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20
BROOKE
“Sup, nerds?” Theo greets as he walks into the IT hub on Friday afternoon, flashing that charming smile of his.
I hear titters of laughter from some of my colleagues- they take Theo’s greeting as being funny, jovial, rather than as an insult. Over the past few weeks, we’ve all gotten used his presence around here and everyone seems to like his visits. The guys think he’s cool- they idolize him, want to be friends with him. The girls have all fallen for his good looks and charisma- they flirt with him shamelessly.
I was the last holdout, but I find myself smiling when I look up to see him standing in the doorway, his big, bulky stature taking up most of the doorframe. Who would’ve thought that Theo’s afternoon appearance in the IT hub would become my favorite part of the day?
I used to dread that cocky greeting, bristle when he planted himself beside me to chat. Now I’m finding myself looking forward to t
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Alpha Theo 21
THEO I probably should’ve looked at the weather forecast before I took Brooke out on this hike. It started out well enough- we went out to the forest after dark, started up one of my favorite trails. Chatted about the new border security system and Brooke’s program. I’m still in awe that she’s building something like that from the ground up- the girl’s brilliant. Even though I’m not, conversation with her is always so easy, so natural. I don’t regret skipping out on the bar one bit. I love being in the forest at night- the sounds, the smells, the stillness. Shifters have great night vision, so even though the forest’s dark, we can see clearly and appreciate its beauty. Being out in nature pleases our wolves, too- helps them settle. From the way Brooke describes her wolf, it sounds like this is the perfect activity for her. I didn’t account for the weather, though. We’re well over a mile away from the complex when we he
Alpha Theo 22
BROOKE I should feel offended about what happened in the showers last night. I should feel filthy, violated. But strangely… I don’t. I wanted to look at him. Wanted him to look at me. It was dirty, racy, exciting. I know I’m supposed to be the ‘good girl’, I’ve leaned into that role my whole life- but it felt so good to be a little bad for once. And the way Theo was looking at me… I can’t get it out of my mind. It was wild, predatory, feral. Like I was the only woman he’d ever laid eyes on. There was no mistaking the unbridled desire in his stare… and between his legs. It was hard! He wanted me. If his eyes didn’t give him away, then his huge hard-on definitely made his intentions clear. That thing is massive, I don’t know how it would even fit! Not that I would let him try. It’d be crazy to give up my virginity to
Alpha Theo 23
BROOKE“Alright, so what are we doing?” I ask, approaching Theo at the complex gate. “Surprises are great and all, but I can’t really dress for the occasion if you don’t tell me what we’re doing.”It’s silly to even say that since I spent an hour getting ready for this casual hangout with Theo. I put in my contact lenses, curled my hair, and agonized over what to wear for a good twenty minutes. I ultimately settled on a tight pair of black skinny jeans and a white cropped t-shirt. It’s Fallon’s shirt- she must’ve left it in my room at some point and it wound up in my laundry. It’s not something I would typically wear, but when I’m around Theo I feel a little confident, a little sexy. Like I’ve said so many times, nobody looks at me like Theo does.The outfit has its desired effect. Theo’s rakes his gaze over my body, his eyes lingerin
Alpha Theo 24
BROOKE “Are you okay?!” Fallon asks, pulling open the door of the packhouse. I’m standing on the front stoop, looking like hell, feeling worse. After Theo stranded me on the side of the road, I had to walk all the way to Goldenleaf- several miles. I stuck to the road, half expecting him to come back for me once he calmed down. He never did. My feet ache in my sneakers- the backs of my heels are rubbed raw from my walk of shame. My hair’s all windblown and tangled and I’m sure my mascara is running from the tears of frustration I shed after Theo drove off. Judging by the look of concern in Fallon’s eyes, I must look like a mess. My sister steps outside, throws her arms around me, and I immediately burst into tears. Fallon rubs my back and rocks me from side to side, trying to soothe me as I sob into her hair. “Come on,” she coos, pulling back and sliding an arm around my shoulders. “Let’s go inside
Alpha Theo 25
THEOMy head is pounding when I squint my eyes open, rolling over in my bed. Judging from the light spilling in through the crack in the curtains, it’s late in the morning- maybe even early afternoon. I throw the sheets off and heave my body upright, twisting to set my feet on the floor. My hand flies to my temple, the pain of my headache searing with every movement.I push off of the bed, rise to stand. Take a step and fall backwards onto my bed again, startled by the sharp sting of pain radiating from the bottom of my foot.What the fuck?I lean forward, peering down at the floor beside my bed. The lamp that was on my nightstand is lying on its side, surrounded by thin shards of glass from the shattered bulb.I pick up my foot, raising it to my lap and turning it sideways. A piece of glass is sticking out of the bottom, dark red blood pooling around it. I pick it out, stare at my foot as my s
Alpha Theo 26
BROOKE It feels good to be home. It’s my safe place, my comfort zone. Even though the complex is technically ‘home’ now, it’s not the same as being back here where I grew up. I’ve always loved Summervale. I haven’t left the house since my dad brought me here on Saturday morning. I think my parents can tell that something’s wrong, but thankfully they’ve given me space and haven’t pried. I’ve been trying to stay busy, cooking with Mom and watching baseball on TV with Dad. Anything to get my mind off of Theo. At night, when I’m alone with my thoughts, I’m tortured by my memories. I keep replaying them over and over in my mind- how it felt to lay beside him and listen to music when we were in Denver, to let go and take that ski-lift ride up the mountain, that kiss… I keep trying push out the good memories, to focus on the bad and turn my pain into anger. I have to make myself hate him, because that’s the only way i
Alpha Theo 27
THEO “You look rough,” Gray mutters, pulling open the door of the packhouse. “I feel worse,” I groan. I scrub a hand over my face, looking past him. “Is she here?” Gray nods solemnly. I don’t even know why I asked. I already know she’s here- I can sense her, feel the pull of the mate bond. I reach up, tugging at my hair, shuffling my feet. “Can I come in?” “I don’t know, man,” Gray grumbles, holding his position in the doorway. “Please?” My voice is hoarse, gravelly. Desperate. Gray heaves a sigh, stepping aside to allow me entry. I stride inside, turning to watch Gray close the door behind me. He spins around, his eyes dark, sullen. “Look, Theo… you really fucked up.” “You think I don’t know that?” I snap. I walk over to the nearest couch, sinking down onto it and lowering my head into my hands. Saying that I fucked up is an understatement
Alpha Theo 28
BROOKE “How can I go back there?” I mumble, staring blankly at the floor. “I don’t think I can do it…” “Stop,” Fallon barks, tossing a pair of leggings at me. I look up right as they’re about to hit me in the face, snatching them out of the air. “You’re way stronger than you give yourself credit for. You’ve got this.” Fallon’s pump-ups usually work, but not even she can drown out my nagging doubts this morning. I appreciate that she’s trying to be supportive, but she has no idea what I’m going through- her experience with the mate bond was frickin’ perfect, a total dream! I’m still reeling from my own. I shimmy the sleep shorts that Fallon let me borrow down my hips, kicking them away. “I don’t want anyone to know, not until I figure out what I’m gonna do,” I grumble, shaking out the leggings and pulling them on. I hold my hands in front of me and Fallon tosses me a t-shirt. I shed the one I sle
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