Page 66 of My Brutal Alpha

We chuckled, able to feel the light-hearted air around us all.

It was unusual for Ezra and me to get along during those gatherings, but I was relieved not to feel like I needed to be guarded around him for once. It was a lot more enjoyable knowing we weren’t at each other’s throats.

I was sure the others likely thought the same thing.

“Do you need anything?” Sebastian asked Lydia as he leaned over her shoulder from where she sat in her chair and watched the fire with a blanket over her more pronounced belly.

She smiled up at him and shook her head. “I’m perfectly comfortable.”

“Good.” He grinned and kissed her cheek before pulling back up and meeting my gaze from across the fire. He motioned for me to join him.

Curious, I got up and gave Ezra’s hand a gentle squeeze before letting go, and then I followed my brother away from the fire.

Hands on my hips casually, I looked up at him. “What’s up?”

Giving me a genuinely apologetic expression, Sebastian took a deep breath. “I wanted to apologize again for what happened after the baby shower the other day. For getting angry about you two and behaving like I did.”

I softened slightly. “You already apologized, you know.”

He sighed. “I know, but I just need to again. I apologized to Ezra earlier and wanted to make sure the two of us were square, too. You were right—I had no right to lose my shit about you and Ezra when my situation with Lydia was no different. I can’t help but feel like I was a catalyst to everything happening with you being taken, so as your brother who cares very much about you and what you think of me, I’m saying I’m sorry. Genuinely.”

Touched by his sincerity, I smiled and nodded. “I accept your apology.”

At my acceptance, Sebastian managed to crack a smile of his own. “But that’s not all. I’m officially giving you two my complete blessing…not that you need it, of course.”

“Oh, of course not.”

He chuckled and put a casual arm around my shoulders. “Listen, smart ass, what I’m saying is, if it has to be anyone, I’mglad you’re with Ezra. But I’m warning you, I won’t be saying that again. That was enough of a hit on my pride.”

I snickered. “And you were so brave saying it, too.”

“I’m still not used to the idea of my baby sister having a mate, but I guess I’ll just have to get used to it,” Sebastian said with a louder laugh of his own as he tightened his arm around my neck in a light headlock while he messed with my hair.

I joined in on that laughter at his affectionate bullying while simultaneously trying to squirm out of his hold. I lightheartedly shoved him off when he loosened his grip, still amused with himself. “You’re the biggest pest I’ve ever known.”

“And you have to deal with me anyway because you love me.”

Rolling my eyes playfully, I follow him back to the fire. “Only because I have to.”

Chuckling to himself, Sebastian joined Ezra by the food table and chatted about the meat spread he got for the night. It was almost odd yet nice to see how easily they were able to get along again after everything.

I couldn’t help but feel even more relieved knowing that the strain between them was gone, and we didn’t have to worry about Sebastian being angry with us.

Beau sipped from his beer, grimacing to himself as he threw a look at Ethan. “Why do you buy this brand? It’s terrible.”

“Told you,” Jacob quipped.

Ethan waved them both off dismissively. “You two are just too finicky from being spoiled with those luxury brands. Sometimes, you have to humble yourself by going back to the basics. It’s called having humility.”

Beau scoffed. “If I wanted to drink water, I would.”

As the guys continued their usual antics, Ezra returned and sat beside me with a plate of meat and cheese.

“That smells good,” I murmured, grabbing the blanket behind me and pulling it over my shoulders.

“Want some?”

At my nod, Ezra grabbed a piece of salami and held it out for me, letting me take it between my teeth as he grinned, thoroughly amused.

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