30. Brody
Chapter thirty
Brody
" O h, fuck."
"What is it?" Ella asks.
I sigh through gritted teeth, leaning closer as my eyes land on that perfect blonde across the room. "It's Bridget. My worst enemy."
Ella's baby blues eyes widen, and then they find the laughing beauty across the room, and it looks like Bridget found her pack.
I'm happy for her. Truly.
It's what she trained for.
It's what she stabbed countless other Omegas in the back for just so she could secure her 'happy ever after.'
Women like her are poison.
I actually feel sorry for the pack that ended up with her.
But like most Alphas, they're oblivious to her poisonous nature, surrounding her like a group of vultures.
All they see is the beautiful veneer.
They're all the rich CEO types.
No surprises.
I bet Bridget's Daddy is proud.
Her musical laughter carries across the room again, and now one of her Alphas leans toward her ear and whispers something.
Her periwinkle blue eyes widen in mock surprise, and then she shoves him away as if he said the most absurd thing.
I bet she doesn't even like her new pack; she just matched with them via the Academy's algorithm.
The poor thing will never know what it feels like to have true happiness.
But I have Ella now, so I couldn't care less.
"Well, looks like she's moving up in the world..."
We startle at the same time when we hear the voice, and now we both turn to find a green-eyed blonde Omega with freckles.
It's only when Oliver Hart of all famous Omegas steps up beside her when I realize who she is.
Mila Stone.
No, Mila Hart now.
Damn. If I knew I was going to be in the presence of so many celebrities, I'd have brushed up more.
I remember Mila during her brief time at the Academy. She didn't stay long but I heard what she did.
She beat Bridget within an inch of her life, knocking out several of her teeth in the process.
I wasn't there to see, but how I wish I was.
The Academy had to pay to get her teeth fixed. She was their star pupil. A huge investment.
They couldn't risk losing her.
Oliver smirks, looking down at Mila. "Well, her teeth are certainly moving up."
Mila snorts, and something warms inside me when I see them together.
I want that with Ella.
I can have that with Ella.
Omegas can scent match with other Omegas, and I'm pretty certain Ella is my match now.
She has to be. Why else would I be so drawn to her?
I barely spend time with my Alphas these days. I have no idea where they even are.
I left Theo with Gryphon.
The Alpha is too miserable for my liking and he needs to lighten up.
Mila peers at us at last. "Sorry, I should introduce myself. I'm Mila."
I smile, taking her hand. "I know. I remember you at the Academy."
She grins, turning to Ella. "And you must be Twenty-two. It's so nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you."
Mila extends her hand.
Ella looks unsure for a moment.
"It's okay, Twenty-two," I say. "You can trust Mila. She beat up Bridget after all."
Ella's eyes grow, and there's no missing her satisfied smile as she takes Mila's hand. "Thank you for giving that bitch what she deserves. No one picks on Brody and gets off easy."
She laughs. "You're welcome, Twenty-two. If there's anything you need, feel free to come to me. You've got many friends in this building tonight."
She does, too.
Pack Hart and Pack Snow are particularly invested in her future because of Belle, but my own Pack couldn't give two shits.
I'm the only one who cares about her in our pack and lately, I'm wondering if the Academy made a mistake.
Maybe Pack Titan and I aren't going to work out after all.
They can't accept that I have Ella now and that I want her.
The last thing I want to do is leave them.
I've helped them so much. I've stabilized them, but if I left they may finally destroy each other.
Could I do that to them?
A band plays on the stage, and when the music changes, Mila gasps, clasping Oliver's hand. "Let's dance! See you later, Brody, Twenty-two…"
"You too," I reply.
Now Ella and I watch as Mila tugs Oliver toward the dance floor, and they dance in rhythm with the music, matching the tempo so perfectly.
They're joined shortly by Belle and her Omega, Rian, and the four of them laugh together.
Damn.
I want what they have.
Maybe I don't need my Alphas anymore. Maybe Ella is all I need.
Those four Omegas are practically glowing.
At one point, they swap partners, and now Oliver dances with his long-lost sister, making up for lost time.
Both packs are so happy.
And each of their two Omegas.
Yet ours is hanging by a delicate thread.
It's not worth thinking about now.
I just want to live in the moment and dance.
So, I extend my hand. Ella looks at me puzzled.
"Let's join them. I was hoping they would all be here so you could see how happy we could be too, Ella…"
I make sure to whisper her name since she doesn't want anyone else to know it. It was for my ears only and I will honor her trust.
Her baby blue eyes sparkle, and then she looks past my shoulder at the others.
Most of the other Omegas dance with their Alphas.
Bridget dances with one of her rich CEOs, glaring daggers at Mila Hart while she twirls around with Oliver again.
She hasn't seen me yet and good. Let's hope it stays that way.
But I couldn't give two shits about her.
I am going to dance with my Omega.
I will show the world that she is more than just a Rogue.
"So, what do you say?"
Finally, a small smile curves her lips, and now she lets me lead her to the dance floor.
Belle practically beams when she sees her fellow Rogue, and I'm glad Ella isn't so alone in the world.
There are others out there who know exactly what she has gone through.
While I empathize, I can never truly know her suffering.
"I… don't know how to dance…" Ella fumbles.
Well, it's a good thing that I am trained in many dance forms.
I can waltz in my sleep.
As courtesy of the Academy.
All those years of ballroom dance classes have paid off at last.
Because now I can teach my Omega.
"It's okay. I can teach you."
So, I go through the motions, placing my hand on the small of her back as I tell Ella where to place her feet, and she soon gets into the flow.
Soon, it's like we're the only two people on the dance floor. I think we brushed past Bridget and her Alpha CEO at one point, but I'm too busy giving my Omega the time of her life.
It could be like this for us always.
Ballroom dances every weekend.
If Theo plays his cards right, he may just get back in his boss's good graces and we can be invited to events like these all the time.
But he has a lot to learn yet.
He didn't even want to come tonight.
And he never glanced Ella's way once, but he's not fooling me.
I saw the way he looked at her. He could barely breathe properly in the limo, and his scent darkened with lust.
Theo has my blessing. They all do.
Just so long as they realize that Ella is mine first and foremost.
When I am pleasuring her, I hope they are prepared to wait in line.
She is mine…
She gasps next when I press her flush to my chest.
"Brody."
Now I lean my forehead against her, gazing down into her baby blue eyes. "Ella… I want to bite you into the pack… if… if you will allow me…"
Her pupils blow out and I smile at her adorable reaction.
"You… want me?"
"Of course. From the moment I looked at you."
She bows her head. "But… the Alphas…"
"Screw them. If they don't like it, then… I don't want them. You're all I need."
Worry dances in her eyes and now she shakes her head. "No, Brody. You can't leave them just for me."
"But I would. They have been cruel to you from the moment you arrived. I don't want Alphas like that, Ella. I'd be better off without them."
Her eyes shine and she cups my cheeks. "Promise me, Brody, that you don't leave them. Not for me. Never for me. I… am not worth it. Don't throw your life away for a Rogue like me."
"That's the thing, Ella. You are worth it, and you are more than just a Rogue. You are my Omega, and… I love you…"
The words slip from my mouth before I can stop them, and now we stop spinning.
Tears track down her cheeks and I don't regret a single thing.
I will hang the moon for her.
From now on, her happiness is my priority.
"It's okay if you can't say it back to me. I will wait, Ella. You're worth waiting for."
She leans in close and wraps her arms around me, and now we really are the only two people left in the world.
My skin flushes hot and did they turn up the thermostat?
I break out in a sweat and something is wrong.
Did I drink something bad?
Ella's face pales as he stares at me. "Brody, are you all right?"
It's only when I double over, landing on my hands and knees on the dance floor that I realize.
I've gone into heat.
Not now.
The night has only just started.