Page 10 of Christopher

“But not until I’m there, too,” Jacob yelled.

Dennis grinned and raised his hand. His eyes widened when he noticed a little boy staring at him, so he wiggled his fingers at him instead of giving Jacob the middle finger like Drake suspected he’d been about to. Jacob snorted, but when the woman behind the counter called his name, he quickly turned his attention to her.

He was back in seconds, placing a coffee in front of Dennis and taking a sip of his before fixing his gaze on Drake. “Tell us about him.”

“I only know a few things. His name is Chris, and he’s a wolf shifter. He told me he recently moved to Green Hill with his family—his grandfather, his brother, and his sister.” Neither Dennis nor Jacob said anything. Drake looked up to find both of them gaping at him. “What?”

“I believe your mate is my mate’s brother,” Dennis said, stunning Drake into silence.

Could it really be that easy?

* * * *

Chris had been ready to throw Jennifer out of his bedroom when she first arrived, but he’d missed her, and he liked spending time with her. They both got onto the bed and watched a few episodes of the series Chris was currently obsessed with, but Jennifer wasn’t really paying attention. She kept babbling about her friends and her new life, and while Chris was happy for her, he couldn’t help but wonder if he would ever have that.

He knew it was his fault. He was pretty closed off, and even though he was now a pride member, he hadn’t tried making friends with the people who shared a home with him. The rest of his family had settled in as if they’d always belonged, but not him.

It was just taking him more time to wrap his mind around the fact that they were here to stay and that they’d found a new home where they were safer than they ever could have been with their pack. He’d also never really had friends because of the distance most pack members had put between themselves and Chris and his family, and he wouldn’t know where to start.

For now, he was fine with just his family. He would have to open up a bit, though. The thought made him uncomfortable, but he could do it.

He flopped back onto the bed once Jennifer left and wondered if he should watch another episode or if he should go downstairs for lunch. The dining room and kitchen were probably almost empty by now, so he wouldn’t have to talk to too many people. He’d have to get dressed, but he supposed it would be better if he did that, anyway. Spending all day in his pajamas, buried in his bed, wasn’t good.

Another knock on his door distracted him. It could be only one of two people, so he rolled his eyes as he opened it. “What?” he asked his brother.

Kyle raised a covered plate. “Is that how you talk to your favorite brother?”

Chris made grabby hands. “You know, that’s what Jennifer said.”

“That she was your favorite brother?”

“That she’s my favorite sister.”

“Exactly, and I’m your favorite brother.”

“If you say so.”

Kyle raised the plate so Chris couldn’t grab it.

Chris grinned at him. He and his brother didn’t always see eye to eye, but they were family, and Chris loved him. “Fine. You’re my favorite brother, but only because I can say that Dennis is my favorite brother-in-law.”

Kyle barked out a laugh. “We’ll go with that.” He handed the plate to Chris, who was relieved to see there was a napkin with a fork tucked into it on top of it. He grabbed it and uncovered the plate, smiling at the sight of mac and cheese.

He stabbed a piece of broccoli and stuffed it into his mouth, sighing in relief at the thought that he wouldn’t have to go downstairs and face half the pride.

Kyle grabbed the chair by the desk and moved it so he and Chris could face each other. “So, what happened? Why are you hiding in your bedroom?”

“I’m not hiding.”

Kyle gestured at the unmade bed and at Chris, probably because he was still wearing pajamas. “Really?”

“Not you, too. I just felt like spending some time in bed.”

“I mean, youarelazy, but this isn’t like you. Did something happen? Are you having trouble with some pride members?” Kyle leaned forward. “Because if you are, we can find a solution. You don’t have to face that on your own.”

“I don’t have problems with any pride members, so put away the fangs. I’m fine.” More than fine, actually. Just yesterday, Chris had been lamenting the fact that his siblings were too busy with their own lives to dedicate any attention to him, and today, both Jennifer and Kyle had visited him. It was mainly because they were worried, but Chris didn’t care. They were here, talking to him. He was happy.

“As long as you’re sure. This is your home, too.”

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