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Derek looks at him with disgust, like Sam didn’t just give him the floor he wanted.

“I still can’t believe they chose you . Generations of my family have been in Alpha Xi, and they’ve all been proper alphas…

not someone like you who would rather suck another man’s cock instead of beating him into a bush. ”

The air gets sucked from the room. Atlas starts to charge for him. Ciro and I grip his shoulders to pull him back.

Derek always spits bullshit when it comes to designation, but he’s never shown that type of ugly head. It should be more surprising, but something about it seems on-brand for him.

I look at Sam, and there’s something foreign in his expression. Sadness , I think. Not from Derek, but other memories he probably didn’t want to remember today.

“I think it’s time for you to go, Derek. You’ll be given an official eviction notice later today. You should start looking.”

They stare at each other, in a game of dominance that we all know Derek will lose.

“Do you want a broken nose for the third time this year, Derek?” Sam asks.

Dickwad eventually looks away, probably remembering the pain of his nose being broken, and retreats. His disgusting smell trails off behind him.

It’s silent in his absence. Atlas has finally calmed down a bit, but our scents are mingled with a tinge of anger and disbelief.

Then Ciro opens his fucking mouth.

“Well, shit. I’m omega-whipped, too.”

We all turn to him to see a sincere pout on his lips. The sight causes us to laugh.

“I’m just saying, she has me wrapped around her finger, too. It’s not a fucking insult.”

I pat him on the back, thankful for this moment after such a horrible one only minutes ago. Atlas turns toward Sam.

“How about we get some more work done, Alpha?”

It comes from a place of deep respect. Atlas is a prime, a dominant alpha in his own right, but he is submitting to Sam because he knows he is stronger, the right alpha for Alpha Xi.

And after Derek’s blatant disrespect, it is much needed.

Especially when Sam gives Atlas a big smile, noticing the gesture for what it is.

“Thank you,” he whispers before sitting back down. “Let’s get back to it.”

When we get back, Stacia and Uriah are cuddled up on the couch, blankets galore, while a romcom plays on the TV. They see us and Stacia grins wide.

“How did the event planning go?” she asks as she sits up. Uriah pauses the movie.

“It went well,” Atlas starts, looking over at Ciro and I to see if we’d take the reins. When we both shake our heads, he gives a nod.

“What’s going on?” Uriah asks, noticing our little exchange. Stacia looks between all of us, suddenly realizing the tension.

Atlas gives a heavy sigh. “There’s good news and bad news,” he starts before looking at our omega. “The good news is Derek got the restraining order. He’s no longer allowed to contact you or be around you. If he does, he’ll get arrested.”

Stacia’s mouth gapes in surprise. “Really?”

Atlas gives her a small smile, giving her a reassuring nod. Her eyes gloss over, and she’s clutching Uriah’s shirt a bit tighter than she was before. He puts his hand on top of hers, giving her support.

When she realizes there’s more, she gives a few sniffles before looking back at our prime. “And the bad news?”

I cringe, thinking about the interaction that happened. He may not be allowed around Stacia, but he’s someone I wish didn’t even go to this school. States away would be ideal.

“Sam kicked him out of Alpha Xi,” Atlas announces.

Uriah’s eyes widen. “Holy shit.”

“Apparently the restraining order violates the morality clause we all signed when we pledged.”

They both look shocked, unable to process what that means. “How is that bad news?” Stacia asks curiously.

“He was pissed,” Ciro blurts out. “Well, obviously. But it was pretty bad.”

Atlas nods in agreement. “It angered him. More than I’ve ever seen before. I’m worried he’ll escalate. He looked desperate.”

“He said some horrible things to Sam,” I said. “Like… homophobic things.”

Stacia gasps, instinctually standing up from her spot, her tiny fists clenching at her sides in anger.

“That’s fucking awful.” Uriah puts a hand around Stacia’s wrists, trying to help her ground. “My love?”

She looks at him. Her jaw tenses, fire burning in her eyes. “Please tell me someone punched him again.”

“I really fucking wanted to,” Atlas says through gritted teeth.

She sits back down before putting her head in her hands. Her usually sweet lavender and vanilla scent twinges with something salty, watery.

“Doe, what’s wrong?” Ciro asks.

She shakes her head in her hands before looking back up at us. “Did I just make Sam’s life more difficult? What if Derek keeps taking his anger out on him? What if I made a mistake?”

The sadness in her voice breaks me. I find myself walking over to sit beside her.

“Stacia, this was the right call. Not only does it protect you, but it will also make Derek think twice before doing anything to some future girl he pursues. He needs to know that his actions have consequences. He can’t get away with whatever he wants just because he’s an alpha.”

“And,” Atlas adds before crouching down in front of us, “ you didn’t do anything.

This is all on Derek. His actions put him here, no one else’s.

Sam can handle himself. He’s a strong alpha.

He can see this through. And I’m sure if he were here, he’d be telling you the same thing.

He doesn’t want you to worry about him.”

She gives a few tiny nods, still sniffling. “You’re right. I know you are.” She wipes her eyes and lets us comfort her, all of our hands on her in some way. “I just feel worried. Sick. I wish none of you had to deal with this at all.”

“Angel, we wish you didn’t have to deal with any of this.

You shouldn’t be in this position. You deserve the world.

” Atlas cradles her face. “You are our omega, we are going to take care of you. Sam has wanted to kick Derek out for a long time. You have a sea of people here to help you, you just have to let us .”

She smiles, her face wet with tears. Ciro chuckles beside me.

“We’ve said his name too many times, we should probably go back to the rule of calling him Dickwad.”

Stacia laughs. “Rory told you about that?”

We all nod, laughing with her. “Yes, she did. And we’re going to abide by it.” Atlas kisses Stacia’s forehead before standing back up. “How about I make us some popcorn and we keep watching this movie you and Uriah started?”

“I’d like that.” Her eyes sparkle. Our prime excuses himself as we arrange ourselves on the couch, trying to find the most comfortable way to squeeze together.

And the rest of the night is cozy and cloudless as our omega enjoys herself. It’s the best feeling, taking care of someone and loving them all in one. Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t want this to be any other way.