Yes, My Alpha: Mother of an Empire

Chapter 121

It was awkward. Ophelia was unsure of what to say or do, Brigham was a mess, his legs had given out on him and she was forced to carry him on her back back to the camp within the mines. Darius had no issues in carrying their game and the goat that Brigham had caught thankfully.

As for Brigham... He was utterly defeated. He clung to Ophelia's back with his face buried in her shoulder seeming too ashamed of himself to look anyone in the eyes. Thankfully it was a bit of a walk back so they hadn't reached the mines just yet. "You were chased by a bear." Ophelia spoke suddenly, "What?" Brigham asked his voice rough, Darius glanced over at Ophelia seemingly letting her take the lead on this rather than offering up any comments.

"Why I'm carrying you." Ophelia elaborated, "You were chased down by a bear or some wolves. Something big, you couldn't tell. It knocked you down, you've twisted your ankle-- almost breaking it but not quite. It hurts though regardless." Ophelia continued giving Brigham a narrative to go by, "The commander and I went looking for you because there was some questions on the latest supplies report for the ledger. I'm from Saint Gypsum so I have experience with dealing with ledgers. That's why I went."

"We found you and with the goat you hunted, you had two but that thing took the other one." Ophelia finished the story, and Brigham let out a long sigh. "Why are you telling me this?" He asked softly. Ophelia pursed her lips and let out an embarrassed sigh. "The commander has a type." She spoke glancing over at Darius. "The prideful and strong. You and I are similar in that regard." Ophelia explained. "While I would normally be happy to knock you down a peg or two..." She trailed off.

"I don't want anyone giving you shit about this." She explained, "So lie. I will back you up if you use the story i gave you. It makes you sound brave and like a good hunter who got attacked by a mysterious monster." She told Brigham, but the alpha man went silent. Ophelia felt him lift his head off of her shoulder and look over at Darius. "I can see why you dropped me for her now." He spoke.

Ophelia looked to Darius, he seemed nonplussed with the comment. "John," he spoke using Brigham's first name for the first time. "I broke things off with you because you were being an ass," Darius spoke looking ahead before glancing at Ophelia. "And because I didn't like who I was with you." He added after a moment. "So I brought out the worst in you then?" Brigham questioned, "Yes." Darius looked directly at Brigham, he spoke frankly and honestly. "Everything between us was never real. You know that and I know that."

Ophelia went silent listening to the two talk, while the implications of her bringing out the better parts of Darius made her happy. She really wished she wasn't here for their little talk. She almost wanted to drop Brigham on his flat ass for daring to try to hash out his relationship baggage with Darius while she carried him.

A bitter chuckle came from Brigham, "I do tend to bring out the worst in everything." He spoke softly,  Ophelia felt her annoyance flare, was he really wallowing in self-pity? Well, to be fair he had a reason-- but honestly, Ophelia was annoyed that Brigham couldn't see the impact that he had on others. All because his daddy likely brainwashed him into thinking he was useless or some failure.

The blind faith that his little followers had for him was-- well it was impressive. It required a certain level of charisma to accomplish that. A certain level of leadership skills to maintain it. Pretty words wouldn't always work, Brigham had the skills and the abilities that proved himself worthy of other's trust. That's why LeRoy defended him so fiercely, that's why Roux and Sean still listened to him, and why others gathered around him.

"Oh shut up," Ophelia spoke glancing over her shoulder at him. "What's your problem?" Brigham asked offended, "Other than the fact I have to carry some sad sack asshole that my boyfriend slept with once or twice?" Ophelia questioned sharply, Darius chuckled when Ophelia said the phrase boyfriend to refer to him. "It's the fact I get to hear about how sorry he feels for himself. Despite knowing he's been able to make most of the army hate me for existing."