Chapter 5

Theo reached out and set my muffin on the table, then took my hands in his, “As the Alpha’s sister you are held to the highest standards, not only is it your birthday in a few short days - which should have finding your mate at the top of your priority list...” I huffed at that notion and he squeezed my hands as if to say ‘quit.’

He took a long breathe in, and as he exhaled, I seen my father lurking behind him, but not fully coming into the room we stood in. Theo most definitely got most of his looks from the Alpha bloodline, his chin chiseled in the same way, their expressions the same, and their eyes perfectly emotionless.

Theo continued ”…but we will have unmated males from other territories roaming around anytime now as they arrive with their Alpha's, until after the Carnival,” he paused again when Rowan tensed at his words.

I wasn’t sure what else there was to say, or why the Alpha's would come when they usually don't, but after what seemed like a longer then normal pause, “The Timber Pack will be in attendance this year, as there is also an Alpha's meeting the first night of the carnival.”

His words seemed to fall from his mouth in such a controlled way, but he was squeezing my hands uncomfortably. He was unnerved which was new, and I could feel my mother's pure fear as she raised one hand gently over her mouth and one hand to her chest, hunching into herself a bit. I broke Theos glare, redirecting my stare to the floor, his surprise only stifled by my father's contentment with my actions.

On the way down I caught a glimpse of Rowan who hadn’t flinched at the news, and Farah whose cheeks were streaming silent tears. I didn’t have to submit, but Theo’s position was new, and being the sister to the Alpha didn’t exempt me from acting accordingly, especially under the eye of the old Alpha.

“I understand Theodore, may Farah and I be excused?” My voice was much softer than I expected. Theo let go of his grip on my hands and gently lifted my chin to look at him, meeting me with his softened eyes. 

“I’m still your brother Avi, please continue to call me Theo,” he smirked, breaking both a smile on my face and what seemed like the tensions in the room. He grasped my head on either side lightly and kissed the top of my head gently, “Please come to my office later as I’d like to speak with you alone, but you and Farah may go.”

Theo would always be my soft landing, but it didn't help alleviate the suffocating nature of this lifestyle. Two days, in two days I would have a lot more freedoms but I wasn't sure I could leave him behind to deal with all of this alone. He didn't have a mate yet, though he wasn't much older than me, but it would have been lonely growing up without anyone else who truly understood the dynamics and responsibilities that rested on our shoulders alone.

I gave him a gentle nod and took Farah’s hand as we made our exit back through the kitchen, up the stairs and to where my room was. When we got to my hallway, we both let out a huge sigh as if we had been holding our breathe the whole time, although to be fair, Farah might have been.

I turned to her and apologized, “Sorry about that, I guess I should have listened to your wardrobe advice!” That’s when I noticed, she wasn’t really listening to me. Her face was paler than I’ve ever seen it, and she broke into a rambling sob as I dragged her into my room.

I sat her in a big chair beside my bed and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders.

“What are we gonna do Avi?” Farah’s panicked voice rang out, and I sat staring at her not really knowing what to say.

‘Tell her to be afraid’ Echo chimed in.

‘NOT helping… like at all!’ I snapped back. I looked at Farah and grasped at what confidence I could, to speak without sounding as afraid as I should be, “Theo won’t let anything happen to us…”

“It’s the TIMBER pack!” She screamed at me, covering her mouth and looking like she let the cat out of the bag.

“My room is soundproof Farah… and I –“

“Well then, IT’S THE FUCKING TIMBER PACK AVI!!!” She cut me off and screamed. I was shocked, I didn’t know whether cry or laugh. I knew the words she was saying were intense, but I had never heard a fowl thing come out of her innocent mouth. 

“Farah, having a sailors mouth is kind of MY thing…” I tried joking with her, but it didn’t break her free of whatever trance she was now in.

Two solid knocks on my door sounded, what kind of psycho knocks twice?