Chapter Seven
Theo
With renewed determination, Theo sat with the Lenkov journals in front of him.
He even had his laptop and a notebook so that he could learn everything he could.
If he worked this hard on his schoolwork, Theo would be set for the semester but how could he worry about school when the world around him was a very scary place?
“I brought you a plate of brownies,” Wylder stated as he walked into the living room. “Of course, I expect you to share.”
“I’ll share,” Theo vowed. He pushed the journal he’d been reading away from the edge of the coffee table as he stretched out his back.
He had a desk in his bedroom and Dario had offered him the office but Theo liked working in the living room where one or two of his mates would walk through every few minutes.
Like they were just checking that Theo was still there.
Not that Theo planned on going anywhere for a very long time. That was why he needed to study the journals. They were Theo and his mates’ best chance of surviving what was in store.
Theo was very worried about what Bramley would do next.
Instead of summoning Theo, what if Bramley went after Wylder?
Wylder sat on the couch behind where Theo sat on the floor. He held the plate out for Theo to see all the yummy chocolate goodness. The brownies were even frosted with thick fudge.
Immediately Theo reached for one.
“They’re still warm,” Theo said with a moan.
“Dario is all up in his nesting,” Wylder said.
Theo took a bite and chewed and chewed. When he got the chewy goodness swallowed, he had to take a drink of water. Hellcats, that was so good. “What’s that mean? Nesting?”
Wylder shrugged. “It’s something that Alek said to Mitch. I guess it has something to do with his dragon side.”
Nesting. There had to be something in the journals about that. He grabbed for his notepad to write a reminder to look it up. Seeing everything listed, Theo sighed. There was so much to learn about. Theo was concentrating on the fae mostly but he also needed to know more about his mates.
“What’s that sigh for?” Wylder asked, leaning forward.
“There’s just so much,” Theo replied.
Wylder took Theo’s notebook. “All of this is smart but you’re going to overwhelm yourself. There is still time. You don’t have to learn everything in one day.”
Theo shook his head. His mates didn’t understand. They didn’t see the hate in Bramley’s eyes. Theo’s brother was going to come after them. It would be sooner rather than later. Theo could feel it in his bones.
During dinner the previous night, Theo had managed to tell his mates everything that he’d left out before. And they’d all agreed that Theo and Wylder needed to be careful.
Alek had portaled to visit his fathers, taking their amulets and phones to have them magically protected and make it where they could call each other in any realm. Those were good first steps but no amulet or phone was going to save them when Bramley attacked again. Which he would do. Soon.
Theo and Wylder ate three brownies each when Dario strolled in with a tray.
Theo nearly groaned. Okay, he had been hungry.
But they’d had roast with potato and carrots for dinner.
Dario had woken them for French toast, sausage, bacon, and eggs.
For lunch they had spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread.
And Theo had been unable to resist the call of the brownies.
But he was full! And now Dario was bringing more food?
“I made you some hot tea,” Dario stated as he set the tray down next to Wylder on the side table.
Theo groaned as he rubbed his belly. “I can’t eat or drink anymore.”
Wylder laughed. “You managed to fill the empty tank. Theo is actually full for once.”
He blushed. It was true that Theo had never been full before. Even when Dario had filled his account with money so Theo didn’t have to skip meals, Theo had been very careful of what he ate in front of humans. As a shifter he ate a lot but the humans at school wouldn’t understand.
Now Theo could say for the last time there was no possible way that he was able to eat another thing. The tea did smell nice. Theo had never been a tea person but Dario loved the stuff.
“Just drink a little,” Dario suggested. “It’s good for you. We’re just waiting on Alek to get back then we will go look at the house.”
The house. Theo wasn’t sure how he felt about the house that Dario wanted to show them.
He wanted to live with his mates. There was no question about that.
Yet Theo was also comfortable in Dario’s apartment.
It was big enough for all of them to have their own rooms while still sharing the bed in the master bedroom.
And Aurelia was already settled into Theo’s room.
The little brownie liked the apartment too! Theo had asked her!
“It’s closer to campus,” Wylder reminded him.
Dario passed Theo a delicate cup filled to the rim. “Just come look at it. If you really don’t want to move, then we can stay here.
Steam rose from his cup as Theo blew on it. “Okay.” It couldn’t hurt to look at the house.
Aurelia raced into the room, heading directly for Theo.
Theo managed to set the cup down on the coffee table in front of him and catch the little creature.
She wore a cute little yellow sundress that Tate had sent over for her.
In fact, Tate had sent a whole chest of things for Theo’s little brownie.
Tate had even texted Theo which book and section Theo would be able to find information about brownies.
It was very helpful and Theo wanted to take good care of his brownie.
Bo was supposed to be returning with Alek.
Earlier Theo had dove into the journals, learning that it was natural for the chosen to collect beings that would be a part of their household.
Much like Tate had taken in dryads and gargoyles.
Which meant that even without trying, Theo was fulfilling his destiny.
And growing his family more than just him and his mates.
Dario settled onto the couch beside Wylder and ran a hand over Aurelia’s hair.
She grinned up at him with her sharp little teeth.
“Can we take Aurelia with us?” Theo asked. He gave his little creature a gentle hug.
“Of course. She should see the house that she might be in charge of,” Dario answered. “And we’ll take Bo too to check out the garden.”
Theo nodded. He just didn’t like change.
The important thing was that he would be with his mates and his new family members.
Theo was going to miss rooming with Ethan but being summoned had shown him that Theo needed to be with Wylder, Dario, Mitch, and Alek.
Theo would make sure that he and Ethan remained friends.
In fact Ethan had a hockey game coming up in a few days and Wylder already promised to take him.
And Dario, Mitch, and Alek had promised to come too.
“Get some more reading done.” Dario patted his back. “I’ll come get you when Alek returns.”
Theo nodded. “Want to help me, Aurelia?” His little creature loved being helpful.
She nodded while bouncing in his arms.
“I’m going to decide what we’re having for dinner,” Dario stated as he rose.
Theo wanted to groan. They had to think about dinner already?
Wylder snorted as Dario exited the room. “He’ll calm down. Dario is just worried about you.”
“I’m fine.” Theo stressed the last word.
“I know. You’re tougher than anyone thinks,” Wylder told him.
Theo blew his human mate a kiss. Wylder had been Theo’s biggest champion since the very beginning.
Ignoring the tea that Dario had brought him, Theo reached for his notepad.
He hissed as he grabbed the pages wrong and cut his finger. “Ow!”
“What’s wrong?” Dario rushed back into the room.
“Nothing.” Wylder plucked a tissue out from the box beside him and passed it over. “It’s literally just a paper cut.”
Theo wrapped the tissue around his finger. “I just wasn’t expecting it.”
Dario’s shoulders dropped as he relaxed. “You sure you’re okay? Need a Band-Aid?”
Removing the tissue from his finger, it had already stopped bleeding. There was just a spot of blood on the tissue as well. Theo tossed the tissue into the little trash can beside the table. “Yep. All good.”
Dario grumbled but backed out of the room.
When Theo looked up at Wylder, he received a wink in return. “Activate protective Daddy mode.”
That made Theo’s lips twitch as he tried not to laugh.
* * * * *
Dario
He was nervous. After looking at nearly forty houses online, Dario was excited to share what could possibly be their future home. At least as long as Theo and Wylder attended university.
Dario had been in his apartment for so long that it felt weird to even consider moving out.
Although he’d already decided to keep the apartment for them since Theo was obviously comfortable there.
Having multiple homes would suit their needs for when they needed a break.
A weekend at the apartment would be perfect for Theo and Wylder to get them away from campus.
The house was less than a block from the university. It would make more sense for Theo and Wylder to walk to and fro. Evian loved being in the neighborhood as well and that had been a big plus for Alek.
Mitch hadn’t said much about the house other than making plans with Sami to bring up his things from hell. Wylder had stated a dozen times he didn’t care where they lived as long as he didn’t have to listen to the music from the dorms any longer.
It was all really up to Theo.
And Dario’s little one wasn’t good at hiding his feelings so it would be pretty easy for Dario to quickly note how Theo truly felt about the house.
Sitting beside Fergie as Dario’s assistant drove them toward the house, Dario forced himself to quit worrying.
If Theo hated the house, Dario would keep looking, but in the meantime, Theo and Wylder would move into the apartment.
No more nights apart. Especially when the threat of Theo’s brother was still out there.