The grumpy old man… who isn’t really a man
Theo had carried Seph up to the loft, calling out instructions to people as he passed “I don’t want to be interrupted this evening”, “tell my father I’m busy now”, and so on, until they got up to the upper floors. These were all bedrooms occupied by single wolves or new couples who chose to live here. There was no one up here; they were all busy working or eating; if they were up here, they were in their rooms and not coming out. Kayla led the way upstairs and into the now completed loft room that Theo had created for them with a bit of help. Seph couldn’t help but give a small gasp as he carried her inside. It was all done perfectly, just as she and Kayla had wanted. She had a fantastic little book corner come studio next to Theo’s office space; the whole corner seemed to be glass giving her a stunning view and more light than she knew what to do with. Kayla had a desk on the other side of Theo. She was the one who would be the most help to him practically.
The decor was fantastic; everything they had bought on their one and only actual date was there, the bathroom, the headboard and the footboard on the bed. The doors on the built-in closet and bathroom fit in amazingly. The room was a perfect mix of Seph and Kayla with the odd splash of Theo here and there. Before Seph could take in much more than a first glance around, Theo put her down on the bed and began to take her shoes off.
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Seph’s face lost all its colour as she felt Theo’s hands on her legs. Her hands shook as a sweat broke out over her back. Seph shook her head quickly, trying to remind herself that she was safe and this was just her mate trying to do something nice for her. The fear was clouding everything. Seph thought she would vomit; if the rock in her throat moved, there would be no words, only a fountain of vomit all over. She didn’t know what was in her stomach, but it didn’t feel good. A weight seemed to be sitting in there, but it didn’t seem to be still. She had instinctively pulled her blocks and shields up with the fear, the sensations taking her back to that room in the cellar where the witches had held her, where she needed them to make sure no one could get in her head. Now, Seph could see Kayla trying to figure out what the problem was but not being sure because she couldn’t feel it from Seph. Seph couldn’t relax enough to force them down, though, her anxiety controlling this power right now and not any kind of rational brain.
As Theo started to work on the second shoe, Mr Doyle burst through the door. Seph stared at him, her eyes wide with shock. Kayla, too, was distracted by his sudden appearance. Theo, however, was single-minded in his task and didn’t even seem to notice the large, irate man who was now glaring daggers at his back. If looks could kill, Theo would be stone cold and 6 feet under. Mr Doyle grabbed Theo by the scruff of his neck and dragged him away from Seph, shoving him against the wall with surprising ease. Theo was, after all, a born Alpha; even without officially taking the title, he was much more preponderant and stronger than average wolves. Mr Doyle appeared to be a male of whatever his species; he still hadn’t enlightened them and looked in his 50s or 60s. It didn’t seem likely that this man would be able to overpower an Alpha wolf.
“Just what the absolute fuck do you think you are doing to your mate, pup?” Mr Doyle demanded before Theo could speak.
It was Archer who responded to Mr Doyle. But not before letting out a loud growl and moving himself between Mr Doyle and his mate and sister. “My human is the acting Alpha of this pack, and you are a guest under our roof. How dare you insult us like that?”
My Doyle forcibly turned Theo around. “Look at her pup! She is terrified! Her familiar called me for help to protect her from her own mate. You mangy wolf have no idea who or what you are dealing with here, and the next time you hurt her, I will remove your body parts one at a time and feed them to you!” He growled, even more menacingly than Archer had. His aura was almost overwhelming to Seph’s senses, she knew her mates wouldn’t be able to sense it like she did, though, and she had no way to explain it.
“Wait… Dex called you?” Seph looked up at Mr Doyle in confusion. She was sure it was taking her longer than it should to puzzle this out. “And what did Archer mean, you are a guest here?… hang on… Mr Doyle, you’re a… but how? Why? Why are you protecting me? Aren’t you meant to be extinct? No one has seen any for centuries. How?”
“Shush, child, not yet. I will explain it all once your mate can behave himself,” Mr Doyle replied, much gentler to Seph than he spoke to anyone else he came into contact with.
Kayla looked between the two of them, bemused. Climbing onto the bed and tucking herself next to Seph as close as she could, she pulled Seph’s head closer and whispered, “what’s going on here… I’m so confused. Do you know what he is? I thought I figured it, but I don’t know anymore.”
“I’m pretty positive I know, but I don’t know why he’s here or why me. And I don’t think I’m allowed to tell you, but I think Theo’s about to get in trouble.”
The girls giggled together, moving up the bed, having kicked off their shoes and curled up into a familiar knot of limbs that told anyone who looked at them they were comfortable together and totally in love. They watch as Mr Doyle continues to berate Theo for all his stupid decisions, believing the spell, sleeping with all those other girls who now have no respect for Seph, threatening to lock up his mate and forcing her to stay away. Hence, She was weak and an easy target for kidnapping, leaving Seph without protection. Theo looked like he was about to cry. His arse had been thoroughly handed to him on a platter. “Mr Doyle, that’s a bit unfair. Yes, the witches took advantage to take me while I was weak, but they would have found a way regardless of what happened. They were determined to turn me into their version of a perfect witch wife. Seen and not heard, sweet and submissive and all that shite. Cut him a bit of slack. You must know how hard it can be to fight a spell without training. If I’d have thought rather than letting him goad me into a fury and stalking off like I did, I should have been able to snap him out of it. I do not deny he has plenty to make up for. Oh boy, does he have making up to do. But we can leave that bit now.” Seph told the man. To both the twins’ surprise, he actually listened to her. This man seemed to pay no attention to anyone and was listening to their mate. How many more surprises could this one person hold?
As soon as Mr Doyle moved enough for Theo to slip past, he took the opportunity to join his mate and sister on the bed. “I am so sorry, baby. I should have realised you were scared; I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just caught up in your scent, being close to you, and trying to make you comfortable. Next time, just kick me or something. I’m so sorry, I’ve just missed you so much, and I didn’t even know it was you I was missing for so long. Please, baby, please give me a second chance. I will never, never, knowingly hurt you ever again. I will spend my life trying to make it up to you and earn your forgiveness and love.” Theo begged his head on Seph’s thighs and hip, his arms trying to find a gap in the ball that she and his sister seem to become when they get close enough together. It was almost like they turned into an octopus, one body with eight limbs. Octomates?
“You have a lot of making up to do, Theo Galloway. A lot. And don’t you even think I’ll be lifting a finger to help you pack up my room, Mr!” Seph told him, a hint of a smile on her face as she tugged on his shirt until he came up the bed to her side. Allowing Seph and Kayla and lean on him.
Grinning like the cat who got the canary or the wolf who… caught the cat? Kayla laughed as she spoke, “yeh, and you better make sure nothing gets broken or damaged, you know. There’ll be hell to pay”, she told him cheekily.