Oliver's POV

Since his talk with Panov, he had taken to avoiding Ra's as much as physically possible. It wasnt the easiest thing in the world to do. Before the talk, he had been ignorant of how much the alpha was watching him.

Al Owal frowned every time he avoided Ra's. He could see exactly what Oliver was doing. By the frowns, he didnt approve of the avoidance tactics. At the same time, however, he didnt reprimand the younger man.

Upon their return, he noticed a face he had not seen in his trainings in awhile. It was Al Sayf. The older alpha could usually be found in one of the corners during his spars with Al Owal.

It was after one such training that Al Sayf dragged him away from the initiate and training halls. They were going down unfamiliar pathways. They reached a hall with a long archway that had stairs going up. It was one of the towers of the castle.

Above the archway inscribed into the stone was a saying. It took him several moments to translate the saying. Aukhtir lihimayat wakhidmat aldawri. Min yd shaytan 'ant almukhtar. la tans madik hataa la tukhsir mustaqbalik.

In English, it said Chosen to protect and serve the League. By the Demon's hand, you are chosen. Forget not your past lest you lose your future.

An interesting saying but one that held a lot of truth. The Sword of the League was something that had become a legend. Al Sayf unless called by Ra's himself rarely left his tower. Hunting Zach was one of the rare exceptions.

A low growl from Al Sayf had him following the man up the stairs. The tower was broken into several rooms. Oliver was pushed towards the one directly across from the stairs. It was to his surprise to find it to be living quarters.

"Sit," ordered the alpha gruffly.

Oliver moved to one of the two chairs in the room. It was old and worn with the scent of Al Sayf heavy on it. Despite its age, the chair was comfortable and allowed Oliver to relax marginally.

Al Sayf moved about his kitchen for several moments. He couldn't see what the other was doing but Oliver could infer by the sounds he was making tea. Sure enough, several minutes later Al Sayf came over with two cups of hot mint tea.

For a long moment, the two enjoyed silence as they sipped on tea. Then Al Sayf began bluntly, "You have been avoiding the Demon's Head ever since you were shot. Given that you have no qualms with receiving pain and injury for someone you deem worthy protection I assume it's not out of fear. So I ask why are you avoiding the Demon's Head?"

Oliver ran a hand down his face tiredly. For a moment he considered trying to bullshit his way through the questioning. Instinctively he knew that it wouldn't work. That and making the alpha angry with him would make the rest of his time unpleasant.

After some consideration, he answered, "I didnt actually start to avoid Ra's until after my first session back with Panov. Ra's had encouraged me to talk to the man and I did. I asked something that had been bothering me since I arrived."

"You asked why the Demon's Head was so interested in you," was the statement, not a question.

Still, Oliver answered, "Yes. Panov said that the interest may stem from a willingness to court me. I'm not blind to other's Al Sayf. I was a playboy before the war destroyed my mind. I cannot go through a bonding process. I..."

He couldn't risk losing someone again. While he and Irena never officially bonded. Biologically they couldn't bond as she was a beta. Despite this, he truly loved her and their child.

Images of the two in the water flashed before his mind. His hands shook as he tried to push them down. Bile went up the back of his throat threatening to make him throw up. It was a weakness and that was not something he could show here.

Gentle hands pried the teacup away from him. Words fell on deaf ears as he focused on the breathing exercises Panov had taught him.

After a few moments, he was calm again. The feeling that he would be sick was gone. A sadness however still linger as he expected it to. Irene was the first and only person he loved with all of his heart.

Al Sayf returned to his chair before he questioned, "Memories of the war?"

Oliver only shook his head mutely unable to form words yet. Al Sayf sighed, "Before the war then. There is more damage to your mind than you let be shown. You want to protect those close to you. And you're afraid to let anyone new near. Something that if the rumors are true didn't occur until after you disappeared."

Oliver found himself subconsciously relaxing. This man wasn't judging him for his past. Or for the fact, he nearly had a panic attack. Instead was stating what he knew as Alex would. It established familiarity.

Taking slow deep breaths he watched the alpha carefully. Could he keep a secret? If he could, would he? They barely knew each other.

"Our liege cares deeply for you," continued the alpha, "If that doctor of yours stated that the Demon's Head wishes to court you he's right."

That garnered a reaction, "Gamó!"

That earned a snort of amusement from Al Sayf. Then more out curiosity, the man asked, "How many languages are you fluent in?"

Oliver paused briefly before he answered, "18 last I counted. Before I became a Medusa operative I was a linguist officer."

"Impressive," was the only answer he got before they fell silent again.

Ra's it seemed truly wanted to court him. Then why had he not brought it up? Normally the alpha would be the one to ask about courting. There were the rare occasions that it was the omega but they were few and far between.

"If you're wondering why he hasn't approached besides the obvious reason. It's because the area he's from its traditional for the courted to make the first move. Which is why Panov was likely asked to approach you."

So he had to approach Ra's? How in the hell was he supposed to do that? Did he even want to?

Oliver put his head in his hands trying to sort out his mind. Was he attracted to Ra's? Yes, he was. That was an undeniable fact.

Would Ra's be a good alpha? Uncertain. He didnt know much about the man. From what he could tell Ra's cared about each of his men. It was hidden carefully but actions spoke louder than words. The actions were there.

Would he be tearing apart a family if he did court Ra's?

Al Sayf answered as if reading his thoughts, "Warithe would not begrudge you for bonding her father. Her mother died when she was very young. Should you be courted by our liege however you would be the first to bond with him. He has never bonded to anyone. While he loved his wife before her death I have never seen him look at someone the way he looks at you. I know you do not want to bond with someone. It's in your eyes. You fear hurting them because of your mind and the way it is broken. Do not let fear cloud your judgment and overrule that heart. A courtship even if it does not end in a bond may just heal the pains you so carefully hide."

With that being said he was ushered out of the tower. Left to his own unsure thoughts.