7. Ella

Chapter 7

Ella

I stand in the middle of Alastor's room, wrapping my arms around myself as I gaze around.

I've barely spent any time in here. The only time I dared to venture into any of the Alpha's rooms was to clean, and even then, it was like walking on eggshells.

I shouldn't be in here.

Alastor is Brody's Alpha. Not mine. I should know my place as a Rogue.

Why do I hear Theo's voice? His cruel words still echo, after all, and it will take some time to get used to the fact that they want me here now.

Yet a part of me still thinks that this is some cruel trick.

Where's the catch?

"Here, I think this one should do."

Alastor takes out a shirt from his closet and hands it to me. I grab it hesitantly. "Thank you."

I don't move for some time. I still stand awkwardly, unsure of what to do with myself.

Alastor smirks, crossing his arms. "Well, try it on." He points at his bathroom.

I can't go in there; I will get my scent everywhere .

This is wrong. Any moment, I expect Theo to come barging in, telling Alastor off for letting a Rogue into his room and borrowing his shirt.

He’s Brody’s Alpha, not mine.

I’m stealing him away…

But the Alpha doesn't make an appearance. Maybe he really has changed?

He was sheepish and awkward downstairs, but it's too late. The damage has been done.

I'm already scarred.

"Ella? You okay?"

I glance up, meeting those glacier-green eyes. They're not as cold as they were before. In fact, they’ve melted.

"Yes."

He smiles, stepping closer. "It's fine. Brody won't mind. It's good of you to wear one of his Alpha shirts. You're not overstepping a line."

Still, I bite my lip, peering briefly at the bathroom. It beckons me.

"Now, go on. Try it on."

With a deep breath, I step toward the bathroom, shutting the door behind me.

I think about locking it, but I think I can trust Alastor now.

Besides, I'm scared in case I accidentally slip or something. I almost drowned earlier, and I really have become pathetic.

Just like his room outside, Alastor's bathroom is clean. There are no hairs in the drain and every surface shines.

My Omega purrs in satisfaction when she spies those shiny taps, no rust here, and now I take off my raggedy, blood-stained clothes, slipping on Alastor's black shirt.

It has a skull on it and reaches my knees, and I may as well be wearing a nightgown.

Damn, it's soft though. It's almost as if Alastor is touching my skin, and I rub my hands up and down the material, detecting his faint scent of zesty lime.

My Omega purrs yet again. Mine.

No! Alastor cannot be mine. He is Brody's. I won't betray his trust.

Alastor is gazing down at his phone when I re-enter the room, and he looks up with a smile on his face.

"Good news. Brody is up the road…"

His voice trails off when he sees me in his shirt, and I freeze like a zebra confronted by a lion.

Shit. His eyes darken, and I'm pretty sure he purrs just like a lion.

Except this is one lion I can't defeat.

"My shirt looks good on you, doll."

His voice drips with lust as he can't take his eyes off me, and my heart won't stop pounding.

Alastor comes back to himself, shaking his head. Then he rises from the bed, holding out his hand.

"Come on. He should be here soon."

My heart screams in my ears as realization finally dawns on me.

I'm going to be reunited with Brody. I have to pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming.

Will I wake up any moment in my old, broken bed and moldy apartment?

This has to be an illusion.

It just has to be…

There is no way this is real.

A car pulls up outside in the drive, and I freeze on the spot.

Alastor steps closer, placing a hand on my shoulder hesitantly. "It's okay, Ella. He will be excited to see you."

I know he will, but a part of me still doubts it.

This all feels wrong. I still feel like an intruder.

Alastor guides me down the stairs and I go through the motions next as we wait by the door.

When the doorbell rings, I suck in a breath and raise my shoulders.

This is it. Brody is just on the other side of that door.

It's only then that I notice that Theo is absent. Only Kellen lingers as he doesn't look as excited as I thought he would be, and that’s new.

The Alpha is obsessed with the Omega. But now he hovers in the corner like a sad puppy, and it seems things really have changed since I've been gone.

The Alphas can barely look each other in the eyes, and it seems they are a broken pack.

They're all hanging on by a delicate thread and it will only be a matter of time until that thread snaps.

I don't want that for them. I may be angry at them, but I don't want them to fall apart.

I told Brody as much myself. They should all stay together.

Hopefully, now that Brody is back, maybe they can work on their pack bond again.

With a quick look in my direction, Alastor opens the door, and soon I meet those soft brown eyes on the other side.

Brody doesn't look at any of his alphas. He only sees me.

His eyes well up, tears tracking down his cheeks. "Ella…"

I don't waste another moment. I rush forward, leaping into his arms, and the two of us embrace at last.

It's been too long. Just when I thought I would never see him again.

He's better than any fantasy I’ve ever had, and now I breathe in his perfect scent of cherry to confirm he’s real.

He is, and I finally stop muffling my sobs and cry into his strawberry blond curls, and I don’t care if the others see me now.

This is our moment. If Theo tries to rip me away again, then I will cut him.

Simple.

But he keeps away, and maybe he is changing.

Maybe things can be different.

"It's okay," Brody whispers, patting my back as he lifts me in his arms. "You won't be going anywhere ever again, Ella. You're home now. We both are…"

I choke, wrapping my legs around his waist as I breathe his perfume again.

Finally, I am complete at last.

He's right; I refuse to leave his side again.

Theo is just going to have to get used to me.

Because this Rogue is staying put.