Chapter 64: _ Oh, Liam
The sound of the front door opening drew my attention away from Liam. To my surprise, Kylo and Cullen walked in together, their faces contorted with exhaustion.
"Kylo? Cullen? What are you two doing here together?" I blurted out, genuinely surprised.
They usually worked in different parts of the pack and rarely returned home at the same time.
Kylo chuckled and came over to wrap his hands around me, sniffing my hair in. "Hm, babe. Feels good to see you again."
I smiled and touched his cheek even though he was behind me. "You are acting like you are just seeing me after a long time."
I had no idea why my heart began to accelerate as such. Kylo holding me like this felt– wrong.
"Come on! All day is a long time too." Kylo shrugged.
I and Liam simultaneously chuckled.
"You two better save the lovey-dovey for when you get inside the room and spare my eyesight." Cullen rolled his eyes.
I shot him a middle finger. "Now, care to tell me why you men are back here together from work?"
"Cullen decided to crash my workplace and wait for me so we could head home together, thought it’d be nice. You know– since everyone is advised to walk in pairs." Kylo provided.
Oh, right. I almost forgot about that. I was glad the two could have each other backs though. It felt good when your only friend gets along with your man.
Cullen, however, winked at me. "Just making sure your man doesn’t get lonely, Isleen."
Tch.
I swatted him playfully on the arm. "Hey! Don’t steal my man."
"Blehhh. Your man ain’t my style."
"Sure doesn’t look like it."
"What’s your ’style’, Cullen?" Kylo countered.
Cullen drew back the chair and sat with me and Liam on the table. "One as sweet as you." He winked at Kylo this time.
I widened my eyes. "You better don’t look at my man that way!"
Kylo snorted, amusement dancing in his eyes. "What’s that, man? I’m not some gay like you!"
The three of us burst into laughter after that.
Kylo greeted Liam warmly, ruffling his hair. "How’s my little warrior doing today?"
Liam, probably still a bit shaken from the encounter with Gamma Rhett, smiled shyly. "I’m okay, Kylo."
I was glad Liam always seemed to pick on the signals. I hoped he wouldn’t bring up Gamma Rhett’s visit.
Even though it was a harmless question with Liam, my guilt wouldn’t let me see just that. It made me feel like Kylo would suspect anything should he learn that his father was here again regardless of the visit’s intentions.
Truth be told, Gamma Rhett had never crossed paths with me before even though he knew just where to find me. Those times when he was actively against our union, he did it from a distance.
He warned his son, and not me. He was quite the responsible man, to be frank. Otherwise, he’d have openly come to me to warn me of his son.
Perhaps, we might have learned of our mate bond earlier. Perhaps, I’d have dealt with this dealt if he had done so. Perhaps, this Chapter would have been done with.
I’d have rejected Gamma Rhett and we’d all have moved on had he not been such a responsible man. I knew of so many people who would seize the opportunity that I was an Omega to come bully me especially since I was in a forbidden relationship with their son.
Gamma Rhett and Kylo– both men were built differently.
They were the rare kinds of men you’d find outside. Now, I fear that I might lose the both of them because of this. Because of this mate bond.
I must do whatever I can to not be marked by Gamma Rhett.
After also greeting Liam, Cullen would launch into a story about his day.
"So, this young elf girl comes up to me at work, all flustered and blushing," he began, his voice animated. "And she confesses she has a major crush on me! Can you believe it? Me, so gay Cullen, still turning heads. Female heads."
Well, for some young wolves and fey, they might consider Cullen attractive because of his carefree nature. Not for the older ones like myself.
Cullen just took things too lightly if you’d ask me.
I and Kylo feigned seriousness, exchanging playful gazes. "Oh no, Cullen, you’re breaking hearts left and right," Kylo teased.
"I sure am." Cullen raised his chin like a duck.
Oh, please. I rolled my eyes.
"Seems like you stole my charm, brother." Kylo chuckled, nudging Cullen again.
Cullen shook his head. "I’m not your brother, Kylo."
"Cullen’s feeling like the man of the day because an underaged elf confessed her affection to him." I laughed with sarcasm.
Cullen looked like he was about to shit his pants. "You– how dare you, ISLEEN?!"
I and Kylo’s laughter filled the room once more. When I saw how grim Liam looked, I thought we were annoying him so I changed the topic.
"So what’s up at work today, Kylo?" I asked.
Kylo shrugged. "Nothing new at my end, just the usual pack duties. How about you and Liam, babe?"
They probably haven’t heard the news yet.
"Actually," Liam began as if we had just swerved to his topic of interest, "something bad happened at school today." 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝙗.𝒄𝒐𝒎
The lightheartedness at the table vanished like smoke. Kylo and Cullen’s brows furrowed. "Bad?" They chorused.
Oh, Liam. Save the bad news for me to announce. You are just a child!
... I wish I could say those words to him right now but after Gamma Rhett’s visit and how shaken he was (still is), I didn’t want to raise my voice at him.
I took a deep breath. "A teacher died."
The room went silent. I could feel Kylo and Cullen trying to process the bad news.
Cullen broke the silence first. "A teacher? I... I heard some whispers about it earlier, but I never thought it was at your school, Isleen."
Kylo’s jaw clenched. "This is getting ridiculous," he growled. "The killing rate is rising by the day. Something needs to be done."
"The pack’s soldiers came promptly and are attending to the case already," I said but a little too sternly.
I had no idea why I felt like a thorn on the pack’s soldiers was synonymous with that on Gamma Rhett. Worse, I just wanted to defend him at that point.
I said ’pack’s soldiers’ because I was avoiding mentioning his name too.
Whatever it was that had begun to trouble me again, Liam blurted out something that stunned us all and ceased that feeling.
"Low key, I’m glad Mr. Fenrir met that fate."