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2024-10-29 19:42:56BROOKE
“You ready?” Theo asks, twirling the keys to the Jeep around a finger.
My eyes trace up his inked arm to his handsome face. “Yeah!” I chirp, leaning down to grab my duffel. Before I can straighten and toss it on my shoulder, Theo’s taking it from my hands, hauling it onto his shoulder instead.
“Thanks,” I breathe, a smile creeping across my lips. It’s little gestures like this that have me believing this thing with Theo really could work out- little ways he shows me that he cares; that he’ll take care of me.
My instinct is to show my appreciation by planting a kiss on those delicious lips of his- but I quickly remember where we are and think better of it. I step out of my room into the hallway of the squad dorms, pulling the door closed behind me and locking it.
I adjust my backpack on my shoulders as I spin back around to Theo and we start down the hall, out of the complex and to Gray’s Jeep par
C.J. PrimerNothing like a cliffhanger to start off your week! Hope you enjoyed this extra-long chapter. For new chapter notifications, sneak peeks, and more, find me on the gram at c.j.primer
Bab terkait
Alpha Theo 34
BROOKE My blood runs cold upon hearing Rico’s words. ‘The shadow pack. They found us.’ My chest tightens, my breath catches in my throat. Theo. I have to find Theo. I slide my hand around to my back pocket and pull out my cell phone to call him. Before my shaky hands can even unlock it, the door behind Astrid and me bursts open. I spin around wildly, my phone clattering to the ground as Theo and I lock eyes. “We came as soon as we heard,” Cole says, pushing into the hive ahead of Theo. “What do we know?” Theo comes barreling straight into me, enveloping me in his arms, holding me tight to his chest. “You okay?” he whispers, bringing a hand up behind my head and threading it in my hair. “Yeah,” I sigh, burying my face in his chest. I breathe him in, his scent filling my nose, calming me. As terrified as I am right now, I feel safe in his arms. After a moment, I press my
Alpha Theo 35
BROOKE I don’t know what possessed me to invite Theo to stay in my room tonight. I was lost in the moment, not thinking about the ramifications of what could happen or what it would mean. Blinded by the connection of the mate bond and my own reckless desire. It’s what I want, and for once, I’m not over-thinking or proceeding with caution; I’m allowing myself to be bold, free. To live in the moment. To be the person I always wanted to be but was too afraid to become until Theo walked into my life and started knocking my walls down. I know we’re in a suspended state of reality right now. This happened the last time we were in Denver, like we were in our own little bubble. Like all we had was each other. And today only intensified those feelings, because when I walked into that chaos unfolding at the hive, when I felt that fear curling in my belly, the first thing I thought of was Theo. And then he was there, and through t
Alpha Theo 36
THEO “I don’t wanna go to this damn meeting,” I grumble, steering onto the road that leads to the six-pack territory. “You have to,” Brooke murmurs against my knuckles. She’s got her fingers intertwined with mine, holding our hands together up by her face. She keeps pressing little kisses to the back of my hand with her plush lips, sparks sizzing on my skin. I fucking love it. “I’d rather go back with you, help you unpack.” I cast her a sideways glance, waggling my eyebrows suggestively. She rolls her eyes, dropping my hand and giving me a playful little shove. I fake a swerve, the tires of the Jeep squealing a little- or was that my girl in the passenger seat? Either way, I laugh as she throws her hands on the ceiling to brace herself, then folds her arms across her chest, pouting. “C’mon,” I sigh, reaching over to set my hand on Brooke’s thigh. “Help me come up with an excuse
Alpha Theo 37
BROOKE“Why are you smiling at your phone like that?”“Like what?” I tear my eyes from the screen to glance up at my sister, realizing that I’ve got a big, goofy grin still spread across my face.Fallon sets her hands on her hips, tilting her head. “Spill.”I laugh, shaking my head. “It’s nothing.”I re-read Theo’s text messages, the grin returning to my face.Theo: been thinking about you all day, beautiful Theo: can’t wait to see you tonight“Liar,” Fallon smirks, lunging for the phone in my hands.I giggle, flopping back on her bed and rolling in a ball, protecting my phone close to my chest as she pounces on me, wrestling me for it.“Let me see!” she laughs. She tickles my ribs and my body jolts, my fingers
Alpha Theo 38
THEO I bring my beer bottle to my lips, the cold carbonation tickling the back of my throat as I take a long swig. “She’s still staring,” Reid chuckles from his seat across from me at our table in the back corner of the Goldenleaf bar. He arches a brow, pointing his beer bottle at me. “You gonna put that poor girl out of her misery or what?” I turn over my shoulder to see Sutton positioned at the bar, leaning back against it on her elbows. Her shiny dark hair is draped over her shoulders, her glossy lips pursed as she eye-fucks the shit outta me. I shake my head, turning back to my friends and picking up my beer again. “Nah,” I sigh, taking a swig. “Not interested.” I set it back down on the table, glancing up to find that Brock and Reid are staring at me dubiously. Jax already knows about me and Brooke, so he’s keeping his head down, avoiding eye contact, and Gray isn’t here yet to back me up. I blow o
Alpha Theo 39
BROOKESunlight spills through the crack in the curtains as I blink my eyes open on Sunday morning. I can hear Theo breathing behind me, feel his chest rising and falling against my back. He’s got me caged in with his arms- one under my neck, the other draped over my waist. We’re naked, skin against skin, tangled in the bedsheets.Though vulnerable in my nudity, I’ve never felt so safe. I smile thinking of how amazing last night with Theo was- while I felt awkward at first being on his arm in public, he had absolutely no hesitation. In fact, it seemed like he was eager to show me off, proud to show everyone that we were together. And yeah, I probably could’ve done without him being such a jerk to poor Connor, but that hot quickie that we had in the woods afterwards? Worth it.When we went back inside the bar, Theo didn’t leave my side all night. Every time my drink got low, he brought
Alpha Theo 40
THEO I don’t know why I bother going home to Summervale. I’m trying to get more involved with my pack by going to visit once a week, but it always ends in me bickering with my old man and getting stressed out by the tension between us that never seems to dissipate. I stay the night, but the visit’s anything but productive. I make it back to the complex the next morning in time to run drills with the squad, which helps relieve some of the stress I carried back with me. After they’re over, I hang back with the guys while the rest of the squad files back into the complex to grab lunch. I’ve got some serious road rash on my left forearm from when Gray dropped me during our last drill, and I rub at it as I approach Jax and Brock, wincing a little. “Gray got you good, huh?” Brock chuckles, eyeing my arm. “Yeah,” I mutter. “Got the jump on me.” It wasn’t the first time, either- I kept making sloppy mista
Alpha Theo 41
BROOKEMy chest feels hollow as I muddle through my afternoon at the hub. I hate that I picked a fight with Theo. After I let those nasty comments from Sutton fester, I knew it was only a matter of time- and when I heard him make that comment about his dad and becoming alpha, it tipped me over the edge. I lashed out, tried to hurt him before he could hurt me.The worst part is that he’s right- he’s so right. Even though I said I was giving him a chance, I always had one foot out the door, unsure whether we’d really be able to work as a couple. Not allowing myself to give in fully, to give myself fully. Refusing to admit to myself that despite our differences, we fit pretty damn well together. We could be happy. We were happy.But I screwed it all up. Pushed him away in some vain effort to shore up my walls and protect myself. And it totally backfired- in trying to protect myself, I only
Bab terbaru
Alpha Theo 48
THEO The packhouse is full, bustling with activity as everyone gathers together for the full moon run. Every one of the couches in the great room is packed with people, while others lean on the arms or the backs of the furniture, waiting for my dad to begin his pre-run announcements. The excitement in the air is palpable- our whole pack looks forward to the monthly run, we’re all itchy to let our wolves out and get started. Until last month, I hadn’t been back to Summervale for a run with my own pack in years. I’d almost forgotten how cathartic it is; how good it feels to be a part of something bigger and bond with your own pack. Running with Gray’s pack in Goldenleaf was always fine, but I didn’t feel the same loyalty and bond to those wolves as I do with my pack here in Summervale. It’s instinctual, it transcends all human thought and emotion. My pack is as much a part of me as I am of it. Tonight’s run is extra spec
Alpha Theo 47
BROOKE I hear the click of the lock as I turn my key in the door of my dorm room, adjusting my backpack on my shoulders and turning to start down the hallway. I’m on cloud nine- freshly marked, a permanent smile etched across my face. Heart full of love. Theo and I are headed home to Summervale for the weekend to tell our parents that we’re mates and join our pack for the full moon run, and I’m so excited that I feel like I could burst. Everything about our marking was perfect. We stayed on top of that mountain all night, making love under the stars, talking about our plans for the future. For our future. We’re forever linked, forever connected. The mate bond is stronger than ever, and I’ve never felt more in sync with another person. Theo is truly my other half, my soulmate. I’m about halfway down the hallway when I see Sutton round the corner on the other end, glossy dark hair bouncing as she heads my way. A
Alpha Theo 46
BROOKE Theo has been acting strange all week. Ever since his dad showed up at the complex and they had their heart-to-heart and set aside their differences, he’s been quieter, more withdrawn. I’m trying not to panic. It’s a good thing that he’s finally on good terms with his father and is on track to become alpha. That should have no bearing on our relationship… right? Except now the full moon is only a few days away and it feels like he’s pulling away, and I’m stressing out under the immense pressure of our deadline to seal the mate bond- is this guy gonna frickin’ mark me or what? I’m trying to not over-think it, but that’s easier said than done. We said we were all in, so why does it suddenly feel like he’s backing out? Even when he asked this morning if he could take me out tonight, his nervous demeanor left me feeling a little uneasy. He was really vague about why he wouldn’t be coming to the hub this afternoon an
Alpha Theo 45
THEO “Dude, your dad’s here,” Jax remarks, nudging me with his elbow. “What?” I turn to follow Jax’s gaze, and sure enough, my old man is walking through the gate of the squad complex. If I wasn’t seeing it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it. I’m not sure my dad has ever been up here to visit me at the complex- and even now, he looks totally out of his element. Physically, he appears like he could belong here. He doesn’t look his age and he works out and stays fit. A lot of people say that I’m his spitting image, which I’m sure irritates him to no end since he thinks I’m a colossal fuck-up. I’ve got his square jaw, the same nose and brow line, and his height- but while his eyes are dark brown, Quinn and I both have our mom’s hazel eyes. As I stare at my dad standing by the gate, I can’t help but wonder what the hell he’s doing here- and if he’s here to see me. Then it hits me that Quinn probably le
Alpha Theo 44
THEO I kick my feet up on Brooke’s desk, leaning back in my chair as I watch her work. I take in the way her long fingers glide across the keyboard, the way she furrows her brow and chews her lip in concentration. She’s fucking adorable. I still can’t believe she’s mine. Well, almost. We’ve still got that whole marking thing to take care of in order to seal the bond. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately, and I feel like we’re both ready, but I’m just waiting for her to give me the green light. Maybe I’ll set up an epic date that’ll totally blow her mind, to the point where she’s begging for me to sink my teeth in her shoulder and claim her officially. Something to make it special. And yes, I know how fucking cheesy that sounds. What can I say? I’m fucking hooked on Brooke. I don’t care if it makes me look weak, because with her beside me, I’ve never felt stronger. She must feel empowered, too, jud
Alpha Theo 43
BROOKE I look into Theo’s eyes as he unbuckles the helmet strap under my chin, a smile creeping across my face. This. This must be what true happiness feels like. To be adored and cared for by this gorgeous man. This man who, despite his sharp edges, tends to me with such a gentle hand. The soft side he reserves only for me. He pulls the helmet off of my head, turning to set it on the back of his bike as I reach up to run my fingers through my disheveled hair. My long blonde tresses are all knotty from the ride over to Summervale on the back on Theo’s motorcycle- I should’ve thought of that and braided it or something. Theo swivels back to me as I’m still raking through the ends of my hair, smoothing it over my shoulders. His lips tip up into a grin. “I love when your hair’s all windblown like that,” he says, reaching out to cup my cheek. “It’s sexy as hell.” He leans in
Alpha Theo 42
THEO “Wake up,” comes the sweetest voice, reaching into my mind, pulling me from sleep. The voice of an angel. I feel the weight of Brooke on the mattress beside me, shifting to move closer. Then I feel her fingertips stroking my hair gently. “Wake up, handsome…” I blink my eyes open, meeting the ocean blue of Brooke’s eyes. She’s so fucking beautiful. “Mmm,” I hum, leaning my head into her hand as she gently scratches my scalp. “That feels good.” Her pouty pink lips tip up into a smile as she traces her fingernails in a circle. “What time is it?” I squint, furrowing my brow. “Six.” “Six?!” I throw my eyes wide. Brooke giggles, sliding the covers off of her body and sitting up. “Why the hell are we awake?” I groan, scrubbing a hand over my face. “We don’t have to get up for at least another two hours, let’s go back to sleep…” Brooke smirks at me over her shoulder,
Alpha Theo 41
BROOKEMy chest feels hollow as I muddle through my afternoon at the hub. I hate that I picked a fight with Theo. After I let those nasty comments from Sutton fester, I knew it was only a matter of time- and when I heard him make that comment about his dad and becoming alpha, it tipped me over the edge. I lashed out, tried to hurt him before he could hurt me.The worst part is that he’s right- he’s so right. Even though I said I was giving him a chance, I always had one foot out the door, unsure whether we’d really be able to work as a couple. Not allowing myself to give in fully, to give myself fully. Refusing to admit to myself that despite our differences, we fit pretty damn well together. We could be happy. We were happy.But I screwed it all up. Pushed him away in some vain effort to shore up my walls and protect myself. And it totally backfired- in trying to protect myself, I only
Alpha Theo 40
THEO I don’t know why I bother going home to Summervale. I’m trying to get more involved with my pack by going to visit once a week, but it always ends in me bickering with my old man and getting stressed out by the tension between us that never seems to dissipate. I stay the night, but the visit’s anything but productive. I make it back to the complex the next morning in time to run drills with the squad, which helps relieve some of the stress I carried back with me. After they’re over, I hang back with the guys while the rest of the squad files back into the complex to grab lunch. I’ve got some serious road rash on my left forearm from when Gray dropped me during our last drill, and I rub at it as I approach Jax and Brock, wincing a little. “Gray got you good, huh?” Brock chuckles, eyeing my arm. “Yeah,” I mutter. “Got the jump on me.” It wasn’t the first time, either- I kept making sloppy mista
