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Royce sat back down, his hands in his lap. “I’d try and hug you, but I’m pretty sure that’s the last thing you’d want right now.”
Wiping his face, Theodore inspected the hot cocoa and small plate of sweets, then the alpha sitting across from him. His gray eyes had tints of gold on the edges. Theodore’s attention was drawn to the deep purple circles beneath them. His jaw was locked so hard Theodore worried his teeth were going to crack. He looked like Theodore felt.
“Thank you.” Theodore ate his snacks, surprising himself by finishing all three pastries and mug in ten minutes. “I can’t remember the last time I had hot cocoa or a pastry.”
“I imagine it was some time before you left Seerinoga.”
Theodore nodded.
“I’m sorry, Theo,” Royce said. “I’m sorry you’ve been shouldering this alone for so long. I’m sorry alphas act like jackasses. I’m sorry you’ve been on the run and that you felt like you had to hurt yourself with those pills to stay safe. But I’m not sorry you’re in Elk Cove. I’m not sorry the fates put you in my life, and I’m not sorry I looked at that flash drive.
“As soon as you’re ready, I’ll go with you to tell Argus everything. Or you can tell me, and I’ll go to Argus alone. Either way, I’m not letting this continue; not to you or any other omega.”
Theodore wiped his face. He’d started crying again; thankfully, this time was quieter and less snot-inducing than last time. “I don’t want a mate bond.”
“I don’t care about that right now. Mate bond or not, you’re still mine to protect. I’ll wait as long as you need.”
“No, you won’t,” Theodore countered. “Alphas that don’t secure their mate bonds go insane in what, a year?”
“That’s my problem. The only thing you need to worry about right now is getting better so you can give me enough details to stop what’s happening in Seerinoga.”
They sat at the table in silence while Theodore digested everything. Too much had happened in such a short period, or rather, the boiling point had been reached. There was no turning back now. Theodore wanted to hate that, to despise that Royce had seen his secrets and exposed the soft underbelly of his life. Instead, he felt comforted.
The scent of oranges and rainstorms over the salty seas washed over him, and the feeling intensified. It wasn’t just contentment, it was warmth, like a small child hiding in a large quilt during a summer storm. You knew there were things outside that were bigger, louder, and scarier than you, but wrapped up in that quilt on your bed, you knew you were safe no matter what.
Royce’s eyes flashed golden, and his nostrils flared. Theodore’s breath hitched because in that moment he understood. Royce could scent him unobstructed and Theodore him.
Despite that, Royce hadn’t tried to force his hand. He’d chopped firewood, made pasta, and administered Theodore’s medicine, all without expectation of anything in return. Royce took this bond, took Theodore’s existence in his life, seriously. If Theodore were to reject him, Royce would respect that, but it would kill him.
Chapter eighteen
Royce
This was killing him.
Theo’s beautiful large eyes were running with tears, his soft, round face screwed up in pain and frustration. All Royce wanted to do was wrap him in his arms and wipe away the tears. But he couldn’t because the only purpose that would serve was making Royce feel better while making Theo uncomfortable.
So he did the next best thing: feed him sweet treats.
After watching Theo gulp the oat milk hot cocoa and ravage the vegan pastry, Royce concluded he now owed several very large gift baskets to a few people.
Eventually he moved back to his nest of blankets on the sofa, his body relaxing into the plush cocoon. Royce was relieved this time around Theo’s cheeks had some color and his body wasn’t limp and lifeless. He was simply resting.
Royce took this opportunity to finish his dinner and then clean up the kitchen. Next, he split more wood, even though the stockpile behind the cabin was toppling over. Was he doing unnecessary busy work to keep himself from having to stare helplessly at Theo, worrying if he’d vomit up blood again or reject him? It was entirely possible.
When his limbs were shaking and his body coated with sweat, he collected the split wood and added it to the giant pile. It was now spilling out from the lean-to into the elements. Royce didn’t care. He was trying to wear himself out so his mind would shut up. Thus far it hadn’t worked, but he held out hope.
Inside the cabin, he deadbolted the front and back doors—new ones that he’d installed. He’d asked Buford to buy two new deadbolts for the cabin from the hardware store while he was at Theo’s bedside; he’d also asked Buford to bring him iron cages to bolt over the cabin windows. Buford had kindly told Royce he was insane and refused.
Royce was still contemplating the bars and hadn’t given up on the idea yet. Right now, though, he had more pressing issues, like sleep, but before he could give in to his fatigue, he needed a shower. Pausing on his way to the bathroom, he watched Theo. He was still on the sofa, curled up in his blankets. His cheeks had a faint rosy tint. Good, that was good.
After checking Theo was well, Royce knew he ought to move along. Go into the bathroom and shower like he intended. Instead, he just stood there … watching. He shouldn’t be doing this, he knew he shouldn’t be. Standing over someone and watching them while they slept was odd, especially if that person wasn’t yours.
Was Theo Royce’s?
Not in the sense that he’d accepted the fates’ gift and they’d bitten each other to solidify the mate bond, but he was his in the sense that Theo was Royce’s responsibility. His to watch over until his strength returned and they could figure out what their next steps were. His in the sense that the fates had put Theo in Royce’s life for a reason.
And what had Royce done with this most precious gift?
