Thorns And Roses

Chapter Thirty-two

Demi stood in the foyer of the manor, his hands shaking as Theo stood beside him. They were waiting for Demi's family to pull up the long ass driveway. The person at the gate had announced their arrival, setting Demi's panic off at the news. He stepped closer to his dragon, seeking comfort and reassurance. Theo took his hand in his, giving him exactly what he needed.

"They expected me to marry you, not fucking mate you." He whispered to him as he moved even closer, basically burying himself into Theo's side. Theo kissed his head and rubbed at his side where his hand was.

"Shhh. Language babydoll. They hear you cursing, they'll think I corrupted you." Demi rolled his eyes but listened anyways. As the car pulled up to the opened front door, Demi could feel himself fall back into his old ways. Submissive and obedient. The perfect Omega.

Theo let him go to greet Demi's family, all warm smiles and handshakes. Surprisingly Everett and Oliver weren't occupied with children. No instead, Everett was round with a baby. He caressed his stomach and smiled sweetly at Theo who helped him out of the car. A shot of jealousy went through Demi before he pushed it away. There was no reason for him to be jealous of his mated pregnant brother.

"Mr. Mateo, it's nice to see you again." Demi zeroed in on his father's voice, not even paying attention to what Theo said as a reply to the greeting. They looked good, like the perfect family. Matching hair color, eyes almost the same, and one pregnant. All they needed to do was get rid of Demi.

Demi swallowed the knot in his throat at the pain that sliced through his chest at the thought. His only saving grace was his beautiful sister whom Theo helped next out of the car. He left Robert to his own devices. Only saving his charm for the women and Omega's.

As soon as Elizabeth saw him, she lifted the skirt of her dress and raced up the stairs to wrap him in a hug. Demi held her close, breathing in her scent of lilacs and peaches. A scent that used to comfort him after a beating from their father.

"Oh, how I have missed you, Demitri. It's been awful since you've been gone. Are you well?" Demi pulled away from her to give her a small smile and a shake of his head. He wouldn't doubt if it's been awful back at home. Now that he's gone, his father had no one to take his anger out on.

"That's wonderful. I was worried about you." There was no need for her to worry. And he went to say something when he remembered what he was told. To be seen and not heard. His opinion didn't matter as of right now.

He stayed quiet, unwanted by his sister but he would not embarrass Theo. Instead of his father's reputation, he had to hold up, now he had to worry about Theo's. They kind of stayed there in silence as they watched their family. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding when Theo came back to his side. With a small touch of their fingers, it was like a dam was released. Theo silently gave him permission to speak.

"You didn't need to worry, dear sister. I am well and happy. Can't you tell? It's not a wedding ceremony but a mating ceremony instead. Isn't that proof enough?" He didn't mean to question her not really, but he needed to get his point across. Prove to his sister that he was happy and loved in this new family of his. She seemed to get it.

"I can very well see that, Demitri. I'm truly happy for you." They smiled at one another, but Demi's soon vanished as the rest of his family walked up the stairs. The many men that Theo had to spare helping with the luggage. Everett was the next to greet him. There was no hug, just a nod of their heads. Demi's eyes went down the roundness of his belly and lifted his hand as if to touch him. Everett didn't act like he cared, even stepping forward a bit to let him.

"Don't you dare." Demi flinched back, letting his hand fall to his side as his eyes met his father's over Everett's head. At the raised voice, Theo was at Demi's side in a matter of seconds. A protective hand pressed into his lower back, stabilizing him.