CHAPTER TWO
- Theo -
Seeing the birthmark on Tally’s thigh stabs at my heart. It tore open something in my chest, and I’ve no clue how to fix it. My whole-body screams to touch her, to hold her. But I know I can’t, it’s what my dad commanded. Well, no, it was originally what my brothers and I wanted to keep her safe. As the years passed, we wanted to go back on our word and tell our beautiful mate that she was ours. It was only then that Dad ordered us to stay away.
The look of hate and shame which crosses her face when her mates mark is revealed makes me want to punch the nearest solid thing. I can clearly see she hates the mark, and she doesn’t understand why she has one. Almost as if she assumes she’s not good enough.
Our bond hungers for completion, but if I touch her she’ll know I’m her mate. Right now, I’m more pissed than ever that I’ve been ordered to stay away from her. It will not be forever, but another day that goes by with her in the dark is another day of agony. Witnessing the hurt in her eyes is unbearable, but there’s nothing I can do except protect her.
Under constant threat from the Blood Moon pack, it puts the future Luna, my mate, in danger. There’s never been a time in my life I’ve wished to never be the future Alpha of the Argent pack until now. I want to fix it. My brothers, Quimby and Kenji, would help. It’s only right they would. She’s also their mate. It’s eating us all up that we can’t.
Solomon’s eyes burn into the side of my face, but I don’t give a shit about the rules anymore. I’m sick of not being with my mate.
I’m pulled out of my dark musings when she mentions pancakes to the pup. I’m not sure why she’s getting him clothes, though. He’ll only shred them with his next shift. It’s probably better to let him run free.
Solomon returns his murderous stare to me. I know he’ll bite his tongue to a certain degree out of respect, but she’s his daughter. I can’t fault him for being overly protective.
From what I’ve heard while growing up, it’s only natural he act this way. She’s his life, especially after the loss of his human. He never did find his true mate, and he met Tallulah’s mother while on a food run and a love quickly blossomed between them. He understands better than anyone how truly fragile they are. I catch the critical stare she gives her dad before she turns her attention to me. With difficulty, I force my body to relax. Then watch as she matches her steps with the pup’s as they walk down the hallway towards the kitchen.
I release a frustrated sigh when Solomon pushes the door closed with a click behind her. My body tenses back up, and I scowl at him. “No, I didn’t touch her. No, I don’t intend to touch her,” I growl, ready for a fight. “I’ll continue to be the asshole she thinks loathes her!”
Solomon rubs at his forehead, and his shoulders slump. In that moment he appears to age twenty years, which is impossible because we age considerably slower. “Look, I’m sorry, son. I know this hurts her and continues to hurt you three boys, but…” His worried gaze focuses on the door to the kitchen she disappeared behind. “She’s my daughter. I want her happy, I do. But I want her alive more.”
A growl bursts out of my throat before I’m able to stop it. “God dammit, Solomon, you think I don’t know I need to keep my distance? I know! It’s tearing all of us up because we can’t be with her. We love her, she’s our mate!” I take huge gulps of air, desperately trying to calm the rage inside me. “She’s our mate. We’ve carried this secret around with us since she was five! We were pups, and even then, we knew how special she was. I’m pissed off she doesn’t even know. She thinks she doesn’t deserve a mate. You can tell, she’s decided she’s unworthy of it all.”
A wounded expression flashes across Solomon’s face before he closes his eyes in resignation. “I know you love her, and I know your dad wants it left alone for now. I understand it’s hard for you.” His face drops, and his voice cracks. “But, please, she’s only half shifter and not as strong as us. She’s exactly like her mother in that way.”
Dejection runs through me, I can’t imagine how he must’ve felt when he lost his female. Unable to express my frustration and hurt, I rub my face in agitation. “It hurts. If I let go of my anger at the situation, I don’t know what I’ll do.” I run my fingers through my hair and tug none too gently. “All three of us are barely hanging on. My anger is the only thing helping me to keep my distance. It has to hurt her too, but I don’t want her life to be threatened.”
Solomon cautiously places a hand on my shoulder and says miserably, “We’ll fix it. I don’t know how, but we will. Now, I’ve got to get this food run done. If I cross paths with your father on the way to the pack house, then perhaps I can speak with him, and we can work this mess out. Are you okay to be here, or do you want to go?”
I shake my head to rid myself of the itchy sensation I get when my wolf wants to come out. “No, I’ll call one of the security guys and get them to come here and patrol the area so Tally and the pups are safe. As for my father, I’m not sure what it’ll achieve. He’s adamant we need to wait.”
“Maybe, if I tell him you three boys can take care of her better than I can, he might change his mind. I’ll head out now and see you in a couple of hours.” Before Solomon leaves, he bows his head slightly in a show of respect, which always comes across weird because he’s older than me.
The itchy sensation of being so near to Tally has built to an impossible level, driving me nuts. There’s no way I can wait here while my parents take their time to arrive. But I don’t want to leave Tallulah and the pups here alone, which leaves security as my only option. I dig my phone out of my pocket and hit the button for security. When it’s answered, I quickly explain that I want someone dispatched to the house as soon as possible then hang up.
I take deep breaths and use the technique my mother taught us: in through the nose, out through the mouth. Hopefully, it’ll calm my wolf, but the scent of Tally’s presence permeating the room affects other parts of my body. I quietly curse at how hypersensitive I’ve become.
It’s an uncomfortably pinched walk down the hallway towards the front door. Briefly, I stop, the sounds from the kitchen loud enough I’m able to make out one pup happily giggling while the other yaps excitedly. Tally laughs joyously at whatever they’re doing. I shake my head, adjust my jeans until my dick doesn’t feel strangled, and decide to wait outside.
I don’t think I can cope with any more emotional shit today.