Chapter 21

Song: Casual Affair by Panic! At the Disco (I can't remember if I've used this song already, but I love this song so I don't really care. I learned this song on the drums, and I've been listening to it on repeat. It's stuck in my head :P)

[Chapter 21 - The Mute Alpha]

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Days passed by and Theo didn't get any better. He spent almost every day locked up in his house drinking and moping around. I had never seen him in this state before and I became concerned. Plus, I really needed his help. Lately, there have been even more rogue spottings in the area and it was difficult to communicate with my warriors. Autumn also went to talk with Theo a couple times, but didn't have any luck either. We also attempted to get a name from him, wanting to meet his mate. However, it was to no avail.

Alpha Derek eventually left after we finally had our meeting. Theo was there, but he didn't provide much assistance.

Now annoyance began to build inside of me. Theo overreacted over the whole situation. He found his mate, so he should feel ecstatic. Who cares if his mate was a dude. Eventually the mate bond would kick in and he'd want to be with the guy.

'We're going out,' I announced as I walked into Theo's bedroom. There was no way I would let him mope around any longer. He definitely would feel a lot better if he saw some women at the club. Although, I didn't know if he would be checking out all of the she-wolves or if he'd stare at the males, maybe both.

Theo protested as I made a move to open the curtains. The sun brightened up the dark room, and Theo groaned in annoyance, burying his face into his pillow.

My nose scrunched up when I smelled the pungent odor that lingered in the air. 'What is that stench?' I asked, fighting the urge to gag.

"My misery," Theo grumbled, his voice muffled. I rolled my eyes and moved over to his bed with determination.

'You need to get up,' I told him, ripping the blankets off his body.

"Jax!" Theo wined loudly. "Go away!"

'No! Get your ass up before I make you.' My patience ran on a thin line and I was about to snap.

When Theo didn't budge, I muttered some profanities under my breath and left the room with a plan in mind. A minute later I came back with a large bucket filled with ice-cold water. A smirk formed on my lips as I tipped it over, allowing the freezing liquid to dump out onto Theo.

He sat up with a gasp. "Dammit, Jax!" he shouted as he coughed and spat out water. "What the fuck was that for?"

I laughed in response and shrugged my shoulders. 'Get dressed, we're going out.'

Theo sighed loudly as he reluctantly got out of his soaked bed. He scowled and trudged over to his closet to get a change of clothes.

I waited a few minutes as he showered. When he finished, he looked way better than the last time I saw him. Although, I could detect bags under his his eyes. I couldn't help but feel bad for him. He shouldn't be feeling this way.

"Where are we going?" Theo asked as we left his house.

'You, my friend, are getting laid,' I replied with a grin. Maybe it would make him feel better.

"I-I don't know if that's such a good idea..."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He had never reacted this way before. Usually, he jumped at every opportunity.

'Come on, you never say no. It might lift your mood.'

"I'm not so sure," he mumbled quietly to himself."

•••

The sun disappeared as it got late, meaning the club would be full of life. I glanced over at Theo to see if he lightened up, but he looked sick instead. I frowned when I realized that this might've not been a smart idea.

'Are you okay?' I placed a hand on his shoulder.

Theo nodded his head, but I didn't believe him. We both entered the noisy building. The familiar scents of perfume, sweat, and booze filled my nose. Bright neon lights flashed across the room, lighting up the sweaty bodies dry humping each other. There were many single women in tightly-fitted clothing; however, Theo's eyes remained on the floor rather than them.

'Have any lucky ladies caught your attention yet?' I wiggled my eyebrows, nudging his arm. I didn't support Theo's habits, but I really wanted my friend back. Unfortunately, Theo stayed silent.

'Let's get some drinks,' I suggested as I made my way over to the bar.

"Werewolves can't get drunk," Theo muttered as he sat on the stool next to me.

'We can if it's strong enough. You, of all people, should know that.'

The bartender walked up to us and smiled. "Evening Alpha and Beta. Here for a drink?" When I nodded my head, she turned around to get our usual drinks ready.

"I don't feel so well," Theo said, running a hand down the side of his face. "Maybe we can call it a night and leave."

'We just got here ,' I rose an eyebrow. 'Live a little. I'm suppose to be the killjoy, not you.'

Theo rolled his eyes and looked away.  Soon the bartender came back with two drinks in her hand. She placed them down on the counter in front of us and leaned against the table.

"Have you guys met the new guy?" She asked curiously.

I nodded my head, remembering the guy Autumn talked with at the ceremony. Theo, however, frowned in confusion.

"What new guy?" he questioned.

"I don't know his name, but he came in a little earlier with some girls. Never seen him before. The guy is super sexy though, especially his emerald eyes," she whistled.

Theo's skin paled as his fingers gripped the glass in his hand.

I leaned over and whispered, 'You okay?'

He shrugged and gulped down the alcohol as if it were water.

A woman with fiery-red hair and a tight onyx dress stumbled over to us with a smirk. She leaned against the bar, holding herself up. "Wanna dance, sexy?" she slurred, running her acrylic nails along Theo's arm. I was shocked when he waved his hand for her to leave him alone.

Ignoring his gesture, she leaned forward and grazed her tongue against his ear. "C'mon, baby. I know you want to," she whispered seductively.

Theo's face twisted in disgust and moved away. "Beat it, bitch," he shouted at her, rubbing her saliva off his face.

The woman pouted and staggered away, probably looking for her next victim. Theo continued to scowl as he drank.

'Are you sure you're fine?' I persisted for the millionth time.

"Yes," he responded with a bitter tone. "What makes you think I'm not?"

'You never pass an opportunity to fuck.'

"She wasn't my type."

I sent him a pointed look. I knew he was lying, but it appeared that the idea of being with a girl revolted him. Maybe the mate bond changed him and he discovered his sexuality. I wasn't sure if your sexuality could shift so suddenly. I wasn't an expert.

Theo's eyes drifted to the dance floor and I caught him staring at a couple. A guy danced with a girl in a skimpy navy dress, who was grinding up against him. Her hands ran through his dark hair, pulling his hand closer to her neck as he kissed her skin.

At first, I thought Theo admired the female, but then I caught his eyes zeroing in on the guy, scowling.

Then a realization dawned on me. 'Is that your mate?' I asked. Theo glared at me, which answered my question.

He stood up and faced me. "Dance with me."

My eyebrows shot up as I choked on the liquid I attempted to swallow. 'What?'

"Dance with me," he repeated. I checked to see if it was a joke, but his expression remained serious.

'First of all, I don't dance. In fact, I can't dance to save my life. And second, why are you asking me when there are a ton of horny she-wolves, who would love to jump your bones. There's no way in hell I'd do that with you.'

Theo rolled his eyes. "Please! I really want to make him jealous."

'Why?'

"Because..." he started, trying to think of a reason. "...I don't know."

'Are you jealous?'  I grinned.

Theo scoffed and shook his head. "Hell no. I never get jealous."

'Then why are you asking me to dance with you as if we are a gay couple?' I pointed out.

He became silent, having no answer. I sighed and glanced over at Theo's mate, who was having a real good time with his dance partner.

'Can't you ask a female? There are plenty of them here.'

"It's not the same," he replied. Before I could respond, he added, "And I don't want to get laid tonight."

'Are you drunk?'

"No." He gulped down the rest of his alcohol.

I groaned and pinched the bridge of my nose. He was drunk. Sober Theo would've never suggested this. I knew I would regret this, but I found myself agreeing to help him. 'Fine, I'll do it. But only if you promise you'll resume your duties as my Beta instead of moping around like a girl who just got dumped.'

Theo nodded his head quickly and grabbed my hand, yanking me over to the dance floor.

'I have no fucking idea what to do,' I muttered. 'I'm not gay.'

"Pretend you're dancing with Autumn," Theo suggested as he started dancing to the song that blasted loudly on the speakers.

'Last time I checked, Autumn wasn't a guy,' I said, standing awkwardly in front of him. 'This is so embarrassing.'

"Loosen up," Theo grabbed my hands in his as if he didn't feel repulsed by this.

'How the hell are you doing this?'

"I'm imagining you as someone else," was his answer. "Now get closer to me, you're too far away. How else are we going to make that guy jealous?"

I did a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess, asking her to kill me at that moment. 'You owe me big time.'

I cringed as Theo pulled me towards his body and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Now put your hands on my hips," he commanded.

My eyes flickered over to his mate, who eyed us from afar. The girl dancing with him didn't notice that he stopped. His hands balled into fists as he glared at us. Fortunately, it was dark so he didn't notice that I was the Alpha. That would've been embarrassing.

'He's watching us,' I told Theo as I did what he said. I felt so uncomfortable and awkward at that moment. This would be a memory I would definitely want to forget.

Once the song ended, I immediately stepped back and shivered in disgust. 'Never again,' I growled in annoyance and went back to the bar to get another drink. Hopefully I could drink the night away and forget it. That was my plan.

•••

😏😏😏