Chapter 20

Theo:

I got a text from Mason at 7 am, just as I was getting ready for school.

MASON: YOU'RE SKIPPING SCHOOL TODAY. I'M PICKING YOU UP AND TAKING YOU TO LIAM. HE NEEDS YOU.

THEO: WHAT'S GOING ON?

MASON: I'LL EXPLAIN WHEN I SEE YOU.

Confused and worried, I tried to call Liam. His phone was off which wasn't like him. Now I am really worried.

THEO: SEE YOU SOON.

I hoped this had nothing to do with his mother, but I think I already knew it did. I sent a text to Stiles to tell him not to worry about picking me up today.

"Morning." Parrish said when I entered the kitchen.

"Morning. Just a heads up. I'm not going to school today." I told him. He looked at me over his mug.

"Okay, can I ask why?"

"Something's going on with Liam, I don't know what. I just got a message from Mason saying that he needs me. I think it has to do with his mom. She found out about the wolf thing yesterday."

"Damn." He sighed. "I guess she didn't take it well."

"About as well as she did when she found out he was bi and dating me."

"Yeah, okay. I can see that. Do you need me to give you a ride?"

"No, Mason is on his way to pick me up. I'm not sure how long-."

"Don't worry about it. Just text me if you need me to get you or if you are staying there tonight, okay? If I need to I can bring you a change of clothes."

"Thanks." I told him just as I heard Mason beep outside. "Talk to you later."

"Yep."

I rushed out of the house and jumped into Mason's car. He looked tired.

"Hey, what's going on? Is he okay?" I asked.

"No, he's not. He's not hurt or anything, not physically at least. But… his mom left this morning."

I don't think my eyes could get any wider.

"She what? Because of the wolf thing?"

"I really don't know. His dad called me last night and asked if I could come over. Liam's not handling it well."

"Why didn't Liam call you or at least call me?"

"He hasn't spoken since last night, not one word. I think his dad wanted to call you, but I don't think he has your number, and I was closer."

I nodded in understanding, but my heart broke for my mini wolf.

"I can't believe she left. He knew she wouldn't take it well but…"

"Yeah I know what you mean. I don't think I got the whole story though. His dad didn't really want to go into it and his mom was too busy crying." He sighed, pulling onto his street.

"He's going to try to withdraw again, isn't he?"

"More than likely. We can't let him. You didn't see him after the whole incident at Devenford. But he was in bad shape after that, not like now but close. He was so scared of what he had done and so devastated at how his parents reacted, especially his mom, that he kind of closed himself off to everyone, even me. He spent weeks just walking on eggshells even around himself. It wasn't until he was bitten that he really started to pull out of it."

"I wish I knew how to make this better for him." I sighed looking up at the house.

'You being there is what will make it better. Liam wears his heart on his sleeve, always has. Last night I was able to just be there for him and let him cry it out. But it was you he was wishing was there. I'm not mad about that. You have no idea how happy it makes me to see that my best friend has someone who cares about him this much. So just go in there and be with him. That's all he needs right now."

"Thanks Mason. You're a good friend."

"Remember that when your brother gets here." he said with a smirk. I laughed, remembering the look on his face when I had shown everyone a picture of my brother. Mason looked like he had been struck by lightning when he saw it.

"Yeah, I'll do that."

"Go, I'll explain to the group why you two aren't there today."

I nodded and got out of the car, jogging up to the door. It opened before I could knock, and Doc was standing there looking just as tired as Mason had.

"Hey Theo, come on in." He sighed, opening the door wider to let me in.

"Hey Doc, how is he?"

He shook his head, rubbing a hand across the top of it.

"I don't think he's slept all night. He's not speaking at all, and he won't eat. I don't know what to do." He sounded so resigned, frustrated and miserable.

"How are you doing?" I asked. Doc has been great with me and Liam and he's always there if any of us need help. His wife leaving and his son despondent has to be taking its toll on him.

"I'm... coping with it. I'm more worried about him. If you had seen him last night…" he said, shaking his head.

I nodded in understanding.

"I'll take care of him. Promise. Do you need to leave for work?"

"No, I called in today, so I'll be here all day. Just yell if you need me."

"Okay. Maybe you should try to get some rest. It's been a long night for you too, it seems."

He huffed a laugh.

"I will. Go take care of my son."

I nodded and made my way upstairs. I didn't bother knocking, knowing he wouldn't respond. I just opened the door, and my heart really did break seeing him curled up on his bed. I closed the door, kicked off my shoes and crawled onto the bed behind him. It only took a touch of his arm before he turned into me, his arms like a vice around me as he soaked my shirt. I just wrapped my arms tightly around him and let him.

"She's gone, isn't she?" he whispered against me, after he had cried himself out.

"Yeah babe, she is." I told him rubbing his back.

"Because of me."

"No, I don't believe that." I told him, shaking my head.

"You didn't hear her, when she..."

"Do you want to tell me what she said?"

He sighed but nodded. We changed positions so that he was laying with his head on my shoulder and then explained everything that was said last night after he got home. He choked up when he told me what he thought about when she told him the reason. I could understand why he thought it and why he believed her leaving was his fault. But I could see that she just needed time to work through her issues, none of them really having to do with him. When he went silent I looked down at him to see he had dozed off. I kissed the top of his adorable head and let him sleep. The circles under his eyes proved that his dad was right, he had not slept all night.

The door opened and his dad peaked in. he saw Liam sleeping and smiled, mouthing that he was going to get some rest. I nodded and gave him a thumbs up. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I carefully extracted it, so I didn't jostle him.

SCOTT: HOW'S HE DOING?

I clumsily typed back a message.

THEO: HE'S DOING A BIT BETTER. HE'S SLEEPING NOW.

SCOTT: GOOD. WE'LL BE BY TO SEE HIM LATER, LET HIM KNOW. TAKE CARE OF HIM.

THEO: I WILL ON BOTH ACCOUNTS.

I checked my phone to see that it was going on 10:30. I shoved my phone back in my pocket and closed my eyes.

Liam:

I woke up plastered against my boyfriend with my stomach angry at me. I didn't blame it; I hadn't eaten since lunch yesterday. I felt Theo shake under me in silent laughter. I looked up to see him smiling down at me.

"Hungry?" he asked.

"Yeah, I guess I am." I said blushing.

"Come on, let's go feed you. I think your dad is worried about you so you should probably show him you're okay."

"I'm not sure if I am or not." I said earning a kiss to the top of my head.

Sighing I sat up. I felt gross. I hadn't gotten out of bed since Mason walked me to my room last night. I could smell my own breath and cringed.

"I think I need a shower first." I said.

"Want me to get your back?" Theo smirked. I huffed a laugh.

"No, I think I got it." I rolled my eyes.

"Fine. Go shower. I'll meet you downstairs." He said getting up. "Let me know if you change your mind about getting your back."

"Go." I laughed.

I took a long shower and brushed my teeth before heading downstairs. Dad and Theo were in the kitchen and my stomach made my presence known before I did, smelling pizza from the hall. When did they have time to order pizza? As soon as dad saw me he pulled me into a hug.

"It's going to be okay. I promise." He said. I nodded hugging him back as tight as I could without hurting him.

"Liam, come eat." Theo said setting a plate on the table. I sat and almost inhaled my first slice of pizza.

"Theo was filling me in on the meeting yesterday." Dad said leaning against the counter.

"Yeah, yesterday was one giant dumpster fire." I mumbled around a mouth full of food.

"It wasn't the best day. But at least we got some more information out of it. Hopefully, it will be useful so we can put a stop to all of them." Theo said.

"Well, if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. And you boys please be careful." Dad said looking at us. We nodded.

"I'm going to make a call. Eat up Liam. Don't think I didn't notice you didn't eat last night."

"Okay."

"Theo are you staying?"

"Can I?"

"Can he?"

Theo and I asked at the same time.

"Yes. I am trusting both of you. Behave." He said sternly.

We both nodded. He headed upstairs and I grabbed another slice of pizza. Inside I was relieved and happy that he wouldn't have to leave. At least not for tonight.

"I wish I had candy." I sighed.

"How are your teeth still in your head?" Theo asked in wonder. I shrugged, not having an answer.

"Finish your pizza, addict. The others said they were going to stop by."

"They are?"

"Yeah, everyone's worried about you. They just want to check on you."

"Oh." I said feeling grateful for my friends.

I finished eating and we cleaned up the kitchen before cuddling on the couch watching 'Fast Five'. His fingers running through my hair.

The doorbell rang just as the movie was ending and I pushed off Theo to go answer. I was bum rushed with hugs as soon as I opened the door. Laughing as all three girls circled me in a group hug.

"Are you okay?" Allison asked.

"Yeah, I'm okay." I told her.

"Uh ladies, you're kind of holding up traffic." Stiles said, still standing outside with Scott, Isaac, and Mason.

"Are you trying to steal my boyfriend?" Theo snickered from behind us.

"Do you want a hug too?" Malia asked. He didn't need to answer, all three girls let me go and rushed over to him. He laughed as they all hugged him tightly.

"Malia, stop that." he snorted. I turned to see her hand on his stomach.

"Hands off the goods." I told her.

"Damn it, Malia." Stiles sighed.

I'm pretty sure he knew she was doing that to mess with him. She giggled and let Theo go, going to her own boyfriend and feeling him up.

"Here, I got you candy." Isaac said coming in and handing me a bag, literally, stuffed with candy.

"You're my favorite." I sighed looking at my choices.

"Hey." Scott, Mason, and Theo all said. Isaac grinned widely.

"He brought me candy." I said, shrugging.

"Please don't feed his habit." My dad said, coming down the stairs.

"Hey Doc, hope you don't mind us invading for a while." Stiles said. It was amusing to know that this was my dad's new name with my friends.

"Not at all, make yourselves at home. Liam you are not eating that whole bag of candy. Jesus, did you rob a candy store?" Dad asked looking at the bag. It was a big bag.

"Nah. Most of it was on sale." Isaac shrugged.

I picked out my favorite one and my dad confiscated the rest.

"Here Theo, I stopped by your place and grabbed some stuff for you." Stiles said handing him a duffle that I had not seen him come in with.

"Thanks. I'll run this upstairs." He said jogging up the stairs.

"We brought movies." Lydia said. Everyone congregated in the living room, even my dad. Scott held me back.

"Are you okay, really?" He asked.

"Kind of. I'm better than I was last night. I didn't lose control or anything." I shrugged.

"I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about you. I know what it's like when a parent leaves. I was young when my dad left but I remember being confused and upset that he wasn't there."

"I… I am confused and hurt and angry and so many things. I'm trying to understand but right now I can only think that she left, and I can't help but feel as if it's my fault even though she says it's not."

"Yeah, I went through that too and any time I see my dad which honestly isn't that often, maybe a handful of times over the years. That feeling kind of sticks with you. But try to remember that she loves you she just needs some space to come to terms with some things. It will be okay."

"Yeah, thanks. I'm trying to keep that in mind it's just hard. But… Theo's been there." I said, not able to help the smile that crossed my face thinking about how he dropped everything to just be here for me.

"That's what happens when your anchor is also your mate."

"Anchor? Like you and Lydia?"

"Yes. You haven't thought about that, have you?"

"No. I remember our talk about mates and I'm pretty sure Theo is mine, but I didn't think about the anchor thing." I probably should have. It would explain why just touching him calms me down.

"I saw it yesterday, well before then. But yesterday for sure. Don't think too hard on it though. Just enjoy it. And talk to him about it. He should know."

"Yeah, I will. Thanks Scott."

"No problem. Let's go pick a movie before Stiles tries to shove Star Wars down everyone's throat."

Laughing I followed him to the living room where Stiles was indeed trying to convince everyone to watch Star Wars. Theo came in a minute later and we found a spot on the floor since the couch was taken up by the girls. Dad was in his favorite chair just taking in the room, smiling at the activity happening.

Everyone left at 10 to head home. We have school tomorrow. Theo and I got ready for bed, and I was so thankful my dad let Theo stay, though the door stayed open. He trusted us but only so much. I don't think either of us faulted him for that.

"I talked to Scott tonight." I told him running a hand under his shirt, which he chose to wear to bed tonight. I don't know why.

"About what?"

I formed my thoughts in my head so I could explain.

"Remember the talk we had in the hospital about how I was trying to figure out what I was feeling?"

"Yeah, I remember. Scott helped you figure it out?"

"Not really. I pretty much figured it out. He just pointed out something."

"Okay, what did he point out?"

"Do you know what an anchor is?"

"You mean like for a boat?" I asked confused. I snorted.

"No, I mean for shifters."

"No. but I think I can guess."

"So, it's kind of like that one person that helps you hold onto your humanity. Like how Lydia is able to keep Scott from losing control or how Stiles is able to calm Malia down when she gets overwhelmed."

"Okay, so they anchor the wolf to his human side."

"Yes. Exactly. I've always known you could calm me down with just a touch or like in the hospital you were able to get me to focus. I don't even know when I stopped really using my mantra to keep control and just started to think about you. But that's what helps me stay in control now."

"So, I'm your anchor."

"Yeah. Are you okay with that?" I asked nervously. He snorted.

"Am I okay being the one person that can keep you grounded? Absolutely."

I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding.

"Were you worried I wouldn't be?"

"I don't know, maybe a little. But not as much for the anchor thing then the other thing he helped me figure out."

"And what's that?"

This part actually did scare me. Being a mate, in this world, means something else entirely if watching the other couples are what we are going by. I don't know how he would feel knowing that we had built this connection that was almost unbreakable. We're only sixteen for one and we are basically each other's first boyfriends. Would he be weirded out by that?

"Liam, just tell me." he said when I had been quiet for too long.

"Do you know what it means to be mates?"

His fingers which he had, again, been running through my hair, stopped and he tensed under me. I tried not to panic that he would freak out, but I don't think he was breathing right now. In the next minute I was flipped onto my back with Theo hovering over me.

"Are you trying to say that I'm your mate?" he asked, and I could barely make out the smile on his lips when I nodded.

"I think so. I don't know all that it entails but-." I didn't get to finish before he kissed me.

"That is the best thing I have ever heard in my life."

"Really? You're not weirded out or anything?"

"Why would I be weirded out?"

"I don't know, because we're young and each other's first?" I shrugged. He huffed a laugh.

"I don't care about that. I care about you. I love you and being your mate, knowing that this is something that could last. I can't tell you how amazing that sounds."

"I think so too. I know I said this before but I'm happy we gave us a chance. And I love you too."

I pulled him down for another kiss. Lost in this moment where we could just be together. It's felt like a long time coming and I wanted to take advantage of it. Well not fully. As much as kissing him made me think of other things, I knew I wasn't ready for those things. I could go for some groping though.

"And this is why the door stays open. Get some sleep boys." My dad called from the doorway. I shoved Theo off me, and he went completely over the side of the bed, hitting the floor with a thud.

I think all three of us froze at that moment. Dad in the doorway with his mouth wide open, me sitting up I bed not believing what just happened. Theo on the floor looking bewildered at how he got there.

"Did you seriously just push me off the bed?" Theo asked, looking back and forth between me and the floor.

"I didn't mean too. I panicked." I said. Dad broke, laughing hard enough to snort and stumble back into the hall.

"Now that was video worthy. Good night boys." Dad said tripping his way back down to his room still laughing.

Theo warily climbed back into bed.

"Sorry." I said embarrassed. Theo shook his head chuckling.

"Come on, let's get some sleep mini wolf."