17 Gauge

“What are you doing still spacing out?” Remus scolded Shiloh. He pointed at the empty seats near him and said, “You can’t have your omega standing for too long like this. Remember, omegas are sensitive and fragile so you must pay extra attention.”

‘Yeah, sensitive and fragile, not disabled.’

Nevada pulled his hand away and glanced at Shiloh. The alpha had a frown on his face while looking a bit aggrieved. Nevada thought, “He must feel upset about getting scolded because of an omega.”

Still with some creases on his forehead, Shiloh nodded at his uncle.

“Yes, uncle. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Afterward, he ushered Nevada toward his seat then proceeded to sit beside him. The beta, whose expression couldn’t be drawn, was also about to follow suit when Remus knocked a hand twice on the table. All three of them glanced at the old man.

“If you may, young beta, I heard you were to receive some guests today. Pardon my unannounced visit, but could you please welcome the arriving guests in Alpha Shiloh’s place for now?” Remus stated flatly, leaving no room for debate.

His voice was a familiar tone for Nevada. In the past, he often used this kind of approach whenever he wanted to kick someone out of his office. Nevada innocently turned his face to Lucas, wondering if the beta caught up.

This uncle must not like this beta. Hence, the cold treatment.

Lucas and Nevada locked gazes. It was only for a brief moment, a few seconds at most, but Nevada felt how much hostility and dissatisfaction this person had for him. He could only secretly click his tongue at this beta’s stupidity.

He cared too much about positions and formalities that he had become quite narrow-minded. Really. Such inflexible people could also be dangerous. One had even gone mad and ignited large-scale wars. Should he think of a way to get rid of him?

The System: [...If this will help the host fulfill his mission, then as long as the host’s actions and words aren’t deemed OOC…]

‘This world is such a bad influence for real. The errors even caused the system to get corrupted.’

The system shut up. It couldn’t exactly talk back to his host. The host was the bad influence. The system, of course, has to adapt to the host so that they can work well together.

Once the beta had left the room, the two leaders, one omega, and one system went quiet. That was until Shiloh decided to break the silence.

“He was quick to accept my decisions, but it’s quite obvious how reluctant he still actually is,” he said referring to Lucas, whose actions and words weren’t matching up.

“I don’t appreciate his initiative when he often crosses the line. How could you still let him be flaunting his authority as if he was the alpha?” Remus scoffed. “He’s just like his father. I guess the fruit really does not fall far from the tree.”

“Uncle.”

Thinking that his nephew interrupted him because the omega, who was still technically an outsider, was with them, Remus gave Nevada a knowing look.

“Son, you’ve been here for some days. Don’t you think this pack’s beta is a little too arrogant?” Remus asked Nevada.

Before Nevada could even reply, Shiloh had already answered, “Uncle, he’s not supposed to think about things that may be stressful.”

Remus snapped his fingers once and exclaimed, “So you do realize! I’m telling you, Shiloh, this is bound to be more than just something to stress about in the future! You have a ticking time bomb in the pack!”

Surprised at Remus’s booming voice, Nevada, who was nearest to him, couldn't help but flinch. He never imagined for Shiloh’s relatives to be this lively. Did he get his aloof attitude from his parents then?

Shiloh was constantly watching Nevada, worried that his first heat would cause trouble for him like what the salutary had said. As such, this small movement of his didn't escape Shiloh’s eyes.

Concerned, he ignored his uncle’s antics and said, “Is your heart okay? Scooch over here and pay attention to your body. If you need anything, tell me immediately.”

Then he faced and scolded Remus, “Uncle, tone down your voice a little. We’re literally just in front of you.”

Speechless, Remus could only watch his nephew fuss over the omega. Shiloh’s demeanor has become lighter than when he last saw him, but changing like this in a matter of a few days also did seem suspicious.

If he had not witnessed his brother’s past when he met Shiloh’s mother, then he would have worried that this nephew of his was indeed intoxicated like what they said. This stickiness was at least more bearable than his cringy father though.

Still, Remus couldn't help but wave a hand at Shiloh.

“This nephew, if you continue bothering him like this every time, I’m afraid he’ll get tired of you sooner or later.”

Remus meant this as a light joke and also to tease his inexperienced nephew, but the boy visibly halted his movements. His anxious eyes were directed toward the indifferent omega, who cackled charmingly after hearing this comment.

“Alpha Remus, please advise him,” Nevada said with a ghost of a smile on his face.

Suddenly, Remus was struck with a thought. This omega was too charming. He did vaguely have an idea about him since he was an unofficial heir. His younger subordinates also liked to include him in their infamous list of beautiful people.

Nevada was at least in the top ten. They couldn’t rank him higher because he was apparently too gloomy and unapproachable in person. However, seeing the person in the flesh, it seemed like they got some things wrong.

Shiloh finally caught on to the joke that his uncle and Nevada shared. He couldn’t fully forget about what his uncle said, but he did his best not to be bothered by it for the meantime. He still has time anyway.

“Uncle Remus wedded late, though. He would cause me to already age before I could even court anyone properly, if I haven’t driven any prospects away yet from following his advice,” Shiloh retorted, almost giving Remus a heart attack after opening up such a sensitive topic for him.

“You brat,” he growled, to which Shiloh only answered with a mocking face.

Nevada wondered as he looked at Remus, “Looking at Alpha Remus, I think he must have been popular in his prime. How could anyone think of rejecting him?”

Shiloh laughed loudly while Remus scrunched his nose.

“What?” Nevada asked with a slight laugh in his voice after seeing their reactions. “There’s no way he wasn’t. You have beautiful genes.”

Shiloh was able to suppress his laughter and answered for his uncle, “You see, my father had always been more popular than him. It’s all because Uncle Remus has a temper.”

Nevada wasn’t surprised. Remus did have a scary aura, but he almost forgot about his first impression because of how good the alpha was treating him. Actually, now that he thought about it, wasn’t the male lead also supposed to be your typical dominating and hot-tempered top?

After glancing at Remus, Nevada couldn’t stop scrutinizing Shiloh’s face next. Seeing the adorable look on the omega, Remus could only shake his head as he stood up. He resigned.

“Uncle, you’re going already?” Shiloh immediately asked.

Sighing, Remus said, “Yes. I only came to check on you.” And the boy you suddenly brought home. “It’s a busy day for you, so it’s best for me to come back another day. My business isn’t urgent.”

It was obvious for Nevada that this uncle of the male lead wasn’t here to “check” on Shiloh. Of course, it must indeed have been because of him. This confirmed how Nevada would treat his soon to be uncle-in-law.

What a sweet and wholesome uncle he had. So then, what happened during their previous lives? Why did the male lead stray so far from his righteous path?

Both Shiloh and Nevada stood up as well and followed behind Remus.

“You don’t need to come. I’ll send myself out. You both should go greet your guests. Come see me once things lay low,” Remus said as he nodded at them. After walking out the door, he turned back to Shiloh again and added, “With Nevada.”

Nevada’s heart skipped a beat.

‘Wow, this technically isn’t my life, but to be acknowledged like this actually feels really good,’ Nevada thought.

He heaved a deep breath. Remus was already a few steps away from them, so he raised his voice a little.

“We will, uncle!”

Shameless.

Remus’s eyes curved a little over the omega’s boldness.

Shiloh didn’t seem to be in any kind of trouble. If anything, he looked much better. Remus wasn’t about to ruin his nephew’s happiness. If this was the moon goddess answering their prayers, then they could only thank her.

They could care less about his identity and character. They just needed someone who could pull out Shiloh from that place. That omega worked like the charm that he was.

Seems like he can finally write some good news to his brother.