Sarah put on a show of concern. “Theo, what’s wrong? You look distracted. Tell me, maybe I can help.”
Theo shook his head, his voice heavy with dawning horror.
“The healers just told me Alex was hospitalized. He went through early shift without the potion.”
“I can’t reach my mate through our bond anymore. The calls won’t go through either.”
That afternoon, Theo couldn’t sit still any longer.
“I need to check on them. If Alex really went through early shift alone, they must have been terrified…” 1
But before he could move, Marcus wrapped his small arms around Theo’s leg.
“No! Don’t leave me, Father!”
Marcus had just woken up, but at Sarah’s subtle signal, he immediately burst into tears, clinging to Theo desperately.
Sarah played her part perfectly. “Marcus, sweetie, let Father go if he needs to…”
Marcus shook his head violently. “No! I need Father here! I won’t take the stabilizing potions if he leaves…”
Theo’s face twisted with conflict, the Beta’s protective instincts warring with parental guilt. 1
His assistant tried to help. “Sir, don’t worry too much. Your mate loves you deeply – remember how they waited five years while
you were away, raising Alex alone, always believing you’d return. How many would show that kind of dedication?” 1
“Just because you didn’t answer their calls this once… they might be angry for a few days, but once they understand about
Marcus’s emergency, they’ll forgive you.”
Theo’s face relaxed slightly at this logic. He nodded.
“You’re right. My mate has always put Alex first. They’re probably just waiting at home for me.”
“They went to such lengths to become my mate back then. The journals full of longing I found in their office…”
“Where else would they go? I must be overthinking things because of all this
