Page 57 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

“I made one poor judgment after another,” I say bitterly.

“It isn’t that simple,” Percy mutters. “Alpha Ezra said the same.”

“Still…“ I rub my hands over my face. “I fucked up, and no pack… no alpha will ever trust me again.”

“It’s not that simple,” he repeats once more.

“Of course it isn’t,” I agree. “But to them it will be.”

Percy doesn’t say anything else, and I am glad he is staying quiet. There is nothing he can say that will ease my worries. I am ready for every possibility. Best case scenario, they will demote me to some slave work, which wouldn’t be too surprising, seeing as how I am only half wolf. Worst case scenario, they will lock me up, torture me or banish me.

I try to steel myself mentally for whatever comes my way.

The worst part is that I was so happy only a couple of days ago. I thought Andy would change my life, I thought he could forgive me for what I did and help me atone, but instead he used me to make matters worse, and I let him do it, like the stupid cow I am.

There is really no excuse for the things I have done.

I just wanted to be loved.

Was that so wrong?

There is a knock at my door, startling both Percy and me. I make sure to stand up and straighten my clothes, taking a deep breath. “Please come in. Percy and I are here.”

Alpha Ezra enters together with another man, obviously an alpha. His expression is serious, and Percy was right, he is taller and even broader than Ezra. His eyes hold a certain warmth to them, much to my surprise. “May I introduce you?” Alpha Ezraasks, gesturing towards Percy and me. “The young man here is Percy, and the young lady, Dolores. Though I think you prefer going by Lori, right?”

I nod tentatively. “Whatever you deem fitting, Alpha.”

Ezra points to the man behind him. “And this fine gentleman, with the nice pecs and gloomy expression, is Marcellus.”

Alpha Marcellus snorts. “Gloomy expression? Your luna just had a vegan dish prepared for us. Nothing against some vegetables, but it was just spinach and chickpeas. Anyone would be depressed!”

“Sheiscurrently in her chickpea phase,” Ezra argues.

“Is that even a thing?” Alpha Marcellus scrunches his nose. “I swear, if Silas had accompanied me, he may have rioted.”

“Actually, she has a very distinctive taste in food,” Ezra mutters. “Much more than me. Her dishes are amazing.” He pauses. “Not sure what’s going on.”

“Maybe she is pregnant,” Alpha Marcellus offers with a grin.

Ezra laughs. “No, I don’t think-“ he cuts off. “She’s also been feeling nauseous a lot recently. Wait… what? Oh, my… goddess…!”

“I actually meant it as a joke, but it seems I may have spoiled the surprise. Typical me. Silas will have a field trip once he finds out,” Alpha Marcellus groans. “I think you need to sit down.”

Percy and I watch the exchange with curiosity and surprise, but now I make room at the small table so that Ezra can sit down. While he recovers from the shock, Alpha Marcellus turns to us. “I am sorry,” he says with a bright smile. “I tend to be awful at first impressions.” He reaches out his hand, first shaking mine, then Percy’s. Percy winces slightly at the strength of Marcellus’s grip, but tries to put on a brave face. “I am happy to meet you.” He pats Percy’s shoulder. “You look terrified, kiddo. No reason to be! I promise you, Sunset Hills is a really relaxing place. You just need to like the sun… and mosquitoes, I guess.”

“I… I don’t mind mosquitoes,” Percy stutters.

“Yeah, they all say that at first,” Alpha Marcellus chirps.

“Does this mean…” I ask, unable to prevent my voice from trembling slightly. “You will take us in?” When Alpha Marcellus looks at me, I flinch slightly. “I apologize, I didn’t mean to talk without being allowed to.”

“Huh?” Alpha Marcellus blinks. “Why shouldn’t you be allowed to talk? I am a wolf like you two are. I just happen to be the alpha. It’s not like I am king of the world.”

Another young man peeks into our room, all of a sudden, chuckling softly. “Are you already scaring the newbies off, Marc?”

“That’s Micah,” Marcellus says. “He is my right hand. He was one of the first pack members and helped me build the pack.”

He is also an omega, I instantly notice. Yet he is so friendly with the alpha and doesn’t look scared at all.