Chapter 0407

Levi

Theodore sat tied up in the corner of the room.

Levi slept on a chair nearby.

His jacket collar was pulled high around his chin.

His arms were crossed tightly over his chest.

His boots rested on the coffee table he'd shoved against the door.

We reached Seraphina's house unseen.

But each step here had made Levi more agitated.

He hated my calm demeanor.

He was angry that I refused to be angry.

He clearly enjoyed driving people mad.

It didn't work on me.

I let out a quiet sigh.

He had cornered me again about his sister.

He grew more frustrated when I stayed silent.

I expected him to hit me.

To punish me.

But he hadn't laid a hand on me.

Other than keeping me bound.

I heard him stir.

My eyes snapped shut.

His boots hit the floor with a heavy thud.

After the forest, his movements now sounded loud.

He stopped right in front of me.

"Can't sleep?"

I didn't answer.

"Theodore, I know you're awake."

He didn't move.

I kept my eyes closed.

"Your breathing changes. You talk in your sleep."

Crap.

What had I said?

My eyes flew open.

"How do you know that?"

He smiled.

"You have a beautiful home in Obsidian Howl."

He dropped onto the floor beside me.

His arm brushed against mine.

"I get it," he muttered.

"You want to protect your pack. But you'll have to talk to me eventually. I always get what I want."

"I'll talk about anything except my pack."

Maybe I could learn his real motives.

"Why do you love them so much?"

I pressed my lips together and looked away.

"You won't even answer that?"

"That involves the pack."

I kept my tone light.

He hadn't hurt me yet.

I wanted to keep it that way.

"You drive a hard bargain." He winked.

"I like that about you, Theodore. Or maybe I like it because we're mates?"

"We are not mates."

"Just because you can't scent me now doesn't mean we aren't. The drugs will wear off."

"Only because you're tricking my mind. We are not mated." I stated firmly.

I wouldn't fall for his games.

"Is that what you truly believe?"

"It's what you did to Seraphina, right? And others. Lure them in. Trick them. Take their abilities."

"Maybe you're right. Maybe you have me all wrong. Time will tell." He patted my leg.

"Get some sleep. You'll need it."

He stood up and paused, looking down at me.

"You're not like the others, Theodore. They don't see you as an equal."

I rolled my eyes.

"You think I'll fall for that? I won't play your game. Keep me prisoner. Starve me. Lock me up. Do what you want. I won't give you the answers."

"You must care for them a great deal?"

I held his gaze.

He wasn't getting anything else.

He moved back to his chair.

His sage green eyes glowed in the dark.

I couldn't see that yesterday.

The drugs were wearing off.

He'd given me nothing else.

Yet I could scent him now.

Faintly, but it was there.

Maybe it wasn't in the drugs.

Maybe he was projecting the scent himself.

He is part Witch, after all.

"Why do I need my sleep?"

"I just want you well-rested. Not everything about me is bad, Theodore. I do care about some things. You just don't see it yet."

"Like Evelyn?"

"I thought you didn't want to talk about the pack?"

"She isn't part of my pack."

A flicker of delight shone in his sage green eyes.

The blue flecks seemed to sparkle.

His sister means everything to him.

Probably more than anyone.

"You don't have any siblings, do you, Theodore?" My name rolled off his tongue.

"No. And I'm grateful. Siblings always cause problems. Especially younger ones."

Except Seraphina. She was a little older than Athena. But still, a sibling causing problems.

He smiled and nodded.

"They do. I used to think that was their purpose. To be a troublemaker for the older one. I couldn't stand Evelyn when we were kids. Her sticky hands were always in my things. She always wanted to be where I was. The ultimate pain in the ass. But I need her where I can watch her."

"Exactly why I'm glad to be alone."