14. Theo

Chapter 14

Theo

I stand before my former boss with my head bowed as he stares me down behind his desk

"Come again," the governor says.

With a sigh, I lift my head and meet his burgundy eyes.

His Omega, Oliver, stands by his side, his guns holstered at the hips.

He has his arms folded as he guards me with those judging ocean-blue eyes, and news must travel fast.

It seems they found out what I did to Ella after all, and I only have myself to blame.

I chased her away…

"I would like to come back and work for you. If you will have me."

Oliver cocks his brow. "Trying to make amends for what you did to that poor Omega? What the hell were you thinking leaving her at the venue to fend off those protestors?"

Gryphon raises a hand towards Oliver, and the Omega stops, grinding his teeth.

After all, Ella is a Rogue just like his sweet sister Belle.

Both Alpha and Omega have become very invested in Ella’s future as per their Rogue Rehabilitation Program.

Belle is the only successful example they have, and she has become the face of their new regime.

Of course, Ella is nothing at all like Belle, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Ella is her own unique person. She embraces her killer instincts and doesn't shy away from them, and she makes my heart stutter in ways it never has before.

She's pretty amazing, and the fact that she can even stomach to be in my presence again is truly commendable.

I hope she got the message with that glass slipper.

I can give her a Cinderella story. So long as she is willing to let me try.

But who am I kidding? Brody is her prince.

Me? I'm more of her wicked stepmother. Or stepsisters.

I huff a sigh. "I did… and you're right. So, if you will take me back… I can try to make it up to her. To you.”

Gryphon leans back in his seat, narrowing his eyes as he studies me for a while. Then he closes his eyes and heaves a breath. "All right. So long as you don't do anything rash again killing our key suspect. We missed out on vital information about the enemy because of your reckless behavior."

He's right. I just can't help myself. I like killing. It's in my DNA.

Hence why I am attracted to Ella.

Brody is sweet and brings out my softer side, but Ella appeals to my inner darkness.

We are the same. We both like the feel of warm blood as it drips from our fingers.

I bow my head. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate it."

The room falls silent once again as they both assess me for some time.

Gryphon regards me with understanding, yet his Omega is still pissed at me.

Oliver is right; we never should have left Ella at the venue. I never should have chased her away from our home.

No, I should have allowed her to enter the nest.

"It takes time, but I'm pretty sure Brody and Twenty-two will come to trust you again one day," Gryphon announces suddenly.

Oliver shuts his eyes, and it seems they're reminiscing about the old days.

Mila didn't exactly receive the warmest of welcomes in their pack either.

"I'm sorry, Theo," Oliver whispers next. "We have no place to judge you considering our own history, but I really hope you are prepared. You have a lot of making up to do."

I'm sure he heard about the time I begged Brody to come home on my knees in the middle of the street.

A number of people witnessed my shame, but I was prepared to humble myself for my Omega.

But am I prepared to do the same for Mila? Only time will tell.

Gryphon sucks in a breath. "Your wish is granted, Theo. I expect an early start tomorrow. Six am sharp."

Oh, the joys of prison guard life. How I’ve missed it.

"I won't let you down, boss."

I exit the room at last and I just hope I don't let my former boss down.

Tough times are ahead.

No one is prepared to admit it, but a war is brewing on the horizon.

And I just hope we all have the strength to get through it.

Which is why I need to clean up my act. The governor is going to need all the manpower he can get.

***

As I drive up to the house, I spy Brody in the yard fumbling with a gun, and I rush to his side at once.

I know I am the last Alpha he wants to see, but I won't have him shooting a bullet through his foot.

I grip the gun, directing it towards the sky lest a bullet goes off. The Omega has never been shown how to hold a gun and it shows.

He really is a far cry from Oliver with his six guns hanging off his belt, and I know it bothers Brody.

He says he’s quite the archer, but shooting an arrow is not the same as shooting a gun.

"Brody? What are you doing?"

The Omega sighs, muttering under his breath. "Look… I just wanted to get a feel for a gun before…"

Before what? War?

I guess I’m not the only one who feels it.

But he needn't bother. He has me to protect him.

"Brody, you are not a fighter or a killer, and that is okay."

No, it's fucking not!" he roars, looking me directly in the eyes, and my throat bobs when I spy his desperation.

He breathes heavily next when he says, "How am I supposed to protect her?"

Now I get it. He is doing this all for Ella.

Alastor let me in on what he found in the underground.

Ella was fighting to the death with a number of Alphas, and she never lost one fight.

Not that she needs much protection, but I understand. Because I feel the same way about her too.

I want to protect her. I want to protect them both.

But I do agree with one thing; Omegas should be able to fend for themselves. It's only fair.

There are tough times ahead after all.

"Fine. If you insist on holding a gun, then at least let me teach you."

Brody stops to consider a moment, wondering if he is up to being in such proximity to me again.

Then he concedes, letting me show him the steps at last. Now I correct his stance, telling him where to direct his hands and fingers, and when he’s ready, I tell him to shoot.

The bullet goes off and he wasn't quite prepared for the kickback. Yet the look of awe on his face says it all.

He's addicted now.

Shit.

It seems my sweet Omega has gone forever. "I shot a bullet…"

He did. He still needs a little work, yet I wonder about his time at the Academy.

Oliver has made it mandatory that Omegas receive some form of military training during their studies, yet it seems they still have a while to go.

The only thing he knows how to shoot at the moment is an arrow.

But my Omega now has a thirst for a new kind of weapon. "The smell is amazing."

Yeah, the gunpowder. You never quite get used to it.

I take the gun from his hand before he gets any bright ideas about shooting again. "I'll take that."

"Oh, yeah, right."

The Omega comes back to his senses and now his cheeks burn bright red.

There's nothing to be embarrassed about. We all start somewhere. I almost blew the head off my instructor the first time I fired a gun.

"If you're up to it, I can teach you after work for an hour every day."

He looks at me. "Work? You… got your job back at the prison?”

I nod.

The Omega looks surprised. "And Griffin just let you back like that?"

"He did."

Brody widens his eyes. Then he heads toward the house. "Don't think this changes things, Theo. You still have a long way to go."

I do. And I’m prepared to take any step he sees fit.

Before he vanishes through the door, he looks back over his shoulder, and there's no missing the longing in his eyes.

The Omega misses me. But I hurt him and Ella, and he can't forgive so easily. At least not yet.

"Well, I guess I will see you tomorrow, Theo."

For our lesson, of course.

Finally, he vanishes into the house, leaving me with the gun.

This is one of Alastor's, and the Alpha needs to be more careful of his weapons.

But I am prepared to teach my Omega.

Anything to give him an edge in the war to come.