I'm not at your orders

apologies

- What are you doing here?- said Nori coldly:
-Hello to you too, Nori. Sirius- gave a nod of his hand to the old man who reciprocated with a movement of his head, not expecting that he would have a change of heart.
-I need to talk to you... and in private, if Sirius will have it- said Filip turning to Nori, visibly confused:
-I don't think that's possible. If you need anything ask Sir...-
-O God...- Filip looked up, then took Nori by the arm and led him out of the study, to the latter's total astonishment, and then turned to the botanist with a look of assurance:
-I'll bring him right back to you- after which he immediately closed the door behind him, leaving Sirius alone in the study, who faintly sighed:
-these young men...-
-What the !?-
-calm down, I'm not here to fight- said Filip immediately.
-it seems to me the opposite - Nori said, trying to go back into the study, although Filip stood in the way, looking at him with piercing eyes:
-I just want to talk- Nori wrinkled his eyebrows, not wanting to be there:
-but I don't want to- when he was about to pass him by, Filip said:
-Arya is sad that you are not coming to see her any more- Nori stopped, looking at him carefully:
-I just want to talk- said Filip with an honest and deep look.
Nori exhaled resignedly and finally agreed.

Once they found themselves under the cover of a porticoed courtyard not far away, Nori said:
-What did you mean earlier with Arya?

-what you heard. She thinks you're angry with her because she doesn't see you around the castle any more. - Nori felt sorry for the girl, but in front of Filip he restrained himself and said:
-it's not like that-
-you don't have to convince me- said Filip: -you should rather go and see her- Nori swallowed and asked dryly:
-you only came to tell me this?
-no...I want to know the reason why you are holed up in your house. Is it because of me?- Nori stiffened for a moment and then said:
-Are you so egocentric that you think everything revolves around you?
-then tell me the reason-
-as if I'm going to tell you - Filip snorted boredly:
-I'm not asking you Nori- the beta replied scornfully and coldly:
-If you think I'm at your orders, you're wrong: you're not my alpha- Filip hardened his own jaw, decidedly provoked:
-I don't suppose you want to explain to Marcus why you had Sayo's pheromones on you, do you, little wolf?- Nori quieted down, looking away.
-Is it because of what I told you that night? - continued the alpha and Nori remained silent, his heart quickening a little:
-answer me Nori. Did Sayo lay hands on you against your will?- Nori frowned, not knowing how to answer:
-You came for that? Is that what you really wanted to ask me?
-answer me-
Nori looked at him suspiciously:
-I thought you had already drawn your own conclusions-.

there was a silence filled only by the penetrating gaze of the two and after a few moments Filip said:
-I am sorry for what I said. Really- Filip approached slowly but Nori did not move:
-I knew you were scared but I still said those things without thinking. That's why I want to know if he did anything to you- Nori's face hardened at those words:
-you should have asked me that night, but as always, your alpha being makes you believe you can say anything without thinking about the consequences- He paused for a moment, trying to control his voice, which still came out distorted:
-I didn't think you had such a slimy idea of me, as if I could...- he interrupted himself and looked away: why couldn't he continue? was it too much closeness with Filip that made him insecure?
-it doesn't matter. I won't accept your apology if that's what you wanted to know.
-I didn't want to humiliate you, Nori- Filip was serious and the honesty of his words could be heard in his voice:
-The truth is that I was annoyed...by those pheromones. They were so strong on you that I thought badly. But if Sayo attacked you, I want to know: I want to have your confirmation- Nori did not answer, and Filip followed in a demanding voice:
-Nori- the young beta tried to compose himself and then said:
-...he was close to his rut, that's why he had... poor control when I came in- Filip's alpha aura emanated stronger, but Nori continued: - he didn't do anything to me, though: I escaped earlier-
-Christ...- That piece of shit...thought Filip, thinking back to the words Sayo had used before leaving: to thank Niro for his patience? How dare he give one of his rings as an apology for that assault?

Nori was intimidated by his voice and aura but remained still, while Filip tried to compose himself and then told him:
-are you all right?Nori nodded weakly:

-well- they looked at each other with milder looks and Filip continued:-you should have told me before Sayo left: he would have been punished for that-
-I guess the full moon and his rut were the triggers for his action, not his will... that's why I let it slide.
-that asshole knew the situation could have escalated, otherwise he wouldn't have let you into his room. An alpha should foresee these things and he intentionally glossed over the problem. When I'll talk to Marcus about it...-
-no, don't. I don't want it to be known- Filip looked at him confused and surprised:
-What on earth are you talking about?
-it's... embarrassing. Sirius doesn't know either. You...you're the only one who knows, unfortunately for me, which is why I'm asking you to keep it a secret. If you do, I'll accept your apology-
-what the fuck...so if I hadn't found you that night, no one would have ever known about this shit?- his blood boiled with rage like his wolf, but Nori had a pleading look:
-please, Filip...for once do me a favour: you owe it to me after all-
Filip was astonished by that request:
-are you fucking joking?- Nori looked at him in silence, confirming his question, whereupon Filip exhaled nervously and then said coldly:
-should I have remained silent even if Sayo had gone further?- Niro's glassy eyes were enigmatic for Filip, but the beta replied dryly:
-I would not have allowed it. I'm not as weak as you think-
-You are naive then- Filip looked at him hard and after a few moments said in a deep, serious voice: -If I had known that night, I would have gone to him and torn him to pieces, it doesn't matter if I'm not your alpha.... Certain behaviour is not tolerable-
Nori was struck by those words and so he replied weakly:
-...thank you-
There was a tense silence between the two until Filip decided to take his leave:
-come to Arya tomorrow: she would like to see you-.
-okay...- there was some awkwardness but finally Niro said: -well...goodnight.

-goodnight Nori-

--

Arya's condition seemed to worsen and it was clear that she was not suffering from a simple sunstroke, which Amalya was beginning to worry about: wolves have one of the strongest immune systems in nature, so it could not have been something mild if it recurred several days in a row. When Nori went to visit her, he found her mother coming out of her room and giving him a sweet but sad look. He approached, noticing her concern furrowing her small face:

-Nori, I am glad to see you well. Arya has missed you, maybe you could check on her a little. She's been in bed most of the time for a few days now, I don't understand why-
He had tried to reassure her, then cautiously entered the room, finding the little one curled up on her side:
-Arya- she had turned her small head towards him, only to sauté him in a small voice unusual for her:
-Did you come because I'm sick?
-I actually became suspicious from the moment I didn't hear anyone in the castle complaining about your mischief. Is my brat already retiring?-
the little one smiled faintly, then said:
-Agnes banned me from the kitchens, she thinks I could empty all the pantries-.
-she did well- Nori approached her, sitting on the edge of the bed:
-I thought you were mad at me- he had a fond smile and then said:
-oh yes...I am very. I was beaten by a pest like you, but the truth is that you totally cheated.
-what? That's not true, I got the sparkleap within 30 seconds- he gave her a childish tap on the forehead:
-you didn't wait for me to turn, then maybe I would have had a chance-
-I don't think so, I would have beaten you anyway- said Arya convinced:
-as soon as you're better we'll check it right away- she laughed weakly and then said:
-I didn't tell mum because I know she would be upset, but I have spots that make me look like a Dalmatian.
-spots? Where? - Nori was confused and Arya rolled up the sleeves of her robe to discover that along her arm and forearm she had a few but obvious purple spots, different from ordinary bruises. These were perfectly outlined and of a more distinct saturation, clearly the result of a skin reaction. Nori took her arm, having never seen anything like it, and gently touched those spots:
-How long have you had them?- he suddenly asked seriously:
-since yesterday afternoon-.
-are you sure?
-ah ah- Nori didn't expect that symptom, realising that it was something serious:
-why didn't you tell Sirius?-
-surely he would have told mum plus I wanted to tell you first-
-listen- Nori tried to think about what to do: -we'll have to run some tests-