41. Lachlan

Chapter forty-one

Lachlan

O liver is discharged a week later, and finally, we can all put this horrible nightmare behind us.

Best of all, Mila will be staying with us forever…

She promised she would stay with us, and it looks like we get to keep her now after all. Despite Gryphon's wishes.

The Alpha is not happy, one bit. And instead of celebrating Oliver's miraculous recovery, he decides to brood.

We don't pay him attention. We just focus on Oliver and making him happy again, and if that means having Mila around, so be it.

Besides, Oliver's not the only one who's taken with her. I am too.

I keep bringing her flowers, and each time her smile grows even bigger and brighter. It's enough to replace the sun in the sky, and my heart never fails to skip a beat.

Gryphon is really missing out. If he just embraced this beauty like the rest of us, then we could all be happy.

I couldn't give two shits what anyone else thinks. It's obvious someone out there has it in for Mila, and I swear, I will protect her with my life.

I will protect her and Oliver.

They are both mine…

So, Lily, Gryphon, and everyone else can go and fuck off.

I don't care if she is Beta or Frederick's pawn.

Mila makes our pack whole.

I lean against the frame of the door, smiling at Mila as she tucks Oliver into bed.

The doctor advised that the Omega would need plenty of rest to aid in his recovery. He also gave Oliver a new diet, which he wasn't happy about.

Apparently, the Omega eats too much sugar, and he needs to cut back.

So, that means steamed vegetables from now on.

I can tell the Omega isn't fussed with being treated like a baby.

He is not made of china; we know that. But he is still vulnerable.

It must be the Alpha in me. He can't help but feel the need to protect.

But I also feel partially responsible for why he is in this state to begin with.

I should have been there to protect them both, and I know that Barret and Gryphon feel the same.

What kind of Alphas can't protect their own Omega and his mate?

I'm no fool; it's obvious that Oliver and Mila are mates. It's just sad that Oliver can never give her his bite.

Only Alphas can give bite marks, and my mouth salivates when I imagine sinking my teeth into Mila's neck for him, bringing her into the pack via the bond I share with Oliver.

I'm already connected with Oliver. Right now, I can feel the tug on our bond as he smiles at me from his place on the bed, letting me know that he is comforted and that Mila is seeing to all of his needs.

We have been taking turns looking after him. All of us.

Even Gryphon, but he looks like a sour puss the whole time.

That's because Mila refuses to leave the room, even when it is his turn.

Gryphon's turn is coming up now. I've just finished mine.

But I decide to linger, watching Mila tucking in the bedsheets all around Oliver, whispering him sweet, sweet nothings.

Oliver dotes on her attention. Omegas love to be spoiled. Even if Oliver likes to deny it at times, some part of him is loving this.

I mean, who wouldn't want Nurse Mila tending to them twenty-four-seven? She even gave him a sponge bath the other day and no fair…

I want a sponge bath.

"Do you want me to fluff up your pillow again?" she asks.

Oliver smiles up at her tiredly, and my heart wrenches.

He truly is vulnerable.

Seeing someone you love in such a horrific state is traumatising, and I don't think I will ever get the image of him lying in Mila's arms out of my mind.

When I drift off at night, I can still see him covered in blood.

My fists curl.

I'm just glad they arrested the shooter.

Because I would have gladly gone to prison myself, making that asshole pay for what he did to my Omega.

The shooter may be behind bars, but that doesn't mean we're safe.

Someone hired that shooter to take out Mila. After all, she is Frederick's number one soldier.

When I find the one who orchestrated the attack… I will kill them.

"No, Mila, I'm fine. You go and rest. You haven't stopped once since we got back."

Mila's eyes flash, and then she takes his cheek in her hand. "I meant what I said, Oliver… I will not leave your side…"

Tears shine in her eyes, and I watch her strangely.

Does she blame herself too for what happened?

She was not the one at fault. I hope she knows that.

Barret and I don't blame her for what happened to Oliver.

I know why she feels this way, and once I scent his roasted marshmallows coming up behind me, I turn, glaring into his eyes.

Gryphon hikes up a brow, and he has the audacity to look confused.

"Is there something wrong, Lachlan?"

A growl rumbles low in my chest, and Gryphon squares his shoulders, puffing out his chest like a pigeon.

He may be my brethren, but right now, I hate him.

He made my snowdrop feel bad, and I know he hates it when I call her that.

Good.

I block his way into the room, and he doesn't take those red-brown eyes off me.

I always respected him as our self-appointed pack leader, but lately, I have lost a lot of respect for him.

Finally, the Alpha crosses his arms, rolling his eyes. "Lachlan? If you have something to say, say it…"

The room beyond falls silent, and I feel Oliver and Mila watching us.

We're making Oliver upset, I know it. But I refuse to leave Gryphon alone with Mila…

He will make her feel bad again, and I won't let him.

"You know what," I mutter, folding my own arms.

I still block his entry into the room.

Gryphon narrows his eyes at me in challenge, but he never growls. I am trying his patience, but I couldn't give two shits.

He will not hurt Mila…

Finally, Oliver snaps. "For crying out loud. Lachlan, let him in. It's his turn on the roster."

I can't help but hear the sarcasm in his tone, and again, I feel for my poor Omega.

He hates having to be taken care of. Even if some small part of him enjoys the attention.

Well, at least where Mila is concerned.

I step aside, letting the Alpha into the room at last.

He doesn't even look at Mila. The Beta may as well not exist, and for some reason, that makes me even angrier.

How dare he…

Oliver peers up at Mila. "It's okay, Mila… I will be fine… Gryphon can take over from here."

Mila chews her lip, and my dick jolts when I spy her teeth digging into the plump flesh.

"Are you sure, Oliver? You're still so poorly…"

He smiles tightly, taking her hand. His grip is feeble.

"It's okay. You go and get some rest, Mila…"

Mila glances up at Gryphon. Again, he doesn't meet her gaze, and I resist the urge to storm into the room and punch his nose.

Finally, Mila sighs, and now a yawn stretches her mouth.

She looks so cute when she's tired.

"All right. But I will be back. I promise…"

She leans down and kisses Oliver on the head. Then she exits the room, momentarily blinding me with her gingerbread scent.

Funny how she smells so sweet.

I glance back over my shoulder. Oliver is in good hands.

I may hate Gryphon right now, but at least I know I can trust him where our Omega is concerned.

So, I follow Mila to her bedroom.

When she reaches the door, she looks up at me, confused.

"Are you okay, Lachlan?"

I put my hands in my pockets, grinning down at her broadly.

She looks as if she doesn't know what to say.

"I was wondering… if you needed me to sing you to sleep? I have a beautiful voice…"

Her grin widens. "I'm sure you do… but save it for Oliver. He needs it right now."

He does. But so does she.

"But…"

"I will be fine, Lachlan. But thank you for the offer, anyway."

She reaches out and squeezes my hand, and my heart sings.

Something stirs deep inside me, and I resist the urge to wrap my arms around her, burying my teeth into her neck.

I wouldn't just bite her for Oliver's sake. But I would bite her for mine, too.

Mila is going to be mine…

Mine.

She opens the door to her bedroom and vanishes inside. But not before tossing me another sweet smile from over her shoulder.

Even long after she shuts the door, I linger outside her room.

One day… I am going to give that girl my bite.

But until then, I will keep my distance.

Only when she is ready, will I make her a part of the pack.