Seth wasn’t jealous of the alpha.He wanted his brother to be happy, and Chance made that happen.Seth just wasn’t sure where that left them.They had time to figure things out, or at least, he’d thought they did.Now, it was clear that Theo didn’t feel the same way.
Seth cleared his throat.“I never meant to push you away, so I’m sorry if that’s how I made you feel.I was just giving you space with Chance.You deserve it.”
“I also deserve to spend time with my brother.It’s almost like you don’t trust me anymore.Is it because I’m dating Chance?”
It took Seth a moment to understand what Theo was saying.“I don’t care if you’re dating the alpha.Honestly, I’m not surprised that you are.You were a good alpha to us.“
Theo shrugged.“I’m still not sure about that, but I don’t think it matters anymore.”
“No, it doesn’t.I miss you.I just didn’t want to be too much.”
“You could never be too much.”
Seth wasn’t sure that was true, but he’d take it.“I’ve just been distracted lately.”
“I noticed.Care to tell me what’s gotten you distracted?Orwho, maybe?”
Seth groaned.“You already know.”
“I know everything.”
“I really hope you don’t because that would be mortifying.”
Theo shrugged.“Tell me about Ryan.”
“There’s not much to say.We talked a few times, and I checked in on him after that mess with Christian and Tim, but that’s it.”
“There has to be more to it if you’re still thinking about him like that.”
“I think he’s cute, and I’m worried about him.”
Theo slowly nodded.Seth looked away, but he could feel his brother watching him.It made him want to squirm.Theo had always been the one person who could see right through Seth’s bullshit.He also wouldn’t hesitate to call Seth out on it.
“I think you’re interested in him,” Theo eventually said.
“I said I think he’s cute.”
“But I also think you’re afraid,” Theo continued as if Seth hadn’t just spoken.“I know why.I was afraid when I met Chance, too, but whattheydid to you was worse than what they did to me.I understand why you feel like you’ll never be able to trust anyone, but you need to let it go.”
Seth snorted.“How am I supposed to do that?Every time I look at myself in the mirror, I’m reminded of what they did.”The scars wouldn’t let him forget.
“I never said it would be easy.I just don’t want to see you ruin something that could potentially be good because of them.They’ve already taken enough from us.Now that we’ve won against all odds, I don’t want them to continue taking from us.I’m not saying that you need to trust Ryan right away or that it won’t take you time, but talking to him would be a nice first step, wouldn’t it?No one’s saying that you need to be with him if you don’t feel ready to be.Just give him a chance, all right?He might become a friend, or he might be the love of your life.”
Seth chuckled because he couldn’t imagine what that would be like, but Theo’s expression told him that his brother was serious.He believed what he was saying.“You think a mage is the love of my life?”Seth asked.
“Why not?Ryan isn’t a bad person.He did the right thing when he was given the opportunity.I’m not saying he’s perfect, but then, no one is.”
“Not even Chance?”
Theo barked out a laugh.“Especially not Chance.He’s messy and likes to order people around even when he shouldn’t.”
“He’s the alpha.”
“Not when we’re alone.”
Seth groaned.“Please.I don’t want to think about you and Chance doingthat.”
“Doing what?You’re the one who’s turning this sexual.”
