Silent Ordeal
“How is he?”
“Greetings, Alpha. Have you calmed down?”
“Since hours ago. How is he?”
“...There’s nothing wrong with him. He’s not in immediate danger.”
“Then why isn’t he awake yet?”
“Alpha Shiloh, it’s only been half a day. Normally, unmated omegas would sleep for days or even weeks. Please rest assured that this incident is nothing out of the ordinary. He should be waking up soon since his heat has probably already ended more than a day ago.”
Nevada’s eyelashes fluttered. Lowe, who was watching keenly from the side, noticed this small movement. She quickly moved to pour a glass of water, which caught Shiloh’s attention.
Shiloh turned to see Nevada struggling to get up with half-closed eyes. He hurriedly helped him up, ignoring the sweet smell that was slowly filling the room. The salutary did previously mention a while ago that because this was his first heat, his pheromones will be unstable.
“Water,” Nevada uttered hoarsely, voice breaking in the middle.
Shiloh was close to him. Nevada’s breath had hit the side of his face, making the scent of pheromones even more apparent. However, he tried his best to ignore it by thinking of something else.
Like how the little omega wolf was still a minor…
Shiloh reached out to the glass that Lowe had offered. He passed it to Nevada and helped him drink. After finishing the glass, Shiloh observed Nevada’s face for any sign of discomfort. He couldn’t help glancing at his mouth glistening with water as it slightly opened.
He subtly shook his head once and fell to his seat.
“More,” Nevada said, voice raspy but not sounding as dry as it was before.
‘What happened?’ Nevada asked the system while gulping mouthfuls of water from another glass that Shiloh had absent-mindedly given him.
[To answer the host, you are adapting to the character’s body slowly but surely. Thus, you will be able to feel more naturally at home in this world. By your next heat, you won’t be able to suppress your pheromones like before. Though, you will still be adept at controlling it at other times…]
The system trailed. It didn’t seem like Nevada was paying attention. Its host was busy observing the blank-eyed alpha seated next to him.
[Host…?]
Nevada’s eyebrows furrowed. ‘What’s wrong with him?’
The system quickly answered: [The male lead was affected by the outburst of your pheromones, so now he’s become more sensitive to the scent.]
‘By the tree? Isn’t this a rather late reaction?’
It's been days!
[No. Nine hours ago… When you were arguing with him right here in your room…]
A quiet ‘ding!’ echoed in Nevada’s mind. Due to his intense emotions, he must have unconsciously lost control again!
Now that the system mentioned it, what was the announcement just before he lost consciousness?
The system swiftly flashed the same window pop-ups and Nevada didn’t waste a single second. He skimmed over the words, and the longer he read, the clearer his expression became.
“Excuse me. Child, do you feel any discomfort?”
Nevada was interrupted and glanced at the person who spoke. It was a man in his 30s, who Nevada assumed was a doctor after seeing his whole figure. He was in white garments with his hand resting on top of a few apparatuses on the table beside him.
Nevada shook his head. “Nope. I feel fine.”
“May I?” The doctor gestured at him.
Nevada immediately understood, so he nodded.
The man raised a hand and was just about to begin inspecting him when another hand blocked it. The man helplessly sighed and made a face at Shiloh.
“He said he’s fine.” Shiloh raised his chain and gave the man a look.
“Very well,” the man resigned and turned to Nevada. He studied Nevada's expressions and reactions as he said, “Heats vary, so we can’t be too sure about your case. Most omegas during their first heats are still in a state of denial and often overlook many symptoms.”
The doctor slanted his eyes at Shiloh and Nevada. His previous discerning expression was gone, and what was left was only indifference.
“The patient said he’s fine, so my work here is done.” The doctor began packing his equipment while speaking in a sarcastic tone. “Oh, I’m the head salutary of the pack, who had a full schedule today but was forced to nurse a perfectly ‘fine’ patient for half a day.”
Nevada, “...”
The system: [...]
Shiloh, “...You're complaining that I called for you to do your job?”
“Pardon the late introductions. Nice to meet you, Nevada,” the doctor said, ignoring the alpha. “I’m Xavier. If you have concerns, just disregard my work and come look for me any time.”
The head salutary continued to treat Shiloh like air and gave a few more words to Nevada about the usual reminders given to people with fevers. Except he needed to be extra careful, especially around males and alphas.
“Thank you, Mr. Head Salutary.”
Xavier smiled insincerely and nodded. “Welcome. Like I said, any time. And please, just call me Xavier.”
It was more than obvious that he didn’t mean what he said literally. Nevada could feel that he wasn’t a bad person. Although he can’t exactly say for sure that he wasn’t one of those who had isolated him in the past, he decided to give him the benefit of the doubt since he’s a doctor. Doctors are supposed to save lives, right?
The atmosphere noticeably grew awkward once Xavier clicked the door close. Nevada noticed that it was already fixed. However, Nevada didn’t plan to suffer any more stress from Shiloh. He stared at him blankly.
Once Shiloh met his gaze, the alpha was slightly surprised and woke up from whatever had been occupying his mind since a while ago.
“I feel very tired. I don’t want to talk with you today,” Nevada told Shiloh directly to his face.
“...Okay.”
Surprisingly, the alpha complied without saying anything. His chair grazed the floor when he stood up, creating a squeaky sound that irritated Nevada’s ears.
Wincing, Nevada complained, “Can’t you go quietly?”
Shiloh wasn’t used to being treated like such a nuisance. If Nevada were one of his subordinates, he would have already suffered the consequences.
However, Shiloh could endure the treatment because one, he could not be mistaken. Even though Nevada isn't old enough to confirm their connection yet, he was certain that this little hot-headed omega was his mate.
Two, Shiloh was feeling all kinds of emotions. As a result, he wasn't sure how he should exactly be treating him.
He's never had any special relationships before. Those around him also weren't good enough examples. His parents may have been a match made in heaven, but they were definitely far from normal.
So while the omega rested, he decided to gather his thoughts and plan what he should do and how he should treat him going forward.
Still, he wasn't going to let Nevada rest while thinking negatively of him. Thinking about the omega sleeping tonight while hating on him didn’t sit well with him. That's why just as he was about to step out of the room, he turned around again to face him.
“What you said before…”
Nevada, who was preparing to lie back down, glanced at the alpha by the doorway.
“Hm?” he unconsciously answered in a polite tone, a habit he had from his original world for keeping up his appearance and image.
Shiloh's eyes squinted a little after hearing the soft tone.
“I believe you.”
Nevada was confused.
“I know you didn't have such plans. And though I've known my beta for years, objectively speaking, I still have to investigate first.”
Nevada realized that the alpha was referring to the supposed argument they had (even when it was only him who had lost his mind and started spouting nonsense).
Shiloh continued: “After all, I am indeed the sole leader of White Moon. The pack is my responsibility. I will straighten out any form of disorder that may threaten the security of my pack.”
Nevada tilted his head. He said, deadpan, “I’m not from White Moon, though.”
“You are now—No, ever since I brought you here. You were already a member of my pack,” Shiloh immediately answered.
Nevada shrugged his shoulders and didn’t reply.
“That means you won’t be treated like how other omegas were treated… and I promise to make sure of that…”
Watching the omega get comfortable on his bed and close his eyes after ordering his servant to bring him something to eat, Shiloh assumed that he must have passed whatever unspoken ordeal he had.
“Then, good night…” Shiloh murmured and only left when Nevada didn’t pay him any mind.
The alpha felt down. On the other hand, Nevada had a hearty dinner and slept so peacefully that he woke up even later than today the next morning.