♥

Everett calls for training later in the afternoon as a pack, it's been a little while since he's taken lead because of his focus on Reign. She's taken her own stance with training and wanted to share her skill of archery with us.

Safe to say that some of us–including myself–are absolutely diabolical at it.

An hour before the training, I find Everett in his office sorting through notes from a recent meeting of his. My knuckles brush the door and he smiles at me as I walk in.

"Milo, you good?" He asks before his attention is back on his desk.

I hum and walk further into the room. "Yeah, I just wanted to ask something," I say, my voice becoming quieter on the last couple of words.

Everett glances up again and leans back in the office chair, he tilts his head slowly. "Go on..." he trails off. He's probably expecting the worst.

"So I was thinking," I clear my throat and perch on the edge of one of the chairs opposite the desk. "With the training getting back on track and Fran has been doing a lot with the pack, I was wondering if you'd let me get involved more with training? I know I've been slacking lately and there is no excuse for it. I want to be a better Beta."

My brother blinks as if he's in shock and he finally leans forward to let me know that he's still alive in there. "I'm pleased you feel this way, Milo," he nods. "But I know you've got a lot on and I don't want you to be putting more on your plate than necessary."

I shake my head. "Layla said it would be good for me to start getting more involved, to start exercising, to start freeing my mind a bit more. And I know I've been the world's shittest Beta when I was out partying and not caring but now I do care, I want to make more of an effort."

Everett's eyes light up at my words. "Well, then I'll grant you it. You can help with training today if you wish? Reign always needs a trusty assistant for her archery lessons."

My face twists to a grimace at the last suggestion. "I love Reign but I don't like making an absolute fool out of myself."

He laughs gently. "You and me both. But still, it's good to find new skills, learn new things. I'm glad you feel this way, Milo. I would love for you to be involved more, it would be great for the pack too. We're really coming together this year and I absolutely love it."

The smile on my face begins to ache my cheeks. "So you'll let me help out?"

"Of course," he bows his head. "Obviously in the future it would be better if we went through it more than an hour before the training but I can let this one slide. I can get you to help out where it needs to be, for you to give me feedback on what you think. I'd really appreciate your opinion."

Pride burns in my chest because I know I've been missing out on this for years because I've been too busy getting my dick wet and drinking God knows what concocktion.

"Great," I nod.

"Meet me on the clearing in twenty and then we can go through what I've got planned," he says, gathering the papers on his desk. "You sure you don't want to help out Reign?"

I chew on my lip. "Fine, alright. When is the session?"

He smirks at me because I can't say no to Reign–-neither can he.

"Tomorrow at noon."

I stand from the chair and walk out of the office. "Alright, you're good at convincing."

"Reign will be chuffed."

"I don't doubt that she will be."

Everett's laughter follows me into the hall as I make my way upstairs and get changed. Not before I stare at myself in the mirror and straighten my shoulders, raising my head. I nod at the reflection once and smile.

"You can do this, Milo. You can do this."

♥

Since when has training been so damn fun? I think I'm going out of my damn mind.

I'm beyond sweaty, covered head to toe in dirt and extremely exhausted. But boy, was it exhilarating. Everett let me help out with certain parts that we went over before the training started, when people look to you for leadership–it feels better than I expected.

When we shift back into our human forms, a hand touches my shoulder. "Enjoy that?" Everett asks.

I nod before he even finishes speaking. "So much," I smile. "Thanks for letting me help, it's exactly what I needed."

"Don't thank me," he dismisses my words. "You're the Beta, you're more than welcome to step up when you want, I'd love for you to continue doing this. I adore working alongside you brother, seeing you like this... it makes me so happy."

The warmth in my chest spreads. "It makes me happy too. And I know in the long run it will help with my therapy and addiction. So thanks for not giving me a hard time about slacking off before."

We begin to walk back to the pack house and he chuckles beside me. "Maybe this time I will when I've seen your real potential."

Once we get inside, I head upstairs and shower. Still feeling the burst of endorphins and other chemicals run around my body. I guess they're similar to what is released when you are sexually intimate with someone else but this feels different because I don't feel guilty about it and it feels ten times better than anything I've ever experienced.

I've still fought the idea to get myself off with my hand some nights, when I've desperately wanted to feel something when I get inside my own head. I really don't want to cave, it would only ever be the last resort but if I could release different chemicals in healthy ways, I'd rather stick to that.

After a fresh set of clothes I make my way downstairs to find Everett, Reign, Fran and Jesse in the kitchen making an after training snack. Reign's eyes glitter when she sees me and steps closer to wrap her arms around my stomach.

I embrace her and lower my head to hers, pressing a kiss to the crown. "What's this for?" I mumble into her hair.

She peeks up at me, those light blue eyes almost vibrating with joy. "You just did so good today and you looked so comfortable and happy. I love to see it."

My arms crush her against me again and she squeals, releasing a soft laugh. "It was rewarding," I comment as she nuzzles her face into my chest. "Apparently I'm helping you out tomorrow."

Reign pulls back so quickly, beaming at me. "You are?"

"If you want me to."

"I would love for you to help me."

Then we're hugging again and I glance up across the kitchen to find Everett's eyes on us. His lips are curled into a smile, clear emotion in his eyes. I replicate the gesture and he nods with proudness and continues to make food with Fran bickering away to him.

We sit around the kitchen counter and snack on good food, Reign discussing her plan for tomorrow as Everett kisses her temple. I love seeing them be affectionate, before it would set me off because I thought I'd never get there with Nate. But everyday is another step forward. I keep telling myself that.

Milo. One of the guards voice's floats through my head. There is someone here to see you.

Everything in my body perks up and I feel a rush of blood around my veins. Nate?

I excuse myself and walk to the front gate, only to find Apollo waiting on the other side. A part of me is disappointed but I know I didn't organise to meet with Nate today.

"Hey," I call out as the gate opens.

"Hey, man," Apollo grins at me. "I was in the area and thought I'd pop by to see how you are."

I nod and take his hand in a greeting gesture as he brings our chests together. "Yeah, I'm good. How are you?"

His eyebrows wiggle telling me that he's been up to no good. It's obvious the scents that cover his body are from multiple men but good for him if he still wants to do that shit. "Very well," he winks.

My throat clears. "Do you want to come in?"

"Sure," he nods.

When I walk into the pack house, only Everett is in the kitchen cleaning away the mess that he made to prepare our food. His eyes fall on Apollo but he doesn't say anything as we step outside and chill on the patio.

"What's up?" I ask him as I perch on the step.

He sits beside me. "Nothing, just thought I'd catch up with you. It's been a while."

"Yeah, I've been focusing on my health and the pack and Nate."

Apollo breathes out a breath through his nose. "You're not really still sticking to that boring shit are you?"

I recoil from his words inside my head but I don't react. "Of course I am. When I said my priorities have changed, I meant it."

"But don't you miss the freedom of going out and doing whatever the fuck you want? I know how much you enjoyed the parties, it's a part of you, man. You can't even deny it!" He exclaims with a wild grin.

My eyebrows crease. "I might have enjoyed parts of it at the time but it's not a part of me anymore, I don't want to go back to that lifestyle."

"That lifestyle?" Apollo repeats. "Like you didn't love getting your back blown out whenever you wanted."

I cringe at his words and I shake my head. "There is a lot more to this life than just sex. I'm over it, and I don't care what anyone thinks. You still go out and do your thing, I'd never judge you for it."

Apollo studies me for a long moment and I feel like I'm under spotlights with his intense gaze. "What the fuck have you done with the real, Milo?"

"He's bettering himself," I say confidently.

"Alright," he nods and sighs.

I change the topic and Apollo stays for another twenty or so minutes before he decides to leave me to it. I don't know why he's still trying to convince me that my old life was somehow better than focusing on a relationship with my mate but I guess he wouldn't understand if he hasn't met them yet.

When I walk back to the kitchen, Everett is standing against the counter with his arms folded across his chest. He doesn't say anything as I grab a glass of water but his eyes follow me.

"What?"

"Apollo isn't a good friend, Milo."

I raise the glass to my lips and take down the entire thing. "Were you listening to our conversation?"

He sighs. "You should distance yourself from people like him. For the sake of your recovery, he's not making things better. In fact he is ignorant to everything but himself."

"I can handle myself, Ev," I tell him seriously. "Just like how I said I am bettering myself and I don't need his opinions because they don't matter to me."

Everett hims lightly. "Does he know about your addiction?"

"Of course not," I shake my head. "He'd never understand."

"You don't need people like that in your life dragging you down," he says sincerely. "Only the people who support you getting better. Apollo shouldn't be hanging around when you're so new to this therapy and recovery."

I glance at him. "I understand your concern but I have it under control. Promise."

He stares at me for a few moments and then nods. "Alright," he says gently, pushing up from the counter. "I've got to help Reign with tomorrow."

"Okay."

I leave to go upstairs to my bedroom and chill out because my muscles are aching from the training session earlier. My eyes fixate on the window as I think about Nate, wishing he was here right now.

I miss you. I say before thinking.

For a moment I'm stunned but I couldn't help myself.

I miss you too.

My eyes fill with joy and pressure and I collapse on my bed, a smile on my face.

I want to see you soon.

Tomorrow?

I'm training with Reign in the day. What about the day after?

Nate is silent for a second. I'm going to train privately with Viola, Elin and Zade if you want to join. It's more fun and games than actual training but we do it to get out of the house.

I'm there.

Can't wait.

My wolf howls with pleasure.

I can't wait to see your handsome face.

Nate's laugh filters through the bond gently that it gives me goosebumps.

The feeling is mutual.

♥ ♥ ♥

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Author's Note

BRB SCREAMING INTO MY PILLOW

These two are so fucking adorable and I can't cope.🥹

Also I'm am so fucking proud of Milo for what he said to Apollo. He's really changing and wants to be better, I'm totally here for it. Also Everett backing up all our thoughts that he's not a good friend, I'm glad he has someone looking out for him!

What did you guys think?👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

GUYS. Let's step it up 160 votes and 60 comments and I'll post a new chapter asap before next Thursday!✨

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