Chapter 7

“You can’t ask that of her…” I could hear my mom whisper in distress.

“He certainly can, she has always been a part of this family, and that’s what's expected of her role, blood or not Willa.” That stern tone had to come from my dad, Gabriel.

“Please Theo,” she begged, “she deserves her mate, wherever and whenever they find each other.”

The room grew hushed, I could feel their tensions from where I stood and Echo was pacing at their words, ready to rip into anyone that threatened our ability to find our mate. I pushed her to the back of my mind and opened the door, calling out as if I had just sprung down the stairs and burst into his office without a second thought.

“Hey Theo!” I faked surprise when I seen both mom and dad starring back at me, “Mom… are you ok?”

“Yes sweetie, and we were just leaving” she barely made it out of the room before breaking into a sob as she scurried upstairs.

“Much better,” my dad noted, nodding to my dress. His voice was still commanding and rough but softened a bit before he rested his hand on my arm and said, “Your mom will be fine, she’s just anxious about the Timber pack, as we all should be.” He nodded to Theo and then left, making sure he closed the door behind him.

“Well, that wasn’t ominous…” I said redirecting my attention to Theo and sitting in the chair that sat opposite his desk. He didn’t have time to fully sit before I dove right into why I was there, “I need to know Theo… are all the rumours true?”

He looked at me for a moment, and I think debated telling me some lie, some half truth, or some down played version of the truth. He had always protected me, but I wasn’t a baby anymore, “I’m almost 18 Theo, don’t lie to me,” I added.

“I know,” he said as he smirked at me, “almost time to see how things pan out with you and Rowan…” he lifted his eyebrow and studied my face for a reaction.

“Excuse you,” I chuckled, “please focus Alpha!”

“Ugh…” he sat up in his chair, preparing his authoritative voice I’m sure, “They are true Avi,” his eyes burned into mine as his hand found it’s way to the back of his neck, “as far as I know, they are true. Their Alpha, Kallan Krul, seems as ruthless as all of the tales about him. He is not known for having mercy, or for allowing even minor steps against his position. He has a huge territory, some of which he has taken by force for very little reason.”

He paused to gauge how I was doing with all the information, but I was still listening intently, “His presence is necessary, or I would have found someway around this. I have heard things about his pack, like how they are trained from the minute their wolf appears, and how they submit or they die, but no one from his lands have ever come forwards to the other leaders. They don’t seem distressed, if anything from the outside looking in, they are thriving. There’s never been a reason for another Alpha to interfere with the Timber pack, and I refuse to make enemies without a valid reason. He is coming and will be here in two days."

I inhaled sharply, and steadied my breathing, I could tell there was more but he was looking at me like I was about to faint, maybe I was, but I pulled it together.

“I’m fine Theo..” My voice was steady but sounded small.

“They are coming here because we have an Alpha meeting to discuss several pieces of debateable territory, however, they have quite a few unmated males so I assume they will stay for the carnival with the rest of the territories that will be attending. They all know these events are neutral grounds, and I don’t expect any trouble.” He paused and ran his hands down his face, in his usual exhausted fashion.

“Farah doesn’t want to go anymore.” I squeaked out.

Theo looked surprised but understanding, “The Gamma will be home tonight with his new mate from the Evergreen pack, I’m sure he will talk to her and have her come around. I know what she’s afraid of, but the possibilities are worth more than the fear.” I nodded in agreement.

The Gamma, Troy, was Farah’s older brother. He had been away for a few weeks now getting to know his new mate’s family and helping her pack up to move back here with him. Troy was always so serious growing up, part of the group but more like the older brother who thought we were too immature for him most times, he was a few years older than even Ro.

“There’s nothing going on with Ro,” I spat out remembering Theo’s comment, and trying to even convince myself.

“Hmm,” he mused, “is that why he ran into me this morning, trying to slink up to his room but reeking of your scent and the forest?”

My face must have lit up because my cheeks felt suddenly flush with heat before I could choke out my next words. “Theo, we’ve been close… you know that, but nothing has happened.”

I wrapped my fingers around my hair, twirling strands as I pursed my lips, “I use to think we would be… ya know… but then, something just happened. I can’t pinpoint it, but it was like a switch and I just don’t think I see him that way…”

Theo was about to interject but I continued, “…and I know by the way he looks at me… but I just keep thinking, his mate is out there, and I don’t want to mess that up for him… but it feels so, comfortable, to be around him, I don’t know what to do, I’m so confused. I’m hoping my birthday will clear it up, and if we are, then awesome! And if not, then I just don’t know… right?" I stared blankly at him, waiting for him to respond.

“Oh you’re done, done, now?” He chuckled.

“Theo please!” I huffed at him, realizing I was on the edge of my seat and slinking back into my chair, covering my face with my hands. I wish he would tell me what he thinks already instead of drawing it out. He was taking too much pleasure in watching me squirm as I tried to sort out my feelings for Ro.

“Well,” he leant forwards on his desk, “I’ll tell you when I seen it..”