Page 16 of Chosen: The Lenkov Journals

Aleksander

Vadir’s words echoed in his mind. The dark elves were often used by others in the fae realm to do their dirty work. Theo’s attack could have been the dark elves wanting power or something bigger being orchestrated. They had no way of knowing until more intel was found.

“Tate was never targeted?” Mitch questioned.

Vadir, Mahah, Mitch, and Aleksander were all in the office going over the information, or lack of, before Aleksander took his mates home.

“No,” Mahah replied. “We haven’t had many experiences with them. Anytime we’ve visited the fae realm, it was with an invitation. More diplomatic missions.”

“I just don’t get it. How did anyone even know about Theo?” Aleksander asked.

“That’s what I wonder,” Mahah agreed.

“I don’t like this.” Aleksander couldn’t stand for one of his mates to be in danger. He’d been training his entire life for this destiny but now that he was in it for sure, Aleksander was terrified. He already cared so much for Theo. The little shifter was too sweet, loving, just the perfect mate. If something happened to him…no, Aleksander couldn’t think like that.

“We’ll continue to reach out,” Vadir said. “I will use every connection we have.”

“I’ll be going to speak with my sire,” Mitch said. “Hopefully, between all our resources we can come up with something.”

“I want to contact the oracle,” Mahah said.

Aleksander winced. He had never been comfortable with visiting someone who could see the future. He understood why his fathers had wanted him to know. To prepare for him for the future. Aleksander would forever be grateful but once he had known, Aleksander’s life hadn’t been his own.

“I’ll only do it with your blessing,” Mahah told him.

Aleksander glanced over at Mitch.

Mitch nodded. “Anything to protect our mate?”

Aleksander knew how much Mitch wanted to avoid his sire but he was reaching out to protect Theo. “Anything to protect our mate,” he agreed.

“I’ll leave today,” Mahah said.

“How long will you be gone?” Aleksander asked.

“At least a few days.”

“You won’t be going alone,” Vadir stated firmly.

“I don’t get it,” Mitch sounded confused.

“You can only reach the oracle by hiking,” Mahah explained. “It is several days walk. It can be dangerous.”

“In this realm?” Mitch questioned.

“No,” Vadir said. “They’ll have to portal hop.”

“You won’t go?” Aleksander questioned.

Vadir shook his head. “I have too many feelers out. Carson and Sebastian will accompany your mah.”

Aleksander turned to Mahah. “Please be careful.”

His mah pulled him into his arms. “We will be. Take care of your mates.”

“I will.” Aleksander swallowed hard. This wasn’t how he thought the beginning would be. He’d expected to have time. Time to train his mates. For them to learn what they needed to do. How to interact with other species.

Mitch clasped a hand on his shoulder. “We will protect our mates.”

Aleksander leaned into the strength of his mate. At least he was no longer alone dealing with destiny. He had his mates by his side. They would protect their mates. No question about it.

* * * * *

Mitch

Hissing as his sire’s summon burned along his arm, Mitch quickly removed his hand from Aleksander’s shoulder.

Aleksander glanced down at the tattoos that flamed. “Your sire?”

Mitch nodded. “I guess he got tired of waiting for me to come to him.”

“How much time do you have?” Alek asked.

“The longer I put it off, the more it hurts,” Mitch supplied.

“Go,” Alek urged.

Mitch looked over at the door. “Theo? Wylder?” He hated to leave without saying goodbye to his mates. He wasn’t lying though. His sire had the ability to call him from anywhere, any realm, and Mitch couldn’t fight it.

“I’ll explain,” Alek promised. “We’ll meet up for dinner tomorrow to catch up on everything.”

Leaning forward, Mitch placed a quick kiss to Alek’s lips. “Call if you need me.”

“I will.”

“Can I open a portal in here?” Mitch asked.

“Yes,” Mah said. “I’ve used your bond with Aleksander to allow it.”

Mitch placed his hand over his heart. A thankful gesture in his world. Aleksander’s fathers didn’t even know him and still they were showing him respect and trust. Mitch knew his own sire would not be as welcoming.

“You are always welcome here,” Vadir told him.

“Appreciate it.” Mitch opened his portal. He winked at Aleksander before stepping through. Using a portal was so familiar to him that Mitch didn’t even think twice about using them.

He appeared in his sire’s throne room. “You summoned.”

Micitian glowered at him. He sat with one leg thrown over the arm of his throne chair made up from the skulls of his enemies. Literally. Micitian was a warrior turned god. He was a spoiled demon that was used to getting his way. “I expected you to bring your mates.”

“I wasn’t given the chance. I wasn’t even with all my mates when you summoned me. You could have called,” Mitch pointed out.

“Where were you?” his sire demanded.

“We were at Aleksander’s parents’ house, trying to track down information on the dark elves.”

“You could have asked me,” his sire responded.

“I planned on it actually.”

Micitian straightened. “Did you?”

“I know you have contacts in the fae realm,” Mitch said. “Dark contacts.”

“And?”

“I need your help,” Mitch admitted.

“So the chosen couldn’t help you?”

Mitch huffed out a breath. “They are trying.”

“You trust them more than me,” Micitian accused.

“They are the chosen,” Mitch pointed out.

His sire snorted. “But you want my help now.”

“Yes,” Mitch said. “I’m asking for your help. I need you to help me protect my mates.”

“Mates that I haven’t even met yet.”

“I explained that.” Mitch was losing his patience.

His sire waved his hand. “Demons, hell, blah, blah.”

Mitch didn’t have time for this. He bowed his head. “What do you want?” His sire was always ready to make a deal. He was the god of death after all. Making deals was his thing. He could kill or not based on his whims.

Micitian hummed. “That’s more like it.”

It took everything in him to remain still and patient. His sire would string this out for as long as he wanted. Mitch had spent his childhood playing these games. Micitian was bored. Mitch knew it. He had been trying to give his mates time before having to deal with his sire. It appeared time had run out.

The heat from the throne room had sweat running down his back from the open fire pit in the middle of the room. As a demon, Micitian didn’t feel the heat but Mitch sure the hell did.

He stood with his spine straight to not show any weakness.

“Dinner,” Micitian announced.

“Dinner?”

“I want your mates to come to dinner,” his sire said. “You went to the Lenkov estate. It’s my turn.”

Mitch sighed. “This isn’t a competition.”

Micitian bared his fangs.

“Fine. Dinner but I need to give my mates more time.” Mitch wasn’t even surprised. Micitian wasn’t happy with his own place, always looking to better his position, to be the top demon.

“You can have a week.”

A week was not long enough. Mitch didn’t have any other choice but to agree. “In the meantime, you’ll look for any information of the attack on Theo?”

“I will. I vow it.”

The fire behind him rose, erupted, sparks flying from the pit. The vow had been made. At least his sire was willing to help. Had to help with the vow being accepted. Mitch was going to have to give his mates a crash course in dealing with demons. Words had meaning.

Mitch lowered his head. “Thank you.”

Micitian clapped his hands as he rose. “I have a feast to prepare!”

He turned, hiding the fact that he was rolling his eyes. His sire was just so extra. Mitch wanted to check in with some of the other higher demons that owed him favors. Mitch’s entire focus would be protecting his mates.

* * * * *

Theo

Even though he’d been nervous to meet Aleksander’s parents, Theo was glad that he’d come.Theo could admit that after watching the five mates together, they were much more normal than he had expected, and he felt better about his own place with his mates.

He’d had his doubts about what he could offer in his mating.

Seeing Aleksander’s parents had helped Theo realize that maybe he did have something to offer.

Tate especially had spoken to Theo about how he could be a helpful presence in the group as fighting wasn’t always needed. When fighting was unavoidable, there were often victims that needed someone. Theo would love to be the one to help others when so often he felt inferior.

Theo was looking forward to learning more about all the ways the chosen performed their duties.

Sadly, they were about to leave so they could go back to Dario’s and grab their bags before they had to go to their respective homes. Theo hated that the weekend was ending but knew that there were more in front of them.

It was hard realizing he didn’t want to be away from his mates, but he also enjoyed his classes and wanted to be in school. He’d worked so hard to get into college. Even though Theo’s life had changed drastically in the last few weeks, he still had goals he wanted to accomplish. Theo had an idea now of what he wanted to begin to study.

The university had an amazing writing program.

Something that Theo could utilize in the future.

For the first time in his life, Theo wasn’t excited to attend college because it felt like something he should do. Theo wanted to learn, become educated, be able to write the journals in a way that would help the generations that came after him.

The next generation would be one of his children.

One of his children.

Theo would have a child that would end up being the chosen after him.

All Theo could do was the best to his ability in order to make sure that the child that came from his mating became the chosen in a safe world. Maybe they could ensure that there wouldn’t be wars or danger for his children. He didn’t know if that was even possible, but Theo hoped so.

That brought on the horrifying thought of who would carry the child. Children. Hellcats! Theo wasn’t ready to think about children. He was still so very young. And he didn’t want to be the one pregnant. That sounded horrible.

Of course, Aleksander’s fathers had waited to have their children. Maybe it wasn’t something that he needed to worry about yet.

Hellcats! Theo didn’t even live with his mates! Theo was going back to his dorm room and have to spend the nights away from his mates. There wouldn’t be a wake-up blowjob or even cuddling.

With a sigh, Theo drifted away from the group toward the large fountain in the middle of the drive. His footsteps quietly crunched over the gravel before his shoes sank into the plush lawn. Theo was still amazed by the massive property and astounding landscape. He was more comfortable there than he could have ever imagined. Yes, the place screamed money, but Aleksander’s fathers had also made a comfortable home.

Not that Theo wanted to live there. Not on such a big estate. Dario’s apartment was nice though. Aleksander had his own apartment, but Theo hadn’t seen it. Mitch lived in the hell realm but said he could stay there in the human realm and portal back and forth. It didn’t matter for Theo or Wylder since they both only had dorm rooms.

There were aspects of the large estate that Theo did like.

The huge fountain was circled by concrete and stone with elaborate statues all around the wide base. Drawn forward, Theo tried to place what he was seeing. Stone creatures sat upon the lip of the fountain and Theo was amazed by the craftsmanship. He walked to the closest statue in awe.

Sitting on a two-foot ledge of the fountain, the statue was just about the height of Theo himself.

Wow, just wow. His fingers itched to touch, and Theo couldn’t resist. Brushing his fingertips over the small bat like ears, Theo was surprised by the heat of the statue. The gargoyle—Theo believed that was what they were called—had a muscular beauty to his grotesque features.

“Ah, I see you’ve met my favorite pets,” Carson said as he joined Theo in front of the fountain.

“Pets?” Theo asked. He continued to stroke the statue’s ear.

Carson’s chuckle was warm. “We were blessed to meet Garrett and his clan a few decades ago and they’ve decided to watch over us in exchange for a safe place to nest.”

The words echoed around in his head before Theo clued in. Very slowly he removed his hand. He tucked his hands behind his back. “Uh…”

The gargoyle, Garrett? very slowly opened his eyes.

Theo gasped. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize—”

Carson laughed but it wasn’t unkind. “Trust me, Garrett does not mind the attention.”

Cocking his head to the side, Theo stared at the gargoyle statue but yelped and jumped when the gargoyle tilted his head as well. Hellcats! Theo was not prepared to come face to face with a freaking gargoyle!

He should have been more careful.

“I-I’m so sorry, Mr. Garrett…uh…sir. I did not mean to touch you without your permission.”

One clawed hand rose before Garrett gently petted Theo’s cheek. Well, that was probably fair since Theo had petted the gargoyle’s ear.

“Hey, Theo.” Aleksander walked up and wrapped his arm around Theo’s waist. “Making friends?”

“I didn’t know!” Theo exclaimed. “I just thought he was an amazing statue, and I couldn’t help but touch him.”

The gargoyle smiled before he dropped his hand. The gargoyle moved so slowly that Theo wasn’t sure how easy it was for him to move.

Aleksander chuckled. “It’s probably a good idea to assume anything you come across here and in other realms are mostly likely not what they appear.”

“That’s good advice.” Theo would have to be more careful. While the gargoyle didn’t seem to mind, Theo could get himself in trouble with his curious nature.

“But Garrett’s an attention whore, so don’t worry too much about it.”

The gargoyle—no, Garrett; the gargoyle had a name—raised his arm before lowering his fingers one at a time until only his middle finger stood facing Aleksander.

Theo was so shocked that he laughed loudly. Okay, he had not expected that.

“Don’t encourage him, sweet boy,” Aleksander said as he nuzzled the top of Theo’s head. “I’m still convinced that Garrett is evil.”

Carson cleared his throat, although it was obvious that he was trying to hide his own laugh. “Aleksander might still be holding a grudge from when Garrett decided to use his new suit jacket as a blanket for one of the spouts.”

“Spouts?” Theo questioned.

“A newly hatched gargoyle is called a spout,” Aleksander explained. “And that jacket cost me five hundred dollars and was custom fit,” he finished with a sniff.

Hellcats! Theo was so out of his league with a partner who had five-hundred-dollar custom suit jackets. Still, he would never have expected to be having this kind of conversation in his life.

The grin spread across Garrett’s face just as slowly as he moved. Theo couldn’t keep his eyes off Garrett. This whole experience was astonishing.

“Really, Garrett?” Aleksander suddenly grinned. “Is that how you want to play it? Fine.” Aleksander turned his head. “Hey, Josh!”

Garrett moved quicker than Theo had seen so far as his wing unfurled.

A young man popped out from across the yard with a pair of shears. He spotted Aleksander and smiled.

Jealousy like he’d never felt before inflamed Theo. Who was this young guy that was smiling at his mate? Alek belonged to him and their mates. Exclusively.

“Hey, Aleksander!” The young guy jogged over. “Are you giving Garrett a hard time again?” Instead of heading to be close to Aleksander like Theo feared, the young guy went over to Garrett and patted his back.

The gargoyle’s wings dropped before Garrett smiled at the stranger.

“Oh, hey!” The young man turned to Theo. “I know you!”

He did? Theo didn’t think so.

“Hey, Josh!” Wylder joined them. “Funny seeing you here.”

“Hi, Wylder.” Josh looked from Wylder to Aleksander to Theo. “Uh…I get the feeling that I might have missed something?”

At least Theo wasn’t the only one.

“Let me introduce you to my mates.” Aleksander wrapped one arm around Wylder while tightening the other that he embraced Theo with.

“Mates! Congratulations!” Josh clapped happily.

“Josh and I have a class together,” Wylder informed them.

“And I’ve seen Theo around campus although we haven’t officially met. Hi, Theo!” Josh waved.

Hellcats! Josh seemed nice. “Hi, nice to meet you.”

“You too! This is so great! I just transferred to the university and I haven’t made many friends. And if you’re mated to Aleksander, then that means that you know all the secrets, so I don’t even have to pretend.” Josh’s excitement flowed out of him and Theo found himself smiling along.

Yeah, it was going to be impossible not to like the guy. “Pretend?” Theo inquired.

Josh brushed his hair behind his ears, showing off the very pointed tips. “I moved to the human realm to come to school, but it’s hard to fit in, you know. I can’t tell anyone what I am.”

Theo understood completely. Even as human as Theo seemed, there would always be his shifter side he would have to keep hidden.

“That’s why when I saw you around the campus, I was hoping I could find a way to talk to you. I knew you were a shifter so I thought you might be someone I could get to know better. I just couldn’t seem to catch your attention.” Josh laughed.

Blushing, Theo dropped his head. He’d tried so hard to fit in, but he hadn’t managed to make any friends either. It seemed like Theo needed to pay better attention to the world around him. “I’m sorry, Josh. I’m so happy to meet you now though.”

Theo wanted more friends and Josh did seem nice. Plus, he wasn’t interested in Aleksander, which was a huge relief. Theo wasn’t used to the feeling of jealousy, and he hadn’t liked it. Even though he had four mates, Theo didn’t feel left out, and there was no jealousy seeing his mates together without him.

“Awesome!” Josh leaned against Garrett and the gargoyle radiated happiness. There was a connection around them that Theo could practically taste. Something that had never happened to Theo before, but he knew it had to be magical.

“Can I ask what you are?” Wylder inquired. “I had no idea you weren’t human, and Theo has limited experience as well, so I’m sure he’s curious.”

Theo nodded.

“Oh!” Josh grinned. “Part fairy and part druid. When I decided to come here for school, I was able to get a job here to help with the landscaping.”

Theo made a mental note to learn more about druids, fairies, and gargoyles. Wow, he could spend all his time learning about the supernatural world and he wasn’t certain that he would know everything he should. Looking around, Theo realized what Josh had just said. “You did all of this?” He waved his hand around the lush lawn.

Josh laughed. “Well, my two older brothers, who are also druids, have been working here for years. I’ve been helping them out though.”

“We’re very thankful for Josh’s entire family.” Carson patted Josh’s shoulder as he spoke.

Theo looked at Carson and realized that he’d said something similar about Garrett’s clan. Did being a part of the chosen mean that he’d also become close to so many other supernatural types? Theo didn’t know his exact place in the relationship and his destiny, but he wouldn’t run away from the responsibility. He’d learn everything he could.

His life wasn’t heading in the direction that he could ever have imagined, but it seemed to be so much better, so many opportunities that Theo hadn’t dreamed about. All the talk about destiny hadn’t really dawned on him, but as he snuggled into Aleksander’s side, Theo knew he was right where he was supposed to be.