Page 6 of Chosen: The Lenkov Journals

Theo

The minute that he stepped inside the small café, Theo knew that his date was suddenly taking a turn for the bad side of things. With Dario behind him, Theo stopped walking as he stared toward the back of the restaurant.

“Theo?” Dario pressed his chest against the back of Theo’s shoulder.

At the corner table in the back, Theo saw the white-haired man say something, before standing. Then the stranger’s companion turned, and Theo saw Wylder. Wylder’s eyes widened before he scrambled out of the booth.

That explained why Theo had caught the mixture of their scents but not why they were intruding on his date. Wait, they were there first—was Theo the one intruding?

“Little one?” Dario whispered in his ear.

Across the room, both men stepped toward him, and Theo panicked. “We have to go!” Then he darted around Dario’s bigger frame and ran for the door.

There was commotion behind him, but Theo didn’t stop. He had to get away. It was just his luck that the minute he relaxed and started to really enjoy getting to know Dario, the other two men he’d been fantasizing about would show up. Maybe this was his punishment. He’d been bad and now fate was making him pay.

He’d almost made it to the street they’d had to cross when he was lifted off his feet.

Theo screeched while fighting the strong arms around him. A horn honked as a car flew by him.

“Shh,” Dario whispered in his ear. “It’s okay. I’ve got you. It’s going to be okay.”

“D…Dario?” Theo asked in a thick voice. He was on the edge of tears, knowing that he’d messed up their date. That everything was messed up. He couldn’t even do a first date right. Dario should just leave him there on the side of the road.

“Yes, little one. Calm down. It’s okay. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” Dario held him tight until Theo’s body relaxed.

It was impossible to not feel calm when Dario’s scent surrounded and soothed him. Theo was set back on his feet, but Dario didn’t release him. Theo didn’t know that he was safe. Maybe, though, Dario could help him figure out what was going on.

“Is he okay?”

Theo could recognize Wylder’s concerned voice. He couldn’t help but stiffen.

“Yes, fine. Back off for a minute. Let me talk to him.”

“Alright, but we’re not going anywhere. We need to talk.”

Theo didn’t know that voice and he sounded mad.

Dario growled.

“Alek, stop! Can’t you see he’s scared? Come stand over here with me.” Wylder said.

Theo sort of liked hearing Wylder stand up to the stranger. Maybe not a stranger to Wylder since they were having dinner together. Was that weird? That seemed weird to Theo. The two men he was fantasizing about were…together.

There was a huff, although thankfully, Theo could feel that too strong of a presence move away.

Holding Theo’s shoulders tight, Dario turned him while stepping in front of him. This had Theo’s back to the other two men as Dario could keep an eye on them.

“You know them?” Dario asked quietly.

Theo twisted his fingers nervously. “I’ve seen them before.” His voice shook—he couldn’t help it.

Dario’s eyes narrowed. “Did they hurt you? Scare you?” There was a bit of a growl at the end of his question.

Theo shrugged. He really didn’t want to explain. Even if they’d backed off, they’d probably still be able to hear whatever Theo said.

“I need more than that, sweetheart.”

“They didn’t hurt me,” Theo said honestly.

“But?” Dario pressed.

“They know!” Theo stressed the words.

Dario dropped on one knee as he captured Theo’s hands. Theo appreciated the support. With as tall as Dario was, him kneeling was much more comfortable for Theo not to have to strain his neck back. “Know what?”

“That…that…I’m not human.”

Dario nodded. “Not many people know that about you, do they?”

Theo shrugged again. It was hard to explain. He hadn’t told anyone. Had been warned not to.

“But they know because they’re not human either,” Dario said.

“I think Wylder is,” Theo said. “He smelt human, but weird not bad, and not shifter. I’m not sure. I really don’t know much about…that stuff.”

“We can work that out. And Wylder.” Dario’s gaze flicked over Theo’s shoulder before returning to his face. “He didn’t hurt you?”

“No! He saved me!” Theo hurried to clarify. His dreams and feelings about Wylder might confuse him, but he didn’t seem like a bad guy. “There’re some guys that were harassing me on campus. Other shifters. They caught me behind the building but before they could do anything, Wylder stopped them. He beat them up!”

Dario’s hold tightened for a minute and there was a small twitch in his jaw, but he took a deep breath and nodded.

“But I was scared when I was pinned to the wall, and I shifted. I shifted in front of him. Now he knows!”

“Okay, that’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I didn’t?”

“No, sweetheart. What about the other man?”

“I…” Theo shrugged. Now he was going to sound like a child. “I ran into him.”

“And?”

“It hurt my nose. He has a hard chest.”

There was a snort behind him, and Theo rolled his shoulders. They were listening. That was just plain rude! Even if they had superior hearing, they should at least pretend.

“I’m sure he was sorry you got hurt.” Dario’s gaze moved past him again.

“Then I saw him a few days later at the hockey game. He was watching me! And he definitely is not human.”

“No, no, he’s not.” With his free hand, Dario rubbed his face roughly. “Fuck, this is a mess.”

“If I may…”

Theo stiffened as the stranger stepped closer.

Dario rose and pulled Theo into his side as he held up his hand to stop the stranger.

“Anything else?” Dario asked softly.

Hellcats, Theo was going to die of humiliation. He would never recover from this horror. Turning his head, Theo brought his lips to Dario’s ear. “I dreamed about them,” he explained. “Like…you know, naughty dreams.” Goodness, he wished the sidewalk would open and swallow him up.

There was a gasp. Theo thought it might have come from Wylder. Yep, they’d still heard him. Theo dropped his head into Dario’s chest to hide. This was the worst first date in the entire world. He should just go back to his dorm and bury himself under his blankets. Dario was never going to want to see him again!

“It’s okay, little one. I think we can explain things and it will all add up for you,” Dario assured him.

Theo wished he believed the older man. He’d sure liked Dario and now everything was messed up.

“I don’t believe that this is a conversation that needs to take place on the sidewalk in front of the public.” Dario didn’t seem to be talking to him. “But I promised Theo dinner, and he is hungry.”

Theo tugged on the front of Dario’s shirt.

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“You promised me ice cream.”

Dario chuckled. “I did indeed.”

“If I might make a suggestion?” the stranger said.

Theo really tried to stop from tensing. He felt rather than saw Dario nod. Then he felt Wylder and the stranger step closer.

“Hello, Theo. I’m Aleksander Lenkov.”

Theo raised his hand and waved, although he kept his face buried in Dario’s shirt.

“Lenkov?” Dario repeated. He breathed deeply. Was he scenting Aleksander? Theo liked that name. Aleksander. He’d really like how it had sounded when Aleksander said it.With some sort of accent.

“Yes, and you’re Dario Foster. I’m surprised we’ve never crossed paths before.”

“As I am,” Dario agreed. “We should have at least had some contact. Interesting.”

“Yes, but as I was saying, would you allow Wylder and I to order some food to go for all of us, and we could take it across the street to the park? It seems quite empty and maybe Theo would feel better than being taken someplace strange. We really do need to speak before the young man runs again.”

Theo cringed. He was good at running.

“Watch your tone, Lenkov,” Dario warned. “You have no idea what Theo has been through or why he reacts the way he has.”

“You are quite right,” Aleksander said formally. “I believe I have some bruised feeling that I must get past.”

“I understand,” Dario replied. “We still should use caution before we speak of things we do not understand.”

“We understand.” It was Wylder that spoke up. “I think going to the park is a good idea. We can talk and eat and get to know one another.”

“What do you say?” Dario cupped Theo’s face, forcing his gaze up. “Can we do that?”

“If…if you want.” He really had messed up their date. Now they weren’t even on a date any longer. The two men that Theo had been dreaming about were joining them. Worst date ever!

“Come on, let’s try to find someplace private.”

“Uh, what do you want to eat?” Wylder asked.

Theo swallowed hard. His stomach was in knots and he didn’t think he’d manage more than a couple of bites. He shrugged before pulling away from Dario. Wrapping his arms around himself, he tried not to pout about this terrible night. He shouldn’t have confessed everything to Dario. Of course, Dario wasn’t going to be interested in someone who said they’d been fantasizing about two other men.

They were probably just going to feed him as they all let him down as gently as they could. That was fine. Theo was used to being alone. He didn’t need anyone else. Plus, Ethan said they were friends now. Theo had one friend, which was more than he’d ever had before.

“I was going to have chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes. They’re a favorite of mine here,” Wylder said.

Theo’s stomach growled loudly.

“How’s that sound?” Dario asked as he reached for Theo again.

“Sure. Thanks,” Theo responded as he dodged Dario’s hands. It would be better for everyone if Theo resisted the urge to be close to Dario. Maybe Dario and Aleksander were interested in each other. They would definitely fit together better than Theo did. Aleksander dressed nicely and he was obviously closer to Dario’s age. Aleksander wasn’t just a stupid kid like Theo. Even Wylder would be a better choice than Theo. Wylder was open and friendly. Every time Theo had seen him on campus, he was smiling. Yeah, either man would make a better match.

He turned toward the street as Dario finished speaking with Wylder and Aleksander. He’d leave the three to their own dinners, but he didn’t think that Dario would appreciate that. Dario seemed like the type of man who’d insist on walking Theo back to his dorm. Even if they didn’t have their date.

“I think I see a nice spot over there.” Dario pointed across the street as he rejoined Theo. His palm found Theo’s lower back once again, but this time Theo didn’t push back into the touch. He couldn’t get used to it.

Once the street was clear, they crossed and walked slowly to the area that Dario had pointed out.

“I wish I had a blanket or something for you to sit on,” Dario said as he peered around.

“No biggie. I’m not wearing nice slacks or a suit.” Aleksander was in what looked like a really expensive suit. Theo couldn’t see him sitting on the grass to eat with them. Theo dropped down on his bottom before drawing his knees to his chest.

“Are you cold?” Dario questioned as he sat close to Theo.

“I’m fine.” He was always cold, so it wasn’t like Theo was lying.

“I know you don’t understand what’s going on, but I really do think we should all talk about things. Clear everything up all at once. I’m sorry if you are uncomfortable.”

Theo jerked his shoulder in another shrug. Did it even matter at this point? All he wanted to do was return to his dorm and forget he’d even attempted a first date. Theo was not meant for dating. He’d barely made a friend. Being an adult was harder than he’d ever imagined.

Dario sighed deeply but Theo didn’t know what to say to make things better. Especially since he knew he was the problem.

It didn’t take long for Wylder and Aleksander to walk out of the restaurant and head in their direction. Aleksander held two overflowing bags of Styrofoam containers and Wylder held a drink carrier with four cups.

At least he’d get dinner out of this night, even if ice cream would only be a dream. There was no way that Dario was going to buy him ice cream after what Theo had confessed.

Wylder was smiling as he reached them and plopped down across from Theo. Aleksander stood above him and frowned before he quickly removed his suit jacket. Theo had expected Aleksander to sit on the jacket or something. Not wrap it around Theo’s shoulders.

Theo peered up at Aleksander with confusion. Why would he do that?

“If you get too cold, let us know,” Aleksander demanded. “I don’t want you to get sick.”

Speechless, Theo nodded and pulled the edges farther around his thin shoulders. That…was nicer than what Theo was expecting from the stranger. The fabric was so soft and silky that Theo knew he would never feel anything as nice against his skin again. It was big too. He could probably wrap the entire thing around himself as Aleksander was so much broader than him.

Theo lowered his head to take a deep sniff before realizing what he was doing. He looked over at Dario, who wore a soft smile, then Wylder, who was smirking.

“Nice, Alek. I knew you had it in you,” Wylder teased.

Aleksander grunted before he sat on the grass as if he didn’t care what he wore.

There was enough light from the businesses across the street and the few lampposts around the park that their little makeshift picnic almost seemed romantic. Theo liked being outdoors, even though he mostly hid inside his dorm. He hadn’t spent any time at this park, since he didn’t venture this far from his room. It was a nice spot. The suit jacket was keeping most of the chill from him as the crickets somewhere farther into the park woke up.

Nature. It wasn’t something that Theo appreciated nearly enough.

“Here you go.” Wylder passed him a container and utensils wrapped up in a napkin.

“Thank you,” Theo murmured as he opened his container. Oh wow, yum, it smelt so good. It looked even better.

“Please dig in.” Aleksander waved his own fork. “I can hear your stomach from here.” The words sounded harsh, but he was smiling at Theo.

Theo waited until everyone else had begun to eat then took his first bite. Flavor exploded on his tongue. The gravy was thick and smooth, the meat tender, and the breading perfect. He made a happy noise stuffing a second bite into his mouth.

He had his mouth completely full when he looked up at saw three smiles directed at him.

With effort, he swallowed his food before picking up the drink that had been set at his knee. He took a long drink, dropping his gaze back to his container. It was really good.

“Eat! Eat!” Aleksander encouraged.

Theo decided to do just that.

They ate in silence and Theo finished half his food before he quickly grew full. As much as he wanted to finish the delicious dinner, Theo knew he couldn’t. He set his container down as he peered around their small little group.

The others ate more slowly than Theo had.

Dario wiped his mouth with a napkin before addressing Theo. “I know that you didn’t want to talk about this earlier, but I think that we need to know exactly how little you know about…your shifter side.”

Theo’s stomach cramped. He didn’t want to. “Why?”

“I think it’s important,” Dario responded. “Please.”

So he needed to humiliate himself further in front of these three men? Yeah, karma was biting him in the ass all right. He drew his knees back to his chest and sighed. “I didn’t even know that I was a shifter until I was about twelve and was being bullied. I got scared and shifted right there in the showers.”

“You didn’t know anything?” Aleksander asked as he set his own food down.

“I was found at a fire station when I was only a few weeks old. I have no idea who my parents are. I was taken in by the state and raised in group homes.”

“You were never adopted?” Wylder asked. He scooted closer to Theo.

“I…” Theo hated this. “I was a weird kid. Too quiet unless I cried all the time. A few families fostered me for a couple months at a time, but I was always returned to one of the group homes.” Theo didn’t want to talk about his foster homes. “The worker who found me in my shifted form explained what was happening and told me never to tell anyone else. He said he’d help me but he was transferred to another program a week later, so I never got more information from him. There were a few shifters I’ve run into over the years. Maybe three or four but they really couldn’t or wouldn’t tell me much. Except that I should always hide what I was.”

“This…this is not good,” Aleksander finally said as Wylder and Dario stared at Theo with pity.

“Sorry. I really don’t know much so if I insulted you or something, I didn’t realize it.”

“You haven’t done anything wrong,” Wylder said before he moved and pressed up against Theo’s side.

Theo rubbed his nose on his knee before peering at Wylder. “You’re not human, are you?”

Wylder smiled. “I’m an enhanced human. I was in the military when they asked for volunteers for an experiment. As it turned out, they had some shifters in the ranks and had been working on ways to make super soldiers. I was always one to jump at any chance of adventure, so I was one of the first to sign up.”

Theo wondered if that was where the scar of Wylder’s face came from. He was too scared to ask though. The scar took nothing away from Wylder’s attractiveness. Theo found Wylder insanely hot.

“For a government experiment to make super soldiers?” Dario asked. “That’s horrible.”

“It wasn’t good. There was a lot of pain involved.” Wylder shook his head.

Theo leaned his weight against Wylder’s arm. He couldn’t offer much comfort, but he didn’t like to see the other guy hurting.

“After three years, the experiment was canceled. They’d lost half of the volunteers. Their bodies couldn’t handle what had been done. Another ten percent lost their minds or worse. There are only six of us that managed to make it out mostly intact.”

“And your extra abilities?” Theo had to know.

“I’m stronger and faster than I should be. I don’t get sick. I can hear almost as well as a shifter, but my eyesight remained totally human, so I didn’t get that superpower.”

Theo giggled as Wylder waggled his brows.

“I worked with a couple of great shifters and they shared with me everything they could. While I was undergoing the changes, we were given military-issued information packets to study about the government called the others . The shifters didn’t agree with what was done with us so they tried to help me understand the supernatural world best they could.”

“ Others ?” Dario asked. “I’ve never heard that term.”

“Non-humans,” Wylder provided. “The government calls non-humans others .”

“That’s how it was whispered to me in the state homes,” Theo said. “ Others .”

Aleksander snorted. “It’s offensive.”

Theo shrugged. It was kind of cool to him. “They just let you go?” He questioned Wylder.

“Not at first. They tried to keep us contracted in, but the experiments really had gone wrong. Unless they were going to kill us—”

“Which I’m surprised they didn’t do,” Aleksander butted in.

“Honestly, me too. Instead of killing us, though, they paid us off. We can never return to our old lives. We’re too different now. I took my money and enrolled here.”

“Fascinating,” Dario murmured.

“That’s my story,” Wylder exclaimed with a wave of his hands.

Theo like the guy. He was funny. And he was a hero. He’d been through so much.

“Dario?” Wylder said.

Dario grinned. “Dragon shifter.”

“Dragon?” Wylder’s voice went up several octaves.

At least Theo wasn’t the only one amazed by that.

“No shit?” Wylder bounced. “A fucking dragon?”

Theo blushed as Wylder cursed. Theo had never been comfortable around such coarse language. He’d had a foster mom who would wash their mouths out with soap if they said any bad words. It was way worse than it sounded. It made Theo throw up. He hated to throw up.

“My family lives in the Netherlands still to this day. Our clan is located there. I’ve traveled and restarted over several times. I didn’t know what drew me to this small college town until now.”

Theo didn’t know what that meant, but he was glad that Dario had moved there as well.

“So do you breathe fire or anything cool like that?” Wylder asked.

Oh! Good question. Theo hadn’t thought about that.

“I’m not a fire dragon,” Dario said with a sniff.

“O…kay,” Wylder drawled.

“I’m a golden dragon,” Dario stated.

“I have no idea what that means,” Wylder whispered to Theo.

Theo shrugged. He had no clue.

“Really?” Dario rolled his eyes. “Where has our history gone?”

“I don’t think dragons are believable any longer.” Aleksander’s words were measured like he too wondered about history.

“Believable?” Dario repeated. “Says the vampire slash angel slash mage slash shifter slash human.”

Aleksander smirked. “You do know who I am.”

Theo raised his hand. “Slash what? I don’t understand.”

“Oh, this is a weird one.” Wylder bounced a little. “Alek has five fathers. Five! And no mom. His angel father birthed him.”

“No way,” Theo breathed.

Aleksander rolled his eyes. “I can’t believe that is what you get caught up with. It is not unusual in my family.”

“Apparently, his family is like royalty or some shit,” Wylder informed Theo.

“Who’s telling this story?” Aleksander asked, but he was smiling at Wylder.

Wylder sighed dramatically. “But you tell it so slow and don’t give enough details on the good stuff.”

“The good stuff?” Aleksander laughed.

“Like having five fathers and no mother.”

Theo gaped. “How…”

“That’s what I want to know. But Aleksander was all about destiny and being chosen and all that stuff.”

Dario stiffened, which drew Theo’s attention.

“So it’s true?” Dario demanded.

“Yes.”

“Perfect.” Dario rubbed his face again before he dropped his head back and groaned. “It couldn’t be easy. Of course, it couldn’t be easy.”

“I don’t understand,” Theo confessed.

“It was a really long, drawn-out story that I still don’t know if I believe. I mean who gets four mates?”

“Mates?” Theo screeched. He looked from Dario to Aleksander before finally landing on Wylder.

Now, Theo might be a little slow, but even he knew what mates meant. This couldn’t be happening to him. He’d be a failure as a mate to one person but four? There was no way he could make four other people happy. And what if one of his mates was female? Theo was gay! Gay, gay, gay!

“Breathe, little one.” Dario was kneeling in front of him.

“I…I can’t…”

“You can,” Dario said. “In and out. Come on, breathe with me.”

Theo could breathe. That was not what he was talking about. He pushed himself away from Dario before scrambling to his feet. He peered around at the other three men staring at him.

Did they think he was crazy? Maybe Theo was! Or maybe they weren’t Theo’s mates. Maybe Theo was wrong.

“We’re not…” Theo waved his hand between all of them.

“We are,” Aleksander stated as he rose slowly to his feet. “That first time we ran into each other shocked me. You were gone before I realized what I smelt. That you were my mate.”

“You can smell that?” Theo didn’t know what to do.

“It was the same with me,” Dario said. “I caught your scent at the lecture and found you in the crowd. I sent Ferguson to catch you and invite you to the party after. When you couldn’t come, I came to the coffee shop. I knew for sure as soon as I stepped into the place.”

It was too much. Theo couldn’t handle this much pressure.

“I suspected that you didn’t know we were mates. I’d never heard of a shifter not picking up on the scent right away,” Dario told him.

“I…I didn’t know.”

“I thought you ran from me. That you were rejecting me as your mate. That’s why I’d been searching the campus for you that day when I saw you at the arena. You ran again, but this time I also caught Wylder’s scent. He took off after you and I had two mates running from me,” Aleksander explained.

They’d hurt Aleksander. He didn’t say the words, but Theo could hear the pain in his voice and see it on his face.

He wasn’t even mated yet and already Theo was messing up what should be the most important thing in his life. Even if most of his information came from romance novels, having a mate…that had to be everything to a shifter.

“I…” Tears burned at the back of his eyes. “I’m so sorry I messed everything up.” Then Theo did what he did best.

He ran.