far, doing who knows what or could’ve been in danger.”

Weston smiled a little to the other alpha in the room and sincerely spoke again. “I know that you have… feelings for Millan, and I can’t say that it doesn’t make me jealous or make my wolf go crazy… but I trust you. We grew up together and you’re one of my best friends. If anything, aside from this possessive streak I have over my mate, I am also relieved by the fact that whatever may happen in the future, I can count on you to keep Millan safe. Thank you, Andy.”

Andy is silent for a moment before nodding his head and sending a small smile to Weston, “I know it’s hard, but you honestly have nothing to be jealous of, Weston. I know my place, and I know who Millan loves. I am just happy to be able to stay by his side.”

Weston stood up and clapped Andy by the shoulder, “I am really grateful for that, Andy.”