Till Our Souls Wilt (Age Gap)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Althea's POV

"You have strikingly tense energy for a female." The woman spoke, eyeing me from head to toe. I was frozen, wordless. She was gorgeous, I felt intimidated by her which only made me more angry. She didn't smell like a Lycan.

"Thea?" I heard Arlo's voice pipe up as he grabbed the door from the woman staring me down. I glanced up to meet his gaze. He looked worried. My heart stammered in my chest. I wanted to scream at him.

"Thea? As in Althea?" The woman asked me. Come on Thea, use your words. This woman is standing uncomfortably close to your mate and all you can do is stand here, feeling the shattering of your own heart.

"That's it! You're Alpha Vidar's daughter! Explains the tense energy." She smiled. Something about her wording made me angry, as if she was mocking me.

"And you are?" I asked tensely. Arlo shoved the woman aside to make room for me to come inside. He placed his hand on my shoulder and gave me a curious expression before pressing my mind link.

"Are you okay?" His voice was laced worry.

"Oh no, you don't get to mind link secret conversations in front of me. It's disrespectful." The girl narrowed her eyes at us playfully.

"Thea, this is Ivy. My invasive sister." Arlo grumbled. He turned his attention back on me, with worry still coating his face.

"Ivy." A rush of relief washed over me. I probably looked bipolar from my instant mood change.

"It's so nice to meet you." I held out my hand, immediately feeling childish for my spout of anxiety. She narrowed her eyes playfully between Arlo and I before taking my hand. She was curious.

"It's nice to meet you as well. Iv'e heard lots about the infamous feminine Alpha." She grinned. Arlo took his hand from my shoulder when her eyes settled on his touch.

"You two seem close." She smirked, turning towards the living room. She had a pep in her step. Arlo was right, everything about her seemed so young and vibrant. I wouldn't have guessed she was older than he was.

"Careful with your words around her. She can smell lies." I heard Arlo press my link again. He lifted his hand to my cheek, gently grazing my skin with his fingers. He knit his brows before dropping his soft warm hand.

He lifted a lock of my hair and leaned down to bring it to his nose. I watched as his gaze turned dark.

"You were with him." He whispered. His face became tense. It looked as if he wanted to yell at me. He took a deep breath trying to calm himself, he didn't want to make a scene in front of his sister.

"C'mon you two." Ivy hollered from the living room. He huffed and I followed him at a distance.

"So, what's going on here?" Ivy swayed slightly to the soft music playing in the background with her wine glass in hand. She smirked and gestured between us both. Ivy was thin and tall, very graceful with her movements.

"I'm training Thea before camp this summer." He answered vaguely. She giggled knowing he was choosing his words carefully.

"Just training?" She asked, sitting down on the sofa. Arlo turned to me avoiding her question.

"Drink?" He asked, making his way to the bar cart. He was extra rigid toward me. I nodded and made my way to the couch next to Ivy.

"What brings you in town?" I asked her. She raised a brow as if I had said something funny.

"I'm helping with the witch hunt. Ironic I know. But I don't fraternize with the Lues." She took a sip of her wine.

"The Lues?" I asked. I heard Arlo sigh from behind us.