Page 100 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

“No way,” Flo whispers. “You are an alpha.”

“You know, fate’s a bitch sometimes,” I joke.

“So is the goddess,” Flo jokes right back.

My mom slowly seems to find her voice again, suddenly dashing forward. She stops right in front of me, her lips quivering, as if she isn’t sure what to do or say. “It’s really you. Isit really you? No, it can’t be… It’s impossible. I’m probably losing my mind. It can’t be my Marcellus.”

“It’s me,” I say, feeling like an idiot.

“My boy,” she blurts out, reaching out her hand to touch me as if she can’t believe it’s truly me. “Why did you never call? You could have reached out! I was worried sick. I-“

“How about we discuss this later?” my father interrupts her gently. I ‘decide’ to be thankful for the interruption. Bad enough I had to meet them all right here in front of the pack, but we can at least have the discussion somewhere private. Dad keeps staring at me, opening his mouth like he wants to say something, before closing it again.

“I am so glad to see you again,” he finally says quietly.

My whole head spins from all that’s happening here now. I’ve never liked to be the center of attention, so this is my personal nightmare.

“Alright,” I say, trying to regain my footing before Eugene can act and say something embarrassing, too, or before Dad or Mom can say any more. “I think we have a couple of new pack members we need to attend to.”

Eugene needs a while to answer. “Right, of course,” he finally says, the shock still clearly all over his face. He keeps gazing at me with a weird mixture of confusion, regret and hope. “Let’s go to my office.”

I am glad to finally be able to leave the huge crowd behind. Before I leave, though, I turn to Benji, Lori and Sheila. “Benji?”

“Yes, I am here.” He jumps to my side. “Ready to help.”

“Okay, can you-“

“Yes!” he exclaims.

“You haven’t even heard yet what I’m going to ask you,” I say with a grin. “Wait for my question, consider it for a few seconds and then give your answer. I promise I will survive.”

Benjamin chuckles. “Old habits,” he admits.

“Benjamin is my gamma,” I explain. “If possible, I want him and his mate Lori to load the jeep with their luggage, so that we can transport everything back home.”

“Sure,” Eugene says, waving at some of his warriors. “You heard Alpha Marcellus. Assist his gamma with what he needs.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

He turns to look at Floyd, but before he can ask, the latter nods. “I will stay here briefly and organize everything,” he promises. Before he follows the men, he squeezes my shoulder. We exchange a brief look that only we understand. It’s only thanks to him I was able to leave the pack, and it’s a secret we both will take to our graves – at least for most parts. I am sure Floyd hasn’t told anyone, as for me only Silas knows the whole truth.

Seeing how everyone goes to work, Sheila and I finally follow Eugene into the pack house. Relief settles inside me. Finally away from prying eyes and ears, though it also means I am now pretty much alone with my family.

Flo joins us, and on our way, catches me up on some things. “I have been tending to the victims,” Flo explains to me. “Guess who’s become a nurse?”

“No way, really?” I ask. “That’s amazing!”

“And Elliot there is beta,” Flo chuckles.

“I am so happy to see you man.” Elliot finally allows himself to approach me, shaking my hand. “I knew you would be doing fine. I just knew it.”

“Beta, huh?” I ask. “That’s amazing. Always knew you had it in you.”

“He didn’t want to at first,” Flo explains.

“I wanted to beyourbeta,” Elliot says shortly.

This explains his tension with Eugene. After everything that went down, he probably didn’t want to work by his side.