Chapter 4

Theo's Pov

"Get out of my bed before I throw you out myself." My voice was a low growl as I shielded my eyes, trying to shake off the shock of finding her, Lena, curled up on my bed.

The sheet barely covered her, draped over her like an invitation. I clenched my jaw, trying to rein in my anger… or maybe something else.

“Then get out so I can make sure I’m not naked,” she shot back, her voice firm and unashamed.

I lowered my hand just enough to glare at her. “You are supposed to be embarrassed, not blunt.”

“Maybe I would be if you hadn’t barged in here without knocking,” she countered, sitting up and clutching the sheet closer. “Besides, it’s not my fault you didn’t make it clear this was your room.”

I took a step forward, shaking my head at her defiance. I expected her to look away, to be apologetic, or at the very least, to show some fear.

Instead, she held my gaze with that steady, irritating fire that seemed to never leave her eyes. Who was this girl?

I snorted, half-amused despite myself. “You know, for someone who doesn’t belong here, you sure act like you do.”

Her cheeks flushed, and without another word, she scrambled off the bed, clinging to the sheet as she ran from the room.

I couldn’t help it, I laughed. She may have had the courage to talk back, but in the end, she still ran away.

As her footsteps faded down the hall, I sat on the edge of my bed, running a hand through my hair and letting my gaze linger on the door. She wasn’t like anyone I’d known, and it annoyed me.

Part of me hated her, this intruder who my father had decided to take in without even asking. And yet… she had this presence that kept pulling me in, no matter how much I despised it. Her boldness, her refusal to cower, made her unforgettable.

But soon, she wouldn’t matter. In a few months, I’d be attending the mating ceremony, where I’d finally meet the one destined for me.

Then, there’d be college to worry about. Lena would be out of my life, just some temporary irritation, nothing more.

I wouldn’t have to think about her fire, her infuriating strength, or the way she’d looked just now, curled up in my bed.

I shook off the thought and walked to my dresser, grabbing a framed picture of my mother.

Her soft, kind eyes looked back at me, stirring that familiar ache in my chest. She’d been gone for years, but her memory was as vivid as ever.

I wanted to make her proud, to be the son she deserved. But with a father like mine… I didn’t know if that would ever be possible.

A knock interrupted my thoughts, and I placed the picture back down. “Come in.”

The maid stepped in, her face neutral as always. “Your father wants to speak with you.”

I rolled my eyes, muttering under my breath, but followed her anyway, my mood sinking as I approached his office. I’d already spent half the night being told what to do by him; I wasn’t in the mood for another lecture.

When I walked in, father was seated at his desk, his gaze went all sharp on me. “Sit down, Theo,” he commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.

I dropped into the chair, crossing my arms. “What’s this about?”

“I want you to be ready for the mating ceremony,” he said, his tone serious. “After that, you’ll be going to college. And you won’t be going alone.”

“What do you mean?” I narrowed my eyes, already sensing where this was going.

“Lena will be going with you,” he replied, his voice calm, as if he hadn’t just shattered the few good plans I had for this year. “She’s part of this pack now. It’s time you accepted that.”

I clenched my jaw, barely restraining my anger. “I didn’t bring her here, so I don’t see why I’m the one responsible for her.”

My father's eyes flashed, his voice hardening. “Enough, Theo. I won’t tolerate this childish attitude any longer. You will treat her with respect, and you will take care of her. She’s your responsibility, whether you like it or not.”

I gritted my teeth, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response. My fists clenched as he continued.

“Also, Xander will be returning soon, you should treat your brother well” he added, almost as an afterthought.

I forced myself not to react. “He’s my stepbrother, not my brother,” I muttered, more to myself than to him.

My father sighed, rubbing his temples as if I were a constant irritation. “Theo, it’s time you started acting like an Alpha. You’ll take my place one day, and the pack needs a leader, not a spoiled child.”

I stood up abruptly, not caring if it was disrespectful. “Are we done here?”

“Just remember what I said,” he replied calmly.

I stalked out of the office, barely managing to keep my frustration in check. As I stormed down the hall, I ran into my cousin, Riley. If there was anyone I could trust, it was him. We headed toward the small treehouse on the edge of the property, a place we’d built ourselves as kids.

Riley was the only person I could talk to about everything, the only one who understood. I didn’t need to say much, he took one look at me and smirked. “Rough night?”

“Understatement,” I muttered, leaning back against the rough wood of the treehouse. “Father wants me to take care of that girl he brought in. Says I’ll have to take her to college with me.”

Riley chuckled, but his eyes gleamed with curiosity. “So? She’s beautiful, Theo. I’d think you’d enjoy having her around.”

I sneered. “I can’t trust her. Something about her… it’s off. And I just can’t stand her. It’s like she’s everywhere now, in my room, at my table… Like he’s just waiting to replace me.”

Riley only shrugged. “So? Get over it. You’ll have your mate soon, anyway. That should solve your Lena problem.”

He wasn’t wrong, but the thought of sharing a house, a school, with her gnawed at me.

I didn’t want her around. And now Xander, my father’s precious prodigal son, would be back, too. There was only so much I could take.

I lashed out, shoving Riley’s shoulder. He took it in stride, chuckling softly. “Easy there. You’ll survive.”

I forced myself to nod, but inside, I felt the weight of my own resentment, my own fear that I might lose everything I’d fought for. I turned to head back to the house, Riley’s last words echoing in my mind.

But as I walked, another thought struck me. My life would change soon, between my mate, Lena, and college, everything I knew would shift.

I couldn’t let any of them see my weakness, especially her. She would never see the part of me that still hurt, that still felt abandoned.

As I climbed the stairs to my room, I resolved to keep it that way.

The next morning, I opened my door to find her there, standing in the hallway. Lena, with that same defiant fire in her eyes, met my gaze without a flicker of fear.

“What are you doing here?”