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Theo’s on thin fucking ice. He claims he’s innocent, that he’s not evil anymore and that his wrongdoing days are over but Liam knows better. Theo Raeken’s a manipulator and a liar and he will do anything to prove it.
“Stop that!”
“NO” Liam’s body’s practically splayed over the table as he tries to reach to the other side to try and snatch Theo’s cards so he can count them which in his opinion is completely fair, considering Theo’s totally cheating.
“I said stop that!” says Theo, pulling his cards closer to his chest, away from Liam.
“Where are the fucking cards?” Liam’s fuming, getting more and more angry by the minute.
Theo smirks, “You just can’t handle the fact that I’m much better at this game than all of you.” It’s like he knows exactly how to get under Liam’s skin.
“Oh shut up, I know you’re cheating I can smell it on you.”
“Bullshit I know you can’t — Flash news, you suck at smelling chemosignals. And even if you didn’t, you wouldn't be able to smell shit cause I’m not cheating.” He has the nerve to sound smug.
“Can we just keep playing?” Pleads Mason, exasperated.
“NO.” Liam’s not about to let Theo get away with this.
“Yes, please.” Says Hayden.
“Do we have more chips?” Asks Alec, while making his way to the kitchen.
See, they started this whole pack night thing because Liam, as interim alpha, thought it would be good for them, you know, bonding, friendship, trust.
He wanted to make Alec feel part of the group too so it just seemed like the perfect idea. And it worked. Well, mostly. Theo was different now, less murderous… Liam even liked hanging out with him—not that he’d ever let Theo know that.
Right now though? Theo’s the fucking enemy, and he’s getting on his nerves.
“Let’s just keep playing!” Corey suggests, softly.
“Fine.” Liam grunts and sits back down, never once dropping the frown on his face.
The game keeps going. Corey plays his turn first, then Mason, then Liam, Alec, Theo, and finally Hayden (not even paying attention as she texts her mysterious girlfriend— that she refuses to introduce to them).
And that’s when Liam sees it! Theo’s hand moving under the table when he thinks nobody’s watching.
“Okay that's it!” Liam slams his own cards down so hard it makes the table shake a little with a loud bang.
He bolts out of his chair and grabs Theo by the arm, yanking him so he’s standing up right in front of him.
“WHERE ARE THE CARDS?” He demands.
Theo stares at him in shock like saying what the actual fuck is wrong with you? As if Liam’s gonna buy his little act.
“I saw him cheat this time!” Alec yells with his mouth full of chips and without even swallowing down first he adds something that sounds like: “You show him, Liam!” With eyes sparkling in utter amusement.
“I didn’t cheat,” Theo deadpans.
“You’re such a fucking liar! I saw you put your hands under the table with more cards than you have in your hand now!”
“Well you can’t prove shit.”
And as they stare each other down, Liam’s gaze drops to Theo’s crotch. Then he looks back up, and Theo finally looks nervous.
“Don’t you dare,” he warns.
But Liam’s already going for it.
He shoves his hand under Theo’s waistband and Theo tries to pull away from him, but Liam’s still holding his arm and his grip is stronger. Theo pulls away harder, making them both stumble.
So, they end up on the floor with Liam’s body on top of Theo’s trapping him under. His hand is still inside Theo’s pants.
They’re both panting, staring at each other, and as Liam keeps trying to reach for the cards, Theo relaxes and smiles up at Liam before saying, “If you wanted to feel me up you could’ve just asked you know”
Liam’s hand stops moving and he stays very still suddenly aware of what he’s doing, of where his hand is…
His face is red again, he’s not sure if it’s annoyance or embarrassment or both, he just knows he’s not backing down. No matter what this might look like or that Theo’s just started to look at him a little too smugly.
“Just admit you cheated!”
“Why do you wanna touch my dick so bad?”
“Oh my god that’s not what’s happening!” Liam’s squeaks, way more high-pitched than usual.
“It totally is”
“Guys can we just go back to the game?” Mason interrupts, letting out the words in a long sigh.
But Liam and Theo are too focused on their staring contest to pay attention to him. Their eyes piercing the other’s… they’re just waiting to see who’ll break first.
Without hesitation, Liam shoves his hand into Theo’s boxers, not caring what his hand may or may not be touching and pulls out two, no, three hidden cards.
“Can’t believe you just did that.” says Alec, eating another chip.
Theo’s eyes are wide open and he looks mildly embarrassed but also very impressed.
“Told you he was cheating” Says Liam triumphantly, holding the cards up like a trophy.
“You just touched Theo’s dick.” Alec adds.
“Liam, who cares?” Hayden rolls her eyes, but she’s clearly just as amused as everyone else “Everyone knew he was cheating.”
“Ew— Why did you have to put that in your underwear?” Corey flinches as Alec declares: “I’m not touching those cards”
“Whatever. Theo’s out of the game cause he’s a cheating liar.” Liam smiles brightly and stands up at last.
“Whatever it’s just a lame game anyways” Theo grunts defensively as he raises up from the floor. “—and it’s fucking boring”
“It wasn't boring a few minutes ago when you were telling us how we all sucked and you were the best player.” Liam's voice couldn't hide a tint of superiority.
“I didn’t say that”
“Yes you did!” Liam shoots back.
“OH. MY. GOD.” Hayden groans before she drops her cards on the table and dips to the couch, opening Netflix, because she’s over whatever this is.
Eventually, everyone goes back to their seats and Liam puts Theo's cards next to his own as Alec moves a little further away cause he’s not indirectly touching Theo's balls.
“Ok! —Whose turn was it?” Liam says feeling very happy all of a sudden.
And Theo’s sitting back down and it’s like he doesn’t care he’s just been caught cheating, like he’s the victim and Liam’s the one doing him wrong. Please.
Liam decides to ignore Theo’s little petty looks and keep playing.
Liam, then Mason, then Corey, then Alec till eventually, Corey slams down a card and yells, “UNO”
And Liam's taken by surprise because he could’ve sworn Corey had more cards than he did.
Mason seems surprised too but Alec throws down a random card without looking, because he’s too busy talking excitedly about the horror movie Hayden decided to play and Theo’s watching it all with a knowing smile on his face.
Liam’s next, he throws his card, followed by Mason and then, Corey throws his last card with a smug smile.
“Where did all your cards go?”
Corey shrugs.
“Are you not gonna try to feel him up?” Theo teases.
“WHAT? I DIDN’T DO THAT.”
“Yes you did”
“You were very clearly cheating”
Nobody’s paying attention to Liam and he decides this has nothing to do with Theo’s stupid comments. Alec basically runs away and jumps on the couch with Hayden, not really caring about the game anymore.
Theo rolls his eyes as Mason grabs Liam by the shoulder and drags him to the couch.
Corey stays back, filling up a bowl with the half empty bag of chips, Theo stays back too, eyeing Corey knowingly.
He leans towards Corey and gives him a proud grin before whispering, “I totally know you cheated. But I respect a well executed plan.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Corey says, raising his eyebrows.
“You definitely had more cards than Liam.”
Corey just shrugs again.
“Are you sure Corey didn’t have more cards?” Liam asks Mason.
“Liam, just let it go” Mason sighs.
The night goes on, they watch a movie that Liam hates but pretends to enjoy because he’s not letting Alec make fun of him. Horror movies suck anyway. Theo’s more pleasant now, throwing popcorn at Alec’s head with Liam, like they’re finally on the same team again. You know, bonding and all that jazz.
Later, as Liam's cleaning the table, shuffling the cards back into the box he can feel something on the table… something he can’t see. It’s a full hand of cards. An invisible hand of cards.
That little sneaky son of a bitch.