Page 85 of Alpha Theo

Gray appears in the doorway, knocking on the doorframe with one hand while he holds the other over his eyes. “You ladies decent?”

Fallon giggles, trotting over to him. “Yes.” She rises up on her toes, looping her arms around her mate’s neck. “I was just telling Brooke that she can’t hide out anymore, she’s gotta face this thing head on.”

“Yeah, about that…” Gray growls, winding an arm around Fallon’s waist as he looks over her head in my direction. “Brooke, can I talk to you for a minute?”

Uh oh. My heart drops to the pit of my stomach like I just got called into the principal’s office. It’s that alpha presence- the authority that Gray exudes.

“Sure,” I reply timidly. “What’s up?”

Gray drops a kiss on Fallon’s head, pulling back to look at her. “Baby, will you give us a sec?” he murmurs.

My sister nods, smiling brightly at Gray, shuffling past him out the door. “I’ll be downstairs.”

I hear her start down the hallway as Gray strides over to the bed, sinking down on the edge and patting the spot next to him. He offers me a smile, putting me at ease. I can’t help but smile back as I walk over to join him- he’s lovely, and he’s really leaned into this big brother role that he now plays in my life.

“I know you’re not ready to talk to Theo yet,” he says as I lower myself onto the bed, pulling a leg up underneath me. “But I just felt like I needed to put in my two cents here. You’re my sister now, but Theo’s like a brother to me, too.”

“I know,” I mutter. “But Gray, he’s…”

Gray holds up a hand. “Just listen. I’ve known Theo for a long time. Sometimes I think maybe a little too long,” he chuckles, stabbing his fingers through his hair. “And for him to tell me that he wants to fix things… well, I believe him. I’ve never seen him like this. I’ve never seen him work this hard for anything.”

I chew on my bottom lip, staring down into my lap.

“I know that motorcycle ride he took you on went to shit,” Gray continues. “But do you realize that’s the first time he’s ever let a girl get on that damn bike with him?”

That gets my attention. My eyes fly back up to Gray’s, thrown wide.

“He didn’t tell you that?”

I shake my head. “No, I mean, I just assumed…” I trail off, sighing.

Gray frowns. “That’s what I’m saying, Brooke. People assume a lot of things about Theo, but there’s also a lot about him that they don’t see.” He pauses, his dark eyes wide, earnest. “I think you did, though,” he says gently. “I think you know there’s more there under the surface. The mate bond has him hard-wired to want to be with you, but for what it’s worth, I think he truly cares about you. And I’m not saying you should be quick to forgive him, because he screwed up and he needs to own up to that. I’m guess I’m just saying that I hope you give him a chance.”

I swallow hard, tucking my hair behind my ears. I don’t even know what to say. My mind is spinning.

Part of me wants so badly to give Theo a chance. The thought of climbing out of the friend zone and actually being with him is thrilling- but it’s also terrifying. I’ve been a wreck over the past few days; I never want to feel that way again. What if I give him a chance and he hurts me again?

But I also have to consider the flipside- what if he doesn’t? What if I could forgive him, be with him, lean into the mate bond… maybe we could behappytogether. Maybe our differences could be an asset instead of a detriment- maybe they would balance us out somehow, make us both better.

Just like when I was staring at that ski-lift, I’m torn between holding myself back out of fear or letting go and taking a risk.

“Whatever you do decide, Fallon and I have your back, a hundred percent,” he adds.

I smile. “Thanks, Gray.”

He nods, rising to his feet. I do the same and he opens his arms, inviting me in for a hug. I step forward and lean into him, winding my arms around his torso. Gray’s so big, bulky- it’s hard to even get my arms around him. The hug feels great, though- warm, comforting. Supportive. He pats me on the back, then we both pull away, smiling at one another. I’ve always wanted a big brother- I’m glad that Gray is becoming that for me.

“Alright, we should get going,” he grumbles, turning toward the door and gesturing for me to follow. “Your sister isn’t exactly known for being patient.”

“No kidding,” I laugh.

I follow Gray out of the room and down the stairs. Fallon’s waiting for us, tapping her foot exaggeratedly and looking at her wrist like there’s a watch on it. I roll my eyes at her dramatics.

“I’m gonna be cutting it close for the meeting,” Gray says, glancing up at the clock on the wall. “Do you wanna just drop me off at the complex on your way?”

We have to go back to Summervale this morning so I can collect my things- my duffel, laptop, and phone. I wasn’t exactly thinking straight when I ran all the way to Goldenleaf in wolf form last night.

Fallon sets her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes. “Are you just trying to get out of seeing my parents?” she teases.

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