Thorns And Roses

Chapter Five

Theo caught Demitri in his arms as the Omega fainted, the folder of papers falling at his feet. Well fuck, this wasn't supposed to happen. Could he possibly be sick? He was perfectly fine while outside. Theo grunted as he lifted Demitri into his arms. He's a lot heavier than Theo thought he would be.

He stared down at Demitri, noting the caked blood under his nose and the smear of makeup across his cheek. It was way too dark for his skin tone. Why did he faint though?

"What did you do to him?" Theo let out a breath at seeing River standing in the foyer, then took another one in at the glare on his face.

"Nothing. I didn't do anything. His nose just started to bleed then he passed out. I didn't even touch him." River came to stand beside them and ran his hand through Demitri's snow-white hair. The contact had Theo wanting to growl, but he didn't know why.

"Poor thing. He's probably stressed out. Who would be happy to marry you anyways, you monster." Theo rolled his eyes and moved Demitri out of River's touch. The bear's hand brushed the makeup on his cheek, uncovering a bruise. It looked like paint splattered against a white canvas.

"I definitely did not do that." He told River, who stood there staring down at Demitri. "Can you stop looking at him and show me to his room."

"Jealous already are we?"

"No. Why would I be? He's just some Omega and that's it. Now show me his room." River only smirked at him.

"Right. That spark in your gold eyes is telling a different story." Theo blinked a couple of times before glaring at River. The bear finally caved and showed him to Demitri's room. The one right across from his.

"Why are we so close? He doesn't have to be near me." He heard River sigh before he opened the door to Demitri's room.

"Because it has the best view of the lake and woods. I thought since he's a snow leopard, he would enjoy the scenery." River wasn't wrong. Why didn't Theo pick this room for himself? He laid Demitri on the bed, then walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows and peered out at the wooded area.

"I guess he can stay in this room." When he turned back to speak to River, a growl did slip out. He was touching Demitri again, cleaning off the rest of the makeup and blood on his face. Theo covered his mouth, trying to fight off a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"Did you say something, Theodore?" Theo quickly shook his head no, uncovered his mouth, and headed for the door, before that feeling took over.

"Please take care of him. I have some things to do in my office. If he wakes up send him in."

"Wait, Theodore." He stopped his trek to his office that sat beside his bedroom and swiveled around to give River his attention.

"What?" Theo was becoming agitated, that feeling bubbling in his chest, claiming it's own spot. He didn't like it. He also didn't mean to snap at River either.

"What would you like for lunch today?" Theo groaned and ran a hand through his hair and then down his face. He was tired already and it was only ten in the morning.

"Let the Omega choose. And if he's not awake by then, then whatever you guys want. Quinn should be back by that time. Now if you would excuse me, I have papers to sign." He could feel a migraine starting, as he rubbed the side of his head.

"One last thing, River. Could you bring me some migraine medicine and a glass of iced water? Please and thank you." River gave him a nod, which meant that Theo was okay to go to his office. Once inside, he shut the door and leaned against it.

Theo knew what he was getting himself into when he agreed to Alexander's deal, but he didn't think it would be so exhausting in the first twenty-four hours. He pushed away from the door, walked to his chair, and sat down in it.

He picked up a stapled stack of paper and groaned as he read the first sentence of the contract for a new company. He would rather be out in the field killing something than stuck in his office reading paperwork.

River dropped off his meds and water and left him alone. He downed the pills with his drink, before getting back to reading that stupid contract. Theo got through the third paragraph, then gave up. He can't even remember what he just read, his mind was stuck on the Omega sleeping in the room across from his.
At around noon, River knocked on his door.

"Theodore, lunch is done. Would you like me to bring you a plate?" Theo dropped the paper he had and leaned back in his chair.

"Is the Omega awake yet?" Was it okay for Demitri to be sleeping like that? It's not like he just fell asleep, he actually passed out.

"Umm, no not yet. I was going to try and wake him up. Unless you want to do it." Theo tilted his head to stare at River as if he had two heads.

"Why would I wake him up? I just wanted to know if he was up or not."

"Okay, I get it. Now would you like to join us, or would you like me to bring you food?" Instead of answering River, Theo thought about Demitri. Would the Omega like it if Theo woke him up? Would that be okay?

"I'll see if I can wake him up. I'll be down with or without him either way." Theo stood up from his chair and stretched. He was getting too old to sit in a chair for hours on end.

"Okay." Then he was gone again. Theo shut the door to his office as he walked out and stared at the one that held his soon-to-be husband. He never thought he would ever call anyone husband or wife. It felt almost surreal.

Theo walked to the door and gave it a light tape. When no one answered he walked in anyways. He could only gaze upon Demitri's beauty as he stood by the windows, his glacier-blue eyes staring down at the landscape.

"You're awake I see. Come down and eat lunch." It was more like a command than an invitation. Theo needed to get his point across that all Demitri was, was a business deal.

He met Demitri's eyes in the reflection of the windows and Theo could see the pure hatred in them. He hated the situation he was in and Theo couldn't blame him. Making a deal on someone's life was a risk that Theo should not have taken. Although Demitri didn't have a choice in the matter.

"Can I refuse?" Theo couldn't get over how sweet and soft that voice was. He literally wanted to hand Demitri a book and have him read it out loud so he could listen to his voice.

"No, you can not. You need to eat." He didn't want Demitri passing out on him again because he didn't eat.

"Okay." That's one thing Theo didn't expect from Demitri. How docile and calm he would be. Theo thought that he would fight him every step of the way.

"Follow me." Demitri walked behind him until they reached the kitchen, then paused at the entrance. His eyes were full of confusion as he looked at Quinn and his family.

"Babies." Theo heard him whisper under his breath before the Omega walked into the kitchen going straight for Layla. River growled, which had Demitri stopping in his tracks. Theo wanted to growl back to defend him.

"Sorry." Demitri took a few steps back away from Layla, even though the little girl reached for him. Quinn shushed River before the interaction got out of hand.

"It's okay. He's just very protective of the kids. It'll take a few days for him to get used to you being here." Theo could see the disappointment in Demitri's eyes but didn't say anything about it.

"Oh gosh, I'm sorry, hon. I didn't mean to do that. Instincts you know?" Demitri wouldn't know though, since he doesn't have kids.

"I'll ask first from now on." Theo finally made his presence known, by grabbing Demitri's muscled bicep and telling him to sit. The Omega grew stiff in his hands but did as he was told. Good.