Chapter 59: Chapter 59

Millan wakes, surrounded by warmth and safety.

He recognizes Weston’s arms around him immediately and smiles, content. When he blinks awake, he discovers that Weston is fast asleep and takes a moment to appreciate the sight.

A look to the window informs him of the late hour, faded rays of the rising moon illuminating the room vaguely.

He’d slept the whole afternoon away, but there’s still heaviness in his body, willing his eyelids shut. Millan rests his head on Weston’s chest, breathing in the familiar scent and letting it lull him back to sleep.

Usually, the scent would be enough, but Millan can’t seem to stay still. It’s as if there isn’t enough of Weston’s scent surrounding him.

Eyes still half closed, he gets up and grabs the shirt Weston had discarded before hopping into bed. He goes back to bed and lays the shirt on top of himself before resting his head on Weston’s body again, mindful of his arm entrapped in the irritating sling.

Just seconds after, still feeling on edge, he gets up again, feet leading him to Weston’s wardrobe.

He takes a sweatshirt and goes to leave it at that but, mind foggy from sleep, decides to grab more items- the ones Weston wears the most, the ones smelling most like forest, rain and security.

Hasty to get back to bed and finally relax, Millan brings his findings and lays them around himself and Weston.

After fussing over the layout a little, arm giving him some grief, his heart settles enough for him to resume his position in Weston’s arms.

He falls asleep almost immediately lulled by the overpowering scent of his soul mate.

*****

Weston is warm.

His first thought goes to Millan as he opens his eyes, thinking that his mate might have a fever. But then he takes in what seems like the entirety of his wardrobe laid out on the bed.

Eyes widening, Weston slowly comprehends the situation until a grin almost splits his face in two.

Millan is nesting.

Trying not to disturb the sleeping blunder on top of him, Weston brings his nose to Millan's neck.

There’s something new mixed in with sweet tea and citrus, something like freshly cut grass and coffee.

Millan smells delicious and Weston has to stifle a growl of pure desire. He has to control wanting to abide by Nara’s bed rest rules.

Still, Weston groans softly as he indulges in Millan's scent a little longer.

*****

Weston’s nose tickles Millan's neck and sends shivers down his spine.

He smiles when he feels Weston’s lips planting a kiss there.

“Good morning,” Millan mumbles, eyes closed, letting consciousness wash over him leisurely.

“You’re nesting.” Weston’s voice is low, wrapped in sleep.

It takes a moment for Millan to register the words, distracted by the rugged sound.

Nesting… yeah, I’m nesting… Wait. Nesting? No. I’m not.

“Huh?” Millan sits up abruptly when it hits him, eyes suddenly fully open and alert, ignoring the sharp sting in his arm from the sudden movement.

Weston’s clothes are scattered everywhere on the bed, some of them fell to the floor during the night and Millan resists the urge to grab them and place them back on the bed, where they belong.

What is wrong with him?

“Hey, calm down, Mill. Sorry, I shouldn’t have just blurted it out like that.” Weston chuckles and gently brings Millan back down, mindful of his injury.

“I’m not nesting.” Millan's pout is adorable, and Weston kisses it, thumb rubbing the wrinkles of worry between Millan's eyebrows.

“Okay. Whatever you say, love.”

“I’m not.” Millan's breathing is picking up and Weston is sensing the pending meltdown so he brings Millan even more closer to him, presenting his neck for Millan to scent.

“Shh, it’s okay, Mill.”

“I just like the scent of your clothes. That’s all.” Millan mumbles, hiding the blush of his cheeks further in Weston’s neck.

“Of course, just go back to sleep, it’s still early.”

Millan looks out the window to see the sun isn’t even up yet and sighs, sinking back into Weston’s embrace. He tries to relax, he really does, but the image of Weston’s clothes scattered on the floor keeps disturbing him.

“Wait.” He whispers as much for himself as for Weston.

With the arm that’s not trapped in a sling, Millan reaches over the side of the bed to pick up the fallen clothes then arranges them over himself and Weston until the scent is well distributed.

Everything seems to be perfect until he spots a sock on the floor on Weston’s side.

“Could you pick that up, please?” Millan asks, pointing to the sock and Weston does with a shit eating grin.

“Shut up.” Millan says curtly as he places the sock just right on the bed.

*****

“Thank you for coming over, Nara.”

“Although it’s completely unnecessary.” Millan mumbles, bringing one of Weston’s sweatshirt closer to his face, subtly scenting it.

Nara ignores the comment and smiles, “It’s my pleasure, Weston. So, I see Millan is nesting.”

“I’m not nesting.” Millan says half heartedly, more out of habit.

“He’s pretty adamant on that.” Weston smiles, dimples assaulting Millan's view, making it hard to continue pouting.

Nara raises an eyebrow, smirks and takes a step closer to their bed.

Millan tenses, Nara’s alpha scent getting closer to Weston’s comforting scent putting him on edge. He breathes in deep, trying to control himself.

Freaking out would only give them arguments towards their ridiculous nesting theories.

But then Nara extends a hand towards one of Weston’s shirt lying at the foot of the bed and Millan snarls, protective omega taking over without any way to stop it.

Daring, Nara ignores Millan's warning and touches the shirt.

Millan lunges forward, growling, omega preening when she takes a step back.

“Millan! It’s just Nara. She’s no threat.” Weston’s hand rests on Millan's chest, wanting to prevent his soul mate from attacking the pack’s best doctor.

“It’s all right, Weston, I provoked him on purpose. Millan, there’s no denying it, you’re nesting.”

Nara realizes she’s still too close to the nest, Millan's body tense, a low rumble vibrating from his chest. She takes another step back, showing her palms in a peaceful gesture.

It seems to calm the omega down, and Millan blinks a few times before relaxing back into his mate.

“Okay, yeah. I’m nesting.” Millan mutters under his breath.

“What was that?” Weston teases.

Millan rolls his eyes. “I’m nesting.” He says a little louder, tiny smile taking over his lips to his dismay.

“Now that we’re clear on that, I’m guessing you know nesting can indicate different things.” Nara says as she takes a seat in an armchair a good distance from the bed, rather, the nest. “Most commonly, your omega is ready to have pups with your mate or is already pregnant. It can also mean you might be going into heat.”

“That’s not it. My next heat is supposed to be in two months.”

“Also, Millan smells a bit different.” Weston interjects.

Different?

Millan sniffs at his clothes but doesn’t detect anything other than his usual slightly sweet scent and Weston’s overwhelming scent surrounding them.

“You can’t smell it, Millan?” Nara asks.

“No. I don’t smell anything different.” Millan is baffled. His nose is good. He can discern scents even drowned out by others. He’s proud of the sense he’s worked so hard to improve.

“Is… is Millan pregnant?” Weston asks, hopeful and Millan's mind blanks.

Pregnant?

Millan has never entertained the idea of ever baring children. It never felt like a part of his future. Then again, he barely dared hope to find a pack that would accept him, let alone a mate. But pups with Weston doesn’t seem so bad.

He’d seen the Head Alpha interact with the children of his pack and his omega bristles at the idea of his own pups in Weston’s arms or playing with Weston’s hair or being tucked away at night by his Alpha…

“It could be.” Nara answers, piercing through Millan's zealous mind and adding to his omega’s excitement. “It’s not uncommon for mates to smell the difference first. Usually, they know after a couple of weeks or so, around the same time that a test can detect it as well. But with your kind of bond, I wouldn’t be surprised if Weston picked up on it sooner. We can try a test now. If it comes back negative, we should try again in a week or so.”

Millan tries to rein in the flutters in his stomach. Nothing’s for certain and he doesn’t want to get his hopes up.

“He’s pregnant, I’m sure of it.” Weston says, determined and Millan looks at him with wide eyes, surprised at the certainty radiating off his mate.

“Weston, we don’t even know if I can have pups at all.” Millan reminds him, not wanting Weston to be disappointed.

Sensing that there is something she doesn’t know, Nara frowns, “What do you mean?”

“Hmm, well… Here’s the thing. I…uh.”

Weston kisses his temple, letting a calming acceptance seep through their bond, effectively soothing Millan's hesitations.

“Apparently,” Millan starts over, “I was born with a knot. I had alpha traits as well as omega traits. My father had my knot removed because I manifested more on the omega side and my knot doesn’t seem to be functioning. But I’m not sure what that means for… you know…”

“Your reproductive system.” Nara finishes for him, sensing his unease. “You’re right, Millan, this might change the situation. Intersex werewolves can sometimes be sterile, but the fact that you’re nesting, that you smell different according to Weston and that you have heats… they’re all very good signs. Your omega is acting very much like a fertile one.”

Millan is surprised and relieved by the lack of judgment in the doctor’s voice. There are only warmth and compassion. He thinks of Amir, Andy and Jace, of Madelyn too and he can imagine them reacting the same way, just as tolerant.

He’s starting to think that maybe, his father and his uncle, maybe… they’re the odd ones out.

Maybe kindness should be the norm. Maybe Weston is right and there isn’t anything wrong with him.

It’s like a weight being removed from his shoulder and Millan can breathe a little easier.