‘I didn’t feel right leaving Azazel there. He looked hurt. Like his heart had just been crushed into a million pieces. I don’t know what to make of it. Was I just imagining it?’ My thoughts are going a mile a minute as I rest my head on the glass of the passenger side window as Xavier drives us home. I feel his hand lightly squeeze mine and I look over at him. I give him a weak smile when I see him looking at me, his eyes full of concern. 

 “Hey, are you okay Zayn? You’ve been awfully quiet the whole drive,” He says as he refocuses on the road ahead of us. “Yeah, I’m okay. I just don’t feel right about leaving Azazel there. I feel like something was wrong. My instincts were telling me I needed to calm him. Like he was upset or anxious,” I shake my head, trying to clear the thoughts away, “I don’t know. Maybe I was just imagining it.” I look down at my hands and squeeze them together. “No, no, I get it. I felt the same way. Like I needed to hold him and protect him from whatever was bothering him. I just can’t figure it out,” Xavier answered me. “My mom said his name like it was the plague and I don’t understand why. It’s so frustrating! Azazel isn’t bad now that I’ve spent a little bit of time with him. He is just misunderstood. So why did she say his name like that? Why did he look so hurt when he heard her say it?” My anxiety increases as I get more and more upset. Xavier grabs my hand and runs his fingers across my knuckles, emitting calming pheromones. “I get it. I mean not why she said his name like that, because I don’t know why either but I intend to find out. But I get that you are confused and stressed. I am glad you are worried about your friend. That makes you a great person Zayn, but we won’t have answers to any of our questions until we get home,” He gave my hand a squeeze. After a few moments, he pulls his hand away, blushing a flaming red, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to do that. I just really wanted to comfort you because you are putting out a lot of distress pheromones.” I chuckle, “It’s okay, I don’t mind Xavier. It helped a lot. Thank you.”

I look back out the car window as we get closer to home. ‘Does this idiot still not realize my feelings for him?! Even after today?! I guess it won’t matter after our graduation so at least I have today to remember.’ I think to myself as we pull into my driveway. My mother and father run outside and immediately pull me into a bone crushing hug.

            -My baby! Oh my baby! I am so glad you’re safe! I was so worried! I thought you were injured or worst! I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost you!

 “Mom, I’m okay, but I won’t be for much longer if you keep squeezing me!

             *Son we were just so worried about you! You are an omega, but more than that, you are our precious son! We couldn’t bare to lose you!

 “I know dad. I’m sorry for not answering, I never heard my phone go off. I am truly sorry for worrying you all.”

            -We are just glad you and Xavier are home safe and sound! Now come, come, there is dinner inside. That means both of you! Also, your father is inside (she says to Xavier).

I look back to see Xavier standing slightly behind us. He looks at the house just as his father walks out and comes over to him. He pulls him into the same bone crushing hug my parents pulled me into. “I am glad you are okay!” “Sorry to worry you dad. We lost track of time and took a nap. It won’t happen again,” Xavier says. “It better not,” the pack alpha says and steps back, “well lets get inside and eat that delicious dinner before it gets cold!” Everyone nods in agreement and heads back inside. I sit near Xavier and lean over to his ear while everyone is distracted. “Is everyone acting funny to you? Like more coddling than usual? I’m an omega and I think this is odd.” He looks around as if thinking about it, “You know what, you’re right. My dad would have never hugged me like that. He would have hit me upside the head and scolded me on my behavior as next alpha of the pack,” he whispers back to me. Just then my mom comes to the table and puts down dishes of chicken in a gravy, smoked ribs, green bean casserole,  and some creamed corn. A lot of my favorite dishes! This just makes things even more suspicious.

 Half an hour goes by and everyone is having casual conversation over dinner. Finally I cannot take this strange feeling in the air and I get a weird feeling in my chest. I started releasing distress pheromones again without realizing in it and suddenly I was surrounded. 

           -Mom: Baby, what’s wrong? Do you not like the food? Is it too cold in here? Do you want something else to eat? Do you need something hot to drink? Some tea maybe?

            *Dad: Can we make you more comfortable? Do you need pillows or something to sit on? Are you full? Do you want to go sit in the living-room?

            =Pack Alpha: Little omega, what has you so distressed? Are you okay?

I am not liking all the coddling and attention at all right now. I whimper and scoot closer to Xavier and he wraps a protective arm around me while emitting warning pheromones for everyone else to back off. The three adults slowly back off and all look at us shocked. I feel a tear run down my face and I burry my face into Xavier’s chest, breathing in his scent. I calm down after a moment and look up to see three concerned pair of eyes staring at us. I look up to Xavier to realize he has his eyes closed but he also has tear streaks on his face. I can’t explain why we started crying, but I feel like my heart has just been ripped from my chest and stomped on. I wonder if Xavier is feeling the same or if he is crying because of me? I’ll have to ask him later. The three adults sit still and just stare at us. Finally after a few minutes, Xavier opens his eyes. 

             “Can someone please explain to us why the atmosphere in here is so different today? Honestly it is stifling and making us both very uncomfortable for starters,” he says to the adults. All three exchange glances then look at me with worried eyes then back at Xavier. The alpha lets out a deep sigh. 

            =You said you were with…..Azazel Morvant correct?

 Xavier and I both nod, waiting for the alpha to continue.

             =^Another deep sigh^ I do not want either of you to be around him again, am I clear?

“But why?! That’s not fair! He’s our friend!” I say, tears building back up in my eyes as I think of Azazel’s face before I left. 

            =This is the alpha’s orders. Do I need a reason as your alpha?! It is for your safety! (He roars out.)

             “Dad, I won’t stay away from him unless you have a valid reason. Azazel is a good guy and he is very sweet once you get passed the hard exterior. Today he showed Zayn and I more fun than we have both had in a while and I am grateful,” Xavier says to his father.

             =Xavier….this is for your safety….

           “Dad, please…. We need to know why…” Xavier says, tightening his grip on me unconsciously.

            =^Shaking his head^ Then let me tell you two the story of the wolf who killed his father….

             ……..and then disappeared without a trace…. 

            ……..only to turn up again years later, to be outcast by the pack….