An unexpected confession

Back in Eleanor’s room, Miller asked if they could sit down because he had something important to tell her. “There was a time in the past I didn’t think I would make it to become Beta of this pack,” he began as soon as they were sitting down on a pair of armchairs in the room. “No matter how hard I worked, it seemed that Alpha Thomas did not have me in my mind for his second in command.” Eleanor nodded. “I remember.” The three of them grew up together, and Miller had always wanted to become Beta. But there were a several options for the position, and at some point, it seemed as if Thomas did not think he had the potential to become a good Beta. “I almost gave up,” he admitted. “I started doubting my abilities, and thinking maybe the best I could be was head warrior. If it wasn’t for you encouraging me and training alongside me, I think I would have given up. It’s thanks to you that I became the Beta I am today. I’ve never forgotten how much you helped me back then.” “You were always the right person for the position,” Eleanor said. “You had a lot of potential, but Thomas did not see that. I did not want you to give up because of a few setbacks. At the end of the day, you made it not because of me, but because you believed in yourself. You wanted it badly enough to push yourself even when it seemed impossible. And since then, you’ve proved that you were the best option.” “I don’t think I would have had faith in myself if you didn’t believe in me. I’ve always been grateful for that.” Eleanor smiled at him. “Well then, I’m happy to know that I was such a help to you. Having a capable Beta like you makes managing the pack much easier.” “That was not the only time you had a big influence in my life,” he said. “After Violet passed away, you helped me a lot in the aftermath.” Violet had been Miller’s fated mate. She had been a warrior too, and they had found each other at eighteen right after they both went through their first shift. But their happiness was short lived. About a year later, Violet lost her life in a battle against Blackstorm’s enemies. Miller was heavily affected and overwhelmed by grief, and Eleanor had supported him during that period. Without her friendship, he felt he never would have recovered enough to go on with his life. “You are my friend,” Eleanor told him. “And you were in so much pain. I only hoped I could make it easier for you even if for a little bit.” “You did,” he said. “You made me realise I could still go one after everything, and…that’s when I fell for you again.” Eleanor frowned, sure she had misheard him. It didn’t make sense. Miller looked at her, meeting her confused gaze. “Before I met Violet, I had feelings for you. But you were so in love with Thomas, and I knew you would never reciprocate my feelings. So I kept it to myself because I did not want to ruin our friendship. After I met Violet, they disappeared naturally. But then after I lost her, they resurfaced all over again.” “I…” She paused, looking for the right words. But there were none. This was such a huge surprise to her. Miller had never done anything to suggest that he had such feelings for her. “I had no idea you felt that way.” “I thought it was good for everyone to keep it all to myself,” he said. “But now…I don’t think I can hide it anymore. I think it was easy to keep everything to myself as long as you were happy. But after everything Thomas has put you through, I want to be a source of comfort to you. Whether you stay with him or not, I want to be able to stay by your side and love you the way you deserve.” When Miller asked her to sit down and talk, Eleanor thought he wanted to talk in detail about her divorce and the decision he’d make. She’d never have guessed that he wanted to make a confession instead. “I’m sorry, Miller, but that’s not possible,” she told him. “To me, you are just a friend and a colleague, and I don’t have such feelings towards you.” “Please think about it,” he said. She shook her head. There was nothing to think about. Even if she hadn’t already found her fated mate, being with Miller was something she never would have considered even after her divorce. “It’s impossible between us,” she told him. “I’m really grateful for your friendship and support. But a romantic relationship between us is out of the question.” Miller nodded, disappointment taking over his features. “I respect your decision,” he said. “But I want you to know I’m telling you this sincerely, and if you’d ever open your heart to me, it’d make me very happy. But if you cannot, I’ll be content to support you in whatever you need.” “Thank you for understanding,” she told him. Miller rose to his feet. “I’ll take my leave now. I have to go and see how the search is going.” After she saw him to the door, Eleanor sat back down, feeling exhausted. The day had started so well with her in Henry’s arms. But then it all went to hell. She did not want to think about Miller’s confession. She would act like it never happened, and hoped he’d do the same. She decided to rest a bit before calling Henry to let him know she was safe and that Ethan and Sophia were on their way. She only meant to nap for a little bit, but she fell into a deep sleep. When she awoke, the alarm clock beside her bed showed it was past midnight. Remembering she had meant to call Henry, she looked around for her phone. When she didn’t find it, she racked through her brain, trying to recall where she must have left it. There were two possibilities, Thomas’s office or his bedroom. Leaving her room, she went downstairs to his office. There was a sliver of light beneath his door, showing he was still inside. She knocked once and pushed the door open. “Not asleep yet?” he asked, looking up from his desk. Eleanor’s eyes fell on her phone on his desk. “I came to get my phone,” she said. Thomas stood up from his chair and grabbed the phone. “This?” he asked, moving around the desk towards her. “Why, is there anyone you want to talk to so late at night?” “It’s my phone,” she told him, moving closer and reaching for the gadget. “What I do with it should not concern you.” “Even talking to other males so late at night?” Eleanor sighed. It was too late at night for this. “Give me my phone, Thomas. I need to go back to sleep.” He slipped the phone into his trouser’s pocket. “If you want it, come and get it.” She glared at him. What kind of game was he playing? “Just give it to me.” He shrugged and moved back towards his chair. “It's yours for the taking.” She walked forward and reached for his pocket before he could take a seat. Before she could retrieve her phone, he wrapped his hands around her arms and manoeuvred her until her back was against the wall. He closed the distance between their bodies, pressing her to the wall with his body. He moved his hands down her arms until he was gripping her wrists, and then he held them above her head against the wall. “What do you think you are doing?” she demanded, glaring up at him. “I’ve missed you so much,” he said, dropping his head to her neck. He grazed his teeth over her skin. “And I want you.” “Let me go, Thomas.” He pressed his lower body against her, making her feel his growing hardness. “Come on, Eleanor. Is it only me who misses this? It’s been so long since I’ve had you I think I’ve forgotten how it feels to be inside you.” She tugged her wrists to no avail. “I swear if you don’t let go of me right now, I’ll kick your balls so hard you’ll never be able to use them again.” His lips brushed against her ear. “You really think you can stop me?” “Yeah, I’d start by taking a nice bite out of your throat,” she told him. “Would you really?” he asked, grinding his hardness against her. “Would you kill me, after everything we’ve been through together? Are you so eager to replace me?”