“So, Margo,” a girl a few years older than me greeted, holding my forearm gently with hers. “Has Theo been treating you kindly? I know he has to be a softie underneath all this brutish, steely exterior,” she said giggling, pushing Theo’s arm comically.
“He’s been very accommodating,” I responded. She laughed, grabbing onto Theo’s arm more to hold herself from laughter.
“Accommodating?” she howled. “I’ve known Theo since we were infants, and no one has ever described him as ‘accommodating.’”
I glanced at Theo, who smiled down at the woman. “Margo, this is Albia James, Emily’s daughter. Our mothers are best friends. She’s practically my sister. Albia, this is my beautiful mate, Margo.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I smiled softly.
“It’s great to meet you, as well,” she gushed. “I’m sorry if I’m coming on a little much, but I had two too many cups of coffee this morning, and I’m a bit wired. I better go get a bagel or something to soak this all up. I’ll see you both inside?”
Theo nodded and tucked me back under his arm. “What’s inside?” I wondered.
“Your doom,” Theo said dramatically, walking us towards the door.
“Is it your mother?” I guessed. He laughed loudly and opened the door for me.
“Guess you’ll have to go in to find out.” He smirked.
Scalding
We wandered inside towards Theo’s brothers, who were huddled around a document. Theo leaned over Eli’s shoulders to examine it. His hand drifted out from my mine as I swiveled around and looked at the inside of the packhouse.
After a few minutes, I took a few steps towards another room where people seemed to be gathering. I looked back to Theo, who was still staring at the paper, talking heatedly with his brothers, and then I walked through the opening into the next room. In the middle was a makeshift arena, just a few lines set down in tape on the floor, and people formed around the perimeter. Two men were in the center, grasping each other’s arms in the traditional greeting. A noise went off, and, in haste, the men began grunting, looking strained as they tried to force the other to the ground with the force of their grip.
Eventually, the man on the right won, forcing his opponent to the ground, and suddenly Theo’s comment to Reese about forcing him to the ground with just one arm made sense. A woman and a man came into the square next; they were laughing and playful as they grasped arms. Again, the noise sounded, and they began sparing. The woman looked like she was exerting more of her energy, and the man laughed, humoring her. With one swift motion, the woman was on the ground with the man gently pinning her with his knee. He kissed her ear before standing and helping her up.
I heard my name being frantically called. The room quieted as Theo, Reese, and Eli stormed into the room. Theo rushed to me, grabbing my arms and glaring slightly.
“Where have you been?” Theo asked loudly. I opened my mouth like a fish repeatedly, not knowing what to say. “Margo?”
“I was just watching,” I said. He sighed loudly, releasing one of my arms from his grip.
“You can’t just run off like that,” he breathed, looking relieved. “I turned around, and you were gone. I was terrified, Margo.”
“I’m sorry. I was just watching them,” I said dumbly.
“I know that,” he sighed, strained like he wanted to stay calm, but his anger was bubbling just under the surface. “But you can’t just wander off like that. You’re human; you can’t defend yourself. What if something were to happen to you, and I didn’t know where you were?”
“I thought that was the point of the marking bite?” I pointed out. Immediately, I regretted my words as Theo’s face relaxed into stone.
“That doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. I can’t know if something has happened until it’s already too late, and you’re in pain, or you’re scared enough that I can sense it. It’s not a tracking device.”
“Well, then what’s the point?” I asked, honestly. Again, guilt settled in my stomach, and I wanted to start the conversation over. I wasn’t trying to anger him or contradict what he was saying; I was just confused and anxious from the people around us staring.
“The point was that we claimed each other as mates, Margo,” Theo hissed, dropping my other arm like scalding water. “Not for me to be your bodyguard whenever you’re in trouble. I want to keep you safe, but because you’re my mate and I care about you, not because it’s my job. I already have a job. I don’t need you to be one, too.”
I bit my lip and stayed silent, trying to retreat from this battle I didn’t realize I started.
“Theo!” a cheerful voice called from the opposite side of the room. He looked over with a hateful glare. “How about a spar from our former Alpha, for old times’ sake?”
Theo groaned, rolling his shoulders back, before pressing me firmly into his brothers. Eli steadied me with a hand on my shoulder while Reese leaned his elbow on my head. I pushed Reese off, and he ruffled my hair before tucking his hands in his pockets.
We watched Theo play their game, sparing with a man who Eli whispered was the head of defense for the pack. Theo toyed with him, getting his frustration out before beating the man with one push. The crowd cheered while I looked around sadly, wanting to be anywhere else.
Gabriel entered the room, smirking as he looked at his brother. The wolves cheered as Gabriel stepped in the ring, smiling at his larger brother. Theo laughed loudly. The noise started, and they began pushing each other back and forth, bending each other as they gained the upper hand.
