Counting Stars

Chapter 5

It turned out to be pretty quick to get the parts that were available at Harry's, leaving Dom only a small list of things that needed to be ordered while Brian drove with the others to take the supplies to the garage. After that, he hadn't expected anything more for the day after he spent most of the afternoon in Jesse's office, once more helping him with the plans and then making a start on the new car.

However, at Dom's insistence to not say no and head back to his room at Harry's shop as had been his initial plan, he eventually took the offer to join the others for the barbecue. Bringing the plate of food outside to the bbq for Mia, Brian had glanced up as Dom walked past him, turning at the return of Vince and the others. Despite the blonde still standing near the table away from the drive, the Alpha's gaze had near instantly zeroed in on him, passing the bags to Leon before he had turned and left despite the other's protests with a growled. "I'm out of it,"

Brian stayed quiet as the rest of the pack turned back to put the new supplies away and continue setting the table, the blonde moving to help after ducking his head in apology towards the pack leader.

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The others were chuckling as Dom quickly picked Jesse out for grace after his quick grab for the chicken, the Alpha smiling before clasping his hands together in prayer as everyone else sat down to join in as the Omega started. Despite the hostility and following tension caused by Vince and his quick departure, the afternoon had been quick to settle and return to a more cheery atmosphere.

However, as Jesse finished and they started to put food on their plates, Dom was quick to notice Brian suddenly quieting as the Beta glanced to the drive, Leon soon proving his suspicions for the sudden pause as he called out. "Look who it is. Old Coyotes 'R' Us. I thought you weren't hungry, pumpkin."

At Vince's shrug and grumbled ' You know, I gotta eat, ', Dom glanced over to Brian for a quick moment before acknowledging Vince's silent request. "All right, sit down."

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Despite Vince's earlier hostility for him merely being there, the Alpha seemed quiet as he approached, Brian leaning back in his chair with a small pause, unsure of the sudden lack of anger. As Vince approached the table, the blonde watched curiously as he paused behind Dom, pressing a kiss to the side of his head before resting his hand there briefly in thanks.

Other than the small pause in his movement to fill his plate to acknowledge his pack member's apology, Dom didn't look to him until he had sat down in the spare seat opposite the blonde, both him and Leon glancing between Vince and Brian. Despite the glare from the Alpha as he took a drink, Brian was quick to hide any annoyance as he leaned forward to grab his own bottle and take a sip, the sudden tension from the pack finally being broken as Letty leaned forward to grab some food.

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The evening went more quietly after the food was eaten, Brian choosing to avoid any further conflict with Vince through heading to the kitchen to help Mia instead of joining the others for a movie even when Dom had asked him if he wanted to. Bringing the last of the dishes into the kitchen, he glanced over to her before turning to look for a tea towel. "Need a hand with anything else?"

As she told him he could go join the boys with the movie, he quickly shook his head with a smile as he started to dry the dishes. "And leave you here to do all this on your own?"

He's grateful when she doesn't push again for him to go, seeming to silently acknowledge his idea to avoid Vince and turned back to washing the dishes. Falling into companionable silence for a while as they worked, he put the plates away before glancing over his shoulder at the sound of footsteps, spotting the smirk on Vince's face before he glanced back to the microwave as he chuckled. "Wash my car when you get done."

The blonde gritted his teeth as he sighed, keeping his back to Vince with the idea to ignore him before he paused at Vince's remark after Mia mistook his jab being directed at her. He was turning to lean back against the counter with a glare just as he heard Dom speak, spotting the Alpha standing in the doorway while Vince was still trying to get the microwave to work. "Why don't you do it yourself Vince? Surely an Alpha would know how to clean their own car?"

Brian barely managed to keep the smirk off his face as he noticed the sudden pause from Vince at Dom's voice, the pack's second in command eventually turning to face the other Alpha. No chance however is given for him to respond as Dom crossed his arms over his chest. "I'd like to talk to Brian alone. Vince, go help Leon calm Jessie down, his heat started earlier than planned.."

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The Alpha watched as the blonde quickly resumed what he'd been doing before Vince's interruption, putting the dried dishes away while Mia and a reluctant Vince left once the popcorn was done. After watching him for a couple more minutes, he moved to dry the remaining dishes, passing them one by one to Brian.

Still, he kept his silence for a little longer, Dom frowning at the faint scent of omega as he leaned past Brian to put the last of the cups away, eyes meeting his as he paused briefly before moving back. However, he's quick to dismiss it for being Jesse's, after all the time the two had spent in the small office working on the plans once they'd grabbed the car parts. Eventually, he cleared his throat to regain the Beta's attention as he leaned back against the sink. "With Jesse in heat, I usually cover most of his work while he's stuck in his room. However, if you're interested in joining the pack, you can start with helping me with his work and plans for the car. No pack bond required during that time. After that, if everyone chooses to accept you...it's your choice from there."

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He hadn't been expected another mention of him joining the pack, the unexpected topic making him pause as his shoulders tensed. After a while, he managed to relax, letting out a small sigh as he turned to the pack's Alpha after a moment longer in thought.

Was he willing to risk being around there so close to his heat? How would that go if they found out he wasn't the Beta he ensured he appeared to be?

"..Yeah sure Dom. Sounds good."