Page 82 of Alpha
"I'm here to be strong for you when you need strength. So feel what you need to, fall apart if that's what it takes. I'll be there to pick up the pieces."
I pressed my hands to my mouth to stop another sob that was provoked by his beautiful words. He reached for me and pulled me against his chest. His words covered me like a blanket, making me feel safe and protected.
"I think you'll feel better when you've talked to Kyle and found out why your parents did what they did," he suggested. "Maybe they had a good reason."
He was right. I couldn't guess why they didn't tell me about Kyle. I needed to sit down with my brother and find out what he knew. Maybe somehow he knew why our parents had left their pack and covered their tracks so well that Gary hadn't been able to find out anything.
I hugged him for a moment before I pulled back.
"Come on, let's go and find my brother," I said. It still felt so strange saying that.My brother.
Cade held my hand as we walked back to the house.
"Where's Gary?" I asked Cade as we entered the house.
"I think he's upstairs," he answered.
"Please, would you get him to meet me in the study?" I asked.
"Sure," he said. He pressed his lips to mine and I savored the brief kiss.
While Cade hurried up the stairs, I turned to face the door of the study. It was time to get answers.
I opened the door to find Kyle alone, sitting in a chair with his hands clasped together. His eyes met mine and he stood up. He didn't strike me as the type to be nervous, but I could tell he was.
"Hi," I said. It felt inadequate, but it was the best I had.
"Hi," he replied, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"We need to talk." I stated the obvious.
He nodded his head in agreement as he sat back down and I sat down across from him. I felt nervous as Gary entered the study, looking a little confused.
I stood up and gave him a hug.
"How are you feeling?" he asked as he scanned my features. The last time I'd seen him was before I'd mated with Cade and shifted for the first time. It hadn't been that long ago, but it felt like a lifetime.
"I'm good," I lied. He was asking about my physical well-being, not my emotional state.
Kyle stood up as Gary turned to face him.
"Kyle, this is Gary, he was our dad's best friend and my guardian," I introduced.
"Gary, this is my...brother."
Gary took a moment before what I said sank in and he turned to me. It was like he wasn't sure he'd heard right.
"Yes, he is my brother," I confirmed.
Gary and Kyle shook hands briefly before Gary sank down in the only other empty chair. He looked shocked. I wondered if that was what I'd looked like the first time I'd heard the news.
"I don't understand," he mumbled.
"I'm hoping Kyle will be able to shed some light on it," I said as I sat down and faced Kyle. At that moment, the study door opened again and in walked Cade. I smiled at him as he came over to me and stood beside me.
"So how do you and Cade know each other?" I asked.
"I'm an alpha of a neighboring pack," Kyle answered. It made sense. That was how Cade and he knew each other so well.
