Page 4 of Devon

The man who opened the door was young—not as young as Ryan, but then, Ryan was only eighteen.This guy had to be in his mid-twenties, and he smiled easily when he saw Kendrick.“Hey.”

The man was cute.His brown hair was shaggy, and freckles dotted his nose and cheeks.He was shorter than Ryan, but his shoulders were broad, and the muscles in his arms flexed as he waved at Kendrick and Ryan to come in.Ryan noticed scars on the man’s throat, but he didn’t ask about them.It wasn’t his business.

“So this is your brother?”the man asked.

Kendrick nodded.“Yes, this is Ryan.Ryan, this is Clay, one of our clan leaders.”

Ryan quickly held his hand out.Kendrick had talked a bit about Clay and Rowan, so Ryan knew that Clay was human.He also knew that his mate was a Krsnik, like Jonas.That was why he wasn’t surprised when a second man appeared so silently that Ryan didn’t even hear him.One second, there was no one else, and the next, the man stood there, watching his mate with a fond smile.

Rowan was as tall as Ryan, but like Clay, he was broader and more muscled.The most startling thing about him was his eyes, though.They were violet and so full of love as he watched his mate that Ryan had to look away.

“Rowan,” Kendrick said as he stepped forward and hugged both Rowan and Clay.“I didn’t expect to find you awake at this hour of the day.”

Rowan smiled, exposing fangs.Ryan bit his lower lip so he wouldn’t say anything stupid.He didn’t know these people.He had to make a good impression.

“I wanted to meet your brother,” Rowan said.He turned to Ryan.“Welcome to the clan.”

Ryan could only smile and nod.He was afraid of what would come out of his mouth if he opened it, so he was happy to let Kendrick speak.

“We just wanted to touch base now that Ryan’s here,” Kendrick said as he and Ryan followed the other two through the house.

Ryan wasn’t surprised when they ended up in the kitchen.Clay waved at them to sit at the table, and Ryan quickly obeyed, making way too much noise with the chair.No one seemed to care or even notice.

“Everything went well?”Clay asked.“Well, beyond the attack on your way back.”

“Our father won’t come and look for Ryan if that’s what you’re asking,” Kendrick said.“He did the same to me.He washed his hands of us as soon as we turned eighteen, and that’s not going to change.Ryan’s here to stay.”

Rowan turned his violet eyes in Ryan’s direction.“How do you feel about that?”he asked in a quiet tone.

Ryan’s mouth was dry.“I’m grateful to you and Clay for allowing me to stay.I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”

“We don’t need you to do anything.You’re Kendrick’s brother.That makes you a clan member.”

“Thank you.I appreciate the opportunity, and I’ll prove to you that I can be a productive clan member.I’m not sure how I’ll do that yet, but I’ll find a job, and I’ll contribute.You won’t have to worry about that.”

Thankfully, Rowan didn’t seem offended by Ryan’s babbling.In fact, he smiled and glanced at Clay, who was grinning.There seemed to be an inside joke there, but Ryan didn’t know what it was, and frankly, he didn’t care.He had enough to worry about already.

“We do want all our clan members to contribute in some way, but you don’t have to rush,” Clay said as he poured several cups of coffee.“You just arrived.You lost the only life you’ve known and your parents.Rowan and I are fine with you taking some time, especially after the attack.I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

Ryan was, too, but it wasn’t the fault of anyone in the room.“I’m fine.”

He was glad when the other three started talking about things he wasn’t involved in.He sipped on his coffee, relieved to be allowed to keep his mouth shut and listen.Clay and Rowan seemed like nice people.Clay was a smiler, and while Rowan was clearly the quiet one, they appeared to fit together well.

All in all, by the time he and Kendrick were ready to go, Ryan was happy he’d come—and even happier to be able to leave.

“So, what did you think?”Kendrick asked as they climbed down the porch steps.

“They seem like nice people.”

“Theyarenice people.Clay lost his family to the Kudlaks.I think that’s why he was so happy that I was able to help you.And Rowan, well.He lost his entire clan.They both know how it feels to lose people you love and family.They won’t kick you out, so you can stop worrying about that.”

“How did you know that was on my mind?”

“Because it’s what I would think if I were in your place.”Kendrick cleared his throat.“I know we haven’t talked in ten years, but I want to get to know you, Ryan.You’re the only thing I missed from my old life, and I’m glad we have a second chance.I don’t want to miss this opportunity to get to know the adult you.”

Ryan didn’t quite feel like an adult, but he agreed with everything else.“I want to get to know you, too.”

Kendrick grinned.“It’s a good thing you’re living with me, then.”

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