Page 57 of Alpha Jax

Theo takes a step closer to me, raking a hand through his hair. “Want some company?”

I hit the button to shut down my computer, then spin in my chair, side-eyeing him suspiciously as I rise to stand. “Sure… are you gonna give me a ride over there?”

“It isn’t far, I’ll walk with you.”

“Why can’t you just zip me over there on your bike quick?”

Brooke has returned to her own computer, and Theo glances over at her adoringly, then back to me. “You know that Brooke’s the only chick allowed on my bike.”

“Oh please,” I sigh, rolling my eyes. “I don’t think she’ll mind your sister riding on it with you, would you Brookie?”

I peer over at her, but before she can answer, Theo steps in front of me, blocking my view. “The bike’s off the table, Q. Now c’mon, you gonna let me walk you over there or what?”

I blow a stray strand of hair out of my face, folding my arms across my chest indignantly. “Fine.”

Theo says goodbye to Brooke while I get to endure another gag-worthy display of their affection, and before long my brother and I are heading out of the complex, through the gate and to the path that leads to the town of Goldenleaf.

“So how’s it going?” Theo asks as we start down the path, shoving his hands in his pockets. “We haven’t really talked all week, and after that mess last weekend…”

“Ugh, I don’t want to talk about that,” I groan, cutting him off. “Like I told Brooke, I’m over it. The guy’s a creep and I’m glad he’s not around here anymore.”

Theo presses his lips together in a tight line, glancing over at me. “Alright. I won’t talk about it, then. I just…” he trails off, scrubbing a hand over his face. “I guess I just wanted to make sure you were okay, considering what Clay did this summer, and…”

I cut him off again. “I don’t want to talk about that either.”

He holds his hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. I just want to make sure you’re alright. I’m just… trying to be part of your life, I guess.”

Well damn. That makes me feel a little guilty for biting his head off for bringing up those douchebags.

“Sorry,” I sigh, glancing over at him and giving him a little smile. “I just don’t see the point in dwelling on shitty situations like that. Gotta keep moving forward, right?”

“Sure.” The corner of his mouth ticks up into a smile.

“And besides,” I continue, ambling along the path beside Theo, “I clearly wasn’t meant to wind up with Clay anyways. It’s for the best that I found out when I did.”

“He wasn’t good enough for you,” Theo grumbles bitterly, shaking his head.

“Most daughters of alphas wind up with someone with pack rank, or other alphas,” I shrug, casting Theo a sidelong glance.Totally testing the waters here.“Too bad you’re friends with all the other alphas around here…”

He gives another shake of his head, his expression stormy. “You’re too young for all that, Q.”

“What?!” I snort. “Dude, I’m a month older than your mate.”

“That’s different.”

“No it’s not!” I laugh. “Are you just gonna treat me like a little kid forever?”

He turns to me, his lips drawing up into a smirk. “Maybe.”

I roll my eyes again, heaving an exasperated sigh. We walk in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, listening to the rustle of the leaves and the sounds of the forest.

“Hey Q?” Theo asks, breaking the silence.

“Hm?” I glance his way, arching a brow.

“Do you ever wonder if things would’ve turned out different if mom were still around?”

I feel a sharp pang in my chest at his words, a reminder of an old wound that I’ve been numbing over for so long. I swallow hard, my gaze fluttering to the dirt path ahead of us. Even though his question is vague, I know my answer. “All the time.”

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