CHAPTER 46: WHOSE CLOTHES ARE THESE

Ellie leaned casually against the wall, a smirk curving his lips. "You can thank the Alpha for that," he said. "When I told him to pick a color scheme, he said..." Ellie dropped his voice in a mock imitation, "’Make it simple but bold. Nothing soft or weak-looking.’"

Rhea blinked, caught off guard. "He said that?"

"Word for word," Ellie replied, shrugging.

Rhea scoffed, stepping further into the room as her eyes roamed the sleek red-and-gold interior. "Tch... figures. The big head’s got taste, I’ll give him that."

Jason and Tavian exchanged quick glances, both biting back laughter. Tavian leaned closer to whisper, "If anyone else called the Alpha that, they’d be six feet under by now."

Rhea heard him and smirked. "Good thing I’m not anyone else."

Ellie chuckled quietly, pushing off the wall. "You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Just... don’t test his patience too far. The man may have given you this room, but he’s still Ares."

"Noted," Rhea said dryly, running her hand across the glossy dresser. The smooth finish gleamed beneath her fingertips, and she took a moment to admire the room, the plush carpet, the intricate gold trim along the walls, the perfectly made bed that looked softer than clouds. For a brief second, the sharpness in her eyes eased into wonder.

Jason broke the silence. "You really like it, don’t you?"

Rhea turned and grinned at him. "Like it? I love it."

Ellie smiled faintly at that, softer than before. "Then that means I did something right for my little sister."

"Careful," Rhea teased, moving toward the wardrobe. "You’re starting to sound like a real brother."

"Don’t get used to it," Ellie shot back, though his tone betrayed the warmth behind the words.

Jason and Tavian stood quietly near the bed, exchanging small smiles as the tension slowly bled from their shoulders.

Rhea pulled open the wardrobe, and blinked. Empty. Not a single piece of clothing in sight.

She turned, one brow raised. "So... was the plan for me to roam around naked?"

Ellie barked out a laugh. "You’re unbelievable," he said, shaking his head. Still, amusement glinted in his eyes. She’s changed a lot, he thought.

"Nope," he added, straightening. "I’ll take you shopping later. We don’t even know your size yet."

Rhea tilted her head, crossing her arms. "When’s ’later’?"

"We can go now if you want," Ellie said easily.

Excitement flickered in Rhea’s eyes,not because of the shopping, but for the chance to step outside, to finally explore this world beyond pack walls. Her heart gave a small, eager jump.

"But first," Ellie said, gesturing at her oversized tee and trousers, "you’ve got to change."

"Into what?" Rhea asked, glancing back at the empty wardrobe.

Ellie pointed at the neatly folded bundle on the bed.

Rhea eyed it warily. "What’s that?"

"Something better to wear. It’s men’s clothes, but still, better than what you’ve got on."

Rhea sighed, but curiosity got the better of her. She picked up the bundle and unfolded it, a black shirt and black jeans, both clearly tailored for a man, but sizeable enough to fit her comfortably.

"Not bad," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

Ellie nodded toward the bathroom door. "Go on. Change."

Rhea grabbed the clothes and stepped inside, locking the door behind her.

Ellie’s gaze shifted from the closed bathroom door to the two omegas who suddenly looked like they’d rather evaporate into thin air. Jason’s hands were clasped tightly by his side, and Tavian was staring intently at the floor as if any sort of help will come from underground.

"So," Ellie said after a beat, his tone casual but edged with curiosity. "Are you two planning to follow her around all the time?"

Tavian’s head snapped up, eyes wide. "N-no, Beta, we...uh...we just wanted to make sure she settled in."

Jason nodded quickly, echoing him. "Exactly! We’re just helping. That’s all."

Ellie folded his arms, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Helping. Right. Because the way you two hover around her looks a lot more like leeching than helping."

The two omegas exchanged nervous glance, the air growing heavier by the second. Tavian finally found his voice, blurting out, "She saved my life today, Beta. I owe her. I just want to make sure she’s okay."

Ellie tilted his head slightly, his expression softening a fraction. "And you?" he asked, turning to Jason.

Jason hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "I think she deserves someone on her side for once, after everything. That’s all."

Ellie regarded them both quietly, his gaze thoughtful. "You two realize sticking close to her is going to paint a target on your backs, right? Half the pack already thinks she’s trouble."

Tavian swallowed hard, but his voice didn’t shake this time. "Then I guess we’ll deal with it, Beta."

That answer made Ellie pause. He hadn’t expected the soft-spoken omega to find that kind of spine. A grin flickered across his face before he could stop it. "Huh. Maybe she’s rubbing off on you already."

Jason blinked, unsure whether that was meant as a compliment or a warning. "Is that... bad?"

"Not necessarily," Ellie chuckled, glancing toward the bathroom door where the faint sound of running water could be heard. "Just means you’d better be ready for whatever comes next."

He straightened slightly, his voice dropping a notch. "And one more thing, don’t ever think of betraying her."

Tavian and Jason stiffened. "We wouldn’t dare, Beta," they said almost in unison.

"You better not," Ellie said, his smirk fading into something sharper. "Because if you do, I’ll make sure the experience is worse than anything you’ve ever imagined."

Both omegas swallowed hard, nodding quickly.

Just then, the bathroom door clicked open. Rhea stepped out, dressed in the black shirt and jeans. The fit was loose but flattering, the dark fabric hugging her form in just the right places.

"Whose clothes are these?" she asked, brushing her hands down the shirt. "They smell... nice."