Page 48 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

*MARCELLUS*

Iam not sure if I did right with Benjamin, but at least he seems to be calmer now and follows me home. He even eats something before heading to bed.

“And?” Silas asks me quietly.

I shrug helplessly. “Nothing hurts more than a rejection,” I admit. “Even when you know it’s coming. Though I will say that at least my former mate had a valid reason.”

Silas almost drops the cup he is holding. He presses his hand against his chest. “A valid… avalidreason?” He gapes, before taking a couple of steadying breaths. “Okay, calm down. Countenance, Silas, your significant other just happens to be a goody-two-shoes.” Another steadying breath.

I feel my cheeks flush in embarrassment. “You don’t need to be that dramatic. Eugene-”

“Oh, please! Your brother and his favorite fruit… vegetable… whatever, still did you wrong, reason or not. She was in love with someone else, but there was no need to betray you the way they did,” Silas says bluntly. “As for Isla, she is a fool. Cassian told me some about her. Her goal is to get a mate with a rank and live a glamorous life. I don’t think she even truly cares about Benjamin’s past. If he were a rich boy in a suit, she would have immediately accepted him.”

“Benjamin told me the same about her wanting a comfortable life,” I say.

Silas shakes his head. “When will that kid ever catch a break? I know he made some mistakes, but hewasa victim, too. Remember when he came here and thought even the tiniest mistake would make us beat him?”

“At least he warmed towards you,” I say. “He is still wary around me. Maybe I need to do something differently.”

“No, you are doing fine,” Silas reassures me. “But you are an alpha. It will always trigger him. He is starting to open up to you, though, don’t worry.” He gets up to wrap his arms around my neck, smirking at me. “You need to give yourself more credit sometimes. I can teach you if you want to.”

I try to blink my confusion away. It’s rare that Silas is that flirty. “Yes? So, what’s good about me?”

“First of all, you are funny, smart, and witty. Three qualities I find tremendously appealing,” Silas says. “You are generous, strong and kind.”

“Okay,” I mutter, starting to feel flustered. “I didn’t expect you to be that blunt.”

“I know,” Silas chuckles. “Makes it even better. But for the record, I meant what I said.”

“Hm,” I hum. “Why do I have difficulties believing that?”

“You always do,” Silas says seriously. “Why is it so hard for you to accept someone complimenting you?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug.

Silas tilts his head, his eyes looking directly into mine as if he is gazing into my soul. He has blue eyes, leaning towards gray, a mesmerizing color.

“Maybe, I do know,” I admit.

“Then tell me.”

“Well, Dr. Freud,” I say. “For one, I might not be used to it. Eugene was always the more gifted between us.”

“That’s what you believe,” Silas says quietly. “But I doubt it’s true. Didn’t you say the beta of your pack focused particularly on you?”

“Yes, I thought he hated me,” I admit.

“But in fact, he was just seeing your potential and invested more work and time in you compared to your brother. And your mother saw it, too.”

“Mom loved Eugene and me; it’s as simple as that. And Dad loved Eugene more,” I say. “It’s a fact that Eugene always did better academically and was more popular in the pack.”

“I don’t know your brother,” Silas says. “Only what you told me about him. I can’t say I like him because it’s obvious how much he hurt you, despite how much effort you put into your relationship with him. Even when you two were still inseparable, did he ever show you the same effort?”

“Not directly,” I admit. “I doubt he even realized it, though.”

“See, there you have it. You are way more attentive about your surroundings and put others before yourself. Do you think your brother would have treated Benjamin the way you do? There is no other alpha who could do the work you are doing here. That’s the person you are. You are giving people a second chance and helping them achieve it. You don’t judge them, but instead lead them with compassion. As a teenager, your brotherwas so popular because he was more extroverted and more into team sports, while you enjoyed your small circle of friends and reading. As adults, I strongly believe you would have become a truly popular alpha in your pack, more popular than Eugene.”

I can feel a knot in my stomach, something I haven’t felt in a long while. I didn’t know how much I needed to hear what Silas said. Instead of an answer, I just hug him, burying my face into his silky hair.