8. Kellen

Chapter 8

Kellen

B rody is finally back in our lives, and it's good to see him again.

It's good to see them both in each other's arms, and I can't believe I never saw it before… How happy they are with each other.

Now I finally understand what Alastor was trying to teach me back when I was brooding in Brody’s nest. That we could have two Omegas, and I have been such an idiot.

If I could turn back the clock, I would stop Theo from chasing Ella away. I would have bitten his head off and brought the Omega straight to Brody's nest.

After all, the decision should have been mine to make; I was the one who built Brody that nest, so what I say goes.

Theo truly is a prick. He is the one destroying our pack and he will pay…

But first, after my Omegas are happily reunited.

This is their moment and if he dares ruin it again, I will tear him apart.

Ella still has her toned legs wrapped around Brody's waist, and I stop the aroused growl before it slips from my throat.

Alastor detects the sound, and then he gives me a shit-eating grin.

I speak through the bond, "Fuck you."

"Still, you have to admit that she looks rather fetching in my shirt, Kellen."

Oh, I won’t deny him that. My mouth is salivating as I watch the way Brody runs a hand up her leg, showcasing those strong, creamy thighs, and a rumble vibrates in my throat again.

It's so low that only Alastor and Theo can pick up on the sound.

Theo peers briefly in my direction, but I don't have eyes for him anymore.

I'm looking at the beautiful sight before me…

Those Omegas go together like bread and butter, and I want to be between them.

Alastor's sleazy lilt continues in my head. "Now, imagine if she were wearing your shirt, Kellen…"

My brain shortcircuits, and then the blood rushes to my cock as I envision Ella in my very own garment, the way it dips past her thighs, showing just enough of that fine, peach-shaped ass, and a growl sounds from my lips.

A loud one this time.

Brody places the sweet Omega back on her feet and now he looks over at me irritated. "What's gotten into you?"

While it may not be the "Hello" I anticipated, it's still something.

Brody still acknowledges me even though I am a piece of shit Alpha who doesn't deserve such respect.

It was me who left Ella at the ball. I swept Brody away in my arms, forgetting all about her, and I'm just as bad as Theo.

We both should be sent to the doghouse. At least Alastor is trying; he was the one who found her, and he is definitely back in Brody's good books.

Me? I still have a lot of work to do.

Theo is beyond redemption. He still lingers like a bad smell, and when will he take the hint?

He is not wanted.

However, we have to work on building bridges again. We are a pack, and our bond depends on us working together.

I can feel it, fraying. Just one or two strings are barely keeping us together, and we must mend it before it snaps, and we all go tumbling into oblivion.

Some bonds never recover, leaving nothing but a gaping chasm where warmth, loyalty, and trust had once been.

So, if I have to shake some sense of Theo myself, then I will do just that.

I was always better than him at a fistfight, anyway.

Brody takes Ella's hand and now he addresses the room. "So, a few new house rules are imminent, I think. I'm sure you have all gathered now that Ella is here to stay. So, if any Alpha in this room has any objection, then you can see your way to the door."

No one replies, and it seems we have all made peace with the fact she is staying.

I want her to stay.

If she leaves again, I think I may fall apart.

Brody continues, "Good, now that we've got that out of the way, it's time we talked as a pack. Things need to seriously change around here."

Hear, hear.

"So, let's sit."

We each take a seat before the fireplace. Brody ensures that Ella sits beside him.

Alastor takes her other side.

I take the chair by the fireplace.

Theo remains on his feet. Not that anyone cares. Well, maybe Ella does.

She tosses him a sad, lingering look over her shoulder, but then her face hardens again, and now she squeezes Brody's hand.

She still looks like a fish out of water, and I feel for the poor thing. If only she could see that we all want her here now.

We were jerks before. And I will take any punishment they see fit.

She can chain me to the wall if she so desires.

Brody pulls out a small pad and pen from his coat pocket. "I've had time to think these last few days. Lying alone drugged up in a clinic can have that effect…"

There's no stopping the stab to my chest. It guts me and I choke, wishing that I really, really could go back in time and stop all the suffering before it happened.

Theo closes his eyes at Brody's cutting remark, but Alastor has made peace with the Omega's decision that night.

He lost all his trust in us, so he sought out other means to get through his heat.

Anything to be away from us...

Brody flips the first page of the pad. "First things first: Ella. From here on out, she is this pack's main priority."

I nod straight away. "Yes."

Alastor smiles. "No problems here."

Theo hunches in the corner. "All right."

Brody's eyes linger on Theo for a moment before he returns to his pad. "Second, Ella will have her own nest."

Ella stirs. "Brody, that is not necessary."

"Oh, but it is. You can have mine if that's what it takes to teach these Alphas. I promised you the world, Ella, and I will give it to you. With or without Alphas…"

My heart pounds, and I start to hyperventilate.

Here we go.

I wondered how long it would be until the theatrics started.

And I was doing so well. too.

"No! I… I promise, Brody… Ella… I can be a good Alpha from now!"

Brody and Alastor look my way. Alastor has that same shit-eating grin. Fuck him!

Theo is a ghost, per usual.

Ella doesn't look at any of us. She still looks uncomfortable, as if she shouldn't be here.

I bet she still feels like she’s an outsider.

She is not. I do the only thing I can think of next. I get on my knees, bowing before the blonde female.

"I promise you, Ella, that I will build you your very own nest. With my own hands! It shall be done."

Ella lifts her legs from the floor when I shuffle closer, and Brody sighs, whacking me on the head with his pad.

"Get up, Kellen."

"But I swear it! Ella will have her nest!"

Ella cringes, and I know I am making her incredibly uncomfortable, but this is how I express affection.

It's romantic… if not borderline psychotic.

"Kellen!" Brody scolds again.

Finally, I lift myself from the ground, gazing up at Brody through my tattered red locks. "Yes, Omega?"

Brody pinches the bridge of his nose, knocking his glasses askew. "I'm too tired for this…"

I cock my head, peering at Ella. She still can't stomach to look at me. I have never felt so ashamed.

"Kellen, we appreciate your passion and devotion, but you don't need to go so far. So, get up. Just your word is enough."

But I thought actions spoke louder than words.

Finally, I rise to my feet, bowing my head in shame. "Sorry, Omegas."

I retreat to my seat, disappearing into my shell again.

Brody sighs. "It's fine, Kellen. We know that you care, and besides… you wouldn't be the only Alpha who begged on his knees lately…"

Who could he be talking about? Alastor?

Not if that smug grin is anything to go by. Alastor even gets to sit on the same couch as them, and he is one lucky bastard.

So, Theo then? I look at him.

Theo has a taut expression on his face, and who would have thought that the tough Alpha would beg on his knees one day?

If only I had been around to see his shame. Maybe there is someone more pathetic than me after all.

"Now, were where we?" Brody glances back down at his pad, clearing his throat. "And when the time comes for me to be bitten into the pack, one of you will also bite Ella. At the same time. No questions."

That silence that settles over the pack next is almost deafening in its intensity.

Of course. Our oh-so-delicate bond.

I guess it was only a matter of time until it was brought up.

Because sooner or later, if something doesn't give, then our pack bond will be destroyed.

And we may never recover again.

So, I give him my answer.