Mistaken Love

first

"How much can you sacrifice for a person you love?"

Across the street, he walked quickly as the signal turned green, allowing passengers to walk towards the busy intersection, clouded by tall buildings. Grey, everything gray; nothing seemed to uplift his mood, especially not the new hit TV series playing in the background, which was more depressing than entertaining.

People watched in awe as he walked past them, running a quick hand through his brown hair, his eyebrows arched, staring at his phone. Huffing, he stowed his phone back in his pocket, almost colliding with someone in front of him.

A middle-aged woman turned around, her glossy hair bouncing as her face quickly broke into a shiny grin.

"I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going," she mumbled, looking down at her feet. Completely ignoring her, he continued to walk ahead, reaching the other side of the road, from where he could see the massive billboard more easily.

Pedestrians stared curiously as the trailer for the series continued to play. Glancing up quietly, he stared at the two actors as they approached each other for a sentimental moment before the scene cut to another. People rushed past him, frequently glancing at him in moments they hoped he wouldn’t notice.

"Forbidden love is more easily enjoyed as a pleasure than reality; it never seems to work out in the end," the actor expressed sadly to the viewers, his eyes piercing.

The man shook his head in disbelief. Picking his ringing phone up irritably, he escaped the busy intersection for a more peaceful lane.

"Theo! Did you reach yet?" The voice said cheerily. Visibly annoyed, he muttered a quick response, more interested in his surroundings.

"I didn’t keep count, Alex," Theo mumbled, strolling along the familiar streets he had once visited as a child, returning a decade later as an adult. The people and places all looked familiar, yet there was a new feeling of uncertainty.

"You’re still angry; I can feel it. Forget the past; remember the real reason you’re here," Alex responded.

"Of course, I stay here for 3 days and then leave. Hopefully, you can manage everything quickly. I don’t plan on staying longer. Also, where the hell are you?" He replied, glancing at himself in a shop window.

"I will; don’t worry. Send me your location, and I’ll send a car to pick you up," the caller said before hanging up. Rolling his eyes, Theo sat back down on a nearby bench, watching the cars drive down the street, before sending a quick text to Alex.

Would he be accepted, even after leaving all these years ago? Or would his past catch up to him? Spotting a sleek black car jostling up the street, he stood up.

While waiting for the car to stop near him, his attention was grabbed by a woman running quickly nearby. Her hair was tangled and her face flecked with dirt as she dodged through the street at a speed unknown to humanity. She was different; he knew.

Quietly sitting in the car, he greeted himself with the friendly face of Alex, who stared at him with a tinge of annoyance.

No, hello, how have you been?" Theo asked sarcastically, a smile playing on his lips. Alex turned around, lowering his sunglasses, before sighing.

"Your brother has died; have some shame," he replied before driving down the street. Theo glanced out of the window again, looking for the woman he had seen before.

"You and I know damn well that won’t happen. Any updates on the packs nearby? I saw one of them on the street," Theo said, emphasizing them’ with disgust. The words were only uttered when the car fell silent, as the two friends sat silently, one curiously awaiting the other’s answer while the other nervously fidgeted with the steering.

"They’re getting out of hand; the problem is larger than we thought. Maybe if you could stay longer?" Alex pleaded; his gray eyes softened with guilt. Looking at Theo, he knew it was wrong of him to ask when the answer was already decided.

"I won’t. Nothing in this world can force me to stay in this hellhole any longer. This is not my home anymore," he uttered, stuffing his phone in his pocket as they cruised through a neighborhood of lavish homes before reaching a guarded compound where the infamous Rhys clan lived, guards littering the surroundings like flies.

He could already feel eyes on him from a distance, from when they first entered the vicinity until now. He had seen no one, yet they knew he had arrived.

The houses stood next to each other, dull and black, describing the people who lived here perfectly: shady and mysterious. It was partly because of the mystery and lack of answers that Theo escaped this prison many years ago.

"Never thought I’d be here again; nothing’s changed," Theo complained, taking off his seatbelt and peering into the house in front of him, wondering whether he would be accepted after leaving abruptly.

"We planted roses," Alex added in a meek voice,pointing towards the red flowers, which bloomed beautifully in the silent breeze, before quieting down after noticing Theo’s pointed stare.

"Yes, the blood on the porch is still there, but the roses! The roses make everything better," He continued sarcastically. The breeze that rustled the old palm trees or the treehouse where he had climbed once when he was young told him he was finally home.

He had just entered the place but could already feel the curious stares of others on his back. They weren’t visible, but they were there. Waiting.

"They’re going to come tomorrow; get ready. Till then, how about we go see Finn one last time?" Alex spoke optimistically.

"Cut me some slack; the first thing you want me to do is meet my dead brother." His voice was marked with a tinge of annoyance before he headed towards the kitchen for a cool drink.

"I know you hated him, but for once, can you make it seem that your relationship with him wasn’t filled with hate?" Alex asked, his friend fidgeting anxiously after realizing the desperation in his voice.

"This could really bring the tribe together; things have really fallen apart since the beginning of this year. After the whole mess with the Drakes..." Alex’s voice trailed off. Theo sighed, clutching at the cold bottle he had been about to drink from, numbing his hands.

"Three days, and then I’m out," Theo replied stubbornly, wondering why Alex was so persistent in keeping him here. Nothing would stop him.

"I was devastated to hear about your loss; I know how it hurts to lose a brother. If you need anything, I’m always here for you," the woman said gently, rubbing my hand softly as I bowed lightly. She walked away, her heels clicking gently on the floor.

"You know you can always say a few words in return," Alex joked, suddenly appearing at my side. Annoyed, I pushed him away and loosened my tie, which seemed to be almost choking me.

May 5th, the day my ‘dear’ brother passed away. Less than a week later, I returned to give my condolences and stand quietly as people offered their own, hardly able to console my own loved ones. Shifting awkwardly from foot to foot, the powerful smell of incense lingered in the hollow church as crowds walked in and out.

The casket lay nearby, and nothing could force me to look at his face one last time. The hateful gaze remained on my memories, the hurtful words, and every other thing that pained me. It was all here, tormenting me.

And it hit me then, out of nowhere. I was suffocating. In this silent town that hid many secrets of its own, in this small church where people from all over the world and clans visited, I had to get out.

"We hope to be seeing you around more often," they muttered, and with one last searching glance at me, they walked away.

"There are much more people than I expected," I whispered to him again, turning around. He chuckled quietly, dressed smartly in a black suit with slicked hair and a charming gaze. He hadn’t changed one bit with his flirty glances or casual manner.

"I think they’re less interested in Finn dying and more interested in meeting you," He replied, hiding his laugh in a cough.

"Two more days," I sighed, strolling out of the graveyard with a heavy heart.

"We need to speak," Alex said urgently to me, appearing out of nowhere and making me jump back in surprise. I continued to walk and tried to ignore him.

"Theo Davies, we’ve known each other since birth. After the untimely death of Finn Davies, aka your renowned brother of the Rhys clan, you’re the only inheritor. Despite your tragic childhood, you grew to become an inspiring example." Alex continued on as I slowly slipped into a trance, letting his words wash over me.

It didn’t matter anyway; if he wanted to waste his energy on something impossible, there was nothing I could do to stop him.

"You’re not listening, are you?" He said it exasperatedly, walking over to my side and waving at me.

"No, how long did it take you to learn that monologue?" I mumbled, squashing a brunette cigarette under my boot.

"What do you have in New York, anyway? You have a permanent job to protect your people here; also, you’ll have me!" He added optimistically.

"Alex, don’t ask something from me that I can’t give," I replied gruffly, watching the darkening horizon.

"Fine, but at least go meet her," He said ominously after some time. Sighing, I turned around, wondering whom I had the pleasure to meet today.

"Her?" I asked, disinterested.

"His mate," He ended, staring at me.

"How is that my business? She can go die for all I care," I added insensitively, hoping for this conversation to end.

"Theo, I’m serious. Just offer your condolences and come back; also be sensitive to her condition." He scolded me seriously.

"Why did she contract a major case of narcissism after being in his presence for so long?" I humored him before sobering up after seeing his expression.

"She’s pregnant; be sympathetic," Alex replied with a solemn expression. Is that pity or love?

"Let’s go together; I don’t want you running off," He said, and true to his words, I was forced to go wherever the girl was—reluctantly.

The drive away from the familiar compound was silent as I brooded quietly, hoping for this visit to end soon.

Soon enough, we reached the quiet manor at the edge of the forest, where Finn built the fence around his house. Alex and I walked inside silently, my boots hitting the tiled floor with an awkward thud.