Behind The Alpha Book 2 WES

WES

Thea made the potion and when we got back, I could already see the changes fading.

They seemed a little less aggressive and a lot were able the push their wolves back, but a lot still had their brains infected.

We discussed a few delivery systems and I could only think of one way. It was not only accurate, but damn fun.

Super soakers.

Once we got back, I broke into the mall. Headed to the toy store and pulled off four water guns with water tanks you strap to your back.

Grey smirks. “This reminds me of when I woke you up the first day of school with my water canon.” He looks at me menacingly.

“Oh my god. It took a week for my bed to dry out. I hated you so much!” I chuckle

“These children’s toys will save everyone?” Thea inspects her gun.

I put the filled tank on my back. “Oh yeah.” I smirk and pull back the pump.

“I don’t know, Tex.” Jesse looks his over too.

“Trust me. It may not be a six shooter, but I swear to you. You’ll feel it.” I look at the both and arch a brow. “Let’s go hunt some wolves.”

We run through the city to the woods behind the unit. It seems like a good place to start. These woods aren’t too thick for fast movement, but has plenty of places for hiding and ambushes.

Perfect if you’re trying to best the opposing males.

It didn’t take a lot of time before we came up against our first victims.

Two males on the path, going at each other like rabid dogs.

I stand with my legs at shoulder width and a cocky look on my face. I pump up the pressure. “HEY!”

They both stop, turn their heads and instantly start to growl. They jump at me from their spots with jaws wide open. Perfect.

I aim and pull the triggers. A pencil width steam of Theas potion mix fires out of my gun, hitting the wolves open muzzles and faces. They both yelp and hit the ground.

“Yeah!” I throw a finger at them as they glow, shift, scream and pass out. I run to them and check their pulses.

“Wes. That was amazing!” Thea smiles.

I turn to her and give a little smile back. “Thanks.” I stand. “Let’s go.”

We run down the path and see two wolves going it at just off to the side. I step to interrupt and Jesse grabs my arm. “Whoa there, hombre. You think he deserves the courtesy of finishin’ first?” He tilts his head to me.

Grey stops beside. “He’s right. That’s uncool.”

I look to the growling, grunting wolves, then back at Jesse. “I'm pretty sure he'd rather be sane when that happens.”

I sneak through the bushes around them. They’re so into it, they have no clue I’m here.

“Sorry guys, parties over.” I say as I stand at their heads. I spray them both down. They shift and pass out.

Jesse walks up to me and looks at the naked red head on the ground. He looks back up at me. “Now that was rude.” He looks down again. “Damn shame.”

I smirk. “I’m pretty sure he’ll thank me for it later.” I tick my head. “Come on.”

Grey stands in front of three males. “Hey Wes!” He shoots them one after another. “Another one bites the dust…” He sings.

“Oh God…No!” I sneer.

“What have I told you, Wesley? If you can’t enjoy your job, there’s no sense doing it.” He says smugly.

I shake my head. “You're an idiot.” I chuckle and fire on some more wolves who came out of the trees.

The four of us hunt as many wolves as we can find. Changing them back into rational shifters. When we get to the city, we now become the defenders until we can get a unit together.

If they come here looking for girls, we dose them.

Inside the security unit, clean had begun. Medical tents were put up with communications tents and base in the training fields.

It was hell, but we’re pulling ourselves back together slowly.

With River missing, we don’t have access to the Torrent project. So we can't find out if we have the stuff to synthesize the water Thea uses, but she’s been trying to make as much as she can.

Once Operations regrouped, we organized a few teams to send to Phoenix. I’m sure they’re worse off than we are having a lot more wolves than we do.

We also set up medic teams to transport the dead to the pool.

People were confused. Councillors were brought in to deal with all the issues this may have caused to individuals and mated couples.

The fact that everyone seems to just want to get us fixed is such a relief. There have been a few squabbles of accusation, but everyone seems to understand that none of this was anyone’s fault.

Except me.

I know she thought she was doing something heroic, but I’m finding it hard to process.

As the Unit reorganizes, I take a break. I watch Thea walk into the woods a distance away. She shifted to her human form to not freak anyone out.

She was leaning against a tree. I can sense her sadness and regret. It’s me that has the problem. I need time.

I stuff my hands in my pockets. “Thea.” I mumble.

She turns and gives a tiny smile. “Wes.”

She’s so goddamn beautiful, I want to cry. I hate that I have to even have to weigh this out, but it’s not something my brain can just dismiss right now. I need to figure what’s more important here. I need to hear my heart and my head and I need Thea to understand that.

I slowly walk up to her. “I thought I should tell you, I’m…I’m gonna need some space…just for a little bit.”

“Space? What does that mean?” She tilts her head to the side.

“It means, I just need to be alone and figure this out for myself.” I lock with her eyes.

Her heartbreak fills her face. “You don’t like me anymore.” I can scent her tears in her eyes.

I shake my head. “Thea. It’s not about that. I need to wrap my head around this and I can’t do that if I don’t have some space and time.”

“It was an accident.” She hitches.

“Baby, I get that. I really do.” I try to sound like I don’t hate her. “I just…I need to understand and figure out if I can push past it…Ok. It’s not about you. Just give me some time.” I can feel her hurting. It kills me because a girl like her shouldn’t hurt, but I can't process what she’s done if she’s around me right now. I don’t want her to go away, but I need to be able to think.

“I'm sorry.” The tears fall and my chest hurts so bad.

“I know, Thea. I’m sorry too. I don’t hate you. I don’t…”

“I'll go.” She changes to her nymph form.

“No, Thea…That’s not what I…” I step forward.

Her image fades to nothing.

“Thea…don’t…” I reach out and try to stop her.

I hear her feet run away into the trees.

“THEA!” I run after her, searching the trees.

I stop and look around. She’s gone. “Thea. Please come back.” I say to the trunks.

This isn’t what I wanted. She didn’t have to leave.

I hang my head and turn back to the Unit. I won’t find her if I can’t see her. I didn’t want to hurt her so bad for her to run from me.

When I leave the forest, Grey meets up with me. “What happened?” He can tell I’m fucked up.

“She ran. I should have fucking known.” I rock my head and scrub my face.

“Damn. What do want to do?” He stuffs his hands in his pockets.

I look up to sky and heave a breath. “I don’t know. I mean, how do I deal with this?” I look at him. “How did you feel with Mia being what she is?”

He shrugs. “I thought it was cool. She's gorgeous. Has awesome powers. I didn’t have a problem. I only wanted her with me.”

I look down. “Yeah, but you were bonded already.” I mumble.

“Wes.” He stops me. “I get this is shit. I know she tormented you and made you think you were crazy, but I have one question.”

“What?”

“Do you feel like she did it on purpose?” He leans to me.

I look at my feet and kick the grass. “No. Not really.” I say quietly.

“Listen. Mia…She messed my head up. I was fucking pissed. I was. At first I hated her for refusing to mark me or reject me, but then I figured out, she had no idea what she was doing to me. She kept me at a distance because she thought Xavier would kill me. What she didn’t know was that she was slowly killing me by doing that. Isn’t this the same thing?” He places his hand on my shoulder.

“Is it, Grey? She learned. Over 16 years, she learned what she was doing wrong and this happened.” I toss my hand to the Unit. “What if she does something worse later?” I raise my head to him.

He nods. “It’s hard. I can see your point, but you know what? Maybe that’s why she needs you.” He thumps a finger in my chest. “Maybe the reason for her being here is so you can show her how we are. Maybe…she’s here for you because you’re the only one in this world who can do that? She trapped herself in a bad situation. Only you can rescue her from it, little bro. You’re the only one who has enough inside to fix this.”

I press my lips together and nod.

The biggest problem will be the others. Will my friends forgive her if I do? We don’t have to forget, but would they accept her if I do. I know shouldn’t care. Greys right. In the back of my mind, I feel a connection to Thea. A feeling that I have the capacity to understand and accept what she is.

The thing that’s stopping me is the compounded shit she caused. I know she was doing it for me…

I sit against the building and rub my hair. My mind keeps saying run. You don’t need this. My heart though…fuck, why is this so hard? Why the hell does the thought of losing her hurt so much? My fucking rational, responsible side is tearing me in two.

Then there’s her face. Her beautiful face. I don’t care what she is. I loved having her around me. Even when I was pissed at her. I loved seeing her, hearing her, feeling her.

Fuck, I love her.

She drove me insane, but I love her.

Is she dangerous? Yes.

Is it something I think I can handle? Also, yes.

Is it something I want? This is the question right here. Is Thea something I want in my life even if I love her? She’s just so different. So…special. She’s also extremely complicated.

A wood nymph. I don’t even know what that is? I need more answers. I can only get those if she comes back to me.

God, I hope she comes back to me.