The Dark Alpha: Old Blood

Chapter 3: Guilt

A burst of anxiety strikes my chest as Corbin and I approach the study; its doors are closed. Theo must not want to be bothered, but Corbin doesn't care. He pushes one of the doors open and guides me inside with a hand hovering against my back.

Theo stands behind his desk, both hands against the desktop with an expression that simultaneously reads amused and annoyed. He hangs his head momentarily before standing tall.

"I thought Celeste would like to join this conversation," Corbin says, coming beside me.

"Of course you'd think so," Theo mutters, crossing his arms.

I notice a glass in front of Theo, ready to be filled by the decanter not far from it. He looks both exhausted and furious—the need for revenge still teeming under his skin.

"You're priorities are all over the place. You're pushing the warriors too hard—screwing up the training sessions—trying to get results you know you can't force upon them. You're drinking too much, making plans for the next attack that you know we can't execute in time, and blowing up at the Rowan warriors who have actually made considerable progress. You're going to implode," Corbin accuses, confirming that he's seeing what I saw last night. "You can't accept what happened to Dan, can't accept that Belrose got the better of us yesterday, so it's only a matter of time, really."

Theo stares at him, eerily silent.

Corbin then looks at me. "Why don't you step closer, Celeste, because clearly he's too blinded by rage to see what's in front of him."

My insides churn uncomfortably as Theo's gaze shifts to me.

"If you want to snap out of it and actually get things done, I think one sniff of your mate is a good place to start," Corbin finishes sharply before storming out of the study.

I turn to watch Corbin leave and slowly twist back once he's gone, nervous to glimpse Theo's reaction. When I manage to hike my chin up and face reality, I see Theo still staring at me, but the nature of his gaze morphs to something softer as he notices—realizes.

"You're...pregnant?" He asks as though he's never said the word before.

There's nothing for me to say but the truth.

"I think so. I haven't gone to Rosa yet. But everyone has been saying my scent is different."

Theo lets in a frustrated breath, but I know he isn't frustrated with me. "It was like this yesterday?"

"My scent? It might have changed more since, but yes. Dan was the first to notice yesterday morning...when he stopped by the house."

He expression cracks, so he wipes a hand down his face.

"You're going through a lot between Dan and your family; it's okay if you didn't notice it. I wanted to tell you, but..."

I find it hard to tell him that I was worried he would be too upset to be happy about my news—it sounds so heartless and self-centered—but thankfully I don't have to finish my sentence. Theo hurries around the desk and embraces me at once, coiling his big arms tightly around my ribs and burying his nose into my hair. My scent must be flooding his senses now. One of his hands finds the back of my head and holds me against his shoulder.

"Forgive me," he mutters.

"I'm not mad that you didn't notice, I've just been worried about you. I don't want you to feel guilty at all," I say, leaning back and looking up. "I just want to know that you're okay."

Theo cups my cheeks and simply observes as though he's still in partial disbelief at my news. "Your scent is different; it's obvious now. We'll see Rosa first thing tomorrow."