Chapter 17 Traumatic Stress
Seara stood stiffly between Austin and Nolan. The night air pressed against her chest. Seara tried to regulate her breathing so she could mediate between the two.
Her heartbeat was difficult to control, her palms already damp with sweat. Austin's gaze hardened, turning cold, piercing Nolan without hesitation.
Nolan pulled his arm out of Austin's grip, laughing softly as if the situation was funny to him.
"Wow. Looks like our Alpha is too easily provoked."
Austin took a step forward. "Stop pretending to be innocent. Your face is too sly to keep fooling me."
Seara swallowed hard. She didn't expect Austin to react so quickly. Nolan's face was no longer relaxed. His slight smile turned into something sharper.
"What's innocent about it?" Nolan asked lightly. "I was just talking to myself. Is that a crime in your territory, Alpha?"
"Don't play dumb," Austin said. His voice was low. "You said there was something dangerous to Seara. My hearing is still normal, Nolan."
Nolan clapped his hands slowly. "Great. You two are very curious."
"The situation is tense here, Nolan. Don't keep acting silly. Alpha Austin asked you a question, but you keep beating around the bush." Seara urged Nolan.
"Okay. But I want to know one thing. Are you sure it's not a hallucination? Considering... your traumatic condition."
Seara was shocked. She immediately stepped in front of Austin without realizing it.
"Don't talk like that," she said firmly. "You know that's not true."
Nolan turned to Seara. His eyes narrowed. "You're defending him? Interesting. You know, Seara, your Alpha isn't a stable leader. Even rain can make him lose control. This pack is weak because of him."
Austin looked startled. His body tensed, his breathing heavy. Seara could feel Austin's unstable emotions. She turned quickly to him.
"Austin, listen to me," Seara said softly. "Don't listen to him."
Nolan laughed even harder. Meanwhile, Seara continued to convince Austin not to be influenced by Nolan's words. Seara was confused about who to defend. She also didn't expect Nolan to be so sharp-tongued now.
Austin fell silent. His shoulders slumped slightly. His gaze was no longer fixed on Nolan, but on the floor beneath their feet.
Seara felt her chest tighten. "Enough," she said. "Stop blaming him for everything."
Nolan stepped closer, deliberately crossing the boundary.
"This pack needs a strong Alpha. Not someone who... Argh."
Seara stood between them, but one of her feet was already on Nolan's foot. Nolan groaned in pain because Seara had also kicked his shin.
"Go," she said, her tone cold. "You've been talking nonstop while Austin has been silent."
Austin was still silent. His face was pale. His breathing was short.
Nolan looked at Austin one last time.
"Look at yourself. You even need him to chase me away." He stepped back. "I'm leaving. But remember, Austin. Your weakness will destroy this pack."
Nolan turned and walked away down the hallway, leaving behind a silent atmosphere.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "You got involved."
"It's not your fault," said Seara. She knelt in front of Austin. "He deliberately provoked you. You're right, Nolan is annoying."
Austin was silent for a long time before finally speaking. "The elders almost revoked my rights as Alpha. They said my trauma made me unfit to lead."
Seara looked up. She wanted Austin to start telling her about the meeting earlier. She wanted to know how a young Alpha like him had to deal with questions from the Elder Pack that Seara herself thought were too confrontational.
Seara could sense Austin's anxiety, which he was deliberately hiding. She understood that Austin didn't want to appear weak in front of his pack members. But Seara understood even better that trauma was not easy to heal in an unfriendly environment.
"Elder Vanya," said Austin. "She was the only one who stood up for me. She said trauma was not a weakness. But every time someone brings up the rain, I feel like it all comes back."
Seara touched Austin's hand gently.
"You're not weak. Even an Alpha like you has flaws; they just believe what they want to believe and hide the truth."
Austin sighed. "Sometimes I'm tired of pretending to be strong."
Seara closed her eyes for a moment. Warm energy flowed from her palm. She channeled healing slowly, not to heal physical wounds, but to calm Austin's still unstable heartbeat.
"Sleep," said Seara. "I'll be here until you calm down."
Austin stared at her for a long time. "I don't want to be alone tonight."
Seara was silent. She hesitated for a moment, but Austin's exhaustion and condition made her give in.
"Fine. But you sleep. Don't do anything weird."
Austin smiled slightly. "I'm an Alpha, but I can obey."
They lay down on the same bed. It was awkward at first. The blanket was only big enough for one person. They pulled at opposite ends.
"Hey," Seara protested softly.
“You took too much,” Austin replied.
“I’m cold.”
“Fine, fine.” Austin gave in and handed over part of the blanket.
The room lights were dimmed. Austin closed his eyes first. His breathing slowly became regular. Seara, however, couldn’t sleep. She stared at the ceiling, her mind filled with what had happened earlier.
She realized how fragile Austin was behind his dominant attitude. It made her chest feel tight with feelings she couldn't explain.
Austin suddenly opened his eyes. "You're not asleep yet."
Seara was startled. "You think I can sleep?"
"I can feel it," Austin replied. He moved a little closer. "Your heart is beating too fast."
"Don't get too close," said Seara, but her voice was not firm.
Austin smiled slightly. "You look cute when you're nervous."
Seara swallowed. "Austin, don't start."
"Calm down," Austin interrupted softly. "I'm just kidding."
He moved his face closer, close enough for their breaths to touch. “Thank you for defending me.”
Seara turned her face away. The more she talked, the more awkward her words became. She chose to remain silent, covering her face with a pillow.
It was all useless. Her heart was beating faster and faster. Austin noticed and moved closer, his voice lowering.
"You can sleep now," he said. "I promise I won't bother you."
Seara sighed deeply. "You're making it hard for me to sleep, Alpha. Can you not get so close?"
"It's the blanket's fault, it's too small," Austin replied lightly.
“Whatever you say, I’m tired of arguing.”
The night dragged on slowly. Seara was still awake, feeling Austin’s presence beside her. And Austin, though his eyes were closed, knew full well that Seara hadn’t fallen asleep yet, and he was enjoying it more than he should have.