CHAPTER 27 – Henchmen

 The High Keep mansion was filled with werewolves of high status, gathered to celebrate Theodore's victory in the trial. Servants served a variety of food and drinks, while a famous musical band played a cool number in the background.

"Congratulations once more, Theodore." Phil greeted as he walked towards Theodore, who was waiting for Ingrid, who had gone to say hi to friends.

"Thank you, Phil."

"You had us scared for a minute there," Phil said, and Theodore slightly waved off. "I noticed that Aurora is absent; I couldn't smell her anywhere."

"Please do me a favour, Phill."

"Okay?"

"Don't ever mention that name whenever we're together," Theodore said, looking blankly away from Phil.

"I thought she was part of the family."

"She was never and will never be a part of my family," Theodore said, now looking at Phil.

"Look who made it, Phil, looking good as always," Ingrid said, heading towards both men.

"And you look ravishing as always," Phil said to Ingrid.

"I'd advise you not to cross your boundaries, young man," Theodore said, grabbing Ingrid by the waist and pulling her towards himself.

Ingrid looked at Theodore with a smile on her face, "Chill, tiger." She looked at Phil, "his jealousy is cute, isn't it?"

"You love birds, I don't ever intend to pry," Phil said, "Although I was more concerned about a certain human who once stayed in the mansion."

"Oh, you mean the butler's daughter?" Ingrid said, "She's gone for good, back to the pigsty where she belongs."

Phil bit his lower lip. "Pigsty, that's quite harsh."

"I'd rather we stopped mentioning irrelevant things and focus on the celebration at hand. Today is about me," Theodore said, "let's keep it that way."

"I agree," Ingrid said.

"Of course you always agree," Theodore said, looking into Ingrid's eyes, "And that's why I love you."

"And I love you more." She answered.

"No, I love you more," Theodore said, smooching Ingrid in between the words,

"I believe that's my cue to get out of your hair," Phil said, but didn't get any answers, as the couple continued smooching like no one was there, then Phil turned and left, with a slight grin on his face.

Northern California the next day,

"So what do you think?" Lucius's first henchman asked, "Should we tell her?"

"Nah, I don't think so." The second man replied.

The two henchmen had gone to the coffee shop where Aurora worked and sat down, waiting patiently as Aurora had told them.

"But Lucius hasn't been himself since he was stripped of everything he was entitled to, well, except the house he lives in." The first man said. "I sincerely think a company would help elevate his mood."

"I feel for the girl, though, she's in love with a man who doesn't love her back, and is too blinded to see how he is using her."

"You talk about the one he doesn't like, now, let's talk about the one he does love and would burn the world for." The first man said, "Ingrid fully knows about Lucius's feelings for her, but decides to openly frolic about with Theo, even after everything he'd done for her."

"True, she goes about making Lucius do her killings for her, by helping her eliminate anyone who dares to step on her toes the slightest. Then she gives the world an innocent look, while Lucius is left with the stain and image of a mindless killer; she hasn't even come to visit Lucius after the fight."

"This is crazy. He hates the one who loves him, and loves the one who never will. Talk about fate being wild." The first man added, "I still think we should tell her, there are no more workers in the house, and with Lucius's credit cards blocked, we could use a little help in the house, unless you want to do the chores in the house."

"We tell her then."

"So what do I get for you gentlemen?" Aurora asked as she approached their desk.

"Same as always." The second man replied.

"Lucius couldn't make it today?"

"Lucius?" The first man sighed, "He's been in rough shape in the last three days."

"What happened?" Aurora's eyes widened.

"He had a little fight with his dad, and right now, he doesn't seem good." The second man said.

"Is it that bad?" She asked.

"We're just kind of hoping you could come around the house later today. I believe it would be of great help to him." The first man said.

"Sure," Aurora said without hesitating, "I'd stop by his house when I'm done with work."

"Thank you very much." He added.

"Anything for Lucius." She said, "Let me get your orders." She turned and left.

"See? Easy." The first man said.

Back at the High Keep mansion.

Theodore gently walked through the garden in the mansion, and he entered the playground where he and his sister once played.

He thought he had buried her memories, but with the whole situation with Aurora and her being called 'daughter' by Brynn, the memories he thought he had forgotten came back, and it had him remembering the short time he had spent with his sister.

He sat on one of the seats of the swing, closed his eyes, and slowly swung himself with the help of his sturdy legs on the ground, as he basked in the pieces of memory he had of his sister.

It was a rainy night, and the whole household was asleep, or so they thought.

Little Theodore had taken his twin younger sister, Azalea, to the study room. He had promised to show her something cool later that night, as he had lost a bet on who was going to get Brynn's attention first earlier that day.

"You are locking the door?" Little Azalea asked, on seeing Theodore, who was barely the height of the doorknob, try to lock the door.

"Shhhh," Theodore said, "I don't want Daddy to catch us here. He had warned me to keep this a secret from you."

"Then show me already," She whispered, "I want to see." She grinned in anticipation.

"Are you ready?" Theodore asked, standing before Azalea.

"Yes."

"Then here goes nothing," Theodore said.