What are You Afraid Of?

Even if Darius was afraid that his kids would be sulky against him, he was not ready to see Megan talk all dinner about the bikes and her new friends. She was most likely a Beta, but she had more affinity for playing with the Omegas. It could be because of her nature and the fact that she had yet to awaken her blood. However, it was more likely because the Omegas were closer to normal children.

The opposite was said for Adrian. He was not studying and practicing the bike just to play. He seemed to be getting trained. Moreover, it was not a secret that Adrian wanted to floor someone.

For the first time, Darius heard them chat and talk longer than he did… because they had stories of their own. They had been so cooped up in their little house before. It was just now that they could experience more things on their own.

That was why when he got to his room to sleep, he just stood on his balcony and just leaned on the cement and decorative railing. The moon overhead was only at its waxing crescent state, making him think about the incoming full moon.

"There will be a banquet, and more than a couple are set to claim their mates." Darius closed his eyes and leaned his head on his hand. "Tempting… but I can't do it. Not only is this going to be my second ritual with someone I barely know, if ever; but I'm dragging all of them to hell if those people came for me again. The pack is taking care of those three a lot. Maybe I can tell them the truth sooner…"

"What are you so scared of? If it's just wolves, then you are fearing the wrong things."

"…are you planning to sneak up on me while I'm sleeping?" Darius growled, not sparing a glance at Nicholai who elegantly dropped into his balcony. "What are you doing in my room?"

Nicholai dusted his clothes before flapping his coat as if regaining his cool aura. He even ruffled his hair to remove leaves if ever they rested on him. "No, I plan to wake you up."

With a sigh, the father turned to the Alpha of the pack. "Is it something urgent, or can I knock you out to tomorrow before listening instead?"

A chuckle answered the other. Nicholai then wrapped his arms around Darius's waist, making the father's face twitch. The Alpha then placed his chin on Darius's shoulder, away from the other's face. He whispered: "Darius Walker, do not be scared of anything when you're with me. Tell me what you fear, and I will destroy it."

However, Darius only snorted and turned toward the sky, where he was looking earlier. "I'm not feeding this pack to outside forces I can't even fight myself. You have three seconds to tell me what you came here for. Else, I'll yeet you off the balcony. What are you pressing against me, you bastard?"

Nicholai only laughed and held onto Darius tighter as if he didn't take the father's words seriously. On a cold night like this, it felt so nice to hug someone so warm. When Darius started to gear up in an attempt to throw him off of the balcony, Nicholai spoke very softly and slowly.

"Dylan is awake."

…

The door swung as Darius hurriedly opened the door. When he did, he still saw the head medic wolf taking a few more looks and notes about Dylan. The boy was sitting on the bed, the tubes slowly being taken away from his body. Upon seeing his daddy, Dylan smiled like usual.

"Hello, Daddy." Dylan waved at this dear father.

"Hey. I'll just be here for a moment." Darius waved at the boy, but he didn't get any closer while the rest were working on stabilizing the boy and making sure that he wouldn't get in trouble anymore. After a few more minutes, the medic wolves left the room with an open door and made a report to Nicholai.

Darius went to the boy and caressed his cheek. "Hey, buddy. Are you feeling better now? You were so… days ago, you couldn't even wake up in your own body."

The kid only leaned on the father's hand. "No, Daddy. I just did what Uncle told me. Sleeping helped me heal my body faster, just like he said. I was awake, Daddy. I just can't talk to Daddy, but I can't stop myself. Megan is okay, and I'm happy to speak with Daddy again."

"…I still prefer seeing your eyes and hearing your voice…" Darius only chuckled after. He stared right into Dylan's eyes, and he saw the stark green color that the irises had turned into. This pup was indeed a Delta, one that was utterly powerful.

"I also want to hug Daddy with my arms!" Dylan moved his arms weakly and held onto his father with the most strength that he could. "…I was so scared when I woke up without Daddy. I was so happy Daddy came to see me again."

"Oh, Dylan… I'm so sorry about that. I had to keep your siblings safe first." Even if Darius felt the sting of his words, he just ended up hushing the scared kid. He couldn't ask Dylan to understand; he was just a five-year-old who would wonder why his Daddy didn't come to fetch him.

At this, it made it harder for Darius to dream of leaving them and then being okay with it.

Darius gently held onto the weak child, feeling the faint beating of his heart and the waning strength in his arms. It was as if Dylan just forced himself to wake up for the sake of meeting his Daddy more. Could it be because Megan and Adrian barely saw Darius that Dylan felt very lonely?

At those thoughts, Darius knew that he had to do something. He moved his head to turn to Nicholai and somewhat tapped into their vague connection. This child shouldn't stay in this room on his own anymore. The most he could do was to get Dylan accompanied more and more each day… until he was truly better.

"Dylan, congratulations on passing the critical parts of your treatment." Nicholai walked closer and only looked down at the child. He didn't need Dylan to take a look at him before talking. "Sadly, your recuperation is not full yet. You might have to stay in a wheelchair for a while. For now, why don't you stay and sleep next to your Daddy? I'll prepare the second phase for you."

It's just that… Dylan was sleeping already again. He was lulled by Darius's body heat, familiar scent, and beating heart. At this, the two adults just proceeded as if Dylan had given consent. Darius carried the kid in his arms back to his room while Nicholai went around to get everything ready.

However, before they completely split up for their paths to take, Darius called Nicholai: "Nicholai…"

The Alpha paused his movements and smiled at the father. Darius couldn't help but smile back as well. "Thanks. I wouldn't know what to do if you didn't help me. Not only with Dylan, but even Megan and Adrian are living their best lives, too. I would really hate it if I had to bring trouble to this paradise you built for your pack."

"…don't be mistaken, Darius." Nicholai chuckled at the intoxicating look of Darius's gratitude. "I didn't build this paradise for the pack. I built this for you… so don't leave."