Page 7 of Protected By the Wolf

Jacob turned back to shoot me a scowl before marching to his room and slamming the door.

Seeing that I’d upset him, I followed him. “Sorry, Jacob. I couldn’t help it. You’re always so put together, and to see you fall apart like this is unreal. But no more laughing, I promise. I’m all serious now. So tell me, how can I help?”

He stared at me for a bit, and I made sure I didn’t twitch a muscle. Finally, he said in a distressed tone, “I’m not ready to have a mate. I’m not at that point in my life plan that allows for one.”

“You know that saying?—”

“Yeah. Yeah. But so far, I’m right on track, so plans have worked.”

“Jacob—”

He waved his hand at me and flopped on his bed.

“You never did tell Dad about your plan, did you?” I asked.

“No, and you’re not going to do it for me.”

I grunted. The realization that Jacob had found his mate was slowly sinking in. That meant I’d be the odd one out; no more brothers to hang out with. There was Dredge, but he was so much older than us, he rarely hung out with us.

“The way you’re behaving right now, anyone would think both of us were mate-bound,” Jacob said.

I shook my head. “I’m feeling restless because you’re feeling restless. You’re my best bud! What am I supposed to do with myself if I’m not out and about with you?”

Jacob walked over and put a hand on my shoulder, stopping me mid-stride as I paced his room. “I’m not going anywhere. You’ve still got me. Whenever I get a mate, you’re still my brother. That’s not going to change, Bruno.”

“Right.” I’ll believe it when I see it. Especially after I’d seen Luc and Brandon change these last few months. But I still couldn’t help teasing Jacob. Pulling him in for a tight hug, I whispered in his ear, “You know you love helping Luc and Brandon build their new homes. You want what they have too. Admit it.”

He shoved me away, and I fell on my butt, laughing. As Mom said, we were two peas in a pod. Jacob and I were always there for each other.

So Jacob had finally found his mate at an art gallery while scouting for paintings for our brothers’ gifts. But knowing Jacob, he was too stuck in his ways to do anything about it. Knowing him, he’d probably come up with a plan and then think on it for a few days before he had the courage to tell us all about it. Which meant that when it was time to finally execute said plan, he’d most likely find his mate had moved on.

No, that wouldn’t do. I needed to help him speed up his timeline.

Picking up my phone, I called the art gallery and left a message, saying my name was Bruno and I would be by in the morning because I had heard they had a great curator and I was interested in buying some art from her.

Satisfied, I went to bed thinking of all the ways Jacob could thank me for helping him out.

The next morning, I slept in. I’d had the most fascinating dream, one I’d never had before. It was about my mate, and she was a shifter. In my dream, she ran next to me through the woods, and I felt so happy.

I woke up and ran to tell Jacob who, of course, was not impressed given his own worries. I then told him of my plan to stop by the gallery and see his mate. He didn’t argue; he almost seemed relieved. He was my best friend, and we did everything for each other. So the fact that he wasn’t surprised at my actions pleased me.

On the way to the gallery, I hummed a tune, something I hadn’t done in a long time, and I realized it was due to how happy it had felt to feel my mate next to me in my dream. Was it an omen? Was it possible I might meet my mate soon too? The thought put a bounce in my step. Maybe I wouldn’t be the odd one out after all.

I got to the gallery early, just before nine. On seeing an older woman walking around inside, I knocked on the door to get her attention. She came closer and studied me for a bit before unlocking the door.

“We’re not quite open yet,” she said on opening it.

“Sorry, I’m a bit early. I’m looking for Lillian?”

“That’s me.”

“I’m Bruno McCullough.”

“Oh, Mr. McCullough. It’s very nice to meet you. Please come in. Would you like some water?”

“No, I’m okay. Is the curator I asked about in?”

“Yes, Millie’s in, but she’s busy in the back. I would be glad to help you.”

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