The Path I Choose
Theo
I’ve done my best to avoid her after that, and it’s worked. With training taking up a lot more time anyway, I skip having lunch at the dinner hall, and when she is close, I keep my presence masked. We see one another, but neither of us approaches the other, even if I want to.
This is the best decision for both of us. And yeah, maybe like Jayce, I am avoiding facing her, but there’s a huge difference. They’re mates, in love and, yeah, with a shit-ton of crap they need to resolve between themselves.
Unlike Heaven and me, I have no idea what we are to one another. I didn’t know a few days ago, and I still don’t know now. What I do know is I have caught feelings for her and fallen hard, and it fucking sucks.
She still looks annoyingly fucking hot every damn time I see her, but I stay away.
Even when I want to thank her for the potions, since they did fucking work, and I clocked out every night, falling asleep to thoughts of her.
Yet, I haven’t said anything to her, unsure how to move on from what happened between us the last time we talked.
I need to get my shit together. I know time is running out, and when it does, it’ll be time for my next step.
Today is Kat’s wedding, and it’ll be the first time we’re going to be so close for a longer period.
Jayce left the following day, after giving one final speech to his division, who were devastated to see him go. And to Kat’s and everyone else’s dismay, he hasn’t shown up to the wedding.
Seeing Sienna must be fucking hard for him. He loves her, but he just needs time. I don’t know, man. I guess I know a lot less shit than I thought I did.
I’m now sitting on the beach in Puerto Rico, in a huge marquee that’s decorated extravagantly. I’m in a white shirt and beige pants, Kat’s got some weird-as-fuck theme going on where most of the women are in pink dresses and we men look like we’re all fucking idiots matching.
I’ve noticed that the Rossis do a lot of this shit, where they all like to set colour themes and stuff. I’m damn glad I have more brothers; just the thought of having five sisters makes me shudder.
Dinner is over, and so far, I’ve managed to stay far away from Heaven. Speeches have been made, and Kat and Enrique share that they’re going to be parents.
I look over at Skyla and Royce, both happy for the couple, and Skyla’s excitement is genuine.
Looking away, I smile humourlessly. I’m not the only one good at hiding behind a smile.
I wonder… do Kat or Azura – or anyone – know that she’s miscarried several times? That the last time it wasn’t just a foetus but a pup that was formed, and it had a soul that passed on…
I still remember the conversation with Hades, his words that made anger ripple through me.
“If she were to bear a pup, it would contain all four bloodlines of Selene’s creations, and that is something that the gods will not allow.”
So, instead, they make her miscarry, and Selene does shit to protect her.
I glance back at them just as Royce leans over, brushing a strand of her hair back and kissing her as he murmurs how beautiful she looks. At least she has someone who will love her with everything he has and be there to share the pain of loss with her.
Looking away, I focus on my food as everyone continues to ask questions about the pregnancy.
Once dinner is over, the couple have their first dance before it’s time for the father-daughter dance.
I sit at a corner table with a bottle of wine. My aim is to keep my attention off of Heaven in her backless gown; she has her hair up today. It looks good- alright, I ain’t fucking going there.
Damn it.
“Not dancing today?” Dad asks as he approaches my table and sits down opposite me. I glance over at him.
“I don’t always dance. I was helping a friend last time,” I reply smoothly, spotting Heaven still from the corner of my eye. She’s listening from where she’s standing to the side with Sienna and Allie.
I heard Sienna talking to Renji just as dinner was starting. I still need to ask him what that was about. I know he said when Jayce shared with the division that he was going to Russia, she was shocked, knowing he wasn’t just leaving the Academy but was going so far away.
But they could do with the help in Russia. There have been monsters coming from the dome, and they’ve had to do their best to kill them before they escape.
Whatever’s happening inside that place has not attempted to make a connection with the Indomitable. So, what is it?
“Well, you should get up and join the party,” Dad suggests with a warm smile. “It’s not like you to look so serious.”
He’s upset Jayce isn’t here. It’s probably the first time Jayce outright disobeyed him since he became an adult. And that shit probably hit Dad hard.
“Shouldn’t you go and find your own date? Before I steal her?” I ask, spotting Ma dancing with Renji.
He had wanted to invite Shahira as his plus one, but decided against it as they wanted to keep their relationship on the low.
Just then, I hear someone approaching, the rhythm of her heels on the makeshift floor is one I recognise.
I glance up as none other than Heaven struts over to us, smiling politely, brushing her hair that frames her face back, not even sparing me a glance.
Uncle Liam, would you like to dance?
Dad smiles up at her. “Of course.” He stands up, and I scoff internally.
Brat.
She simply smiles gracefully as Dad offers her his hand and guides her onto the dance floor; my attention rakes over her back and ass before turning away.
As promised, she’s stayed away… but that fucking annoys me. It’s fucked up, but did I want her to defy me? Did I want her to talk to me?
Sure, she’s continued to tease me from afar, but she doesn’t even spare me a glance.
I’ve never seen you look more like Grandpa Alejandro than you do right now. Why so stressed, Westwood?
I narrow my eyes as the words appear on the napkin on the table in front of me. I glance back at her, but she’s still dancing with Dad, a small smile on her face as they talk about her studies.
First off, I’m nothing like that old man. Secondly, she knows I don’t have a way to fucking reply.
Lol
My eyes narrow as I look at the annoying as fuck word before it disappears.
Downing the last of my alcohol, I stand up, ready to go grab another when I spot Leo walking away for a smoke and decide to follow him.
I need to talk to him anyway.
I catch up to him easily, and he stops at the edge of the water as the waves crash against the shore. I stand a few feet away from him and turn towards the water.
The music and the bustle of chatter and laughter are faint from this distance, but we can still see the marquee and the lights illuminating the darkness, the warm glow a beacon of hope and happiness in these dreary times.
I glance at Leo, noticing his brown hair has some strands of grey at the front. He looks tired, too.
“Theo,” Leo says, not bothering to look at me as he lights his own cigarette and takes out the packet and offers me one. I take one as he flicks the lighter, and I lean over, lighting my cigarette before I turn towards the sea, taking a long drag on the cigarette.
“I have a proposition for you,” I say, cutting straight to the chase. I keep my voice low. He raises an eyebrow as he looks at me.
“And what might that be?” he asks, his voice cold and callous as ever, his accent thick. But that’s just who he is.
“Seems being King is taking its toll, huh?” I murmur. He cocks a brow but doesn’t respond, waiting for me to continue.
The night breathes around us, the breeze cool, the sea stretching black and endless as far as you can see, the smell of the salty water filling my nose.
I sigh heavily. “Alright,” I begin, “Since you’re committed to being a fucking grouch, let me complete what I wanna say, and at least hear me out before interrupting.”
Leo doesn’t turn; his posture as confident and collected as always, as rigid as the crown he pretends doesn’t weigh on him.
“We both know you need someone out there,” I continue. “Someone you can trust, someone willing to go the distance. Someone who can be your eyes and ears on the outside.”
“No.”
His word is sharp and cutting.
I cock a brow. “What?”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a thin slip etched with faint runes, old magic humming beneath the surface.
He lights it with practised ease. The charm burns quietly, ash lifting into the wind as a muted pressure folds around us, making the world beyond the circle quieter and sealing our voice within the circle.
“I said no,” he repeats, voice low. “I’m not going to allow you to do this shit. You do understand what it would mean, right?”
“I do.”
“Do you?” He finally turns, his piercing blue eyes burning into me.
“Yeah, I have what it takes to do this, to be seen as someone who abandoned you all.”
He shakes his head. “That would mean the entire world would have to believe you betrayed us. That you’re nothing more than a traitor.”
“Yeah, and that’s what I want, so no one I care for can be used against me,” I answer.
Her face appears in my mind, her hazel eyes sparkling, her blond hair catching the light. A smile too perfect for this world. A warmth I don’t deserve.
“It would mean you can never meet your family.”
“I know,” I say quietly. “And that’s why it has to be me.”
He exhales in frustration. “That shit ain’t to be taken lightly, Theo.”
“My abilities are meant for this, man,” I reply.
“My path was never meant to be here. I’m not a leader, Leo.
I’m the one you send ahead of the army. I move where others can’t be sensed.
I do what most of our people won’t. I can become your eyes and ears where you will never be able to reach. Not anymore.”
His voice softens despite himself. “And your family? Are you really going to do that to them?”
I let out a humourless breath. “If this looks real, it’s safer for them. I would rather they hate me and consider me disowned than worry about me.”