24. Ella

Chapter 24

Ella

I can’t get enough of Sweetpea, the new name I have given the newest member of the pack.

I never knew dogs could be this cute, and she’s a wiggly bundle of warm fun.

And she smells perfect…

Eggnog stays away from her for now as he rests on Alastor’s lap, but I’m sure they will be friends in no time.

We’ve gathered once again in the living room as it seems to be our main meeting point.

Brody and I are going to give the guys their final task, and only time will tell how things will pan out.

If it all goes wrong, then Brody and I will leave with Eggnog and Sweetpea. We will form our own pack, Alphas or no Alphas.

I don’t want it to come to that. I appreciate everything the guys have done so far.

Well, at least two out of the three.

Theo doesn’t even try.

But Alastor and Kellen have come a long way.

The only thing they haven’t tried to do is get along, and thus this will be their final test.

Kellen plays with Sweetpea on my right as she happily chews on his fist, and he tells me it doesn’t hurt.

I have my doubts. Those teeth look as sharp as needles.

Brody ruffles Sweetpea’s head before he glances down at his notepad.

That notepad has been our saving grace, and I don’t know what we would have done without it.

Somewhere we can write down all our thoughts.

Maybe it’s time we got a whiteboard for the whole pack, but for now, it’s a notepad and pen.

The whiteboard can come later. When the guys return from their final task and learn how to be a pack after all.

This should be fun…

Brody clears his throat, “Are you guys all ready?”

Alastor looks up, keeping Eggnog close as he watches the Omega carefully.

Kellen removes his fist from Sweetpea’s mouth, and I wince when I spy those teeth marks.

Ouch.

Theo doesn’t sit as usual, lingering in the corner, and I wish he would just try.

He has been somber since the last task. The one where he had to apologize to his former classmates.

Brody told me it had been pretty bad, and a real eye-opener for the Alpha, and my intention wasn’t to destroy him.

However, if that’s what it takes for him to realize the error of his ways, and to learn that he not only hurt me, but Brody and many others, too, then so be it.

We all need to grow, and this is the only way forward for Theo.

One day, maybe he can become a changed Alpha for good, but that really depends on the next task.

Brody peers at me and then addresses the room. “Now, for the last task, each Alpha of Pack Titan is to go on a camping trip. Three days in the woods. Here you will be expected to work as a team and look past each other’s differences, realizing what is really important after all.”

“Yeah, and what is that?” Kellen asks.

Brody looks at him pointedly. “That you are a pack. Not rivals or enemies.”

The room falls silent, and I gaze around at each Alpha hopefully.

I really do hope they pull through. I want us to be a pack.

Brody and I haven’t even been bitten into the pack bond yet, but maybe one day, we can be.

And then the five of us will be inseparable.

But they must get through this task first.

“So, what do you all think? Are you up for it?” Brody asks.

Alastor is the first to respond. His eyes fall on Kellen irritably for a moment before they land on Brody.

“If I must…”

He's merely being sarcastic, but the way he smirks at Kellen only suggests that he is planning something.

“Three days in the woods with Alastor?” Kellen announces. “Sounds like my worst nightmare, but I am prepared to do what it takes. I… we will earn back your trust, Ella, Brody.”

“Oh, how you flatter me, Kelly…” Alastor chuckles, and Kellen shows him his teeth.

“Don’t push it, asshole.”

Alastor continues chortling, and I shake my head, looking at Brody.

The Omega rolls his eyes and peers at Theo. “Well, what about you? Got anything to share?”

The Alpha glances at his pack brothers, and he narrows his eyes in challenge for a slight moment.

I have no idea what is transpiring between the three, but it seems they are all in on some little secret.

Yet Alastor told Brody that secret in the end, and then Brody told me…

Theo got kicked by a little girl, and I suppose he got his just desserts.

“I know they told you two what happened. So, there’s no point acting like it’s some big secret. We’re all a pack. We should share things, but yes. If I can take getting kicked in the nuts by a toddler, then I can handle three days of Alastor and Kellen.”

Alastor and Kellen don’t even take offense. They merely laugh and tease the Alpha about his ordeal, and they are never going to let him live this one down.

Brody sighs, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Six is not a toddler, Theo, but I get the sentiment. Thank you for trying.”

The Alpha nods, barely looking his Omega in the eye.

He hasn’t once glanced my way, and I bet he sees the mother of the child who kicked him whenever he does.

He's still feeling deep regret for his actions.

It's small progress, I suppose.

Brody rises, taking my hand. “Well, go on. What are you all waiting for?”

Kellen looks at him stunned. “We have to go on the trip now?”

“There’s no time like the present after all. Besides, Ella and I have to work on Sweetpea and Eggnog. They haven’t been formally introduced yet, and it’s time we rectified that. Unlike you three, they will become the best of friends.”

The Omega steps toward Alastor, taking the kitten from his hands, and I guess his decision is final.

I have to agree. The sooner, the better.

While Brody and I strive to make Eggnog and Sweetpea the best of friends, Alastor, Kellen, and Theo can work on their back bond.

It's fraying after all.

One of these days, it will snap.

And they will never recover.

Brody glances at each Alpha. “Well? Get to it.”

The Alphas move at once, preparing for their weekend trip, and I guess there’s nothing for us to do but wait.

Let’s hope that all three Alphas return as the best of friends.