14 Acceptance

*Atlas View*

I was surprised at the text from Zion. 'Hey boss, Doc. We have a problem. Kash no longer feels comfortable in his room.'

I looked up from my phone as Doc entered the room I was currently in. "Well Alpha. This will be his instincts finally coming out. Normally Omegas would have found a way to neutralize and calm their safe area." He was not smiling. "I doubt he will sleep tonight. Invite him for dinner here at the very least."

"What other changes can we expect?" I was really concerned for Kash. "He will get more stability in a couple weeks and I will do my damn best for him to transition easier with this two-week visit."

Doc chuckled. "There will be things you can't fix over night. He will balance out when he learns to listen to himself. I am sure things would have been much worse without his partner in crime: his wolf."

"Yes. His wolf has been his only friend for a long time." I sat down on the couch. "Spit it out Doc. You avoided my question."

Laughing he sat beside me. "Not much really. He seems to be doing well. My suggestion to you is to keep doing what you are doing. Let him feel safe while still having his freedom. Medically he will have headaches, with some usual stomach upsets and emotional outbursts while he adjusts. Knowing you, there is going to be a room ready for him when he arrives?"

Nodding I looked up to the ceiling. "It is beside mine. I could not help but have him close, but it is separate."

"That is a good choice. Having your scent near can help him. Since you know the requirements of an Omega I will not lecture you. However, do you have a safe place set up if he goes into heat?"

"He just finished a heat. He will be fine this visit."

Doc smacked me across the shoulder. "You dumbass. That was just a bond heat. What about his regular heat? Do you even know when it is? Man, you can sure forget important details when you're distracted."

His comment had me jolt up. "Fuck. I never thought about it. Kash is still very shy, and I am not sure about asking him."

"Don't you dare ask his family. He does not trust them very much right now. If you go to them for the information, he will trust you even less."

Pulling my phone back out I finally responded to Zion. 'Invite him for dinner. Try and get him to bring his luggage. He can crash on the couch if he feels safe enough to do so. I will start dinner.'

Doc added his own thoughts as well. 'Make sure he brings something from his nest. We do not need an even more stressed Omega.'

I just shook my head and headed to the kitchen. We had limited supplies left from the visit, but I knew I could whip something up. "Hey Doc?"

"Yes Boss?" His tone told me he was in a curious mood. Which was good sometimes.

"What are your plans with Kash when we arrive?"

At this question he laughed. "Do not worry your little head. Your mate will be safe with me."

Knowing I would get nothing more from him, I focused on dinner. It would be simple, but filling. Kash did not eat much at lunch, but he also would be feeling nervous eating here. Deciding on a soup with a garlic cheese bread was easy. Soon I was so lost in getting dinner together, I never noticed the arrival of Zion and Kash.

"Hey boss! Anything I can help with?" Zion was already walking into the kitchen waiting for orders. "Kash is hanging out with Doc."

"How is he?" I was just pulling out the garlic bread from the oven.

"He was quiet the whole way here. I could not get a peep out of him. A big change, but he has a lot on his mind." Zion went to the cupboards without being told and grabbed the dishes to set the table.

"Doc told me to expect it, but I miss the fire he had before."

"Don't worry boss. He will get comfortable with us and before you know it, he will be snarky once more." Laughing he ran out the kitchen to set the table.

Dinner was quiet. I had no clue what to say to Kash. He ate, but it was like he was millions of miles away. All we could get from him was one-word answers or a sound of acknowledgement. Trying to figure out what to do, it was Doc that stepped in.

"Alright Kash. Time for you and I to clean up. Zion and Alpha cooked and set up, so it is only fair." Doc had started to gather the dishes and Kash seemed to come back.

"OH right! Thank you for dinner Atlas!" Whatever was on his mind appeared gone.

As soon as Kash left the room I looked at Zion. "What the fuck happened today?"

"I dunno boss. But he told me he did not trust his father." He was looking towards the kitchen. "I told him what we knew and my thought on his father's actions. He took it in stride and even questioned things as well. He is still very hurt his father never looked for answers about himself, but he also was excited to learn his father had two sets of papers."

"Go get the laptop for him. I think he needs a little distraction. We can show him some duties he will be allowed to do, if he wishes." Zion jumped right up and ran to his room.

"Where is Zion going?" Kash's voice had me look back towards the kitchen. "Is something wrong?"

Watching Kash, I did not even need to use my nose to know he was still unsure. He stood before me rubbing his one arm looking towards the direction of Zion. "Come find a spot and sit. He was grabbing something from his room. He will be right back."

"He looked to be in a hurry." My body trembled when Kash, for some reason, ended up sitting right beside me. "Everything is okay, right?"

Then it hit me. He was comfortable near me, and currently I was what felt safe. "Nothing is wrong. What is Doc up to?" Changing the topic was the best I could do until Zion got back.

"Doc said he would look at making a small dessert and kicked me out. He is weird for a doctor. You sure he is good at his job?" The side tilt of his head and look on his face had me chuckle.

"Yes. He is the best darn doctor a pack could have. Though a little unique and mysterious at times, I trust him with the lives of my pack." Kash just shook his head. "You will get to see. He is a different man when he is working."

"I dunno. He wants me to trust him, but he says I can't. I really do not get him." Kash let out a large sigh. "Umm, thank you for dinner. It was good."

"I hoped you would enjoy." His honesty was nice. "To be honest I tried to make something easy on your stomach. I know you have had a few rough days and eating has not been a priority for you."

He looked down when I told him the truth. "Sorry to be a bother."

"Kash look at me." I waited until he lifted his head. His bright eyes filled with questions. "You could never be a bother to me."

"What if there was no bond? Could you say the same?" His face fell. "You do not have to answer. I should go back to my room. Thank you again for dinner."

As he stood up, I tried to think of anything to keep him around, even if for a little longer.

"Kash! Sit back down! I have a gift for you." Zion had arrived at the right moment. Kash who was surprised sat back down and looked towards Zion. "I had planned to give this to you at the pack pledge. So, I hope you like it." Zion pushed an unwrapped laptop box into Kash's lap.

"This is for me?" Kash whispered. "You both have done so much. I can't accept this. This laptop is top of the line. You already gave me a great pc." Kash tried to hand the box back to Zion.

"Nope! You see, I talked to the bossy Royal beside you. Would you believe this grumpy old man has never had help to run the packs?! He does not only all expected out of a pack Alpha, and a Royal Alpha, but also all the work you used to do for your father."

"Don't call him that." Kash's anger surprised me. "He is undeserving of that title right now."

"Well all the work you did for your pack, old pack, you can do for us. If you are willing of course." Zion smiled. "I hoped you would say yes and lighten some load up on my boss, and I took the lead to have this laptop set up for all the duties. It is not linked to the network officially yet, but if you decide to help it will be."

Kash was quiet as he opened the box and looked at the laptop. "You really mean it? I can work?"

I chuckled. "Of course! I will warn you that you will have to deal with some pack members in person. This is not so you can hide behind doors."

"Really!?" The once frown that etched his face disappeared behind a smile. "This was what I had hoped to do after graduating."

Zion seemed ready to get him going and I decided to let him. "Open it up. I can show you how I set it up. You will have to change the password of course. I even put the programs in it for Luna duties. And before you say anything, I know you are still unsure. The idea was you can see what there was and learn them. If you pick my boss great, you will have a head start on your training. If you do not, you can still assist with them."

"Thank you, Zion." Kash was blushing at the mention of Luna duties and it made me wish I could read his mind. "Thank you, Atlas, for everything."

Kash did not move from his spot but turned his body so his back was to me, while Zion and him went over the programs and apps on the computer. I looked behind me when Doc stepped out of the kitchen with a smile. He then mind linked me. 'Looks like these two weeks will be good for him Atlas. I would interrupt with desert, but I think it is long forgotten.'

I grinned. "Hey you two. Doc is done with desert. Who's in?"

"Yes please!" Kash turned towards me with a bright smile. One I really thought he should wear more often.

"Then I will bring it out along with some drinks." Doc chuckled at Kash's reaction.

Desert was a simple slice of brownie each and vanilla ice cream. Kash very obviously enjoyed his and I held in a chuckle as he turned to get back to the laptop when his plate was clean. "Kash. If you want to crash here, you are more than welcome. The couch is free or if you feel safer in a room you can take mine."

"I can't do that. It is your room, but if the couch is free and you are okay with it, could I really stay?" Kash surprised me with his allowance of my invite.

"Of course, you may. We have no need to stay longer than needed. Zion already has your bags in the car for tomorrow. Is there anything you would need tonight?"

Kash was about to shake his head then paused. "There is one thing. I left it in the car when we came in though." Kash looked to Zion. "Can I go get it?"

Zion nodded and watched as Kash ran out. Then his face looked at me. "Do not comment on it. You will embarrass him. Same to you Doc!"

"I would never." His smile said otherwise.

"Are you going to tell me what it is Zion or am I going to have to wait?" I really did not want to be caught by surprise. Making sure I reacted correctly to not scare him was key.

"Nope, you will see." Zion chuckled while looking at Doc.

"So, he listened then? That makes me happy." Doc smiled and took a sip of his wine. "There is hope for him yet."

I was now grumbling, having to wait for Kash to come back inside. It did not take long either. Years of practice was all that held back a purr from what I saw. In Kash's hands, was not just his blanket, but the one I offered when he was in heat. This meant he accepted my scent in his nest.

Kash never gave me eye contact but sat beside me again with the blankets on his lap. "Thank you for letting me stay here tonight."

The rest of the evening was spent with Doc and I in conversation, while Kash and Zion were in their own little world of electronics. At one point I called Jace and let him know the plans and that Kash was safe with us. He surprised me by explaining he had a talk with his father and that when he takes over there would be changes.

I never noticed the room quiet down until I felt a weight land on my shoulder. Kash had fallen asleep at one point. Scared to move too much I looked down at him. He looked so peaceful. Moving his bangs away from his eyes I then looked up at Zion and Doc. "Looks like we will call it a night."

Slowly so as not to wake him, I moved off my seat while cradling his head, lowering him gently down. Once he was laying down, I quietly lifted his legs onto the couch and wrapped his blankets up under his chin. "Good night Kash." I whispered and headed to my room.