“He’s practically screaming it in his head like a mantra right now as his heart is telling him to come up here and kiss you all over again” she laughed again. Just then, mom popped in my head and asked “would you be willing to come talk to him? He just wants to apologize for last night. He said he shouldn’t have asked you to come to the party with him.” Bursting into more tears again, I couldn’t think through the hurt I felt. Somehow knowing he wanted to apologize for taking me to a party where I realized he had to be my mate felt like a betrayal breaking my heart even more. Sobbing so much I could barely breath, Kora pulled me against her as Teia wrapped her arms around me from behind. Mom didn’t ask again and I didn’t know they’d come running up here at the sound of my screaming which I hadn’t even realized I’d been doing until dad put his hand on my face and used his magic to calm me down. Once I was quiet, Teia gently asked “what happened? He was quiet for so long and then suddenly he burst into tears then the screaming started.”
“He was quiet because I was talking to him. Fay asked to talk to him, he wanted to apologize for taking him to the party” mom said and then Kora picked up “he felt hurt and betrayed that Fay would want to apologize for taking him to a party that cemented his belief that they are mates. It broke his heart all over again and I’m not sure it will ever heal this time.” Tears were running down her face as I numbly stared at her because of dads’ magic.
“Is that asshole still here?” Teia asked angrily.
“No, he bolted when Theo started screaming. Apparently, he could feel Theos’ pain and it was too much for his already messed up mind to handle. He thought distance would help him get his head together. Little does he know, Theos’ emotions will follow him no matter how far he runs” Kora said still crying.
“What do you mean?” mom asked confused.
“One of Theos’ powers links him permanently to his mate unless they outright reject him. It’s called Imprinting and in this state, it’s dangerous for both of them but having them together would make Theo volatile. So, I think it would be best if he doesn’t come to school for the week. Just until he can get his emotions under control because while he’s numb right now, when that wears off he could explode which would be dangerous for everyone” Kora explained as dad had a thoughtful expression before he said “why don’t I take Theo on a trip? He could come with me on my trip to New Jersey. Maybe some time walking on the beach would be relaxing for him and at this time of year if he looses it, no one would be around for it. I can keep him numb on the plane as well.” Nodding, mom said “Yeah, maybe that would be good for him and no one will tell Fay where he went or anything about him.”
“Agreed, we ignore the ignorant moron” Teia said in an angry tone.
“What time do you have to leave dear?” mom asked looking at my dad. Glancing at his watch, he said “in about three hours, I’ll go inform the pilot that the manifest is changing slightly.”
“Okay, I’ll pack him a bag while the girls keep an eye on him” mom said as she headed to my closet. Glancing between the girls, I whispered “I can’t feel anything. Why can’t I feel anything?”
“Dad used his magic to give you a little relief for a bit. He’s taking you with him to New Jersey and will remove his magic once you’re there. It’s for everyones’ safety but it’s specifically for your safety. We all know you couldn’t stand it if you hurt someone accidentally when you inevitably explode” Kora said gently caressing my face.
“What am I supposed to do now? He doesn’t want me, what do I do now?” I said as more tears slid down my cheek.
“You don’t know that for sure, big brother. So, we’ll give you both some time apart and maybe he’ll come to his senses by the time you get home. Don’t worry, he’ll never know where you went” Teia said putting her hands on her hips.
“Teia, sweetie, he doesn’t need your anger or aggression right now. He needs calm and reassurance. Not to worry though, I will know the second dad lifts his magic as I will feel the torrent of emotions since we are linked as family now” Kora said gently taking my hands as she kneeled in front of me. Coming back out of my closet, mom said “I’ll go grab one of the back up phones and program all our numbers in but leave his out. That way, he won’t be able to contact you while you’re gone.” As mom left the room, I whispered “I know you’re both mad at him right now but promise you’ll keep an eye on him. He may look cool and collected but he’s just as vulnerable as me.”
“I’ll keep an eye on him from a distance, I promise. If he seems close to doing something, I’ll text you his number and that way you can maybe talk him down. I’ll also keep an eye on you and do the same if you seem too close to the edge” Kora promised wiping another tear from my cheek.
“Thanks sis” I said pulling her into a hug as mom came back in the room. Waiting a minute, she said “alright, you’re all packed sweetie. I’ve also texted the four of us so we have your new number as well.”
“Gracias mami, lamento que tengan que cuidarme a través de todo esto” I sobbed as mom came over and wrapped me in a hug before saying “No es un problema, cariño. Para eso son las familias.”
The next few hours passed in a numb cloud as I spent the last few hours I’d have with my mom and sisters for the next week.
“Alright, it’s time the head to the airstrip. Why don’t you all come see us off?” dad suggested as they all nodded. As everyone piled in moms SUV, more tears escaped down my face for no apparent reason as Kora wiped them away and said “it’s just your body working passed dads magic. It’s nothing to worry about for now.”
“Okay” I said taking a shaky breath as we drove towards the airstrip. When we had finally arrived, we stopped next to the companies private jet. We all got out of the car and exchanged hugs as one of the flight crew took our bags on board. With a final wave and a few tears, dad and I boarded the plan to New Jersey.
Lafayettes’ POV
Something felt off after I left Theos’ house. Suddenly the torrent of feelings he had been experiencing died down some making me pause to look back. As I turned around to keep walking, those emotions hit me like a ton of bricks all over again. Anger, pain, betrayal, and heartbreak hit me with an undercurrent of fear that I wasn’t sure what to do with. “Are these really Theos’ emotions right now or am I feeling someone elses?” I thought as I stood in the middle of the sidewalk. Forcing myself to walk to my truck, I climbed in the drivers seat and drove home. Running up to my room, I locked the door and slid down the back of it wondering why I could still feel Theos’ emotions as if I was right there. Several hours passed and they seemed to die down a little bit but I could still feel them as an undercurrent to my own screaming emotions only confusing me more. The rest of the night passed in a confusing emotional cloud until that torrent hit me again around midnight startling me awake.
The next morning, I woke up and went to school trying to ignore the emotional storm inside me. As I glanced around my first period, I realized Theo wasn’t there and suddenly got worried. I knew he was alive and in emotional pain but not seeing him had me freaked out. Pulling on the emotional mask I use to hide sometimes, I made it through the rest of the day on autopilot. The next two days were like that until I could barely hold the mask in place anymore running to the gym roof to cry during lunch. All I could think was “Why do I feel like this? What have I done to the one person I'm supposed to trust the most? Maybe he'd be better off if I was dead for real.”
Theodores’ POV
Sunday night when we’d arrived at the bungalow in New Jersey that dad and I would be staying in this week, he asked “do you want me to remove the magic now or wait?”
“Let’s wait a little longer. I’ll tell you when I’m ready and I’d rather have time to warn Kora first so she’s not totally surprised when it does happen” I said taking a seat on the bed facing the window.
“Okay son, tell me when you’re ready” dad said placing one hand gently on my shoulder. Pulling out my phone, I messaged Kora.
[Theo: Hey, dad just asked if I wanted him to remove his magic but I wasn’t going to do it without giving you a heads up first. I think I’ll have him do it around midnight and then go for a walk on the beach.]
[Kora: Alright, do it whenever you’re ready big brother. We all love you and only want you to be healthy and happy.]
[Theo: Thanks sis, give mom and Teia a hug for me. Love you all.]
“Hey dad, is there a way to set it to come off at a certain time?” I asked wondering if he could preset the magic so I was away from everyone before it had to potential to explode.
“I can set a time for it to come off. Why? What did you have in mind?” he asked looking at me curiously from the bathroom door.
“I want you to set a timed removal so I have time to get away from anyone that might get hurt if I explode as soon as it happens” I said looking down at my hands and the device cradled there before continuing “Kora already knows my plan. I want you to set it to come off at midnight while I’m walking on the beach.”
“Okay, give me another few minutes and I’ll take care of it” dad said disappearing into the bathroom again. Coming back out ten minutes later, he moved to stand in front of me placing one hand on my cheek much like he had when he’d put the spell on me before closing his eyes for a few minutes. When he finally reopened them, he said “okay, it’s set for midnight on the dot. Be ready for all the pain, anger, betrayal, and heartbreak to hit all over again” he said gently warning me of what I’d feel when the spell came off.
“Okay, thanks dad” I said getting up to give him a hug.
“You know I only did it because I love you, right?” he asked sounding worried that I’d hate him for it.
“I know dad and I don’t hate you for it. I promise” I said squeezing him slightly. Glancing at the clock, I saw I had twenty minutes before the spell would come off and said “papi, tengo que irme.”
“Okay, be careful and call me if you need anything” dad said as I pocketed my phone and the hotel room key before heading to the beach. As I walked, I knew the exact moment the spell came off because I could suddenly feel the weight of my emotions once again and immediately sat down on the beach staring at the ocean as I cried.
The next two day passed much the same, I’d get up in the morning and eat before walking on the beach until dark then return for dinner and cry myself to sleep. Wednesday started off the same but something felt off as I walked down the beach that afternoon. Lost in thought, I jumped as my new phone pinged with a text from Kora that was just a phone number telling me Fay was on the edge. Taking a deep shaky breath, I dialed his number and hit send. As it rang, I debated what I’d say to him but as it turns out I didn’t have to think about it because the second he picked up he said “Theo, if this is actually you I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way, I just meant that I felt like I pushed you into something that maybe you weren’t exactly ready for given whatever else it was that you were dealing with at the time. I don’t understand what I’m feeling but it hurts more than anything ever has in my life.” When he’d finally stopped for air and to sob again, I said “I know that now but at the time it felt like you were rejecting me. I get that you’re having a hard time understanding how and why you feel the way you do. Trust me, I get it but I’m sure how I feel and I’ve accepted it. I won’t be back at school the rest of the week. So, take this time to figure out what you want both for yourself and for us like I’m doing. But please, quoi que tu fasses, ne me quitte pas avant que nous ayons eu la chance d'en parler en personne. Pouvez-vous me promettre cela?”
“Je promets de ne rien faire de stupide tant que tu promets de faire de même” he sobbed again as I heard a bell chime in the background. Taking another shaky breath, I said “I promise. Now, you should probably get going to what like fifth period or maybe just go hide on top the gym.”
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