Page 51 of Briggs
“Thank you, Alpha Dane. I appreciate it.”
“May I be excused?” Tracy asked. “I’ll clean my plate.”
“Your brother is here though. Do you not wish to spend time with him and get to know his mate?”
I waved and shook my head. “It’s all right. I understand that me and the babies are boring to her. I truly don’t mind,” I said. “I realize it’s not my home or rules though.”
Alpha Babak looked conflicted for a moment before he nodded. “Please clean your plate and put your dishes in the dishwasher.”
“I will.” Tracy was all smiles, and she gave Alpha Mate Mina a side hug after she stood.
Briggs placed his hand on my back, and I took that moment to yawn. I wasn’t actually tired, but I had a feeling that things were going to become awkward.
“The meal was amazing and the company even better,” Briggs said. “But I beg your forgiveness for cutting the evening short. I should get Todd home to rest.” Briggs looked at me, and I wanted to wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him. “He’s had a busy couple of days, and I don’t want him to overdo it.”
“Of course,” Alpha Babak and Alpha Mate Mina said at the same time.
A few minutes and several insistent stares from Alpha Mate Mina that we did not need to stay and help clean up, and Briggs and I were finally at the front door.
“You are…I’m not sure how you knew because I didn’t say anything, but I’m so thankful that we’re getting out of here. They’re super nice but very intimidating.”
“Todd? Can I ask you something real quick?” John called out as we were walking through the door.
“Of course,” I told my brother. “You can always ask me questions.” I was surprised when Briggs and I found ourselves alone and outside with John. My brother looked incredibly uncomfortable, and I reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. He was going to be an amazing alpha someday. I just knew it.
“I get it now,” John said. I was confused, and I was sure it showed on my face. “You not coming around. Not going runningwith me anymore.” John looked away from me, staring blankly off into the distance.
“It’s not that I didn’t want to be around you, John. I’ve been sick and?—”
My brother looked back at me. “Yeah, I understand.” John sighed. “I…” He stopped and started nodding. “I’m sorry I pushed to come live with you.” When my brother looked back at me, my heart broke.
“Oh, John. You are more than welcome to come stay with us,” I said. Immediately, Briggs was there, agreeing with me.
“Certainly,” Briggs said. “We even have a room all ready for you,” Briggs said. “Well, it has a bed and everything, but you would have to decorate it how you want. Right now, it’s sort of plain.”
I bit my lower lip because I knew the bedroom Briggs was talking about was basically our spare bedroom. It was true though. There was a bed and a dresser in it, but that was about it. We’d put my old bedroom furniture in the room farther away from ours, just in case. Was it technically for John? No. But I had thought that at some point he might want to spend the night at a minimum. When my brother’s eyes widened and he looked from me to Briggs and back to me, I felt absolutely terrible about the entire situation with my siblings. It was completely a mess, and I didn’t know how to handle it. I was the adult. I should know what to do in these situations. Yet, here I was, still struggling.
“Do you mean it?” John asked, the hopefulness in his voice undeniable.
“Yes,” Briggs said.
“Absolutely,” I agreed, then shrugged. “I thought that you and Tracy were happier here though. I don’t wake up in my cheetah form anymore because I can’t shift. But that might change once I deliver the babies.”
“My only stipulation, though—” Briggs said, immediately getting John’s attention. My brother’s smile dimmed, and he looked like the world had just been taken away from him. “—is that you be understanding with your brother,” Briggs said. “He’s pregnant, and he tires easily. You need to be respectful, and don’t make more work for him.”
“I won’t. I promise.” John looked like he was about to explode he was so excited. “Can I come now? Tonight? Or is it too soon? Tomorrow might be better, huh?”
I chuckled. “It might, yes. You need to pack.” I looked up at Briggs. “And we should probably go shopping and get more food if we’re going to have a growing teenager in the house.”
“I understand,” John said. “I can’t wait. I’ll go tell the others,” John said. He hugged me, his arms lingering around me just a bit longer than usual. “Thank you,” John whispered, but I still heard him. I was certain that Briggs did as well.
John was gone before I could say more, and I just looked up at my mate. “I’m sorry this was sprung on us.”
Briggs cupped my face with both of his hands, and when his lips gently touched mine, I sighed as I melted into his embrace.
“That’s all right, sweetheart. I meant it when I said your siblings are welcome to live with us.”Briggs broke the kiss, and when I opened my eyes, it was to find him smiling at me. “I love you. And if having John with us is what’s best, then that’s what we’ll do. I’m sure Alpha Babak is about to come talk to us a bit before we can leave, and we should probably talk about Tracy when we get home.”
I nodded. I already knew Tracy was where she belonged. I’d seen it over and over during dinner and had already come to that realization. Anything else I was going to say was interrupted by the door opening, and sure enough, there was Alpha Babak. Thankfully, he didn’t seem upset at all.
