~21~

"Is that Bryan? Hi, Bryan, why are you in the Kitchens anyway, Kie…" He immediately started to ramble, leaning his weight on his mate.

Dale was just relieved that his Luna seemed to have forgotten about terrorizing a particular someone, holding him up easily.

"Don't tell me, you got him to actually eat?" Dream realized with wide eyes. "How?"

Bryan just shrugged, having no response, he was still shocked that he had managed it.

"I sure didn't forget about you Bridget." He turned calmly to her, walking around his mate.

Dale made sure to keep a possessive arm around his mate, he would rather Bridget didn't visit the clinic as well.

"See I was willing to turn a blind eye to the complaints that kept being filed against you at the daycare because you swore on the Alpha's honor that you would turn a new leaf, who the fuck even does that?" He muttered with a sour expression. "Swear on the Alpha's honor, that's cringe old lady…"

Bryan was having a really hard time keeping a straight face but Alpha Dale and Kieran managed it effortlessly, it was obvious they were long used to this.

"... but you've crossed the line by dragging my mate and friends into this, see me by sundown, I hope we can come to a mutual agreement on this matter." He said with a smile that was all sharp teeth and violent tendencies.

Dale couldn't help the proud smile on his face, they had really been working on Dream sounding more formal when he scolded Pack members because calling them 'stupid cunts' wasn't exactly Luna like.

And this time, he had managed the entire conversation without cursing once.

"How was that, baby?" He spun around in Dale's arms to ask, excitement in his voice.

Dale stared down at the shiny gray-blue looking up at him with expectancy. "Wonderful baby, you couldn't have done better..." He praised his mate, leading him out of the kitchen in the wake of a stunned audience.

Kieran grabbed Bryan's hand and made his way out as well, or they would be the center of attention as soon the Alpha and his Luna left.

"Thank fuck that's over." Kieran murmured under his breath as they made their way to Bryan's apartment.

"Do you get that a lot?" Bryan found himself asking when they got to his apartment.

Kieran paused his motions of helping him set up where they would eat. "What?"

"Pack members basically telling you to leave the Pack." He asked stiffly.

Kieran just shrugged. "I don't care about their opinions because they don't matter."

Bryan could accept that but… "You didn't answer my question though." He pointed out in a softer voice.

Kieran glanced at him. "No, most keep their thoughts to themselves plus Dream is like a hawk, a very dangerous hawk, most wouldn't dare." He said calmly, a tinge of pride in his voice.

Bryan couldn't blame him, he respected the Luna a lot, even more when he heard Erin mention his weapons cache.

They ate lunch quickly, Kieran's therapy appointment was by 1 pm, they didn't have a lot of time left if they wanted to make it in time.

As soon as they were done eating, Bryan immediately hurried him down the stairs, constantly complaining about how they were going to be late.

"It's just a fifteen minutes drive." Kieran grumbled when Bryan all but dragged him across the parking lot.

"It doesn't hurt to get there early with a few minutes to spare." He countered reasonably. 

There was no arguing with Bryan when he wanted something done, Kieran was coming to realize, he didn't mind it as much as he thought he would.

The therapist's office was located a little out of town but not quite in Paper District.

It was a small picturesque place with a receptionist sitting behind a counter in the waiting room.

"Want me to come with you?" Bryan blurted out, when they stepped past the front doors.

Kieran glanced at him. "What do you mean? You thought I'd do this alone?" 

Bryan bit back laughter but led the way over to the counter, it was about time for their session anyway.

He hadn't actually been thinking that Kieran would want him to come along, he didn't even know why he asked.

Although he had to admit that he had been worried about Kieran opening up to the therapist.

He also needed to be there to make sure Kieran didn't give the therapist a bit of trauma of her own.

"Hi, I'm Chloe." The receptionist introduced herself to them, she looked quite young and pretty. "Do you have an appointment or do you want to make one?" She asked politely. 

"Um, we have an appointment." Bryan was the one to speak up, Kieran hovering menacingly behind him.

Chloe took one look at them and nodded expertly. "Let me guess," She whispered covertly to Bryan. "Couples therapy." She stated, looking quite proud of herself at her intuition. 

Bryan made no move to correct her, feeling his chest puff out a bit at her words.

Out loud to both of them, Chloe said… "Miss Sela will see you now, if you just go down the hallway, her office is to the left, thank you." She beamed at this, whispering a rushed goodluck to Bryan.

"What was that about?" Kieran asked curiously as they made their way down the hallway that Chloe had directed them.

"Oh, nothing." Bryan replied airily, almost bouncing while he walked.

Kieran decided to let it go, they were already in front of the therapist's office, and it was illegal or something to argue in a therapist's office.

Bryan did the knocking, a smoky voice replying from within and inviting them in.

Kieran pushed open the door, keeping it open for Bryan.

Sela watched them both walk in, her brows up in surprise, she hadn't been expecting a couple.

"Hi, please take your seat, I'm Sela." She introduced politely, getting up for them to sit down.

Bryan took in the therapist with wide eyes, she had colorful braids and gorgeous dark skin, her eyes as black as her nails.

They introduced themselves as well and got acquainted before Sela got right to work.