40. Mila

Chapter forty

Mila

I wake to the smell of roasted marshmallows, opening my eyes to find Gryphon looming over me.

Barret and Lachlan made me a makeshift bed in the hospital waiting room. They put together two chairs so I could get some rest for the long night, but I hardly slept a wink.

The Alphas slept on the floor, sacrificing the chairs for me, and it warms my heart.

They care so much about making me feel happy and safe. Even though I don't deserve their consideration.

Why aren't they mad at me? Their Omega is in this mess because of me…

They should despise me, yet they only show me kindness.

However, when I gaze up at Gryphon, I find the anger that I crave.

The anger that is rightfully justified.

I can always count on Gryphon to make me feel special.

I jerk awake, wiping the drool from my lips. The chairs groan beneath me.

"Oliver…" is all I get out.

Gryphon snarls, baring his teeth. "Is alive… barely… no thanks to you…"

His hatred for me is palatable, I can almost taste it on my tongue. But I find myself gazing straight into his fiery eyes.

My fists curl.

I know that I already blamed myself for Oliver's condition, but there's just something about Gryphon's tone that gets my goat.

Who does he think he is?

He isn't the only one here who cares about Oliver…

We all do.

Gryphon's nostrils flare, and it's taking a lot of his strength to rein that anger in.

I am prepared for his ire.

Lily's scratches still mar his tanned cheek, and I can't believe I had been so worried about him last night.

The Alpha is an ass, and it's clear we are never going to see eye to eye.

The only thing we have in common is Oliver.

The Omega may not be my mate, but I have a feeling that won't be a problem here.

Oliver may never be able to give me his bite, but I'll always still be his…

I will never leave his side ever again. Not after what he did for me.

So, Gryphon is going to have to get used to having me around, and his superior, Lily, too.

I'm not afraid of either of them.

"You have to leave," Gryphon says. "This is the final straw now, Mila… no more. You will have to be allocated to another pack."

"No. I'm not going anywhere…"

The Alpha stops short, balling his fists. His lips press into a tight line, turning them white. There is blood on his shirt.

I still have Oliver's blood on the dress that he bought for me.

All he had wanted to do was give me one night where I could feel special. And he only got caught in the crossfire of whoever has it out for me.

It's obvious someone had hired that gunman to kill me.

Thankfully, Barret stirs on the floor, gazing up bleary-eyed at Gryphon. Then he jumps up to his feet, kicking Lachlan awake in the process.

"Gryphon… where the fuck have you been… Oliver…?"

"Is alive…" Gryphon answers, never taking his burgundy gaze off me.

He is trying to get me to back down.

But I will never back down.

Barret pauses, his head snapping back and forth between us. Then his eyes darken, and he steps in front of me, protecting me just like Oliver did.

My heart skips a beat.

"Back away, Gryphon…"

Lachlan joins his side, and now Oliver's two other Alphas protect me from the asshole.

Gryphon keeps a firm stance. "Step aside, Barret. This is between me and Mila…"

"No," Lachlan replies. "You do not hurt Snowdrop…"

Gryphon growls. "Don't call her that."

I roll my eyes, pushing between Barret and Lachlan as I face Gryphon head-on. He steps back, clearly sensing the threat.

I recall holding onto Oliver when he was bleeding, not letting anyone get near him.

Not even Gryphon and the Alpha had clearly got the message.

Oliver is mine…

"Look, we can discuss this later. Right now, let's focus on Oliver. He is injured and we need to be there for him. All of us."

The Alpha doesn't take his eyes off me, but they do soften when I mention his Omega.

It's clear he loves him, and I can't let myself forget that.

We have a common interest here, and I can work with that. Albeit begrudgingly.

This Alpha has stepped on my toes way too many times.

There comes a cough from the door of the waiting room, and we all turn our heads.

There's a doctor standing there, and my heart thumps so loud, I think I am going to pass out.

His scrubs are covered in blood.

Oliver's blood.

There was a lot of it after all…

The man nods his head, a tired smile on his face, and we all let out a collective breath.

Lachlan cries, holding on to Barret, and the Alpha pats his back.

I pass out on the nearest chair, thanking whatever God may hear me.

It's clear they answered my prayers, and I will be eternally grateful.

Oliver pulled through. ***

Everyone makes a fuss around the Omega as he lays in bed.

The paramedics had arrived on time, enough to get Oliver to the hospital so he could get emergency surgery.

Gryphon barks at the nurse, demanding an extra pillow for his precious Omega, and the poor thing runs out of the room terrified.

We get it. He is an Alpha, and his Omega is recovering from a gunshot to the upper arm, but that's no excuse to be an ass.

The Alpha hasn't looked at me since our conversation in the waiting room.

He knows there is nothing he can do to keep me away.

I am staying, and my decision is final.

When Oliver asks to be left alone with me, Gryphon protests at first. But then he gives in and leaves with the others.

His gaze flits to me briefly in warning, but I give him my back, focusing all my attention on Oliver.

He is the only one who matters right now.

"Mila," he whispers, his voice weak, but he still finds the strength to reach his hand across the bed and grasp my fingers.

I squeeze his hand tightly, tears building up in my eyes. All I can get out is, "Why?"

Silence. Except for the whirring of the machines.

Oliver's heart monitor is steady but strong.

"You know why…"

Finally, I meet his ocean-blue eyes.

I can't help myself next. I burst into tears, throwing my arms around him. He winces in pain at first, but then he chuckles, offering me a soothing Omega purr as he rubs my back, making me feel safe.

"I'm… so glad you're safe, Oliver…"

"And I'm glad you are, Mila. I don't regret what I did. I would take a thousand bullets for you… it's time someone protected you too."

I sob, holding him tighter, and that's how we stay.

I know it deep in my heart then. I am never leaving this Omega.

Not after what he sacrificed for me.

Oliver is mine.