Theo didn’t focus on those words. Instead, he pictured his mates. Wylder in his tank top and shredded jeans. The smile on his face when he was teasing Theo. Alek with his perfectly fitted suits and scowl when he was confused by something Wylder teased him about. The vampire plus that had known his entire life that he had a destiny to fulfill but didn’t allow that to keep him from living. Theo liked when Dario wore his soft sweaters that were perfect to curl up against. Dario might have all the money that one man could ever need but there was something in the way that Dario looked at Theo that told Theo he was more important than any amount of money. And Mitch. Theo still remembered the night of their first sleepover where Mitch had shared a secret with him.
Mates.
Destiny.
Inside his palm, the amulet started to warm.
“Let’s finish this,” Bramley said cheerfully.
“No,” Theo whispered. He might not be a fighter but Theo was not going to give up. His mates wouldn’t quit on him. Theo wouldn’t quit on them.
He blew out a deep breath.
He heard another voice. A different voice. Not that of his brother with his taunts and dismissal.
‘Get up!’the voice told him.‘Get up!’
Theo didn’t know if he had the strength to even stand.
‘No one is coming to save you. You have to save yourself. Fight!’
Theo gave the amulet one last squeeze before he pushed himself up and to his knees.
From his knees, Theo was able to get his feet under him.
‘You have power! Use it. Save yourself.’
Did Theo have power? He was a cat that was up against the unseelie king. Except. Didn’t that make Theo unseelie too? The previous unseelie king was his father. His mother had risked her life to keep Theo safe. There was power in the love that his mother had for him.
During Bramley’s tirade he’d said that Theo’s unseelie powers had been bound. How did Theo go about unbinding those? Or in the meantime unleashing them enough to survive.
And he would survive.
Breathing in and out slowly, Theo faced his brother.
“Oh!” Bramley clapped. “The kitten has claws.”
It was time to use those claws.
* * * * *
Wylder
Inches. Wylder was just inches from the portal. If he could just get closer.
Two massive winged creatures stood in front of the portal, guarding it. Beside him, Alek was taking down enemy after enemy. Without a weapon of his own, Wylder was mostly trying to stay out of the way.
He was totally getting a sword after this. Wylder didn’t care what Mitch or Alek said. Yes, he was faster than a normal human. He could fight with his fists.
A horn blared in the distance.
Throwing his head back, Alek laughed. “Here comes the reinforcements.”
Wylder turned, barely missing getting a claw in the side. From around the hill, it appeared an army of their own had arrived. Carrying a white banner and led by Alek’s fathers.
Vadir was outfitted in black armor. Mahah was glowing in soft white light. Sebastian was juggling three light blue orbs. And Carson had to be the giant bear in shifted form. Tate was there as well. The human walked behind his mates, carrying a bag of some sort.
With them was Josh and two men that while older, looked just like him.
