Page 31 of Alpha Theo

Theo:just sitting here. can’t sleep. what are you doing?

I roll my eyes, firing off a reply.

Brooke:Coding.

Theo:again? you’ve got an addiction.

I smile at the screen.

Brooke:My name is Brooke and I’m a code-a-holic.

He doesn’t respond right away, which gives me time to stew about how cheesy my message was.God, he must think I’m such a dork.

My phone vibrates in my hands as I receive another message.

Theo:wanna hang?

I stare at the words, considering. Overthinking. It’s probably a bad idea to invite him into my room, right? He already admitted this morning that he was trying to work me as a ‘challenge’. Then again, I’m kinda starting to like his company, and I don’t really have anything better to do right now.

I blow out a breath, typing my reply.

Brooke:Sure. Come on over.

I toss my phone onto the bed and I swear his knock at the door comes in two seconds flat. I set my laptop beside me, shove the blankets off of my lap, and slip out of bed, padding over to the door.

“Jeez, that was fast,” I say as I pull it open. Theo’s got a big arm up leaning against the doorframe on the other side. He’s wearing athletic shorts and a cut-off t-shirt, the fabric on the sides cut so far down that I can see the black ink of a tattoo on his ribcage.

I take a few steps backwards to allow him entry. “Were you texting me from the hallway or something?”

Theo rakes his eyes up and down my body as he walks inside, pressing the door closed behind him and leaning back against it. I shift uncomfortably as his eyes continue roaming my form.

“What are you wearing?” he grumbles.

“Huh?” I ask, looking down at my threadbare t-shirt and cotton sleep shorts. “Uh… pajamas?”

Theo scrubs a hand over his face. “That shirt’s fucking see-through,” he groans.

My cheeks heat and I cross my arms over my chest protectively.Crap!I didn’t even think about putting on a bra before I invited him over.

“You’d better cover up if you don’t want me to try to bone you.” His voice is tight, like it pains him to say it.

I scowl at his vulgarity, rolling my eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”

I cross the room to where my duffel’s sitting on a chair, reaching down to rifle through it. I pull out a soft grey sweatshirt, shaking it out and glancing back up at Theo.

He’s studying me from across the room, those hazel eyes staring so intently. Even though my first instinct is to cover my chest again, I don’t- something about the way he’s looking at me makes me feel confident- attractive, even. I’m not sure anyone’s ever looked at me like Theo is right now. Hungry. Predatory.

There’s something exhilarating about being the object of his desire, even if I won’t act on it. I straighten, arching my back as I take my time fumbling for the hem of the sweatshirt.

His eyes linger on my chest, then slowly travel up to meet my own. Even from across the room, I can see coppery shimmers in his irises- his wolf.

I feel my own wily wolf start pushing to the surface and I look away quickly, shoving her back down and pulling the sweatshirt on overhead.

“Happy?” I ask, throwing my hands on my hips.

His eyes wander down my body again. “I mean, those shorts are pretty short…”

“Oh my gosh!” I throw my arms up. “Are you kidding me?!”

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