Beta's Second Chance

Waylen

Matthias and Laura arrived at Maverick's home to drop Waylen off. Matthias ensured to mind-link Maverick of their arrival, and fortunately, he and Iris were awake. Before the couple could knock on the door, Maverick answered. "Alpha, Laura, please come in. I hope you don't mind the smell. Iris is almost done making breakfast." 

The Beta motioned the family to enter. Iris was in the kitchen about to make another pancake when she noticed the family. "Oh, hello, everyone. I-I didn't know you guys were coming! I-I'm not even dressed properly!"

"Don't worry, Iris. We should've told you yesterday, but after everything happened, we thought we would give you and Jessica some space!" Laura went to Iris, where the women hugged one another. "I don't know if Maverick told you, but I'm going with Matthias to an important meeting. Matthias and I wondered if you could watch Waylen while we're off."

"Oh, of course! I enjoy having Waylen around." She looked at the child, who had his Hulk backpack and some action figures in hand. "Did you eat, buddy? I'm making chocolate chip pancakes!"

Waylen nodded. "I'm glad I haven't eaten yet! Mommy doesn't like it when I eat too much chocolate! She always says that I have to be healthy!"

Laura huffed while having her hands on her hips. "Actually, young man. I don't let you eat too much chocolate because you get too hyper!"

The women laughed and spoke to one another while the men were by the door. Matthias explained everything to Maverick and what happened in the interrogation with the hunter. Maverick was stunned that the hunter had a violent death; someone was behind everything. "Should I come along and..."

"No, I have enough pack guards to accompany me and Laura. Besides, I want you to spend more time with Iris. Also, I need you to keep an eye on the pack and ensure it's safe. I am counting on you with that."

The Beta nodded. "You can rely on me with that, Alpha. Anything regarding Rickon?" He noticed how Matthias shook his head; there was a hint of worry in his expression. Maverick couldn't blame him. Rickon had made many mistakes, but at the end of the day, Rickon was still his brother. "I am certain that Rickon will be okay; he is stubborn. Oh, and Asher finally woke up. I feel that he is slowly opening up to me and Iris." Maverick motioned his head toward the living room where Asher was still watching Hotel Transylvania. It was noticed that the child noticed Matthias and his family.

"Well, thank goodness he's awake and slowly opening to everyone. I can't imagine the trauma he went through. I will inform the pack's psychologist to start a case with him and help you find a good speech pathologist." Matthias looked at the boy, curious but anxious; Asher reminded him of Waylen. The thought of Waylen being in Asher's situation tore his heart. Then, he watched how cheerful Iris was. The Alpha was grateful to Ofelia and the Moon Goddess for giving Maverick another chance and picking Iris as his mate. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt his wife gently shaking him.

"My love, we need to get going. We can't be late for the meeting."

The Alpha nodded as he kissed his wife's hand. Matthias walked to his son, who stood by Iris and knelt before him. "Waylen, I want you to listen to Uncle Maverick and Iris. Don't create trouble or there will be consequences. Do you understand me, son?"

"I know, Dad. I will be good." Matthias kissed his son on the head, thanked the couple, and went off with his wife. 

Once the door was closed, Iris went to Waylen. "Hey buddy, I would like to introduce you to someone. He's a year younger than you. He's also timid and had...an accident."

Waylen's eyes are widened. "An accident?"

"Yeah, buddy. His accident affected his talking, but he can understand you. Would you like to meet him?"

Waylen nodded as Maverick and Iris led him to the living room. There, Waylen noticed the boy was close to his age. "Buddy, this is Asher. Asher, this is Waylen."

The boys looked at one another curiously. However, Waylen could tell Asher's nervousness. Iris went to Asher, sat beside him, and gave him space. "Asher, honey. Waylen is a nice boy who is close to your age. Look, he even brought some toys."

Waylen slowly walked toward Asher, who flinched but stood midway to the sofa, where he motioned out his Hulk and Deadpool action figures. "Yeah! I brought a lot of toys, and they're in my backpack!" The young boy put the action figures on the coffee table, then got his backpack and opened it. "Ta-da! I got more superheroes and cars! Do you wanna play with me!?" Waylen then walked over to the coffee table, taking his figures with him, and sat on the floor as he took his toys from the backpack.

The adults carefully watched Asher, hoping that he would go to Waylen. Iris noticed that Asher looked like he wanted to play but was cautious. She gently put a hand on his back. "It's okay, he just wants to play. Waylen wants to share his toys with you." When Asher saw Waylen motioning out some toys to him, Asher slowly got off the sofa and walked toward him. "Here you go! We  can be superheroes!"

Asher got a hold of a Spiderman and sat beside Waylen. "Waaa...spaaaerrmaaa..." The young boy stopped speaking; it looked as if he was embarrassed. Waylen noticed. Iris and Maverick thought Waylen would be bothered, but to their surprise, the boy said something they never would have expected. 

"Yeah, it's Spiderman! He's one my favorite Marvel characters! What other one do you want?" Waylen lined up his action figures and waited for Asher's response. Asher bit his lip, but when he saw how patient Waylen was, he pointed to one of the figurines. "You like Wolverine?"

"Woooveeen. Llllliiikkee."

"Cool! I like Wolverine, too!" Spiderman boys played while the adults watched, and they sighed in relief. "Wow, Waylen has a way with words," said Iris, returning to the kitchen to make an extra pancake.

"I agree. I know he will be a great Alpha one day," said Maverick as he got out glass cups and poured orange juice and milk onto different cups.

"Boys, you guys can play after you eat breakfast! I made chocolate chip pancakes!"

Waylen squealed in excitement. "Come on, Asher! Let's eat so we can play!" The boys put the toys down and ran to the kitchen, where Maverick assisted them to their chairs. Iris finished cooking and started to serve everyone breakfast plates. Jessica was the only one missing. Iris hoped that Jessica would be open to giving Rickon a chance.