Page 7

Christophe

Istoodby as my brother Loch and his husband, Tresten, greeted Mother and Father. Tresten held their son Ian in hisarms.

“Hello, Ian,”Father said. “How’s my little grandson? Happy birthday. I’ve got something special for you later during yourparty.”

“Apresent?”Ian askedhopefully.

“Yes,”said Father, smiling. It was unusual to see him smile, but he couldn’t seem to hide it when aroundIan.

“What is it?”

“Patience! You’ll find out.”He kissed him on the head, and then turned to Loch, his expression straightening. “Loch.”

“Dad,”Loch said. Father reached out and patted Loch’s bicep, like he was appraising it for strength. He nodded to himself, apparently approving. Loch had always been a bit of a black sheep, and even after proving himself by graduating from the Fighting Arts School, he and Father’s relationship remained somewhat strained. I knew Father loved him, but being clipped with his emotions towards myself and my brothers was just Father’spersonality.

“So,I’ve been told you’ll be receiving your master’s ranking soon,” Father said to Loch. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Dad,”hesaid.

“Ialways thoughtthat Tresten would reach master beforeyou.”

Loch chuckled.“He probably would’ve, if not for taking time off due to the pregnancy. He’ll be theresoon.”

“Less than two years,is what I’m hoping for,” Tresten added. He put Ian down, and the little boy shifted into his wolf form and started to bound around theroom.

“Ian,”I said, “Aren’t you going to say hello to youruncles?”

He scamperedover to Arthur and me, his paws skidding across the wood floor. “Hi, Uncle Christophe. Hi, UncleArthur.”

“Hey, little buddy,”Arthur said, ruffling the fur on Ian’s head. “Are you having fun, now that you’re able toshift?”

“It’sgreat!”Ian said, jumped around, his tail wagging. Then he sprinted across the room, stopping mid-way to let himself slide. “Wheee!”

Arthur laughed,and I allowed myself a smile. He turned to talk to me as Loch and Tresten caught up with Mother andFather.

“Cute.Can’t believe he’s already turning four. Still hard to believe that he’s Loch’s kid. I always figured he and I would be the last of us to get hitched, and he turned out to be thefirst.”

“Who didyou think would’ve been first?” Iasked.

“Well… You, I guess.”He cocked his head and added, “When we were kids, atleast.”

Ilaughed.“What is that supposed to mean? Are you implying that I’ve becomeundesirable?”

“No,not at all. You’ve been caught up in all your duties for so long, I’m just not sure if you even know how to talk to prospective mates anymore.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets and flashed a grin atme.

Damn Arthur and his charms.That grin could put any girl or any omega right in heat. I smiled back stiffly, and he patted myshoulder.

“Funny,”Isaid.

“Just joking,Christophe. I know you don’t have much of a choice. Look, don’t get down about tonight, alright? There’s still a chance you could meet someone. What are you into, anyway? We’ve never talked much aboutthat.”

“Idon’t reallylike speaking about those things,” Isaid.

“Why not? We’re brothers.”

“It’s just… It’s awkward.”

“Loosen up.C’mon, tell me. Maybe I can guide some yourway.”