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Theon

 

It has been a long two moon cycles, and Theon can’t wait to see Catalina. He worries about her and misses her terribly. He has rushed Odias and pushed Coleia harder just so he can arrive home a little earlier. Anticipation blossoms when the Commons comes into view.

“You will see her soon.” Odias shoots him a grin.

Theon laughs; he knows Odias is also anxious to get back to Shena. “It has been too long.”

“I am sorry that I wasn’t more supportive. These last two moon cycles have showed me how much you truly care about her.”

Theon’s lips curl in a half-smile as they guide the gamels inside the stables. Barely taking time to secure Coleia, Theon races to his rooms.

She’s not there.

He races to the training fields.

Nothing.

He checks the lake.

No Catalina.

Dread pools inside as he heads back to the training fields. Where is she?

“Welcome home, Theon.”

“Tarra,” he says absently as he looks for Catalina. Nothing.

Tarra stands there with all the other females who like to visit the training fields. Even Shena is smiling at Odias and welcoming him home.

Tarra wraps her delicate hand around his arm. “What’s wrong?”

With worry in his eyes, he asks, “Have you seen Catalina?”

“Hmm… I believe she said she could not stand living up here any longer and moved down to the female Commons.”

Theon narrows his eyes at Tarra. What game does she play now? Catalina hated living in the female Commons, and he says as much. “She did not like living down there.”

Tarra shrugs. “That is what she said.” Turning to one of the other females, she says, “Ask Sheilia.”

“That is what I heard her say,” Sheilia chimes in. “Shena?”

Shena hesitates before giving a curt nod.

He can’t wrap his head around the idea that Catalina doesn’t want to live with him. He thought she loved the time they spent together. Could he be wrong? He doesn’t think so. But if he is, she could’ve at least told him, been honest about things.

Something nags at him; it just doesn’t seem possible, and he can’t accept what the females are telling him. Catalina never got along with them, so why would she confide in them now?

Spotting Kaid across the training fields, he trots over.

“Theon,” Kaid grins when he sees him coming. “I see you have made it back safely.” They clasp forearms.

“It is good to be home.” Theon looks around, noting who stands close by. When he is sure that no one can hear, he asks, “Have you seen Catalina?”

He slowly shakes his head. “Every cycle I have looked for her, but I have not seen her since you departed two moon cycles ago.”

Theon’s gut clenches in anger when he realizes that Tarra may be telling the truth. How could she just leave without talking to him?

“Thanks, Kaid.” He turns on his heels and heads for his rooms.

It feels like a fairytale that ended too soon. He watches the door, expecting her to walk through it at any moment, but she doesn’t.

Everywhere he looks, memories of her in his place spring forth, reminding him of what he almost had. For the first time in his life, when the darkness comes, he can’t sleep on his furs, opting for the hard floor instead.

He tosses and turns before throwing off the blanket in anger and jumping to his feet. Before the sun comes up, Theon is on the training field. When the first male approaches, it is minutes before Theon has him flat on his back. By mid-morn, most of the males who fought against Theon have limped away.

Odias clutches Theon’s upper arm, concern etched in his eyes. “What is wrong?” he demands.

Jerking his arm from Odias’ grasp, he shoots him a warning look and stomps away without speaking one word to his friend.

Training with one male after another, taking his anger out on them, doesn’t help. His emotions soar out of control. By late day, no one will come within six feet of him. No one will challenge him. He speaks to no one. The only one who dares approach…is Tarra.

“Theon,” she smiles, but he averts his gaze, not wanting to look at her. Knowing everything she has done, the power she tries to wield, he does not want to hear her sweet, ice-laced voice. But he will not be disrespectful to a female. They are few.

Turning, he does not smile. “Tarra. What can I help you with?” He folds his arms across his chest.

“I was thinking,” she bats her eyes, “since the…since Catalina has decided to live down below, maybe you would share a meal with me?”

He searches her face. Her beautiful, deceiving, untrustworthy face, and gives a curt, “No.”

Her face crumbles before his eyes, but he does not care as he turns and walks away. He still wonders if Tarra told the truth about Catalina. More than one time that day, he thinks about visiting the female Commons.