[THEODORE'S POV]
Ding!
I heard the doorbell ring, but I feigned a sudden deafness, carrying on with what I was doing like the world hadn't just summoned me to a new inconvenience.
"Honey, could you please help me go check who's at the door?" Mom shouted from the kitchen, her voice flying through the hall.
Oh-oh! Why must it be now?! I need to finish Mr. Dante's assignment. The man gave us this homework on Friday. Today is Sunday. Sunday night, for Goddess' sake! The last hours of grace. I need to complete this, to avoid Mr. Dante.
If I fail to complete this assignment, he will call me out in class tomorrow. And them-
I shuddered.
The Furious Five.
Leon and his goons - those alpha bullies that fed on my misery like parasites - would mock me mercilessly. Maybe even beat me again in the restroom like last time.
Just the thought of their sneers, of Leon whispering, "Omega crybaby forgot his homework" - made my heart ache slightly.
I didn't want to go through that
"Mom, I'm busy with my homework!!" I yelled back, softening my tone slightly so my irritation wouldn't show.
"Please, Theo, I'm in the kitchen! My hands are full! I'm cooking!!" she pleaded again.
"Theo!!" she called when I didn't answer immediately. "Please go answer the door."
"I heard you, Mom! I'm going now!" I grumbled, dragging my feet off the bed.
Muttering curses under my breath, I trudged to the door. "Why can't people just stay in their homes? Always disturbing other people in their homes! Urgghhh!!" I huffed.
I reached the door, turned the knob, and swung it open.
And then - BAAM!
The moment the door parted, a warm breeze carried something electric into my nostrils. A scent. Not just any scent. A tidal wave of earthy musk and cedarwood that smacked straight into my soul and lit every cell of my body on fire. It hit me hard.
Hot.
Seething.
Deliriously familiar.
The invisible thread of the mating bond snapped into place like a whip, searing my chest and spiraling deep into my belly. A pulse thundered through me, primal and uncontrollable. I gasped softly, my lungs burning with a heat I couldn't explain.
Then it happened. A stirring within me.
Nestor. My wolf. He tossed wildly, elated like a starved child offered his first meal in years.
His voice came off in my head.
"Mate," He whispered reverently in my mind, his voice dreamy and wild. "He's ours."
He's what?! I've met my mate? An alpha? Oh my fucking world!!
"Good evening, sir. How may I help y-" My voice trailed off like a broken melody as my eyes locked on the man before me.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Hair tousled like midnight waves. A beard thick enough to command fear and admiration. And those eyes - honey-brown, rich and deep like an autumn harvest, glowing softly beneath the porch light. A man carved by the goddess herself.
"Goddess, what a wonderful meat he is." Nestor whistled with a tail-wagging grin in my head.
"I'm dead, Nestor. Tell me I'm fucking dead," I mindlinked back, blinking like a cartoon character seeing fireworks.
But no. I wasn't dreaming. I wasn't dead.
He was real.
Standing right in front of me like a midnight feast of testosterone and temptation. A hairy alpha god with shoulders wide enough to carry a kingdom and a face sculpted with sin and shadow.
I'd never seen someone with a body like this. Not even Dad, who worked out obsessively. No, this one… this man… the moon goddess must have molded him with divine favor, brushing every curve of his being with desire and dominion.
For me.
"Just for me!" I squealed inwardly.
My rage evaporated in a flash. What was homework? What was Mr. Dante? And Leon... Fuck him! All I felt was heat. A full-bodied ache crawling up my spine.
I smiled, trying to look cute. "Goddess, I hope I'm not looking like a damn idiot."
He was… he was perfect. His voice hadn't even touched me yet, and I was ready to melt into the floor.
And then he spoke.
"Good evening, boy. Sorry, is this house 57?" he asked in a calm baritone, lips curling into a small, polite smile.
Oh my Goddess. His voice.
It wasn't just deep. It was deep in the way storms hum over oceans. It vibrated in my ribs like thunder, rich and honeyed and dangerous.
My brain fled to my private mind-palace, and suddenly, I was not standing at the door anymore. I was somewhere else, curled in his lap, his voice whispering filth into my ears.
A perfect bedroom voice.
"Yes, sir. This is house 57. Sorry, but who are you looking for in particular?" I replied, praying my words didn't stutter.
He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Mom arrived like a firework - loud, dramatic, and pushing me out of the spotlight.
"Alaric!!" she screamed and flew into his arms.
Wait. What?!
"How're you doing, Melissa? It's been a long time," he said, his voice making my chest rattle again.
"A very long time!" Mom replied with glee. "I've missed you, Alaric. I've missed you so much!"
"I've missed you too," he said softly.
My brain scrambled, spinning in alarm. What the fuck is going on here?!
Mom's hands were all over him like he was a long-lost lover. Two days after Dad travels out of state, this handsome alpha tank shows up on our doorstep?
I shook away the toxic thoughts. Mom's many things, but she's no cheat. Dad may be a jerk, but Mom is loyal. Period.
Still, my mind was reeling. But why is she acting so clingy with him? He is my mate for crying out loud! What is the relationship between them?
Before I could overthink myself into coma, mom turned toward me, her hand still resting warmly on his shoulder.
"Theo meet Alaric, your uncle. Alaric meet my son, Theodore."
My what?!
I felt the world tip under me.
No. No way. No fucking way.
My heart started pounding in my throat. My legs felt weak. My uncle is my mate?
The weight of how forbidden everything sounded pressed down on my chest. What in the goddess's sacred name is happening to me?! I love men, yes. But my uncle...? How on earth do I face that? Dad will never concur to our union. Tch, he doesn't even know what I am. He would kill me if he eventually learns of it.
The man - Alaric, smiled and stretched out a hand. "Nice to meet you, Theodore."
Without thinking, I launched my hand into his. "Nice to meet you too, uncle Alaric," I said, smiling with a heat behind my face that I knew I couldn't hide.
His palm was warm, big, and somehow… grounding.
I wanted him to cup my face. To kiss me. To-
"Theodore!!" I warned myself. "Get your act together!"
But then… he didn't let go.
He held on.
And then it happened.
He winked.
A wink.
My heart did a cartwheel.
"Did he… did he just…?" My pulse shot up and euphoria pumped through my veins.
Nestor was panting in my head, tail wagging. "Touch him. Closer. Mate!"
I was spiraling. Completely and hopelessly spiraling.
Then, as if to end me completely, uncle Alaric brushed his thumb across the back of my hand in a slow, deliberate circle. "My nephew is now a big boy," he said, voice amused. "Look at how he's matured into such a cute boy."
My brain shut down. Every neuron fried. I couldn't even form words.
I just stood there, eyes locked to his, smiling like a lunatic as my heart performed an Olympic sprint. He was fucking so tempting.
He looked just like the muscled hunks I've seen in those gay xxx pages.
"Hot uncle barebacks his slutty nephew." I thought lewdly and a small smile appeared on my face.
The fuck is wrong with me?
First day of meeting my mate and I'm already building whole erotic fantasies in my head?! Goddess help me. My brain needs divine exorcism.
Mom, oblivious to the mating crisis happening within me, snapped. "Theo!" Her voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "Don't be discourteous, honey. Your uncle just complimented you."
Shaken out of my reverie, I looked in his direction, staring deep into his brown orbs. The moment I opened my mouth to respond, a stutter followed.
"Uh-hm, th-th-anks f-for the compliments, uncle Alaric."
"The pleasure is mine, boy," he grinned, white teeth flashing like a sin.
Mom took his bag and led him into the house.
"Come in, Alaric. Come in. We have a lot to discuss!" she beamed.
I didn't hear whatever she said after that. All I saw was him.
As he stepped inside, I turned slightly, eyes trailing his form.
Tsk. Small butt.
But didn't Mila say that if the butt is small, then…
My eyes widened.
"Fuck me…" I muttered under my breath.
If that's true, then what he's packing in front could probably end my entire life.
The goddess be praised.