If I Were Allowed To Love You

Thirty-Six

Ross threw the last bag of flour into the back of Theo's truck with a chuckle. "I'm surprised you don't need so much this week."

"It's been slow for the past week, so I still have ingredients left over. This should help in case we need it," Theo explained. "But even then, I'm not entirely sure if I'm going to be doing much this week."

"What's going on?"

Smiling bashfully, Theo said, "I'm going to be telling Lucas about us."

Jaw agape, Ross said, "Really? Why now?"

"We kissed- Or I kissed him. And he admitted he's been thinking of me a bit. I think he really feels the mate bond, and since he's taking a break from Melissa, I've decided to tell him what we are."

"How is she going to take it?"

He sighed. "Not well. I mean, I have been lying to her- Both of them. I wouldn't blame her for hating me, and there is still the chance he could chose to ignore the bond and decide to be with Melissa in the end. I need to get the full acceptance or rejection. I need to know just what exactly my future holds, because I love him, and if I can be with him, I am going to take that chance."

Smiling fondly at his friend, Ross said, "I'm so happy for you. Werewolves need to be with their mates. Now that you have the chance to be with him, you need to act on it."

He smirked. "You're not heartbroken, are you? Will you be okay without me?"

Feigning hurt, Ross squeezed his fist over his chest and turned away from Theo. "I don't think I'll ever be able to get over you." He looked up at him. "I love you so much, and I just know I will make a better suitor than your mate ever could. I'm your real soulmate." He slammed his hands on Theo's shoulders. "Choose me. Please!"

Theo had to suck in his lips in order to prevent himself from laughing, but even then he wound up chuckling anyway. Even Ross couldn't help himself as he laughed, needing to lean against Theo in order to steady himself. They both leaned against the truck, wiping tears from their eyes as they faced each other.

"I am so happy for you." Ross playfully punched Theo's shoulder. "You deserve to be with your mate more than anyone I've ever known. I hope it goes well for you today. How are you going to tell him?"

"I plan to go back to the house while Ryan takes Melissa out to the library...or anywhere else, I guess. I don't care. The house will be empty, just us. And I'm going to act like we're going to do some baking for tomorrow, but as we bake, I'm going to ask him about the break with Melissa and why he felt the need to agree to take a break. And I'm going to bring up the kiss and ask if it had any indication towards his decision. If he says yes, I'm going to tell him why. If he says no, I'm going to tell him about why I kissed him in the moment and how, despite regretting hurting his relationship with her, I love him, because he's my mate."

Ross smiled fondly. "That's incredibly sweet. I really do wish you the best of- Why's your brother here?"

Turning around to face the parking lot, Theo paled when he spotted Ryan's car pull into a parking spot. And when Melissa stormed out of the car, he knew he was in trouble. Ryan exited the car as well, talking to her, but Theo didn't know what about. He tried to call out to her, but the moment she locked eyes on Theo, she ignored Ryan and stomped up to Theo and Ross.

"I assume your Ross?" Melissa kindly spoke, contradictory to her body language.

"Yes. You're Melissa, correct?"

She nodded.

"Theo talked about you all the time while you're away. And he's been really happy to have you back in town."