Page 31 of The Pack Next Door (The Wolfverse #4)

Gideon

Nothing was going to plan.

There was no point asking Briar what had happened with my brother. Her swollen lips, the reddened skin around them, on her neck, told me everything I needed to know. Watching her eyes narrow, her arms crossing, I had to wonder what the hell he’d tried.

“Are you alright?”

I stepped forward, ready to grab her arms and inspect my mate for myself, when Briar stepped back. Her scent and her stance made clear I wasn’t supposed to try again. My hands fell by my sides as her spine straightened.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Her lips thinned. “Mads… helped me out. I’m in heat?—”

“I know.”

She shook her head, then went on.

“It was getting painful, so that’s why he stepped in.” Her arms wrapped tighter around herself. “So?—”

“That’s why you left?” I grabbed at that reason like a lifeline, helping me navigate this mess. Mum was horrified when she realised Briar and Mads weren’t there. “You were consumed by your heat and?—”

“And I only turned up today because Mum wanted to be there for the trial. Shit…” She patted the pockets of her robe. “I need to check if she has a way of getting home.”

“She got a lift from a friend.” That came out way cooler than I intended, because otherwise… “You had no intention of attending the trial?”

“Why would I?” She stared me down. “Moon River is a gorgeous place full of people I care about and I want whoever takes over as ruling pack to be aware of it.” Her gaze softened.

“If that’s you and your brothers, there’s a lot of work to do and very little of that has to do with physical violence.

I’m not sure how things run in Glen Hallow—” And she never would, not if I had a choice.

“But here it's like being the dads of the entire town.”

With her as the mother. Gods, I could just see it. The three of us clustered around Briar as her belly swelled with our sons. All of us holding them close as the community came to look upon our heirs. It was a future I dreamed of, fantasised about, when things were going to hell at home.

Somehow, I needed to get Briar to believe in it too.

“Dads…” I nodded. “Yeah, I know something about that. Demanding but fair. Push everyone to be their best and helping those that need it. I believe that my brothers and I could bring the best out of your town.”

Her lips pursed.

“Sounds like an amazing campaign speech. Not my town, though. Not anymore.” That was grief talking, I just knew it.

With a shake of her head, she smiled. “But hey, if you need help with the trials to get you and your brothers in the lead, I can help. I mean Jace and Mads have been helping me out, so…”

I wanted to demand that she tell me exactly how so I could decide whether or not they had crossed a line, but keeping my mouth shut helped more often than not. If you didn’t say anything, you couldn’t be judged for it, Ned said.

“I’m happy to return the favour.” Her hand was thrust out, and I took it, savouring the way it felt against my palm. “Help me get through this heat and I’ll do my best to make sure you win the trials. Deal?”

Help me through this heat… I blinked, the room suddenly transforming. We weren’t in her front room, but upstairs in a bedroom that was painted in soft colours to match her own light brown hair. My hand went to the robe, pushing one sleeve down over her shoulder then?—

“Whatever you need, omega.”

One eyebrow cocked up at my growled reply. There was a note of challenge, but it was quickly replaced by something more pragmatic.

“When I’m not feeling the worst of it, I’m Briar. Living in the city, it made me aware of life beyond my designation, and I’m not surrendering that any time soon. When I’m in heat…”

Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip as her eyes slid over my form. Take your fill, part of me begged. Just keep looking at me. They flicked up to meet mine, her expression now somewhat apologetic.

“Well, that’s different.” She tugged the neckline of her robe tighter.

“I’ve got some work to do right now, but let’s meet up later.

” Yes, that, my heart beat, stricken by the idea of leaving this house.

“We can talk strategy. I know Damien and the Hart alphas well. I’m pretty sure I can give you some solid advice on how to get through the next trial. ”

I was being dismissed, which made sense with the way I barged in here.

Consumed with the thought that Mads was knotting Briar before it was time, I’d broken more than one speed limit driving home.

But once I got in the door, I didn’t want to leave.

Not just because it was a beautiful old house, but because it was hers.

“Of course.” I nodded and stepped back. “We can sit down over dinner and discuss it.” I forced myself to smile. “With sufficient food this time.”

“Right.” Why was her voice so flat? Why did a fine line form between her brows? “OK, sure, whatever suits you.” She walked over to the front door and held it open, indicating for me to leave, and my feet moved without thinking. “See you this evening.”

I found myself on her doorstep, staring back at the door before I forced myself to move. Maddox’s wolf looked over his shoulder before taking off, leaping through the window and into the house. I followed hot on his heels, ready to tear him another arsehole when my parents turned up in our car.

“Did you find out what happened?” Mum didn’t even bother with a greeting, her skin pale as milk except for two red spots in her cheeks. “Not that anything that could excuse your omega’s behaviour.”

“April…”

Max pulled her close and held her tight.

“No.” She pushed him away and marched up to me. “In my day…”

An omega knew her place. It was something I’d heard her say over and over. As a result, I assumed it was true, but as I considered what Briar had said, I wondered if that was actually was the case.

“Briar is in heat,” I replied smoothly, knowing that was an excuse even Mum couldn’t argue with. “She was overcome and rather than make a spectacle, she came home.”

“Oh.”

Mum’s lips closed with a snap.

“See.” Ned wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “The girl was just being discreet.” He glanced my way. “You helped her out, son?”

Mum’s teeth sank into her bottom lip, as if she was biting back her response.

“I did.”

Maddox came running downstairs, phone in hand.

“Good lad.” Greg squeezed his shoulder. “You didn’t take things too far though, did you?”

“Who didn’t take what too far?” Jace clambered inside, laden down with everything we took to the trial.

“Nope.” Maddox did that maddening thing, walking over to the fridge and then pulling out a bottle of water. His smirk made clear he knew we expected him to expand on that. “My parents don’t need to know the details of me looking after my mate. Just that she’s unmated and feeling much better.”

“Thank goodness for that.”

Why did Mum let out such a noisy sigh?

“Not yet, anyway, but I’m working on it. Jace, I said you and me would ‘help’ Briar out as long as she needed it.”

“Finally someone signed me up for a job I want.” Jace plucked the bottle from Mads’ grip and swallowed a big mouthful. “But consider me ready and willing to do whatever it takes.”

But not me, that went unsaid. Briar pulled her gown around her tighter, as if exposing even a slim expanse of flesh was too much. Something to work on, I thought.

“Good work, boys.” I turned because when Ned gave out praise, it was usually to me, but this time he crossed the floor and focussed entirely on my brothers. “Now all we need to do is invite your little mate around and see if we can get her on board for the next trial.”

“Already done.” Everyone stared at me. “She’s coming by tonight for dinner.”

“So I’m going to be spending the day in a hot kitchen.” Mum sighed, bustling over to the kitchen and pulling cupboards open before hissing at the contents. “And going shopping for ingredients.”

“Come on then.”

Greg swept her up into his arms, my mother’s squeals making him laugh as he carried her towards the door.

“No matter what happens,” Maddox said, settling against the counter, “Briar doesn’t want to become ruling omega. She’s got a life. That’s not going to change just because we appeared in her life.”

“Yet.” My jaw flexed as I nodded. Nothing got my blood pumping like a challenge, and none was more important than this one. “She doesn’t want to become ruling omega yet.”

Maddox shook his head and then turned to Jace.

“Gimme a hand to give the deck a quick hose off. It seems like Briar might be open to the two of us being there to ease her next time. Be good to get on the same page before then.”

My mother and one of my fathers left out the front door, my brothers out the back, just leaving me with Ned and Max.

“Good job today, son.” Ned patted my shoulder. “I’m proud of you.”

I lived and died by those words, so why did they leave me feeling so hollow? Before I could think too much about it, Max gave me a nudge.

“Better get tidying up around the house. You know how your mother gets when we have visitors.”

I did. I’d endured the building of tension each time, striving harder and harder to stop her from exploding. Sometimes it even worked. With that in mind, I moved to the sink and grabbed a cloth.