Nefarious » Theo Raeken

38

"Where are we even going?" I asked, jogging to keep up with Theo's incredibly fast pace.

I couldn't pick up many smells, mainly just chemicals - which were probably actually what was blocking any other scents. Theo slowed, pausing to wait for me to catch up. I stopped beside him, my arm brushing against his.

"Watch the water," he warned, taking my hand and moving me to the side.

I frowned. "Why?" That's when I heard the electricity sparking through it, causing me to look up at Theo again. "You're doing this?"

"Do you hear that?"

My eyes widened at the sound of my brother's voice. I started to pick up the pace, still avoiding the water. I spotted Liam, Scott and Lydia up ahead. My brother seemed to sense me approaching because he turned around, his eyes meeting with mine before they flickered sideways, widening in alarm slightly.

"Lydia, get out of the water!"

I heard electricity crackle past me and watched as Liam pushed Lydia aside. My brother and Scott dropped to the floor with loud grunts of pain. I swivelled around, facing Theo who moved past me, storming over to the others.

"Sorry, Lydia," I heard him say, his voice low. He grabbed her roughly by the arm, tossing her to the side. I gasped, rushing forwards as Scott dived to reach her before she fell through a gap in the floor.

Liam whipped around angrily, facing me. "You're with him?!" I went to push past and help Lydia instead but my brother grabbed my wrist, pulling me forwards.

"Liam, let go!" Suddenly, Theo came up behind my brother, jabbing his claws into his neck. I felt Liam's grip around my wrist loosen and he limply fell towards me. My mouth opened in shock as I realised what Theo had done. "Theo!" I yelled through gritted teeth. "Theo, what the hell!"

I lowered Liam down to the ground, turning around to face Theo, who was bent next to Scott. "Feel that." I heard Scott let out a groan, along with Lydia. "Kanima venom."

"Theo-" I started, shaking my head. I didn't want this to happen. "Theo, stop it!"

"Just let it happen, let it go. Let everything go."

I started to stand up just as Scott yelled out "No!" And Lydia began to scream.

My heart dropped as I swallowed the heavy lump in my throat. Theo roared, the sound travelling through me and making me want to shudder. "Hear that?" He started. "That's the sound of real power."

"You son of a bitch," I snapped, stepping closer to him. "You promised you wouldn't-"

"I promised nothing!" He shouted back, the volume in his voice startling me.

I felt anger coursing through my veins and my hands started shaking as my claws came through. "You think you've got real power?" I stepped closer to him. "Try me."

~

"You lied to me," Theo struggled out, minutes later. He and I had fought. Essentially, it was more of a distraction than anything until Scott and Liam could get up again. When I went back to him earlier and told him I was in his pack, I wasn't being truthful. I couldn't let what I felt for him consume me, I had to stick with my morals. But it didn't stop me from feeling betrayed when he attacked the others earlier. So once Liam and Scott finally stepped in, we took him straight to Deucalion. "You and Scott."

"That's right, Theo," the werewolf replied. "The whole time." He removed his glasses and I noticed his real eyes for the first time.

"It would've never worked," Theo choked out in shock.