That seemed like so long ago when in fact it was just a few months ago.
Every day passed by quickly. Theo had grown the most in that time. Maybe being more like his mates wasn’t a bad thing. Alek set his drink down.
“Can we stop pretending and you tell us what is going on?” Alek requested as politely as he could.
Tate sighed.
Vadir cleared his throat. “Please sit.”
So this was a sitting conversation? That was not good. As everyone settled around the room, Alek moved to stand behind the couch where Mitch, Theo, and Wylder sat. Tate and Carson sat on the couch in front of them with Mah in the middle. Vadir stood beside Tate and Seb on the end by Carson.
“We received word today that Mah’s brother has taken ill,” Vadir stated.
Alek stiffened. Mah’s brother held the highest position on the council in the celestial realm for their family. A powerful spot that had to be passed down through bloodlines.
Dario placed his hand on Alek’s lower back, probably knowing where Alek’s concern was. Would Mah have to take over for him.
“We’ll be leaving in the morning to travel and take Mah home to say his goodbye,” Vadir said.
“Will you be coming home?” Alek said quietly.
“It hasn’t been revealed who the successor will be. That will happen when the scrolls are open. It’s a waiting game from here,” Seb answered.
“He has children,” Alek pointed out. “Some that live in that realm.”
Mah nodded. “It would be best if one of his children is chosen to take his position.”
“But we don’t know. Mah’s family has been pushing for years for him to return,” Vadir said.
That was Alek’s concern. The estrangement that Mah had with his family started before Alek had been born. Mah’s family had expected him to turn down the call of destiny and being one of the chosen. They’d trained him from birth to sit on the celestial council and rule in the family name.
It was hard to pull up any memory of Mah’s side of the family that didn’t come with drama and fighting.
“We can go with you,” Alek said. “Or at least I can.”
Mah was already shaking his head. “I don’t want any of you children there. Especially Evian. They’ve petitioned for decades to have Evian join them. With the changes coming, I wouldn’t put it past my family to use you children against me to get what they want.”
“What do they want?” Theo asked softly.
Mah smiled at the little shifter. “They want to run my life. And that would not include my mates or my children.”
“Why?” Theo asked. “Aren’t they proud of everything that you’ve accomplished? You’ve saved realms. Kept wars from starting.”
In a rare show of emotion, Vadir walked over to the couch and pulled Theo up to hug him.
Theo fumbled for a brief moment before hugging the vampire back.
“I hope you never lose the innocence that is inside you. Even after every challenge that you have had to overcome, your heart is still filled with love and peace. Hold on to that,” Vadir whispered into Theo’s ear. Although they all could still hear the words.
Theo tilted his head back. “Of course I will. I can only be me.”
Vadir kissed Theo in the middle of the forehead. “Our Mah is much like you. Even as his family turned his back on him and our family, he still craves the love that should be given freely.”
Theo made a sad sound that broke Alek’s heart. “I get that.”
“I know you do,” Vadir replied. He pulled back to smooth the front of his shirt as he darted his gaze around as if he was nervous. “It won’t be an easy trip but one that we must take anyway.”
Alek nodded. There was nothing he could do for his fathers except follow their wishes.
