Duke(107)
Gen’s opinion of Randall went way up with the admission, and she asked, “Why’s your life easier?”
“I’ll let him explain what he wants you to know about why he left the pack. Why don’t I go back to happier times, and tell you about a seven year old Keith who decided to get up before the rest of the family when we were camping. He told dad he just needed to use the bathroom, but I knew as soon as dad went back to sleep, my twin wasn’t coming back. I snuck out and followed him, watched him write his name in the snow when he peed, and then I climbed up on a boulder and watched him zero in on a bunny rabbit. We hadn’t shifted yet, but our wolves were starting to talk to us, were beginning to form. Keith followed the rabbit, and I knew when they headed towards the lake what was going to happen, but I was too far away to stop him.”
Randall stopped his story long enough to get his food from the waitress, and then went back to it. “So, he’s chasing the rabbit, not paying attention to where he is or where he’s going, just after the damned bunny. I have no idea what he planned to do with him if he caught it. It was like watching a train wreck… the bunny hopped out on the iced-over lake, and Keith made it ten steps and went in with a splash. His face, when he was halfway down and realized it was only going to get colder in another half second, was priceless.”
He smiled and took a bite. “Mmmm, you were right. The steak is good. Anyway, I knew you were supposed to lay down to rescue people, and I was so cocky when I slithered out to rescue him, laughing my ass off the whole time. Unfortunately, when I went to pull him in, the ice under me broke and we both ended up wet. We made it to the shore, soaked and freezing, about the time our parents came out of the tent to see what the noise was about. Dad built a fire so we could get warm, laughing at us the whole time. Mom stripped us down to nothing and turned us around the fire until she was sure we were warm, and threatened to finish warming us up with dad’s belt when we complained. We had oatmeal with eggs and bacon that morning, and lots of hot chocolate. Best hot food I’ve ever had. Damn, that water was cold.”
“Did the two of you get into a lot of trouble, growing up?”
His smile let her know they had, and he said, “Yeah, that was when we were seven. When we hit thirteen and discovered girls? Even I’m too embarrassed by some of our exploits to tell them to you.”
“Did you know the guy was a jerk? The one who had the, ummm, accident?”
“It’s okay, Gen. I know it wasn’t really an accident, and now that I know the story, I’ll do what I can to keep it from becoming a problem. He’s my employee, and it’s widely known my employees are under my protection, but once I let the word get out of why he got into problems while on RTMC land, no one’ll expect me to retaliate, and if they do, they’re just gonna have to be disappointed.”
“Are you interested in having a relationship with your brother again? I’d like to invite you to my house to have dinner with us, maybe this weekend, if you are?”
“Yeah, I’d like that, if he’s good with it.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Gen’s phone beeped with an incoming text, and she awakened and checked her phone, forcing her eyes to focus.
The run went good. I’m going to crash here. See you later today. Thanks for helping make this happen. Love you.
Gen closed her eyes and offered thanks to whoever was listening. Duke and Randall had gotten to know each other again over the past two months, and both had felt the need to go on a run together, as wolves. The Pack and MC were both against it, but the brothers decided to try it, anyway.
Gen texted back:
Love you, too. Sleep well.
Within moments, her phone rang and she answered it with a smile, but Duke asked, “Why are you still up at nearly four in the morning, Beautiful?”
“I left my phone on so I’d know if you texted me.” He’d told her to turn it off, but he had to know she’d do what she wanted.
“Of course you did. My wolf and I are both happy but exhausted, and Randall offered me a guest bedroom, which I’m accepting.”
“So, the run went well?”
“Yeah, running with him was incredible. Our wolves seemed to accept we’re both the leader of different groups, and neither wanted to challenge for dominance. It was like old times — running with him, hunting, chasing.”
“I’m happy for you, Duke. Now, get some sleep and I’ll see you later today.”
* * * *
When Duke texted her again to let her know he was up, Gen was working with a seller. She knew he’d let himself into her house, and looked forward to going home, where she could fall into his arms and let him hold her.