Page 41 of A Crown of Fates

He nods and leads Isla out of the office.

Once the door closes behind them, I take advantage of the magic soundproofing within the room and let out a scream. My fists are clenched and my heart races as I yell into the abyss, thankful nobody can hear me. I need this moment. I need to scream and cry and plan a few murders, because if I don’t, I’m going to lose my damned mind.

My throat is raw by the time I’m done, but I feel marginally better. Time is of the essence, so that’s all the breakdown I’llallow myself. Instead, I look around Theo’s office, hoping to find something he’s overlooked that will be helpful. Nothing holds my attention long except for his desk.

I sit in his chair and peek at the stacks of papers on the desktop. There’s nothing unusual for a king: orders for repairs, transfers, amendments, and so on, along with meeting requests from his advisory council. Interesting. That currently only includes Jerome. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.

It makes me sad that there isn’t anything personal here. Not a trinket or picture or even a rock. Everything is here out of necessity, nothing to remind him of love or family or a happy time in his life.

Theo’s done unthinkable things, but hearing his story, knowing that Orix has been screwing with him since the moment he sent mercenaries to slay his pack… I can’t help feeling sorry for my mate.

I keep going through his drawers, but there’s still nothing of consequence. Maybe Jerome will have more insight for me…or maybe I should spend the rest of the afternoon with Theo, not worrying about any of this and getting to know him. He just found out that his mother was never in danger. Even without a completed bond, before he stormed out of the office, I could taste the smokiness of his despair, of the regret I’m sure will plague him for years to come.

He doesn’t deserve to be alone right now, and I should’ve realized that before.

It’s time for me to leave this office and find my mate. With that plan firmly in my sights, I’m finally looking forward to what happens next.

When I enter the hallway, it’s eerily quiet. A heaviness hangs in the air, pressing in on me to the point that I’m tempted to go back into the office for some relief. Reaching back, I twist the handle and almost step back in before someone calls my name.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” Drea says with a bright smile. “Benji was jumping on the bed and…” She looks me up and down. “What’s wrong? Did Theo do something?”

Considering how much I’ve already told her, I’m tempted to divulge the latest happenings, but this is so much bigger than her. I have no doubt I can trust Drea, but there are some things she shouldn’t have to worry about. Going up against a god is one of them. At least for now.

“Theo’s actually been great,” I tell her with a genuine smile. “I’m just going to find him, but what about Benji? Did he get hurt?”

She shakes her head, still eyeing me. “No, but his hard head put a hole in the wall. He hid under the bed for nearly an hour before Jerome came and made everything better by taking one of the paintings from another wall and hanging it over the hole.”

I’ll have to thank him for being so welcoming of the children. After all they’ve been through, the more adults who show these kids love and understanding the better.

“I love that,” I tell her then frown. “Thank you for checking in on them today. It’s been busy, and I haven’t had time yet.”

“I heard your sister and King Asher are here.” I can hear the question she’s not asking.

“They were, but they’re probably back on the ship already, headed to Polaris again,” I say. “Isla is a little overprotective of me and had to see for herself that I’m okay. It was a short visit.”

Gods, I really hate not telling her the whole truth. At least I’m not technically lying to her.

“Well, okay.” She glances at the ground, avoiding my gaze. “I’ll be around if you need me.”

“How about dinner tonight?” I suggest then remember I’d just mentally committed to spending the rest of the day with Theo. “Or breakfast tomorrow morning. We could order food in, my place or yours.”

Drea’s gaze brightens. “Breakfast is perfect, and definitely in your room. Orion has a hard time going off to work when he knows I’m going to be home. A good and bad problem to have.” Her cheeks flush. “That beast of a man can’t keep his paws off me.”

My heart twinges with jealousy. While I’m happy that she seems to have this incredible mate, I won’t lie and pretend I don’t wish for the same. Not to say Theo can’t be the same given the chance, but if things could be as simple for us as they seem to be for Drea and Orion, I wouldn’t complain. At least, I’d like to think so.

“I’ll see you around seven tomorrow then?” I confirm so I can go find my mate.

“Absolutely.” She turns to walk away then pauses to look back at me. “If you need me before then, I’m here for you. Don’t forget that.”

“I won’t, I promise.”

I head toward Theo’s bedroom. I haven’t personally been there, but Jerome made sure to point out its location when I was avoiding life last week.

Turning left, I see the painting of a stunning woman in a yellow dress. She’s wearing a diamond crown and sitting on a throne with a wolf at her feet. I don’t know anything about her, but I imagine she was a powerful queen and one I’d love to know.

I continue, daydreaming about having grown wolves lie at my feet and start to chuckle…until my vision goes black. I can’t see, and then, before I know it, I can’t hear anything either. I reach out for the wall and open my mouth to call for help, but no sound comes out. At least as far as I know.

“Hello, my little queen,” a man’s raspy voice says in front of me. “I thought it was time we officially met.”

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