6. Theo

Chapter 6

Theo

I 've been a complete mess. These last few days were torture, and I know that I deserved every miserable second.

I failed Brody, and I only chased him away. So much to the point where he chose a cold clinic and drugs over me.

How can I even call myself an Alpha?

But I promise that I will make it up to him. I will make it up to everyone.

Starting with Ella. After I had begged Brody in the streets outside the clinic, I took his advice and called Alastor.

I wanted to see if he had found her, but the Alpha ignored me. Kellen wants nothing to do with me either.

Instead, he sulks in Brody's nest, and nothing new there.

At least Alastor is out there doing something. Not like us. Yet even Kellen let Brody go in the end. He knew he had been in the wrong and was willing to give the Omega space, even at his own expense.

I suppose the only true one at fault was me.

Of course, it was me. But that's not how I saw it at the time. I honestly thought Ella was a threat.

However, I'm not sure what to think anymore. Brody cares about her and it's obvious it was more than infatuation.

My Omega had fallen in love with the Rogue. The heartbreak in his eyes that night matches my own.

I've been in pieces ever since. Everyone saw me begging on the street, but I don't care… I am prepared to humiliate myself if it so much as makes my Omega happy.

But fuck moping around. It's time to take action. Brody told me to find Ella and that is what I am going to do.

He said that I had to want to find her, though. And I do. He's right. I am doing this for myself too.

Ella deserves an apology from me, and I guess I can start by bringing her back to my Omega.

I've just put my gun into my holster when I hear the front door opening. I rush out of my room. Kellen has come out of the nest, hope shining in his eyes.

“Brody?" he whispers.

It can't be. He said he wouldn't come back until Ella had returned.

"Anyone home?"

My eyes widen.

Alastor? He's been gone a week. A part of me thought he wouldn't come back.

I haven't seen the Alpha since the night Ella ran away. The night Brody gave up on me and left for the clinic.

If he's here, then does that mean…?

I sniff. So does Kellen. It may not be Brody's sour cherry but there's no missing the skipping of my heart when I pick up on that sweet, sugary watermelon.

She's back.

Kellen and I lock eyes. For the first time in days, he comes to life, and now we both barrel down the stairs.

He beats me to the top step, pushing me aside as he wants to be the first to reach Ella. I leave him. No more fighting. This is what I deserve.

Kellen has never looked so happy, and once again his figurative tail wags like a red retriever as he tumbles down the stairs to see that Rogue, no, Omega.

Ella is an Omega, and she always has been. One who is no different from Brody.

There is no distinction. Not anymore.

"Ella!" Kellen almost looks as happy to see her as much as Brody would, and I wonder… Has he fallen for her, too?

I know Alastor has. At first, it was just plain old lust, but my pack brother has developed a soft spot for the female Omega.

Maybe in time, I can too. It will be a long road yet, though. Because there is no chance in hell that she would ever return my feelings.

But that's fine. She's Brody's after all, and I have to respect that and give them the space they need.

I come down the stairs, and there she is.

She stands with her shoulders hunched, wearing a scruffy old pair of shorts and a tank top, and her hair is wet.

My dick reacts when I spy its dampness, and it did always look good wet.

Fuck those scruffy clothes. She can wear my shirt. Well, if she wants to.

Who am I kidding? I'm the last alpha she wants to see right now.

"Ella, you're back!" Kellen says, dropping to the ground at her feet.

The Omega flinches at his closeness, but the Alpha remembers himself and gives her space again.

Now an awkward silence falls over the room as we all watch that helpless Omega.

She's rarely ever been alone with us. The last time she was, we were all torturing her.

I swallow back the memory, clearing my throat. "It's so good to see you again, Ella."

The Omega doesn't meet my eyes. She just stares at her feet, standing close to Alastor. It seems he's the only Alpha she trusts, but barely.

She still keeps her distance.

I'm not sure what else there is to say. I suppose this means that Brody will finally come home.

I turn to Alastor. "Brody?"

The Alpha doesn't look at me when he says, "He's aware. I texted him. He's on his way."

At his words, Ella whirls around, blue eyes wide and alert. "He is on his way?"

Alastor smiles. "You bet, doll."

She starts gasping. Her eyes land on me briefly before she quickly looks away. Now her gaze falls on her clothes. "I'm a mess. I need to clean up."

Alastor laughs. "You look fine, Ella. Trust me, when Brody returns and we're a pack again, we'll be getting you new clothes."

I don't think she had clothes here to begin with. All she had was that red dress. It's currently hanging over Alastor's shoulder.

Ella shakes her head. "No… I can't reunite with Brody looking like this…"

It's only at that moment that I spot the old blood stains on the tank top, and my heart wrenches when I spy them on her small frame.

What happened to her exactly? Where did she go?

One thing I do now. If it weren't for me, she wouldn't be wearing old, blood-stained rags to begin with.

She wouldn't have needed to survive .

Kellen mumbles, "N-no…you… you look good…"

Ella blushes bright red. "Thanks."

Another tense pause, and just as I'm about to offer her one of my shirts, Alastor beats me to the punch.

"Come on. You can wear one of my shirts. It will please Brody to see you wearing his Alpha's clothes."

That was going to be my suggestion. But I suppose I don't deserve to give her my shirts.

Ella's eyes shine and a small smile plays on her lips. "Okay."

Alastor gestures toward the stairs, and then he follows her up as she makes her ascent.

When they're gone, I look at Kellen.

Our eyes meet. He sticks up his nose and rushes up the stairs to brush up himself.

His hair looks as if it hasn't seen a comb in days. We've all been a mess since she's been gone.

But maybe things will look up. I just hope I can earn her forgiveness.

Brody was right. This was never about him or me.

But her…

It took me long enough. I just hope I don't screw up again.

Because if I do, I may find myself without a pack.