Chapter 3

Theo

Fuck, today's visit sucked. It also ran late, meaning I've missed a decent portion of tonight's pride run, but I promised Wes I'd come, so here I am on my second plate of barbecue, trying my hardest to convince a new mom to hand over her snuggle nugget so she can eat in peace. I'd have won, too, if people hadn't started to trickle back into the yard and distract me.

Spotting Tom's cougar, I track his elegant lope to the pit I assume the family has claimed for today, laughing at the sight of water guns piled behind a lawn chair. I make sure to turn as he shifts back, pretending that I just need to toss my trash instead of actively avoiding being flashed by my best friend's dad. I know shifters have a different outlook on nudity, but this human right here is easily flustered when there are dicks flopping everywhere.

After giving ample time for Tom to be dressed, I amble over at a casual pace, reaching the pit the same time Wes and Nik break through the tree line, shoving and playing in their fur. They make their way over to us with Mary happily trotting behind. Tom distracts me while they shift and dress by making small talk about the weather of all things, his eyes twinkling with ill-suppressed humor at my obvious avoidance. I would absolutely die if I saw the person I view as a mother in her naked glory, bits out and bouncing around. If I can answer the question about her grooming habits down south, shoot me.

A flash of tawny fur farther away catches my attention. A motherfucking lion is striding over to our pit, shaking out his giant mane. My jaw drops as the lion doesn't stop his forward movement until he's standing directly in front of me with his head level to my sternum. I squeak a greeting and look frantically at the others, all of whom seem either amused or giddy.

The lion makes a rough sound, almost like a cough, to gain my attention again before he transforms into the most beautiful man I've ever seen. I make a gurgling sound as my eyes take in his naked form, getting stuck on the massive erection bobbing an inch away from my body. Like I'm hypnotized, I can't look away from his dick even though I'm screaming at myself on the inside for looking like a drooling idiot.

"My eyes are up here, beautiful." At least he doesn't sound offended. I have to forcefully drag my gaze up to meet his, cataloguing every inch of sun-kissed skin in the process.

"Hi. Theo . . . I'm . . . That's my name?" Why was that a question? I clear my throat, shake my head, and try again. "I'm Theo."

His laugh is sinful, causing my skin to break out in goosebumps and my heart to beat faster. "It's such a pleasure to meet you, Theo. I'm Sebastian. You can call me Bastian, or whatever you'd like." His eyes contain enough heat that I start to squirm. I know I've heard that name, but since I barely remembered my own, I don't try too hard to place it. He reaches toward me, and his full lips part as if to say something.

"Alpha, here are your clothes. Do you need me to continue to entertain the prospective alpha mates, or will you be joining them?" Cole's gentle baritone snaps me out of my haze.

Alpha? Shit, this is the Walkers" alpha. I must have made a complete fool of myself. Before I can panic more, my mind catches on to the rest of what Cole said. Prospective alpha mates? Pain flares in my chest, and I reach up to rub it away as I finish telling myself to not be any dumber than I have been in the past minute. Of course, as the alpha, he needs to choose a mate for the strength of the pack—pride. It's only rational it wouldn't be some human with type one diabetes and a truckload of baggage. Obviously. So obvious that there is zero fucking reason for me to be hurt or jealous. For some reason, though, my vision swims and my chest feels like it's caving in. We met literal moments ago, but I thought—it doesn't matter what I thought. I blink rapidly to stave off my tears and smile, stepping back with a wave, ready to run as far away as I can.

"No! No. Please, Theo. Don't go. I can explain. Please." He ignores Cole"s question completely as he pleads with me while jerking his pants on, never letting his deep brown eyes stray from my blue ones. I'm confused and hurt, but I don't know why. I'd like an explanation, and he seems to know what's going on, so I nod but don't move closer, afraid I"ll burst into tears or throw myself at him.

He looks pained but continues in a low voice. "I already told them that no one they sent today is my fated mate and that I'm not going to settle for less than my perfect match, no matter how much connecting with another pack would seem beneficial on paper. The other packs know this, but they won't stop sending potentials, and I have no idea why. Some of them I"ve even met before, so they already knew I wouldn"t choose them. I will only claim my fated mate." His voice drops to a pleading whisper. "I will only ever claim you, Theo. That is, if you'll have me."

I'm his fated mate? Understanding slams into me, and while I just know my face is stuck on some idiotic expression, I don"t try to change it. Holy shit. That's why I had such a strong reaction to him. I've heard of fated mates, as Wes and his family have talked about them before, but I'd thought it sounded like a bunch of fairy tale bullcrap . . . but so did my best friend telling me he could turn into an animal, and that was certainly all true, so now I"m annoyed that I didn"t pay more attention.

"Alpha? Are you saying what I think you're saying? Our Theo is your fated mate?!" I can see Mary crying happy tears in my peripheral as she leans into Tom's embrace. The man I've come to think of as my father stands there with a proud smile stretched across his face.

Sebastian nods hesitantly, likely taking my continued silence as reluctance. I sift through all the small emotions and doubts and focus on the main emotions coursing through me. Elation, curiosity, and arousal. I can tell he's scenting me, because his nostrils flare with every deep inhale.

"Damn, Theo, say something!" Cole breaks my silence, nudging my bicep with his elbow. A low growl sounds from Sebastian, making my body flush and Cole step back quickly, hands raised.

"Can we go somewhere more . . . private?" I'm trying to ignore the growing attention our little group is getting, but the weight of the stares is making me antsy. I just want to be alone with Sebastian. His smile slips a bit, but he nods, holding his hand out to me. I take it and squeeze lightly, trying to convey reassurance even with my jumbled thoughts.