Page 52 of Briggs
Chapter 19
Briggs
Did I plan on spending my Sunday moving my mate’s younger brother into our house? Nope. But that’s what I was doing. Well, not exactly. Surprisingly, the talk with Alpha Babak went well. He was understanding that John felt like he should be with his older brother, and he respected his decision. We all talked briefly about Tracy, and when Todd said that he thought Tracy would benefit most from having Alpha Mate Mina as a mother figure and should remain with the created couple, Alpha Babak visibly relaxed.
I wasn’t sure if John slept at all last night, but he started texting first thing this morning. And I do mean first thing. It was going to be an adjustment having him around, but deep down, I knew it would be good for Todd and John. He was looking for that connection with his brother they had been working on rebuilding.
“If you need anything at all, you have my number,” Master Edison said. I just shook my head. It was still a lot to take in that the created warlock was so easygoing and not only often acted as the contact for housing assignments but also helped us move things from one place to another. That was how John was already moved into our spare bedroom. The bed had beensmaller than what he’d had at Alpha Babak’s, but Master Edison had changed that with a bit of magic. John was thrilled with the instant change and even now was upstairs busily unpacking his things with Todd’s help.
“I appreciate everything,” I told Master Edison.
He looked as if he wanted to say something but instead simply nodded.
“Was there something you wanted to discuss? Is there anything I need to be prepared for tomorrow at work?”
Master Edison shook his head. “I simply wanted to say to be careful,” he told me. “It’s wonderful that John is moving in with you and Todd. But the two of you have only been mated for six weeks. You are still a very new couple, and your bond, although in place and strong, can still suffer if you two neglect it or one another. Be sure to make time for each other every day. Not family time—you-and-Todd time. The same goes after the twins arrive. Do you have family arriving to help?”
I shook my head. “I’ve not yet told them I’ve found my mate.”
Master Edison’s eyebrows rose significantly. “I wasn’t aware that you didn’t have contact with your family. I understand that some don’t.”
I shook my head. “That’s not it. I talk to them every so often. But like my pack, it’s easy to simply get lost in my family. They’re busy, and although I don’t have too strained of a relationship with any of them, we’ve never been super close either.”
“I do understand that situation. Well, if you aren’t going to have help with the twins when they arrive, let someone at the council know. We look out for our own, and we’ll make sure someone drops in every so often to check on the two of you and help where needed.”
“I appreciate that. I’d love to say that we can handle things, but I’m sure we’re going to be in over our heads in no time.”
Master Edison nodded. “You are. If you don’t have family coming, and by that, I mean family that will help you with things around the house, not just to hold the babies while you and Todd struggle to do all of the things, then you need to reach out. Alpha Mate Mina will help, as will Alpha Mate Victoria. That’s what they do. Don’t think for a moment that Konrad won’t show up because, most likely, he will.”
I smiled. “I’ll talk to my parents, but they’re busy as well, and I haven’t ever heard of them taking time to help my siblings when they welcomed a new addition to the family. And I’m the only one that has moved away. They all still live near the pack.”
Master Edison offered a friendly smile. “We will make sure you are looked after,” he said reassuringly. “In the meantime, if you run into any issues with John, reach out to Alpha Babak. Although I don’t foresee that. He’s a good kid. He’s been through a lot, but Alpha Babak has had nothing but good things to say about both of them.”
I nodded. “He’s excited to be here,” I said and smiled. “He texted us this morning just after six. We weren’t up yet, but that changed in a hurry.” I shook my head. “Hopefully, this is just a onetime thing,” I added. “Todd loves to sleep in on the weekends, and this weekend, there has been very little relaxing. And I thought teenagers slept until the afternoon.”
Master Edison laughed. “They do if they are up all night. I agree with you though. I believe it was simply the fact that he was too excited to wait much longer. He will probably fall asleep early tonight, which might be a good thing since he has to be to the shifter school in the morning.”
My eyes widened. Shit. Not only was I now responsible for getting myself up and out the door, but I also had to walk Todd to work, as well as John to the transport building so he could get to school.
Master Edison chuckled while I ran my hand down my face. “It’ll be all right. You’ll get into the swing of things. Just remember, from experience with my grandkids, they don’t always like to get up early, and it can be difficult to get them out the door on time, so be sure to allow for extra time if needed. Not only that, but you have a pregnant mate. He’s not going to be quick to leave in the morning either.”
I groaned. This was my life now though, and although I was certain it wasn’t going to be nearly as painful as it was sounding, there was always the possibility. Master Edison left, leaving me with my mate and his brother. I found them upstairs in John’s new room, putting things away. Well, Todd was pulling things out of boxes while John placed them on the shelves.
“Do you need help?” I asked as I leaned against the doorway. Todd’s face lit up, and when he crossed the room to me, without a thought, I stood and pulled him into my arms. I didn’t even hesitate to lean down and kiss him. I did remember that we were now the guardians of a fourteen-year-old boy, so I kept it G-rated.
Todd was still smiling when I pulled away. “Thanks for the offer, but I think we’re almost finished. And before you get too worried, I didn’t do much. I didn’t lift a single box or anything, really. John put everything up on the bed, and I just helped unpack things from there while he put them all away.”
“That’s good to hear,” I told him before I leaned down and kissed his forehead again. “I know it’s still early in the day, but what did the two of you plan to do today? Just a down day?” I looked over at John. “Are you hanging out with friends?”
John shook his head. “I’ll see them tomorrow at school. But I did want to ask if it was all right if I went for a run later?” John looked at Todd, a very hopeful expression on his face.
“I can’t run, John,” Todd said as he rubbed his stomach. We were home, and he was wearing one of his own shirts that hadalways been a bit bigger on him. It no longer was, and his days of wearing it were numbered for certain. “I can’t shift until after the babies arrive.”
I watched as John deflated. Todd looked at me and gave me a “look” that wasn’t difficult to interpret. “If you don’t mind running with a wolf, I can go for a shorter run with you,” I offered. “I don’t want to leave Todd alone for too long though.”
John’s smile was instantly back. “I’m happy to just run around the house. I would go for runs with Alpha Babak, and he was great and all, but despite what anyone will say with as nice as he is, he’s the created cheetah, and that’s intimidating.” I heard Todd snort through our bond, but I managed to keep from laughing. “He was amazing. Seriously. He helped me so much with shifting and other things. But he’s still the created cheetah.”
“Yes. We have lots of those here. Created ones, that is. They’ve all uprooted their lives to come here for whatever reason and create the council.”
