Page 69 of Marked By Love

Maybe, just maybe, he could trust Kendle. Trust her and her resources to fight the monsters while Theodore settled into a new home, a real home, and let the past be the past. Besides, Royce would be there if Theodore needed help again. He’d always be there.

There was a commotion as the omega witch was brought to the ambulance parked next to the one Theodore was sitting in. She was trying to fight the paramedics; when her punches fell short, she resorted to clawing at them. However, her thin arms started to shake, and her body swayed dangerously close to collapsing. All the while, Buford stood vigil over her, trying to unwind the copper and offer her promises of safety.

He sniffed, blinking hard. He’d been kidnapped. The traffickers had found him … they were going to sell him. Everything crashed into Theodore at once. While he thought he’d held his composure flawlessly throughout it all, he was now unraveling at the seams.

His chest tightened, and he choked on a sob, then a second. In no time, he was dissolved into a hiccupping, snotting mess. He vaguely heard Royce say something to the others before he pulled Theodore into his chest. His warm arms held him fast as he kissed Theodore’s hair, whispering reassurances to him.

When his crying showed no signs of ebbing, Royce asked, “Do you want to leave now? I can schedule something with Argus for later.”

“You’re hurt.” Leaning back, Theodore wiped a hand across his face. “You should let the paramedics look at you.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re covered in blood.”

“That’s not my blood, Theo.”

“Oh.” He didn’t know what else to say.

The witch next to him screamed, taking both of their attentions for a moment.

“That reminds me,” Royce said. “Do you know how they found you?”

“They used the witch,” Theodore said. “They’d had her captive for years. When I went off the alpha birth control, she was able to find my scent. Then they hacked into the automated message system the veterinary clinic uses. That’s how they knew my schedule and when I’d be there …” Theodore gasped, suddenly remembering. “Mutt! Oh no, is Mutt okay? I didn’t see what happened to her; they didn’t, did they?”

“Mutt is fine,” Royce said, wiping Theo’s cheeks. “I found her hiding at the cabin and set her up with Margarette and Gerald before leaving to get you.”

Theodore leaned forward, resting his forehead against Royce’s bare chest.

“I think we both need a shower,” he said, sniffing. “Well, mostly you.”

Royce laughed. “I’ll see what I can do about getting us a ride home.”

Royce disappeared into the crowd of flashing lights, vehicles, and alphas surrounding the cabin. Much to the displeasure of the paramedic working on him, Theodore hopped off the ambulance and stumbled blindly to the one next to him. He really needed his glasses before he tripped over a rock and chipped a tooth.

“Can I talk to her? Alone?” he said to the team of people surrounding the witch. They’d only just removed the last piece of copper wrapped around her. Her sallow skin was covered in giant black and purple welts.

None of them looked happy about his request, but seeing as this was the first time the witch stopped screaming and fighting them, they decided it was okay. Buford took more convincing, but after a glare and a hiss from the witch in question, he stepped back.

“Thank you,” Theodore said when they were alone. Her dark brows knit together, and her bloodshot eyes narrowed. “I, um, I know that probably sounds stupid to say, but you jumping on Gage is what allowed us to get out of there alive.”

“I did it for me.”

“That’s okay.” Theodore nodded. “What’s your name?”

“Belzora,” she bit out. Over her shoulder, Buford noticeably perked up.

“Nice to meet you, Belzora.” Theodore tried to smile at her. She simply glared at him. “Hey, so listen, I live in Elk Cove with most of these people. They’re good. You know more than most how long I’ve been on the run and what I’ve dealt with, so when I say Elk Cove is good, I hope you believe me. And Buford, he helped take care of me when I was sick. But still, Elk Cove has a really good doctor and an omega house. Just something to keep in mind.”

“Theo,” Royce hollered his name above the din. He was standing with another enforcer who had pants on and was holding car keys.

“I hope to see you around.” Theodore left the witch and was pleased to see she wasn’t fighting the paramedics as violently when they returned to her side.

“Theo, this is Scott. He’s going to give us a ride home.”

Bless the fates, Scott handed Theodore his glasses. He eagerly shoved them onto his face, and the world came into focus.

“And Freddy.” Scott beamed as Royce turned to glare at him.