Page 11 of Theirs

Chapter Seven

Brian woke at his usual five in the morning, stretched his tired body only to hear a moan, and looked down to see Susie’s head on his chest. He chuckled as she nestled into him and kneaded his chest, moaning when his chest lifted.

Blake, still fast asleep with Susie’s legs tangled with his, looked very content. Brian smiled as he wondered if she’d moved herself like this over him, or if Blake maneuvered her into the position.

Nudging his brother, he whispered, “I have an appointment at six. Since you don’t need to be there until eleven, I’ll get most of my work done and finished this morning and see you back here later tonight. Are you staying or coming into work now?”

A growl escaped before his brother’s head came up and Blake glared at him. “I organized this Sunday as a day off. I’ve been working hard with my men and their last fights were a week ago. Only two have fights coming up. So, my work load is pretty light.” He smirked at Brian. “I’ll call some real estate agents and see what they’ve got, and I’ll make sure I organize a larger bed. Don’t rush back. I’m sure I can keep her busy.” To make his point Blake pulled a sleeping Susie off Brian, and across his chest. She moaned and fidgeted for a second then sighed, settling herself back in.

Brian leaned over and gently lifted some hair out of the way as he brushed his lips over her soft cheek. “Sweet dreams, honey.”

After getting out of bed, he pulled the clothes on from last night and strolled to the door. “I’ll be finding someone to take some clients off my hands, so I have some free time cleared up.” Blake’s arm came out to wave in acknowledgement before wrapping around Susie again. Grinning, Brian added, “Oh, and since you have all this time, you can call Mum and Dad, and don’t forget Gwen.” He laughed as a drawn-out growl followed him out of the house.

****

Walking in to the gym, Brian waved at Dane, the night guy. “Give me a minute and you can go. Sorry I’m late.” There was chuckling as he ran up the stairs to his and Blake’s office. He dumped his bag and wallet before coming down again to a grinning Dane who leaned back against the wall.

“I’m surprised you even came to work today.” Raising his eyebrow, Brian waited for Dane to continue. “Oh, come on. Everyone knows you found your mate.”

“Yeah, how the hell does everyone know?” Brian glared at Dane, in no mood for guessing games after all the drama of the last twenty-four hours.

“For starters, you had sex with a woman in your office. A real screamer, I’m told.” Brian growled at Dane who laughed and put his hands up. “That was the first clue. You never take women up there. Now if we talk about Blake, he is a different matter, as he is always taking women up to the office and making them scream.”

Brian groaned and ran fingers through his hair.

“Second, and I think this is the one which clued us all in is, a brunette came running out of your office like the hounds of hell where at her heels, or a bear shifter, then you come chasing after her. Tayler went into the locker room ready to kill the poor woman. I told you when you hired Sammy’s girl you would have trouble. She has a huge crush on you, has since she was a cub. Now you have Sammy cranky with you for breaking her baby’s heart, and you know what mama bears are like.”

Dane’s grin lifted even more at the corners as he grabbed his bag from behind the reception. “Your mother called. She is on her way now and your sister should be here any minute, with Matty too.” He chuckled and patted Brian on the back. “Good luck, buddy. I hope your mate is expecting guests because it looks like she will have some. Oh, and because I’m such a good friend and employee, I called your cousin Jake. He’s going to come and fill in. He’ll be here in time for your six o’clock.”

Standing stock still, Brian took in all Dane said. He didn’t even say “Bye” or “Thanks.” He just grabbed the phone and called Blake, praying he would pick up.

The phone rang and rang, going to the message bank twice before a cranky bear answered, “This better be fucking good.”

“Mum knows.”

Blake groaned. “Do you know what she knows?”

“Dane just told me she is on her way. I don’t think she’s going to be happy that two of her boys have the same mate. True mate or not. What I’m worried about is when she learns Susie’s human.”

Blake growled, muttering about controlling, over-the-top mothers. “You might be fine, Blake. They think it’s just me who got mated by the sound of what Dane told me.” He heard more muttering and Susie moan for Blake not to leave her.

“Brian, I’m coming in. I was going to call her and tell Mother our good news later anyway.”

Brian looked around the quiet gym and turned his body so he faced the door where his sister and mother would come in. “I’m not sure what they know, but I sealed my fate apparently when I took Susie upstairs, because I have never taken a woman to the office before, unlike you.”

The wince Blake made was loud enough that Brian heard it through the phone.

“I’m up now. I will be there in ten, sooner if I can. I want Mother to know she is my mate too.” Blake hung up before Brian could say anymore and just as his mother and a very unhappy sister walked through the door.

****

Blake walked into the gym, not sure what to expect. He never could be sure with his mother how she would react. His cousin Drake sat behind the reception. Drake grinned at him as he pointed to the office. Sighing, Blake nodded and walked up the stairs.

Pausing at the office door, he took a deep breath and walked in to see his mother standing with her back to the window that looked over the gym. His sister glared at Brian who stood in the middle of both of them snarling. As soon as he entered the room the focus shifted to him and his mother said, “Please tell me what Brian has said is some kind of joke?”

Blake’s lips curled. “Oh, I don’t know, Mother. What did Brian tell you? Did it have something to do with mating the same woman?”

She growled at him. “That’s just the start. Tell me she isn’t human. My God, Son, how will I present this to the Delta Society? They all have hopes for their daughters. You are the top catch of the bachelors, even with your reputation, Blake.”

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