The Alpha's Fight for His Omega
Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Chapter 52

***Chastity***

When I woke up the next morning I was exhausted. I hadn’t slept well at all. I didn’t have nightmares, Ijust didn’t sleep well. I was also very depressed. The thought of pushing Rowen and Lexi together hadplagued my mind all night. He would be better off matched with her. I didn’t understand why the MoonGoddess would punish him by leaving him stuck with me.

“He is not stuck with you Chastity. We are perfect for our mate.” Leila growled at me.

“But….” I started.

“No. Enough! He is ours Chastity! He loves us! Lexi is NOT right for him. We are! We always havebeen. Besides Lexi is our friend. She would never take our mate from us. She would be mad if we triedto give

him to her.”

“But she is. She already knows how to be a good Luna. She understands him, and his responsibilities.She is prettier, and more poised than I am. She’s not broken.”

“Chastity, you’re so wrong. Does she know those things? Yes. But it doesn’t make her right for him. Weare right for him.”

“But. He’ll be better off. I should just reject him, and let him be with Lexi or someone like her.” 1

“NO! Absolutely not Chastity! I have supported everything you have done, every choice you havemade, but I will NOT support that. Now or ever! He is ours, and we are his! If you even TRY to rejecthim I will take over, and stay in control until he marks us. I won’t let you do that to us. Mate loves us,

and wants us. You need to accept that, accept him. His right for us, and we are right for him. Maybeyou don’t believe it now, but some day you will.” 1

“But Leila….”

“NO! ENOUGH! You are not going to reject him, and you will not push him to our friend. She wouldn’ttake him even if you tried. Now stop. Doctor is waiting for us. You need to tell her about yesterday, andthis conversation. She needs to know so she can help you.”

“But…”

“NO!”

For the first time ever Leila blocked me out. In all our years together she had never done that. I didn’tunderstand why she was so against letting Rowen free from me. He deserved to be happy, and withsomeone better than me. He could never be happy with me long term. I didn’t understand why she

couldn’t see that.

With a sigh I picked up Lilac to put her harness on. She glared at me the whole time I struggled to getit. on her then rolled, and wiggled once I put it in her. After she finished with her dramatics I clipped theleash on her, picked her up, and carried her out of my room. She instantly climbed on my shoulder, andsat there the whole walk to my appointment with Dee-Dee.

I really didn’t want to see her, or anyone for that matter. It’s why I didn’t go down to breakfast either. Ihadn’t wanted to talk to Norm or Lexi. Especially not Lexi. I wasn’t sure how I was going to tell herabout me rejecting Rowen, and wanting them to be together. They were bettered suited for each other.I just wasn’t ready to talk to her about it.

For the first time in my life I was almost late to something. I drug my feet as I walked into Dee-Dee’soffice. She was already sitting on the bean bag chair across from my usual spot. She smiled at me, andI

tried to do the same. I just wasn’t feeling it. I took Lilac off my shoulder, and sat. Dee-Dee stood up.closed the office door then took off Lilac’s leash. The kitten tried to get into my lap, but I pulled myknees to my chest, and buried my head in them. I didn’t want to be here. I didn’t want to talk. I justwanted to be left alone. Lilac didn’t quite get the message though because she started climbing on me.I tried to shake her off, but she wouldn’t stop.

“She knows you need her Chastity. She’s not going to leave your side right now.” Dee-Dee said gently.

I finally stopped trying to push Lilac away. She managed to get under my shirt, against my side. Ittickled when her fur brushed me. Then she settled, and began to purr softly.

“Bad day today, Chastity?” Dee-Dee asked quietly, and I just shrugged..

“Do you want to talk about it?”

I shrugged again.

“Ok. We’ll just sit here until you feel like talking.”

I nodded.

We sat there in silence for a long time. I didn’t want to talk at first, then I didn’t know what to say or howto start. I had so much running through my mind. Then I remembered Rowen saying I should tell Dee-Dee about yesterday.

“I froze up in self defense class, then curled into a ball on the floor, shaking and crying. I couldn’tbreath. I couldn’t move.” I said quietly.

“What happened?” Dee-Dee asked.

“I heard a noise, and I got scared.”

“So you had a panic attack?”

“I don’t know.”

“What was the sound?”

“It sounded like a whip.”

“How did you calm down from your panic attack?”

“L…Lexi carried me out of the gym, and too my bedroom.”

“What did you do once you were in

your room?”

“Nothing.”

“What did Lexi, and Norm do?”

“Lexi….she called Rowen when he is busy. She pulled him from his important work. He has things todo. Responsibilities, and she called him to deal with the broken little Omega. She made an Alpha stopwhat he was doing to help a nobody.”

“How did Rowen react when she called him? Did he help?”

“Yes.” I whispered.

“Did he seem upset about it?” Dee-Dee asked gently.

“No.” I answered quietly.

“Did he talk to you during, and after your panic attack?” She questioned.

“Yes.” I said.

“Did he help calm you down from the panic attack?” She asked.

“Yes.” I whined.

“That’s a good thing. That’s what mates do for each other when needed.”

Suddenly I felt myself getting angry. No one understood. He shouldn’t have to do those things for me.He didn’t deserve to be stuck with me. I stood up quickly, and started pacing angrily.

“NO IT IS NOT A GOOD THING! IT IS A BAD THING! HE SHOULDN’T HAVE TO FIX THEWORTHLESS OMEGA! HE WILL NEVER BE HAPPY WITH ME! HE’LL NEVER HAVE THE LIFE HEDESERVES WITH ME! I WILL NEVER BE WHAT HE NEEDS! I WILL ONLY BRING HIM DOWN! HEHAS RESPONSIBILITIES, AND A JOB! HE IS IMPORTANT! HE CAN’T ALWAYS STOP HIS DAYJUST BECAUSE I AM BROKEN AND CANNOT DEAL WITH LIFE! I CANNOT BE WHAT HE NEEDS!I’LL NEVER BE A GOOD LUNA! I WILL DESTROY EVERYTHING FOR HIM! HE DESERVESBETTER! SOMEONE WHO WILL MAKE HIM HAPPY! SOMEONE WHO WILL HELP HIM BE THEALPHA HE IS MEANT TO BE! SOMEONE WHO WON’T MAKE HIM WAIT BECAUSE SHE ISBROKEN! HE DESERVES SOMEONE WHO IS HIS MATCH IN EVERYTHING! I’M A NOBODY! I’MNOTHING! HE DOESN’T DESERVE A NOTHING! HE DOESN’T DESERVE A NOBODY! HEDOESN’T DESERVE A WORTHLESS DISGUSTING OMEGA WHO SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEENBORN! HE DOESN’T DESERVE TO BE STUCK WITH SOMEONE WHO SHOULD HAVE DIED WITHHER MOM FIFTEEN YEARS AGO! WHY DOESN’T ANYBODY SEE THAT? WHY CAN NO ONEUNDERSTAND HE MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE WHEN HE REJECTED ME? WHY AM I THE ONLY

ONE WHO SEES THE TRUTH? HE NEEDS TO FIND A REAL MATE! NOT A DAMAGED,WORTHLESS, DISGUST THING LIKE ME!” I screamed as I paced.

I was breathing hard, and tears were streaming down my face. I just didn’t understand why no one sawwhat I did. Why couldn’t HE see what I did? He had to. It would be better for him in the long run.

“Is that you talking or Aurora, Fiona, Naomi, or all of those others that said those things to you,talking?” Dee-Dee asked quietly.

“HUH?” I questioned as I turned to face her.

“I asked if that is really you talking or was it just what you’ve been told by others?” Dee-Dee askedagain as she looked me straight in the eye..

“Why does it matter who said it first? It’s the truth.” I growled.

“Is it? Is it really?”

“Yes!”

“Why?”

“What?”

“Why is it true?”

“If it wasn’t I wouldn’t have been hurt so badly. I would have been loved by my family. I would have hadfriends. I wouldn’t have been alone.”

“If you really think those things about yourself why are you here?”

“What?”

“If you really think you’re worthless, disgusting, and should have died, why are you here, at Cloverland?Why are you trying to become a midwife? If you really think those things you wouldn’t have worked sohard to get here. You wouldn’t be here right now, attending this school, if you really believed thosethings. So I will ask you again, is that you speaking or is it everyone else who has said those things TOyou?”

“1….”

“If you really think those things why didn’t you accept Rowen’s rejection? Why didn’t you instantly rejecthim when he retracted it? Why haven’t you rejected him to this point?”

“I plan to reject him! Next time I see him I will reject him. He deserves better than me. He deservessomeone like Lexi, or any other high rank she-wolf out there. Not me. He shouldn’t have taken hisrejection back to begin with.”

“And you think he’ll accept your rejection?”

“Yes! He knows he’s too good for me. He knows he deserves better than me.”

“If that’s the case why did he take the rejection back? Why did he come see you last weekend? Whyhas he done any of the things he’s done for you?”

“1…. I don’t know. Because he pities me. If I don’t reject him now, eventually he’ll reject me any way. Atleast if I reject him he has a chance at a second chance mate. Someone worthy of him.”

“You think he wants that?”

“How can he not? I’m nothing! I’m worthless. I’m disgusting.”

“And if he doesn’t agree with you?”

“He will.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“He says he won’t accept it if I reject him, but just like everyone else, eventually he will. Eventually he’llsee that I’m not worth it. He’ll turn his back on me, and replace someone else. Like he should.”

“What does Leila think of you rejecting him?”

“She’s mad at me, but eventually she’ll realize that I’m right, or she’ll leave too. She’s better off withoutme any way.”

“You really believe that?”

“Yes.”

“Thing is Chastity, you’re wrong. You’re wrong about everything you said. I know you are wrong. I knowyou don’t see it right now, and it will take awhile before you do, but you are very wrong. You are notworthless. You have helped so many in your pack over the years, and not just those who lived in thepack. house. Your teachers, nurses at your pack hospital, midwife Wanda, your family, your friends. Allof them see you as worth so much. Lexi, Norm, and Marcus see you as worth so much. Rowen seesyou as everything. Your wolf loves you, and she only wants you. None of the people in your life seethemselves as better off without you. Do you want an example of what you’ve done for some one, forhow much you mean to someone?”

“Sure. Why not?”

“Lexi is the perfect example.”

“Lexi?”

“Yes Lexi. She was sitting in my office first thing this morning, before I even got here, waiting for me.She wanted to talk to me about you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. She didn’t tell me what happened yesterday, but she does know you come to see me severaltimes a week. She asked me how she can help you. What she can do to help you heal. How she canbe a better friend to you than she already is. The thing with Lexi is she never had a lot of female friendsgrowing up.

Her friends were mostly Robert, Anthony, the Beta’s son Derek, her brother, and Marcus. Femaleswere jealous of her for being friends with all of them so most of them kept away. When Anthony didwhat he did to her, she pulled herself away from everyone even more. She was afraid to let any one in.When she got here she had only her brother, and Marcus.

“You managed to get through her shell, and become her friend in minutes flat. You are her best friend,and you are very important to her. She said she knows it’s only been a little under two weeks since youtwo met, but you mean the world to her. In her eyes you are worth more than even she is. She said youhad a very hard life, and she wants to make sure she helps you have a much better one from now on.”

“But she is worth so much more than me.”

“Not to her she’s not. She adores you. She sees in you what we all see.”

“What’s that?”

“An intelligent, beautiful, strong, courageous, caring she-wolf, who is a gift from the Moon Goddess.Who will do wonderful things, and who deserves the world. Someone who had a rough start, but neverlet that stop her from trying to achieve her dream. Who kept a brave face through everything she wasexperiencing. Who shared warmth, and caring even though she wasn’t receiving any. Someone with a

good enough heart to befriend, and help one of her abusers. You Chastity, are worth so much morethan you have been lead to believe. Everyone sees it.”

“Then….then why did they do those things to me? Why did they hurt me? Why did they reject me? Whydid they ignore me? Why? What did I do?”

I crumbled into a ball on the floor, and sobbed. If all of that was true, why had my life been riddled withpain for so long. Why had I been told the things I was, and treated how I was.

“I don’t have all of the answers for your Chastity. I can only tell you what I know, and I what I havegathered from the things I have read, and heard. Know that I have heard the trail recordings. As well asthe recordings from Aurora’s execution, and Dimitri’s recording from his last conversation with Aurora. Ihave also spoken to Dimitri extensively. Rowen a bit too. I hope you don’t mind. I needed a betterunderstanding of what happened, and why, from their perspective.”

I only nodded as I continued to sob. I felt Lilac head butt my leg, and heard her purr. Leila waswhimpering my head. I picked up Lilac, and held her too my chest. She didn’t fight me on it, just lickedthe underside of my chin, and purred. I heard Dee-Dee come closer to me, and sit in front of me.

“On Dimitri’s part it was purely selfishness. He was in pain from losing his mate, and you reminded him.too much of what he had lost. It was in no way right, at all, and he knows that. Braxton wasmanipulated, badly, and used as a tool. He was young, and impressionable to his mother’s whims, asmost pups are. I know you know he regrets his wrongs. Naomi was also very easily manipulated due toher own short- comings. Luna Jane didn’t reject her as a friend in any way, but Naomi was lead astrayso many times. Luna Jane had trouble keeping her close. Naomi tends to do what she is told withoutthinking it through. That is no excuse, but unfortunately there are people out there like that.

“Colby, it’s hard to say. He was in a rough spot. He was trying to make his mother happy, and earn theapproval she never gave him, while also trying to keep Dimitri’s example to make him proud of him too.

To gain his approval. Unfortunately for Colby he was kind of the odd man out. Aurora even told him thathe was just her spare if she needed him. Colby didn’t fit into exactly what Aurora wanted, and he wasn’thappy with the mold he thought Dimitri wanted him in so he was floundering, and confused himself. Itwas easier for him to just ignore you than go against either person he was trying to gain approval from.

“Alpha Joseph believed what he was told by Aurora about what Dimitri expected of you. He believedthat Dimitri had put you in charge of the care of them, and the pack house. He didn’t acknowledge whathe saw in any form of abuse because he didn’t want to believe any one in his pack would harmanother. Gamma Peter was much the same as Alpha Joseph. He also didn’t want to believe his matewould harm

another, especially a pup. They both were wrong, and they know it. If they could change it they would.Gamma Ross distanced himself from everything because he didn’t know what to do. Again not anexcuse, just what I can see.

“Aurora, and Fiona are I’m not even sure where to begin with them. After watching what I have of bothof them. After hearing about what has happened to you, on a smaller scale, I truly believe that Aurorahad serious mental health problems, that while rare in wolves, do happen. I believe she had started outas just wanting more for herself than what she had as a pup, and upon getting it, it tainted her mentalstability in ways that you suffered for. Her feeling justified in her actions against you, and your mother,indicate that. Aurora, if she had not been executed should have been committed to an institution fortreatment, and

care.

“In Fiona’s case, unfortunately her main influence in her life was Aurora. She was raised with the lies,and delusions for so long she truly believed them. Aurora’s mental instability was bred into Fionathrough constant reminders, and promises, despite being empty. Do I believe Fiona suffers from thesame mental instability Aurora does? No. I believe she is the result of that mental instability being used

in a way that manipulated another. In Braxton’s case it’s different because he had Dimitri, Jax, andColby to show a different example. Fiona did not have that because Aurora did what she could to keepher way from them. She risked her best pawn being given a different way to see things.

“Rowen was a foolish male who created his own beliefs based on flawed thoughts. He made a choicewith no real information. One that was not taught to him, just something he assumed, and believed. Herealized his mistake quickly. He discovered his beliefs were completely wrong, and has been trying tomake it right ever since.

“They wronged you badly. There was never anything wrong with you. It was them that were theproblem.”

“But….”

“I promise, Chastity you are not the problem. You never were. I know it’s hard to believe, and it’s hardto change a line of thinking that has been beaten into you, but it is possible. It won’t be easy, but it ispossible.”

“What do I do? How do I make this stop?”

“It’s going to take time Chastity, and a lot of work. It is also going to take a good support system. Oneyour already have. One that wants to be there for you, and help you in everyway they can. It also isgoing to take you listening to what they’re telling you, and believing them. Not just their words, but theiractions

too.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Yesterday, when you had your panic attack, and Lexi called Rowen, what did he do?”

“He…he had Lexi and Norm put me into one of his sweatshirts, and video called me to talk to me, andcalm me down. He stayed on the video call until I fell asleep last night. He shouldn’t have done thatthough. He had work to do, and responsibilities. He was pulled away from all of that just for me.”

“He did that because he cares about you Chastity. He did that because YOU are the most importantthing -to him. You, and your needs come first.”

“But I shouldn’t.”

“Why?”

“Because he deserves better.”

“No Chastity. He deserves you. The sweet, caring, loving, kind, intelligent, beautiful person you are. Hesees you for you who you really are inside, not the bruised, battered shell on the outside. He sees tothe heart, and soul of you. He deserves that person, as much as you deserve him. In his eyes you aretoo

good for him.”

“But….”

“Chastity, what you’re going through right now. What you’ve been through is not who you are. Whatthose horrible people told you is not who you are. You are so much more than that. Rowen, he seesthat, and he will do everything he needs to do to help you get through this, and see what he sees whenhe looks at

you.”

“The Moon Goddess had to have made a mistake.”

“The Moon Goddess never makes mistakes. She knew you needed someone strong, confident, andloyal to get you through what you are. She knew he needed someone to remind him to be humble,kind, and observant. She knew you needed each other so she paired you. She made the right choice. Itmay take you time to see it, but eventually you will. If you reject him you will regret it later. I know youdon’t believe me, but you will.”

L

“\….

“Let me ask you something.”

“OK.”

“What did Leila say when you told her you were going to reject him?”

“She got mad at me, and told me she would take over. She would stay in control until he marked me soI couldn’t reject him, but she’s blinded by the mate bond, not the truth.”

“No Chastity she’s not. She knows what you need, and who is right for you. She won’t let you make adecision that will take that away from you. You are blinded by your pain, and by what others have ledyou to believe about yourself. Leila is looking out for you, and you need to listen to her.”

“She’s not supposed to do that though.”

“What is our wolf’s primary role?”

“To protect us.”

“Exactly, even if it means protecting us from ourselves. If you try to reject Rowen she is going to dowhat she has to in order to protect you from yourself. If you rejected Rowen your only choice in the

future would a be a chosen mate, and the bond will never be as strong as fated mate, and a lot of timesthe wolves don’t accept the chosen mate. You would weaken yourself by taking a chosen mate,especially when your fated mate wants you so much. Leila would never accept another wolf as hermate as she is already attached to her fated mate.”

“I won’t take a chosen mate either.” I whispered.

“Why?”

“Because no one deserves to be stuck with me.”

“So you would spend the rest of your life alone? You would force Leila spend her life alone as well?”

“She’ll eventually realize I’m not good enough for her, and leave me any way. She would be right, andshe’ll be better off without me.”

“Chastity you realize when a wolf leaves their human they die right? A wolf who leaves their human bychoice does not come back as wolf for another. They just die.”

“I…..no.”

“So are you telling me that Leila would choose death with no chance of return over being with you forthe

rest of both of your lives?”

“I…I don’t know. I guess not.”

“Of course not. I have no doubt Leila loves you very much, and it’s killing her emotionally to see, aswell as hear you like this. She also knows you don’t deserve to be alone. She knows that you deserveto have the strongest bond possible with the one meant for you. She knows that he will take care of

you, protect you, and love you above all else. She knows that you deserve that, and more. She doesn’twant you alone.”

“She’s right Chastity. I don’t want you alone, and you deserve mate, so much. I can’t let you not havewhat you truly deserve. I just can’t so if you try to get rid of that, I will stop you. For you, I have to.” Leilasaid firmly in my mind.

I just shook my head, and tried to wipe the tears away that were rolling down my cheeks. I was such amess I couldn’t deal with her fighting me right now.

“I’m not going to stop fighting you Chastity. I am going to protect you, even if it’s from yourself. I’mgoing to protect you from making the wrong choice. No matter what I have to do. You’re only thinkinglike this right now because you’re having a hard time. When things get better you’ll realize I’m right.”Leila stated then retreated to the back of my mind.

“I get the feeling Leila is telling you pretty much that she agrees with me. That she is going to protectyou from making the wrong choice.” Dee-Dee said quietly.

“Yeah.” I whispered.

“Chastity, she’s right. What I’m going to add to that is that this is the wrong time to make these kinds ofdecisions. Right now is highly emotional, and not the right time to make big, life changing decisions.Right now the best thing to do is try to work through those emotions, focus on them, not on outsidethings.. You’” only make your emotional difficulties worse right now.”

“But….”

“Let me ask you something. Does Rowen know what you think, and how you feel about him being yourmate? Does he know you’re considering rejecting him?”

“I didn’t tell him, but yeah.”

“What did he say?”

“That he wouldn’t accept my rejection, and he would stay by my side for life even if I rejected him.”

“So no matter what you do, he will always be your mate, from the sound of it.”

I could only shrug.

“Chastity, you need to listen to him, believe him, and pay attention to his actions. He is telling you allyou need to know about how he feels, and what he wants. Nothing is going to change that. He is yoursfor life, and you trying to push him away isn’t going to change that.” Dee-Dee stated.

“He’ll get over someday.” I said quietly.

“No he won’t. It doesn’t work like that. It never has, and it never will. Now, I’m asking you to not doanything right now. Not while you’re so emotionally distraught. It will make the situation worse.”

“OK.”

“Thank you. Now I have something for you.”

“What?”

“It’s a journal. We’re going to fill out the first page together, then we’re going to talk about what you are

going to do with it.”

I only nodded. As she went to her desk, I moved back to the purple bean bag chair in the corner of heroffice. Lilac has fallen asleep against my chest, so I put my hand on her to keep her in place while Imoved. By the time I sat back down, she was off looking for something to play with.

I was watching her as Dee-Dee sat down on her bean bag chair, and handed me a hard bound book. Itwas light purple with butterflies all over the cover. It was really pretty. It also had a light purple ribbonsticking out from the bottom. I opened it where the ribbon was resting in the book. It was full of lined,but blank pages. Next Dee-Dee handed me a plain blue pen.

“Turn to the first page for me please.” Dee-Dee instructed.

I turned to the first lined page, and looked to Dee-Dee.

“I want you write down the following. One sentence per line. Ok?” Dee-Dee told me, and I nodded.

1 am Chastity Bloomfield. I am intelligent, and determined. I am strong, and courageous. I am beautiful,and kind. I am caring, and supportive. I am more than just an Omega. I am Dimitri Bloomfield’sdaughter. I am Brinna Bloomfield’s daughter. I am Jax Bloomfield, and Colby Bloomfield’s little sister. Iam Braxton Goldrind’s big sister. I am Molly, Melissa, Lexi, and Norm’s best friend. I am Gina Druid’sfriend. I am Rowen Druid’s mate. I am the future midwife of Moonlight pack. I am the future Luna ofMoonlight pack. I am loved. I am special. I am important. I deserve to be cared for. I deserve to besupported. I deserve to be protected. I deserve to be alive. I deserved to loved.” Dee-Dee said.

I slowly started to write down what she said. When I forgot something, I would look at her, and shewould repeat it. It took a bit, but I finally had it all down. I didn’t realize I was crying until a tear fell onthe paper.

“Good job. Now for what I want you to do with this journal. I want you to write in it daily. It can be onesentence or multiple pages. It doesn’t matter. I especially want you to write in it when you’re emotionsare running high. I want you to write down what you’re feeling, and why. I want you to write down whathappened to make you feel that way. When you come for sessions, bring that with you. We’ll readthrough it, and talk about it together. Most importantly though, I want you to read that first page when

you get up in the morning, every night before you go to bed, and most importantly, when your emotionsare high. Can you do that for me?” Dee-Dee asked.

“I think so.” I whispered.

“Good. Do you want to continue for today, or are you ready to call it a day?”

“….I think I’m ready to call it a day.”

“Ok. I can accept that. It’s been a hard one for you. Go get some rest. Don’t go to self defense classtonight. You need sometime to feel better. Working out is not going to help. Call Lexi, and Norm. Havethem come hang out with you. Have dinner in your room or something. Don’t spend all day alonethough, ok? You need to be around people who love you.”

“Ok”

“I know it’s hard to believe right now, but you will get through this. You will be ok. It will just take time.”

“Ok. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll see you on Tuesday.”

I nodded, put Lilac’s leash on her, grabbed my new journal, and went to my room. By the time I gotthere. Lexi, and Norm were already waiting for me. That evening I told them about my session, andshowed them my journal. Lexi did get upset with me about trying to put her and Rowen together. Shesaid he was mine, and meant for me. She didn’t want him She told me I had to keep him. By the time Iwent to bed that night I was so exhausted I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I was drained in every wayimaginable.