Chapter 20

Alex was attempting to build a sand castle, Mitch and Jake beside him. Scott left the bags of purchases with Mitch, since they weren't moving around at all, and slowly approached Travis. Travis had been standing on the shore of the beach, the water coming dangerously close to his feet before sliding away. He didn't move either way though, his hands shoved in his pockets and his eyes trained on the distance. Scott came up beside him, as quietly as he could be. "Hey, Travis... Getting nostalgic?" Travis smiled a little. "No. I'm just thinking." Scott recognized the look on his face in an instant. "About Alex?" "Yeah. Lots of thoughts about Alex." "For example?" "Why haven't you punched me in the face yet? Why hasn't Jake slapped me silly? Why hasn't Avi called me to scream at me? Why is Alex acting like this is normal? Why isn't Mitch furious with me? Why isn't Kirstie mad at me?" Scott nodded slowly, absorbing all of that. "Yikes... Well. Let's go in order? I'm not going to hit you, because as of this moment you're making Alex happy. I assume that's Jake's reason too. Avi and Kirstie are a little preoccupied at the moment. Alex just wants everyone to be nice to each other. I don't think he ever got over you, to be completely honest." "Really?" Scott shrugged, looking out toward the ocean. "Don't repeat this to anyone... But I truly, truly believe he wasn't as happy with Jake as he was with you. Jake allowed him more privileges, but... Alex is just one of those Omegas that thrives on discipline. He's good at following orders, and obeying rules. And... Jake wasn't willing to give that to him." "Wow..." Travis paused, and then he looked over to Scott. "You really think that?" "I do. I mean... It's hard to say, because Alex is just.. Abnormally happy all the time. But... I truly think he missed being under your control. And that's why he's being so quick to overlook what you did to him. Because he needs you, and he knows it. His instincts are screaming for it." Travis nodded slowly. Scott turned to meet his eyes, a stoic expression on his face. "Don't mistake what I'm saying to be something else. I swear to God, Travis Bush. If you dare lay a hand on him like that again..." "I wouldn't even dream of it." Scott squinted at him, not sure what to believe out of this particular person. "I'm serious, Scott. If I even come close to hurting him again, you have both my permission and my approval to beat me down until I can't move." "Don't need your permission. But I accept your offer." Scott dropped his Alpha persona, and set a hand on Travis' shoulder. "You've come a long way. Give yourself some credit." Before Travis could reply, Mitch walked over and tapped Scott's shoulder. Scott turned, beaming at him. "Hey babe." "Hi. Um.. I hope I'm not interrupting something. But Alex is getting a little hungry, and I'm worried that if I get hungry I'll do that thing."