the eclipse [sequel] ☾ l.s.

twenty four - in the heat where you lay

When Zayn burst through the front door a few hours later, the other boys were gathered around the kitchen table. Even by late afternoon, they showed no signs of leaving town. Harry was still weak, and even though their friends didn't know about the pregnancy, Louis was too worried to travel so soon. If his impatience harmed their baby, he would never forgive himself.

It only took one look at Zayn to see that the beta was furious. He stormed into the room, tossing his bag onto the floor in the entryway.

"I thought you might have slipped away without me, while I had the council distracted. Honestly, I wouldn't blame you. Like, I know he's your father, Louis, but he's such a --"

Liam shot him a pointed look, and Zayn cut himself short. He realized all at once how quiet the house was, a gentle hush blanketing the room. He sucked in a breath, trying to calm himself.

Harry was curled up in Louis's lap, half-asleep but still opening his mouth for Louis to feed him a bite of soup every few minutes. His eyes were closed, his cheek resting on Louis's shoulder. It was clear that all of the boys were trying to keep their friend company without disturbing him.

"Come sit," Louis said, keeping his voice low. He rubbed Harry's back when the omega shifted, cooing softly in his ear to soothe him. Harry settled down easily, nuzzling into Louis's neck.

"How's he doing?" Zayn asked quietly. He slid into the seat beside Niall, propping both elbows up on the table.

"Tired. She forced him to do magic even when he was completely drained, and I don't know how long it'll be before he recovers fully," Louis explained. His fingers traced Harry's spine upwards, following the curve of his body until they cupped the back of his mate's neck, holding him close. "But he's getting his strength back. It's coming in bursts, but it's already coming back."

"He couldn't stop talking earlier. Just chattered on and on," Niall interjected with a grin. "Wore himself out after about twenty minutes, but it was worth it. It's been a long time since he seemed so carefree."

"Good. At least he's getting back to his normal self," Zayn replied.

Louis smiled at the thought. He poked at Harry's chin with his thumb until the omega opened his mouth again, then fed him another spoonful of soup. Harry didn't even open his eyes, trusting his alpha completely.

"How was your meeting with the Head Alpha?" Liam asked. "Not good, I'm guessing?"

Zayn shook his head. "He just kept going on and on about how we promised to help and we still haven't eliminated the threat and blah, blah, blah. He barely let me get a word in edgewise, but I guess that's not surprising."

"He feels like he's been backed into a corner," Liam replied. "He knows that Louis cares about Harry more than he cares about him, and now that this mission has risked Harry's life . . ."

"He knows there's no way we'll stay and help," Zayn agreed. He glanced nervously in Louis's direction. "Your father also kept saying that we're more obligated to stay now. He's convinced that the only reason that the other pack was coming after the Sons was because they knew that the Sons were affiliated with Harry."

Niall scoffed. "So he's blaming Harry for this?"

Zayn pursed his lips, but he nodded.

"Of fucking course he is," the other beta snapped, crossing both arms over his chest and leaning back in his chair. "Of fucking course."

"You're quiet," Liam said to Louis. "What do you think?"

"Sometimes I think that I should've taken the Head Alpha position when I beat my father," Louis confessed. It was a point of conflict that still weighed heavy on his mind. "I'm not stupid enough to think that I could have changed how the wolves feels about witches and hybrids, but at least I would've had the power to keep Harry safe."