My brain had fast become consumed by Nico.

Whenever I saw him around school, his poor eyes were puffy and pink-tinted from tears. The bags below his eyes were growing day by day and he always seemed to be at work. My concern for him was all-encompassing and I couldn't wrap my head around how he was juggling all of this alongside school.

I had some serious respect for him that was tied up in sympathy.

My father clearing his throat brought me out of my internal thoughts and back to the current reality of a pack meeting. He was looking at me with an expression of confusion as it wasn't like me to zone out of a pack meeting. I had a lot of thoughts as of late, however.

I sipped my black coffee and sat up straighter in my chair, focusing my attention back onto the elder who was rambling on. This meeting should have been wrapped up a while back now. The elders had a habit of talking just to seem important. See, elders were formed of past-pack Alphas who had come out of retirement and they tend to consider their days as Alpha to be the glory days. Xavier's father, for instance, was not interested in becoming an elder and spent his days baking with his wife. He was content to let that title go.

"There is one more issue that I would like to discuss." The elder caught my attention again.

"It's not an issue." Xavier interjected, his Alpha voice leaking into his words.

I glanced down at the itinerary but couldn't see anything else added that we hadn't already covered.

"It's an issue I'd like to discuss." The elder reiterated, "Alexandros has found his mate."

That statement damn near gave me whiplash. Obviously word travels fast in a pack, but it still felt so raw and new to be tackling this problem and I wasn't exactly ready to hear the pack elder's views on it. Icarus was immediately defensive.

"I know who it is but he is not yet eighteen."

My voice was on edge but I was trying to take control of this conversation as best as I could.

"And how is that possible?"

The words hung in the air uncomfortably. They were met with dead silence from both myself and Xavier. How the hell do I explain this to them without making myself seem irresponsible? A headache split across my head even thinking about it. I could feel my father's stare but I didn't dare to look at him.

"They were in a relationship prior to this and it just so happens that they're mates." Xavier lied through his teeth for me, "The mate bond had been sealed before Xan even knew and the boy has the pack's scent."

While I was both surprised and appreciative of Xavier advocating for me, I could practically feel the scrutiny as their eyes all turned to me to stare and consider what they had been told. There was no way out of this, for me or them, and that was something I was slowly coming to terms with. Even if they wanted me to reject him, I physically couldn't. I had a feeling they might have made me if they had their own way. They tend to make things difficult.

"Him carrying the scent could pose a number of risks to him, you know?" My father was the first to speak up, looking at me with a heavy stare.

"I know." I nodded, "I've been looking out for him."

"So who is looking out for him right now? While you're here?"

I looked down at the desk, knowing he was right. If a rogue came across a human smelling like our pack they would have a field day with it. The thought had crossed my head but I hadn't thought it was a real threat since we hadn't had many problems with rogues in my lifetime.

Despite myself, my eyes glanced up to Gracie. She had gone a white colour, her fingers clenched around the mug she held. Cameron pried her fingers from the cup discreetly and took ahold of them, squeezing her fingers to reassure her that she wasn't alone. It was subtle but it resonated with me. I had been careless.

"You're right." I spoke up, "Before his eighteenth birthday happens, he'll need protection when I'm not there."

"I'll organise it." My father jotted it down on his note paper.

"Alexandros, do you think you are able to remain focused on your new role considering the circumstance?"

The question came from an elder, who made eye contact with me and fixed a stoic expression onto his face. However, I could practically feel the judgment radiating off of him. I took some time to consider the question. Nico was juggling so much and he seemed to be coping, so I should be able to do the same. The pack was important and I would always put that first, but I had also started to come around to the possibility that the mate bond might be something I have to consider seriously.

"I can assure you I am very focused on my new role and still wish to take it on."

My father's look didn't seem convinced but it satisfied the elders. Xavier gave me a reassuring nod. The meeting came to an end and the group dispersed, leaving just me and my father with Xavier in the office. We remained sat around the table.

"Elders aside, are you sure you can do this?" My father asked.

"Phil, I've spent a lot of time going over this with Xan and I truly think he is ready." Xavier answered for me, "Xan, why don't you go check in with your mate. Phil and I will strategise."

"If it involves my mate, shouldn't I stay?"

"I'll leave the plan on your desk for you to review and give your feedback. Sound good?" Xavier proposed, which satisfied me.

After thanking them both, I jogged to my car and found myself outside of Nico's work rather quickly. As per most nights, there Nico was behind the counter. It seemed to be an assured thing that I could always find Nico here after school on a weekday. He worked a lot.

Unbuckling my seatbelt, I allowed Icarus to give into his impulses to climb out of the car and head inside. Usually I sat in the carpark and watched from afar, but I felt like keeping him company if he always had to work here. After all, he looks pretty bored.

His eyes caught hold of mine as I crossed the car park and entered the store. The door chimed to notify him that a customer had arrived but he was already well aware. His face was hardened and he watched me intently.

"Need something?" Nico's voice showed clear exhaustion, "I'm sure I can point you in the right direction to make this interaction as swift as possible for you."

His overly exaggerated, false customer-service smile dripped with sarcasm and malicious compliance. My heart hurt but I knew I deserved this treatment from him. I'd just have to make it up to him.

"I don't need anything, just thought you'd appreciate some company." I shrugged.

I took a seat at one of the small tables in the eating area. There was a small microwave and a kettle here for heating up food you bought for on the go, but I didn't plan on going anywhere. Even when Nico fixed me with a look to ask if I'm crazy.

He looked exasperated for a moment before huffing and returning to his work behind the till. He stood there, refusing to glance at me, with his jaw tense. He really wasn't a happy bunny with me. Regardless, I still didn't move.

With nothing else to do, I contented to watch Nico huff and puff behind the till, fuming with anger. It was clear he was both irritated and confused by my presence as he continued to tap his finger against the counter, his eyes trained on the door while waiting for literally anyone to enter.

It was late at night, however, so the place was a ghost town.

Deciding it would just piss him off more if I spoke, I kept my mouth shut and just enjoyed being in his angry presence. Annoyed by this, Nico picked up a broom and started to clean the already-spotless floor in a futile attempt to ignore me. It didn't last long.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Nico placed his hands on his hips, "Are you mocking me?"

"No, not at all, Nico." I spoke softly, "I just wanted to keep you company."

"I don't need or want company."

Silence fell between us and I considered leaving, but decided against it. It was clear that Nico was hurting, and I had contributed to that, but it wasn't the only thing that was hurting him. It must be because that person is in the hospital. Whoever they are.

"Then maybe you're keeping me company." My voice was even softer this time.

Nico rolled his eyes, putting down the brush and going to polish the already clean checkouts. How many times was he going to do takes he'd already clearly completed before he accepted I wasn't going anywhere?

Time dragged on sat here, but I enjoyed watching Nico flutter around in a huff. Occasionally, I tried striking up a conversation but was shot down each time with an annoyed stare and a grumpy huff. Silence. It was a shame because his voice was like honey and I enjoyed hearing it.

"So, when is your birthday?" I tried again, my ulterior motives hidden.

"And why should I tell you?" Nico snapped.

It wasn't warm and welcoming, but at least it wasn't silence. It was progress in my eyes.

"You don't want a birthday gift?" I feigned shock.

Rain pelted down outside, tapping against the glass of the storefront in rhythmic patterns that soothed me. It filled the silence.

"I don't want anything from you."

Nico's words were bitter and they hurt, but I understood. I let them roll over me and away.

"But I want you."

Nico wasn't expecting my response and froze up, his body going tense and a small gasp escaping his lips as he sucked in a sharp inhale. Icarus enjoyed the effect we had on him and stirred deep within me in interest.

"Why ignore me then?" Nico's voice was hurt and my heart thudded.

"I'm really sorry, Nico." I sighed, "I was being astronomically stupid."

"That's not a reason." Nico shook his head, "And it's not good enough."

He walked out to the back of the storeroom, disappearing. I bit my lip, feeling terrible about what I had done. My fear and trauma from the past had obscured my outlook and I had royally fucked up. I could see that now. It was no excuse, however, and I knew I needed to make it up to him.

Accidentally drawing blood with my nervous biting, I sucked it and hissed in annoyance. Nico reappeared and saw my bleeding lip, raising an eyebrow. I ducked my head and continued to wipe the blood away warily. He slapped a tissue down on the table and went back to the till, his eyes even more bloodshot.

I dabbed at my lip with the tissue, smearing the blood across my lip but mopping it up with the coarse paper. Without a word, Nico placed a drink down in front of me and opened one himself, taking a sip. His drink was a lavender milk tea with boba and it smelled very sweet.

The one he had placed in front of me was a black coffee with a lemon slice. My mouth dropped open slightly in awe. It dawned on me that he knew my favourite drink. When N.J had said he had had a secret crush on my for years I doubted it, but he knew my favourite drink. He's been watching.

My eyes flicked up from the drink to Nico and he averted his eyes from me, a blush dusting his cheeks as he pretended he hadn't been staring at me. I had only just began to notice Nico and yet he had noticed me for years, taking note of my favourite things and remembering what I tend to drink. My heart beat increased and my mouth went dry.

Maybe this whole mate thing did make sense.

My resolve to make it up to him increased tenfold. I had been so unfair to Nico and selfish throughout this whole thing and it was time for me to fix that. I stepped out of my chair and approached Nico from behind, taking his wrist and spinning him around to face me.

His eyes widened and he looked up at me with those same innocent, golden eyes that made me so attracted to him in the first place. His loose-curly ringlets of air fell into his eyes and I pushed them back, making him wrinkle his nose so that his gold-rimmed glasses stopped falling down his freckle-dusted nose. He was truly beautiful.

"Nico, I promise I'll make it up to you. I really am sorry for how I behaved and regret it profusely. You didn't deserve that and I'm sorry."

Nico evaluated my face for a moment before pulling his wrist from my loose grasp, he stepped back and walked to the back again. My chest sank and I felt horrendous, as if I had upset him, but he quickly returned with a hoodie.

"You can start making it up to me by driving me home." He beamed, "It's pouring down."

"Happily." I breathed a sigh of relief.