Page 139 of Alpha Theo

Dad returns my smile, setting a hand on my shoulder again. “Look, I know I’ve been harping on you about settling down, finding a mate, but… that’s not what makes an alpha. It’s taking initiative, stepping up and taking the lead, like you’ve been doing with the squad. An alpha has to lead with a strong hand but know when to be gentle. Has to be firm, yet fair. Has to be reliable. And I’m not saying that all of that comes overnight, but I think with time, you can be all of those things. Be the alpha that this pack needs.”

“Yeah,” I breathe. “I can, Dad. I just need you to teach me. And I need you to accept that even though I’m not like you, that doesn’t mean I’ll be a crappy alpha.”

He chuckles, scrubbing a hand over his face. “I wasn’t so different from you when I was your age, you know. I had a wild phase. I think we’re more alike than you realize, which is probably why we can’t seem to get along.”

My lips curl into an amused grin. “Please.Youhad a wild phase?”

“Oh yeah,” he snorts. “It took me meeting your mom to settle down, realize what was truly important.”

I nod, my smile fading. “I miss her.”

Dad presses his lips together tightly. “Me too. Every day.”

A silence settles over us, save for the rustle of the leaves and the sounds of the forest.

“You know…” Dad grumbles, breaking the silence, “I won’t tell you how to live your life, but the way Brooke looked at you the other day… your mother used to look at me like that. If I were you, I’d hang onto her.”

I can’t help but smile at the mention of Brooke. I reach a hand up to pinch the bundle of nerves at the base of my neck, slowly exhaling. “Yeah, I’m planning on it.”

He gives me a little nod, clapping me on the shoulder. “Should we head back?”

I grunt in affirmation, turning around to start down the path back to the complex. Dad falls in step beside me, and for once, the silence between us isn’t tense, it’s comfortable. Like we’ve finally come to some sort of understanding. Like things will be better from here on out.

I’d like to say that I got here on my own, but I owe so much of it to Brooke. After it felt like I’d been asleep for years, she woke me up, brought me back to life. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me, and I need to tell her, show her.

As we make our way back to the complex, I start setting a plan in motion in my mind; a way to show Brooke how much she means to me and show her that I want this bond between us to last forever. I just hope I can pull it off.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

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 and I’m pretty sure he’s been away from the complex all day. Should I be paying more attention to his strange behavior? Surely he’s not breaking up with me… right?

I take my time getting ready. If he’s really gonna end this, at least he’ll have to agonize over what he’s letting go. I put on a white dress with a plunging neckline, my leather jacket, and black leather ankle boots. Curl my hair so it falls in loose waves over my shoulders. Switch my glasses for contacts and slick several layers of black mascara on my lashes. It’s almost dusk when Theo knocks on my door to pick me up, and from the way his jaw goes slack when I pull it open, I’d say I nailed the look.

Theo rakes his gaze over my body, practically salivating by the time his eyes meet mine. My belly does somersaults and my knees go rubbery as he pins me with his hungry, hazel-eyed gaze.

Nobody looks at me like Theo does.

Then his hands are on me, his lips brushing mine, like he can’t stand to be close to me without touching- and honestly,same. A fire starts in my belly as his arms close around my waist, his grip possessive, dominant.

“You’re fucking stunning,” he mumbles against my lips.

My cheeks heat in a flush.

He looks good, too.Sogood. The guy makes a t-shirt and jeans look like high fashion- the way his black t-shirt stretches over the dips and curves of his broad chest and shoulder muscles steals my breath.

Theo pulls back, arms still pinning my body against his. “You ready to go?”

I nod, unable to form coherent words while this gorgeous man has a hold on me. The guy still gives me butterflies.

The two of us make our way out the complex, down to where his motorcycle is waiting by the gate. Theo’s leather jacket is draped over the seat- he shrugs it on, helps me with my helmet, then lifts me onto his bike. It suddenly occurs to me that a dress may not have been the best idea for straddling a motorcycle seat, but there’s no going back now- moments later Theo’s on the seat in front of me and the engine is roaring to life beneath us.

I love being on the back of Theo’s bike with the wind in my hair. My wolf purrs the whole time and I scarcely pay attention to where we are or where we’re going- I’m just in the moment. This is the greatest gift that Theo has given me; the ability to let go and be free.

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