Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)

Chapter 248 - 247: She’s back

The next day...

In a bar.

Theo sat hunched over the counter, a half-empty glass in front of him. His fingers rested loosely around it, but he hadn’t taken a sip in minutes.

His eyes were empty and lost.

Kelvin one of his pack member sat beside him, arms folded on the counter, watching him carefully.

"You can’t keep doing this," Kelvin said quietly.

Theo didn’t respond, he just staring blankly at nothing in particular.

The ice in his glass was already melting slowly.

"She’s not coming back just because you sit here every night, Theo, this is not you. " Kelvin continued, his tone firm but not unkind.

Theo’s jaw tightened slightly.

"Say something," Kelvin muttered.

Theo finally spoke, voice low. "There’s nothing to say."

Kelvin leaned back in his chair. "You think drowning yourself in this place is going to change anything?"

Still he got no reply.

Kelvin sighed. "The pack needs you. Especially now your dad is not available."

Theo’s head drifted toward him slowly, movements heavier than usual. His eyes were glassy now.

"Why are you bothering me?" he muttered. "Are you my keeper?" A humorless chuckle slipped out. "Go. You shouldn’t be here. I can take care of myself."

Kelvin stared at him for a long second.

"Look at you," he said quietly. "Does this look like taking care of yourself?"

Theo looked away.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Kelvin picked up Theo’s glass and moved it slightly out of reach. "You don’t even taste it anymore, do you?" he said.

Theo gave a faint scoff. "It’s a drink. It’s not supposed to be a life-changing experience."

"That’s not what I meant."

Theo rubbed a hand over his face, dragging it down slowly. "Then what did you mean?"

Kelvin watched him carefully. "You don’t usually take this much."

Theo’s lips twitched slightly. "People change."

"No," Kelvin said calmly. "People hide."

Theo leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling like it might give him an answer. "You ever get tired of caring?"

Kelvin frowned. "About what?"

"About anything."

Kelvin just stared at him clueless. He honestly do not know know why Theo is behaving like this. Not just him, all of them.

He heard a rumour that it’s all because of Athena bit he didn’t believe. How could a girl destroy him to this point? How will he be able to lead if a girl is able to wreck him this bad?

Kelvin leaned closer. "What are you actually running from?"

Theo’s jaw tightened. "Nothing."

Kelvin didn’t push. He just studied him.

"You haven’t slept properly," Kelvin said quietly. "You flinch at your own phone. You sit here like you’re waiting for something and hoping it doesn’t come at the same time."

Theo’s fingers grabbed the drink before Kelvin could stop him and gulped it. The drink burning him throat.

Theo stared at the bar counter, eyes unfocused.

"...I’m just tired," he said finally.

Kelvin nodded slowly. "Of what?"

Theo didn’t answer.

Kelvin studied him for a second, then shook his head."Like... today is prom. And you don’t even look like you’re planning to attend."

Theo didn’t even hesitate. "I’m not going."

Kelvin blinked. "You’re not what?"

He leaned closer. "Do you hear yourself? Your dad and mom will be there, Theo. Even your sister."

Theo let out a short laugh. "My mom and dad?" he scoffed. "Like they’ve ever cared." He shook his head slightly. "Like they’re the first wolves to ever be blessed with a mate bond."

Kelvin frowned. "I know but_"

Theo looked at him sharply. "Bit what?"

There was alcohol in his system, yes, but the words weren’t drunk. They were stored. Held in for too long.

"They found each other and suddenly the rest of us became background noise," Theo continued, voice low but steady. "Everything became about them. Their bond. Their story. Their perfect reunion."

Kelvin didn’t interrupt, he just listened to him pour out his grief.

"It’s been one year since I last saw my parents, barely calling." Theo went on, staring at the counter. "But when it came to actually showing up... it was always later. And now they’re suddenly showing up. They suddenly what to act like a perfect parents that they’re not."

Kelvin exhaled slowly. "You think not showing up tonight fixes that?"

Theo’s jaw tightened. "No. I just don’t see the point in pretending."

Kelvin leaned back slightly. "Pretending what?"

"That we’re some united family." Theo’s eyes flickered briefly. "That everything’s fine. He snapped. "That I’m fine." His voice thinned slightly. "I’m not. I’m not happy."

Theo stared straight ahead, his jaw tight, his eyes glassy but refusing to spill. "I miss her like hell."

The noise of the bar carried on around them, but at their end of the counter, it felt muted.

Kelvin leaned his elbows on the table. "You think not going tonight makes it hurt less?"

Theo shook his head faintly. "No."

"Then what does it do?"

Theo dragged a hand through his hair. "It keeps me from standing in a room full of people pretending I’m okay. Smiling. Laughing. Watching everyone dance like nothing’s missing."

Kelvin nodded slowly. "You’re scared it’ll hit you harder there."

Theo let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh. "It already hits me everywhere."

"She would’ve loved prom," he muttered. "The music." His lips twitched faintly.

Kelvin’s voice softened. "Then maybe you go for that."

Theo looked away. Just then his phone rang.

He didn’t even check the screen. He just picked it up. "Hello."

"Hi! Theo," Laila’s voice came through, unusually bright. "I have good news for you."

He frowned slightly, already irritated. "Laila, I’m not in the mood..."

"It’s about Athena."

The noise of the bar seemed to drop away.

His grip on the phone tightened. "What about her?"

"She’s here," Laila said, lowering her voice. "She’s back."

For a second, Theo didn’t breathe. Then he let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "That’s not funny."

"I’m not joking."

His eyes hardened. "Please, don’t do that."