14. THEO

Chapter 14

THEO

Walking hand in hand with Mia back home, I’m oblivious to anyone who might spot us. Truthfully, I’ve given up on the need to maintain caution.

I’d just confessed that I’m in love with her. Glancing at her, a warm smile plays on my lips as she gazes back at me.

“Are you okay?” I feel obliged to ask when we near the pathway leading to the front door. I still can’t shake off the feeling that something troubles her.

It might explain why she’d been reluctant to return my professions of love. Though everything points to the fact that she loves me too, she hadn’t said the words when I did.

Mia sighs as we embark on the stone path, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m fine,” she admits, though hesitantly enough to indicate otherwise.

“I know that something is troubling you, and I want you to know that I’m here if you need to talk about it,” I assure her.

Mia purses her lips as she nods, glancing at the front door. When we’re inside, she turns to me with a wary look in her eyes.

“Actually, there is something I need to tell you,” she begins, scanning our surroundings to ensure that we’re alone. “I’m just not sure if I’m reading too much into it.”

When I close the door behind us, I take her hand and press a gentle kiss on her knuckles. “Let’s go upstairs. You can tell me all about it.”

I can feel her worries adding to her anxiety as we make our way to the top of the stairs. She doesn’t protest when I lead her to my bedroom. Instead, she smiles at me when we enter, even if it’s a feeble one.

Mia absentmindedly toys with the moon charm on her necklace when we take a seat on the edge of my bed. I fold her hand on my lap, reassuringly stroking her knuckles.

“What is it, Mia?” I press gently.

“I’ve been having dreams lately,” she admits with a shiver. “Dreams about a fire.”

“A fire?”

She nods, pressing her lips into a firm line. “They’re more like nightmares, and I find myself stuck. It feels like I’ve been there before. A long time ago.”

I feel her trepidation growing as I hold her trembling hand. “But you can’t remember it?”

She shakes her head. “I just can’t help but feel like it has to do with my past. Growing up, I’d been told that my parents died because of an incurable disease they both contracted. That’s why I’d become the outcast. Everyone thought I would be sick too, I guess.”

My brows furrow. “That’s not enough reason for you to be the Omega,” I explain. “It’s not like your parents disgraced the pack.”

“I know,” she concedes with a feeble nod. “But I never thought to question it.”

“And now you do?”

Mia looks up with teary eyes as she nods. She doesn’t say more as her lips remain pursed, fueling my need to protect her.

“Well, I am here now,” I promise her. “And I will help you find out what really happened. If that’s what you want.”

The corners of her eyes soften as she gives me a faint smile. “I’d like that, Theo. Thank you.”

Cupping her face, I shake my head. Ever since I met her, I always suspected that there was more to who she truly is. And though I cannot pinpoint what it is, her wolf is enough evidence that even she doesn’t know who she is.

“There’s no need to thank me,” I assure her with a smile. “You are my fated mate. And I will do everything in my power to help you.”

“The Blackclaw Alpha is set to arrive in five minutes,” Jarrod informs me as soon as I enter the pack den.

With most of our soldiers guarding the entrance, we’re well prepared for the meeting with Cyrus. It’s only a precaution since Nightwalker and Blackclaw remain enemies until we’ve agreed on the alliance.

An alliance I remain doubtful about.

“Bring him to my office when he gets here. Is the Beta on the border?”

Jarrod nods. When he leaves, I can’t help but feel guilty about having to put his wedding aside. With the alliance hanging in the balance, I’d asked Liam and Amelia to wait another week.

Now isn’t the right time for the pack to celebrate a wedding. Not until I’ve met with Cyrus.

‘He’s here,’ Jarrod informs me through the mind link. ‘He’ll be coming in with his Beta.’

‘Then you will sit in for the meeting as well,’ I tell my Delta.

Within a minute, Jarrod enters my office with Cyrus Savage and his Beta. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed werewolf appears cold and hostile as we shake hands and he takes a seat.

“Alpha Theo Marrock,” he nods. “It’s good to finally meet you.” He gestures to the man on his right. “This is my Beta, Darren .”

“Alpha Cyrus Savage,” I nod back. Though the tension is ripe in the room, I maintain decorum through the formalities.

“... Have you changed your mind about the alliance?” Cyrus asks, steepling his fingers on the edge of the oak desk as he leans forward.

“Yes, I have,” I concede with a nod. “In exchange for an alliance between our packs, I’m willing to take a Blackclaw Omega as my bride.”

Cyrus frowns. “ You would reject taking a better-ranked wolf as your bride?”

“Yes. I don’t see the need for us to marry for ranks. This is, after all, just for the sake of an alliance.”

Cyrus leans back and chuckles. “I know you’ve been harboring a Blackclaw fugitive on your land.”

A trickle of fear courses down my spine, but I give nothing away. Maintaining my composure, I say, “I am not harboring a fugitive,” I say sternly. “I simply provided refuge to an Omega who had been kicked out of Blackclaw.”

Cyrus perks up one skeptical brow. “Is that what she told you?” he scoffs. “The Omega appears to be a liar, then.”

I refuse to believe a word he says. But I keep a straight face when I say, “It doesn’t matter anyway. I will marry the Omega, and you can do the same.”

The tension in the air becomes daunting as Cyrus leans in. The death glare he gives me doesn’t faze me. Except, I remain curious to figure out his true intentions.

Cyrus clenches his jaw, throwing his Beta a knowing glance. “Unfortunately, I cannot allow you to marry the Omega in question,” he informs me with brutal sternness in his voice. “She will return to Blackclaw, and the marriage exchange will take place as I’ve offered.”

“The marriage exchange will still take place,” I say in a last-ditch attempt to buy myself time. “And the Omega can remain in Overton.”

Cyrus slams a palm on my desk. I don’t flinch, but I’m shocked at his outburst.

“The Omega is to return to Rocheport,” he demands through gritted teeth. “If not, Blackclaw will declare war on Nightwalker.”

Cyrus gets out of the chair, leaning over the desk with both palms braced on top. “This is a promise from one Alpha to another,” he says as he cocks his head to one side, eyes narrowed at me. “Have I made myself clear?”

Though I cannot understand why the Blackclaw Alpha is determined to have Mia back, the looming threat on our packs remains evident in the form of the human hunters in our custody.

We can’t afford to be at war with the only other pack in the vicinity. A pack that we should have had as allies a long time ago.

And Cyrus seems more determined to have Mia back than he is about the alliance. Confused, I agree only for the sake of having time on my side.

“Understood,” I relent reluctantly as I rise from my chair and stick my hand out to shake on it.

He shakes my hand, keeping a firm grip when he says, “I’ll give you a week to prepare your sister for the wedding. But I want the Omega back by tomorrow night.”

With that, Cyrus and his Beta leave the facility. Leaving me to wallow in confusion and the thought of Mia going back to Rocheport.

Whether or not she’d been kicked out or ran away, she’d faced enough adversity within Blackclaw. Why Cyrus is determined to have her back, I’m not sure.

All I do know is that I cannot place the pack in danger. The risk of our packs going to war is much too concerning.

And the time I bought for myself will allow me to uncover the secrets that Cyrus seems to be keeping.

As soon as they’ve left, I head back home. Dragging leaded feet up the staircase, I barely acknowledge my sister coming down. Brushing past her, I head to Mia’s room.

“Oh, Theo!” she exclaims as she pulls a sweater over her head. “You’re back early.”

I say nothing as I cross the bedroom and pull her into a hug. Inhaling the floral scent of her hair, I bury my nose at the top of her head.

“I had a meeting with Cyrus Savage…” I inform her tersely.

I feel her tensing in my arms, her breath shuddering. When I look down at her, she gulps. “What does he want?”

Sighing, I take Mia’s hand and lead her to the bed. I realize that as much as something had been plaguing her mind, I’ve had worries myself.

Things I haven’t been open and honest about.

When we sit down, I take her hands in mine. “I’ve been in talks with Cyrus about a potential alliance. To protect Nightwalker from the dangers of the human hunters,” I explain while Mia listens intently. “But his terms for an alliance isn’t something I’m willing to accept.”

“Do you need Blackclaw as an ally?” Mia asks.

I nod reluctantly. “I wish I didn’t. But now he’s threatening to wage war on Nightwalker.”

Mia gasps. “Why?”

“Because…” I wince. “... he claims you weren’t kicked out of his pack. He knows that you’ve been hiding in Overton, and he wants you back.”

Mia is stunned, mouth agape as horror besets her eyes. “ I am so sorry I lied to you. I just couldn’t go back to that terrible life.

“I understand,” I assure her. “All is well with us.”

“I don’t understand. Why does he even want me?” She questions.

“I don’t understand either.” I squeeze her hands gently but firmly enough to provide reassurance. “But now he’s threatening war.”

Mia takes a deep breath, seemingly strengthening her resolve. She stares into my eyes with conviction when she says, “I’ll go back,” she proclaims. “I’ll go back and face Cyrus.”

“Why? We can figure something out. I’m s–”

“Shhh…” Mia presses a finger to my lips. I notice something inside her that I haven’t noticed before. A strength and determination not pertinent to an Omega.

“I need to find out if my dreams have any meaning. There has to be a reason why he’s willing to wage war for me after letting others mistreat me my whole life” she says. “And I can only find out the truth if I’m back in Rocheport.”

“How am I supposed to let you go?”

Mia tilts her chin. “Because our bond is stronger than physical distance, Alpha Theo,” she declares. “And because I love you too.”

As soon as she professes her love for me, I fold her into my embrace. Holding her close as tears lift to the surface of my eyes. Perhaps Mia is stronger than I anticipated.

But I will do whatever I can to uncover why she’s so important to Cyrus.