Day 12-3
1332 Words
Theo was on his 5th glass of whiskey when Bella walked in. He was slumped on the sofa, staring out the window.
“Theo?” She had called out a few times to no answer, she walked to the window and followed his gaze out to the guest house. “Ah.”
“I hurt her.” He muttered. “I caused her pain.”
“Theo.” She sighed heavily and took a seat next to him. “What happened?”
“Katrina.” He said bluntly and poured another drink. Being Lycan had its perks, with a faster metabolism you have to drink a large amount to feel anything, or drink something stronger.
“I saw you talking to Lucy down by the flowers beds, what did you talk about?”
“I stood there for a minute or two blabbering on about the scenery when I realised she wasn’t paying attention. She said she was daydreaming. About Sera and George, how close they are.”
“Yeah... I think we all heard their chase through the grounds. Its good to hear him laughing, he hasn’t much smiled since he came here. Atleast until Sera woke up.”
“He’s very intuitive, and charming. I told Lucy as much, gets the charm from his father apparently.” A bitterness came to his voice. “I swear if that bastard wasn’t already dead I’d kill him myself.”
“Woah, steady there Alpha.”
Ah yes, he was an Alpha and Bella wouldn’t just be in his office for fun. He decided a change of subject would distract his mind.
“What are you doing here Bella?”
“I came with some news, but what happened with Lucy?” She wasn’t about to let him escape that easily. Theo sighed dejectedly.
“I was escorting her back home-”
“Like a gentleman.”
“And out of nowhere Katrina came running up and kissed me. I didn’t see Lucy go but I heard her crying.”
“And you told Katrina off I presume?”
“Yes!” Theo stormed over to his desk and slammed the glass down. “Like I’ve told her before but it was all ‘our house’ this and ‘our pack’ that.... she made a cub cry Bella. I always thought my Mate would be more loving, sweeter, less aggressive with her attention.”
“Like Lucy?”
“Exactly!” He saw Bella grin. “Don’t, don’t say it.” Bella held her hands up pleading innocence. “She hasn’t said anything to me about it. I know she feels something too, but if she’s my Mate why hasn’t she declared it? Or given any sign of interest? I hate how Katrina is doing it but at least I know where I stand with her.”
Bella had pondered this question before and had a pretty smart idea why.
“Theo... she’s been rejected, abandoned, imprisoned and tortured over the past however many years. Any sane person would struggle to declare a bond with an Alpha let alone someone who’s been through all that shit.”
“I’ve been an idiot.”
“Yes, yes you have.” Brutal honesty as always. “But you could fix it.” Theo’s eyes lit up. “I don’t know how...” He plonked himself down at his desk. “But I know someone who does.”
“Goddess Bella! Don’t do that to me.”
Bella laughed. “Oh Theo, I’ve never seen you quite so love struck.” Her very soul felt warm at the idea of her friend and Alpha in love, and quite so pitifully so.
“I know. I’m lost, and I’m an Alpha I can’t be lost.”
“Look on the bright side, you’ve got your answer.” Theo raised a quizzical eyebrow. “On who you want idiot.” She poured them both a drink. “And good choice, I’ve liked that Lucy since I first saw her.”
“No you didn’t! You didn’t trust her because she was with Doc.” He took the drink. “How is it between you two anyway?” He searched for the opportunity to quiz her on her love life now.
“Difficult. Haven’t had a chance to really talk to him since he’s been here, as he’s he’s busy with Sera.”
“Have we found out anymore about her?”
“I sent word out to the other packs to see what the survivors say about her, some don’t trust her due to her ‘closeness’ with Tyreen, which we already knew, but most say the owe their lives to her. Couldn’t get details about that bit.”
“She’s a complicated creature that one, I don’t think she is what Katrina says she is. But there’s something I can’t put my finger on about her. Lucy cares for her deeply, George thinks the world of her so she can’t be two opposites.”
“She could, but you can find out for yourself.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean...” Bella stated as she stood up. “She’s the best person to go to, to help with Lucy.” Theo damn near spat his drink out, but she was right.
He picked up a napkin and dabbed his face. “Very good idea Bella. Now that’s settled what did you come here for?”
She pulled out a letter, embossed with the Guild Seal.
“Came addressed to you this morning.” A Guild Seal can only be broken by the blood of the one its addressed to, old magic that barely exists much outside of the Guild walls. Theo picked up a letter opening and pricked his finger, letting a droplet fall on the letter. The seal sparked, and spat, before cracking open.
Bella uncharacteristically crossed her fingers, Theo stared at her strangely.
“What’s that for?” Gesturing to her hands.
“Hope. As in I hope they’ve accepted you’re report and will leave us all alone.” As Theo opened the letter and his face fell, hope left quickly from the room. “When?” Bella had composed herself and stood proud.
“In 16 days. It says to await further instruction but to keep all survivors from the Red Sun Pack here on our grounds until their arrival.”
“Very well, I shall have the troops train and ensure they are ready for ceremonial decorum Alpha.”
“Thank you Beta.” With their very little official business out the way, Bella pulled out a second letter. This one far less official but with the watermark of Samuel Deane, Alpha of Shadow Bane. “Keep this one as a surprise?”
Bella shrugged her shoulders. “I thought it was either good news, good news or bad news, good news. End on a high.”
“You’re right there Bella.” Theo said as he read the letter. “The 6 Samuel took are all fully healed now, and have been begging him to come see the rest of them here. He’s asked if he can arrive next Thursday.”
“That’s 9 days away.”
“Can we have rooms made up for them all?”
“Yeah of course. Perfect timing with the Guild visit a week later.” Theos silence made her realise perhaps it wasn’t timing.
“I believe he’s been told to bring them here.” Theo could almost read her mind. “But it’s a good thing, all of them together again. We can hold a celebration?”
“Last hurrah before the Guild come?”
“Don’t be so cynical Bella.” As they walked out the room to start their preparations. “But yes, as I have this awful feeling its the last time they may see each other.”
“So do I Alpha. So do I.”
- Writer
