Page 7 of No Honor Amongst Shifters
Roslin waited for Alcott’s answer, but it never came.Alcott didn’t react at all.
Roslin grabbed the breakfast tray and opened the door.He cast one last glance in Alcott’s direction, then stepped out into the hallway.
Kenny followed him.They walked down the hallway together, and Roslin waited for Kenny to ask what was on his mind.Roslin had gotten to know the ghost, and he liked him.He especially liked that Kenny didn’t seem to be angry at Alcott.
“I’ve seen how some people treat the boy,” Kenny said.“I’m glad he won’t have to deal with them anymore.”
Roslin nodded once.“I agree.”
“Do you really understand why he did it?”
“Well, I don’t know if I have the entire story.From what I do know, though, he wanted to help a man he thought loved him.Who would’ve said no?”
A lot of people would have, actually.Alcott was young, though, and from the little Roslin knew about him, he’d been searching for love all his life.The only person who’d always been on his side was his brother, and now, Misha was with Olsen.His attention was divided, which was normal, but if he’d been the only person Alcott had felt he could rely on, Alcott had probably felt the loss keenly.
It wasn’t an excuse, but it was an explanation—one Roslin understood.
Chapter Three
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ALCOTT WAS STILL THINKINGabout what Roslin had said the next day.It wasn’t like he had anything else to do.He’d tried turning on the TV last night, but he couldn’t focus on anything, so he’d turned it off.It was still off, although maybe it would be nice to have some background noise.
But Alcott wanted to hear if anyone came.He didn’t think whoever did would hurt him, but he needed to be ready.He’d been surprised when Roslin, of all people, had come into his bedroom yesterday, but Roslin had kept his promise.He’d been the one to bring Alcott dinner, too, although he hadn’t lingered.
Alcott was glad for that, or at least, that was what he tried to convince himself of.It had been nice to talk to Roslin.He truly didn’t seem to be angry at Alcott the way the people who’d brought him his food before had.Maybe it was because of Misha, or maybe because Roslin was human and had only recently become a clan member.Either way, it felt good to act almost normally for a few minutes.
But when Alcott heard a knock on his door, he knew it wasn’t Roslin.The man had already visited earlier with breakfast, and while he’d talked for a few minutes, it was probably hard for him when Alcott barely answered.Alcott didn’t know what to say when Roslin asked him completely normal questions, like what he usually ate for breakfast and what he wanted for lunch.
Alcott swallowed and glanced at the door.Misha was behind it, no doubt hoping to talk to him.What was there to say, though?
The door opened even though Alcott hadn’t told Misha to come in.Alcott rolled his eyes because that was exactly like his brother.He didn’t care what Alcott wanted.He wanted to get through to him and get him to talk, and he’d push until Alcott gave in.
“Hey,” Misha said as he walked in.“Roslin said he brought you breakfast this morning.”
Alcott swallowed.He could tell how hurt Misha was by the fact that he wasn’t talking to him.“He did.”
Misha blinked, and his smile widened.“That’s nice.I want you to get to know Olsen’s family.”
Alcott didn’t answer.He wanted to get to know Olsen’s family, too, but what was the point?He wouldn’t be staying with the clan once this was over.He would never be part of that family the way Misha was now.
Alcott was glad that his brother had found someone to love him.He hoped that all of Olsen’s family had welcomed him, but even if they hadn’t, Misha had Olsen.He deserved all the love Olsen would give him.Alcott knew his brother.Misha had been yearning for something like this since they’d left their birth clan, and he’d finally found it.
Alcott wasn’t going to ruin it.He almost had, and he was lucky that Olsen’s family didn’t seem to care that Misha was a traitor’s brother.Alcott needed to be careful, though.Misha wanted to help him, and he’d do anything for him.Alcott couldn’t let him hurt himself or his chances of having a family.
Misha chatted for a few minutes, but Alcott was careful not to answer or even react to what he was saying.He could see the smile slip off his brother’s face more and more as the seconds ticked by, and by the time Misha was done speaking, he looked sad again.
“I’m worried about you.”
Alcott almost rolled his eyes.He knew that Misha was worried about him.Misha told him every time he visited, which he did every day.He was bent on being there for Alcott, but Alcott couldn’t allow him to do that.He wasn’t going to drag his brother into his mess.
Misha sighed.“Fine.But you know I’ll be back tomorrow.I’m not going to stop coming around until you finally talk to me.”
Alcott shrugged one shoulder.Misha was stubborn, but Alcott had always out-stubborned him.Between the two of them, he knew he’d be the one to win the fight.
He couldn’t afford not to.He couldn’t drag his brother down again.Misha had even more to lose this time, and Alcott wouldn’t be the reason he did so.Alcott had made a mistake, but Misha didn’t have anything to do with it.Alcott would make sure that his brother was happy, no matter what he had to sacrifice for that to happen.
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