Sitting beside Fergie as Dario’s assistant drove them toward the house, Dario forced himself to quit worrying. If Theo hated the house, Dario would keep looking, but in the meantime, Theo and Wylder would move into the apartment. No more nights apart. Especially when the threat of Theo’s brother was still out there.
Theo’s brother.
There was no paperwork that existed showing that the ex-unseelie king Jasperkin had a second child. Bramley’s name was the only child attributed to Jasperkin. Knowing Theo came from royal unseelie blood didn’t change anything for Dario. In his very long existence Dario had dealt with both the seelie and unseelie numerous times. In fact Dario often thought it was easier to deal with the unseelie.
Some myths and legends were based on truth.
The unseelie often didn’t play by any rules. But at least the unseelie motives were usually easy to see. It was seelie, especially the seelie court, that often were hard to navigate with. The pitfalls were massive with how secretive the seelie were.
It would be best for Theo for no one to learn of his heritage.
Being newly bonded meant that Alek and his mates hadn’t officially taken over the chosen tasks as Alek’s fathers were still performing the duties. While Dario and his mates had time until they needed to take over the chosen duties, time wasn’t on their side either.
Fergie made a right onto the street that Dario hoped that they would call home. They passed Evian’s house and rode farther down the street to the biggest house on the block.
Glancing over his shoulder, Dario grinned seeing that Theo and Wylder both nearly had their noses pressed to the window of the SUV.
“This is it,” Dario commented unnecessarily.
“It’s so big,” Theo whispered.
Aurelia bounced and clapped. “So many rooms to manage. I’ll need a full staff.”
Theo kissed the top of the brownie’s head.
Dario loved seeing Theo dote on the newest members of their family. Theo was loving and kind. He didn’t like to make demands for himself but Theo was already speaking up for what Aurelia and Bo needed.
“I can’t see!” Bo grumbled. “I need my troll form.”
“No!” Wylder snatched Bo up and lifted him. “You have to stay small here. No one can see your troll form.”
Bo huffed but was looking out the window as Fergie parked in front of the big house.
“Hey! Ethan’s here!” Theo said, waving madly at his current roommate.
They had a fun little surprise for Theo. After the little shifter had disappeared, he’d missed out on some huge changes. This was going to be shocking to their little mate.
Dario opened the door and the others followed suit, with Mitch helping Theo and Wylder out from the third row.
Theo’s eyes were wide as he clutched Aurelia to his chest. “Ethan?”
“Hey, buddy,” Ethan greeted with a warm smile. “How are you doing? We were worried about you.”
Theo glanced back and forth from Ethan to Evian and to where they were holding hands.
Dario stepped up behind Theo as he just stared at his roommate. “What’s going on?” Theo finally asked.
Ethan shrugged as he laughed. “I should thank you for introducing me to my mate.”
“Mate?” Theo repeated. “Evian is your mate?”
Ethan dropped Evian’s hands as he strode forward. “He is. And you have four mates! That is amazing.”
“Wait!” Theo spluttered. “You know about mates?”
“My best friend growing up was a shifter. I’ve known about the supernatural since I was a little kid. I sort of figured you were something, but you are so shy I didn’t know if I should ask.”
“You know!” Theo bounced forward. “I don’t have to hide it from you.”
