Alpha at Home (Brothers of the Heart Book 1)

by DJ Bryce

  “Your father’s in his study, I’ll see if he has a moment,” she said, and when she was about to walk about and leave us on the stoop, I asked, “May we come in?”

  She looked put out when she replied, “I suppose,” then walked away, leaving us to let ourselves in.

  “Well, looks like things are just as cheery as the last time I was home,” Brick said wryly.

  “Can’t you just feel the love?” I commented snarkily, letting my anger at my mother’s rudeness form an armor around me.

  What did I care what they thought anyway? I asked myself. They would never be happy, regardless of what any of us do, so I might as well live my life for myself.

  My inner pep talk helped my confidence, until my parents walked into the living room. I sank down onto the couch and clasped my hands over my knees, feeling like a child who knew she’d done wrong and was about to get in loads of trouble.

  I wondered briefly if they’d make me go pick a switch off the tree. Then, I felt Brick’s reassuring arm around my shoulder and brought my gaze up to meet my parents’.

  “What is it that’s so important it couldn’t be shared over the phone?” Our father asked not even looking at my brother.

  “I came to tell you, before the rest of the pack finds out, that I am not Mateo’s mate,” I didn’t want to let that sink in before I could explain, so I kept speaking hurriedly. “We’ve both known, since, well, forever, and just pretended we were mates to keep you guys happy. You’ve always sworn that I was born to be mated to the Alpha of our pack, and when it became clear to Mateo and I that was not the case, we agreed to pretend to be mates, so that you wouldn’t try to mate me with the Alpha of another pack.”

  “So, you didn’t lie to keep us happy, but to save yourself?” My mother asked, her eyes narrowed.

  “This is preposterous,” my father bellowed. “If you both agreed to this farce, why are you telling us now?”

  “Because,” I began slowly, “I’ve met the wolf that I am intended for, and he’s claimed me as his mate.”

  “Who?” My father asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Maximus.”

  “The Bravo?” My mother spat, as if it were a bad word. “Impossible. No one in our family has ever been the mate of anyone other than the Alpha. It’s in our lineage, and no daughter of mine will throw her future, and the future of our line, away to be some Bravo whore.”

  Brick sprang to his feet and yelled, “That’s enough. You can’t talk to Gilly that way, I won’t allow it. I’m sorry that your children are such great disappointments to you, what not, filling out some bullshit prophecy, but you can’t make us bend to your will.”

  “If you and Mateo had already agreed to pretend, then you can keep on doing so,” My father bit out as if Brick hadn’t spoken. “You’ll remain the Alpha’s intended, go through the claiming ceremony, and remain his mate.”

  “No, dad,” I argued, getting to my feet to stand next to Brick. “I won’t. Max and I are meant to be together, and we have Mateo’s blessing. I’ll be moving in with him and we’ll be starting our life together.”

  “I forbid it,” my mother screeched.

  “You can forbid whatever you want, I’m still going to live my life, my way. If you choose to write me out of your life the way you did Brick, that’s your problem. But, don’t expect Max and I to welcome you into our homes, or to get the chance to know your grandchildren once they’re born. If you decide to turn your back on me now, I’m done.”

  “Natasha won’t let us down,” my mother said, her voice full of disappointment, and I took that as her decision.

  Grabbing Brick’s hand in mine, I lead my brother out of our parents’ house, and tried to put their hurtful words behind me. Still, I couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks.

  Chapter 13

  Maximus

  “I’m so sorry, babe,” I said as I rubbed Gilly’s back soothingly.

  She’d come to the Town Hall, where Mateo was about to address the pack. I’d been thrilled to see her, but the look on her face told me that things had not gone great with her folks, and when she ran right into my arms, I knew I was right.

  I glanced at Brick, who I hadn’t seen in years, and frowned when he shook his head sharply at me, indicating that no, their parents hadn’t been enthused at the news of Gilly being my mate.

  Just like everyone else in town, I’d known how awful the Matthew’s had been to Brick when he came out, even though it seemed like everyone except the Matthews knew their son was gay. To say that their reaction to their son had been not only extreme, but unimaginable was an understatement, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that they’d been just as ignorant when it came to Gillian.

  Still, I was surprised. Gillian had always been their favored child, and I figured they’d be disappointed initially, but never expected them to write her off.

  I frowned at Brick, then watched as he lifted his chin then walked out to join the crowd, then kissed the top of Gillian’s head softly and held her a little tighter. I felt eyes on me and shifted to see Bryan and Calin standing by the entrance to the stage wiggling their eyes and making goofy faces at me.

  Biting back a laugh, I shook my head at them. We were waiting in the back behind the stage while the meeting area filled with the members of our pack. Mateo wanted the council on the stage with him, to show that we had his back, and prove to the pack that we were all on board with what was happening. Since Gilly was now here, Mateo suggested we bring her out after everything had been explained, so that they could see the two of us together as a couple. He said that the sight of the two of us, so obviously together and in love, would help move the pack along to acceptance sooner.

  I hated the thought of Gillian and I becoming the subject of gossip and a veritable sideshow for the town, but I was willing to put up with anything if it meant we got to be together.

  Just thinking about it, as I held her in my arms, brought a huge grin to my face.

  “What are you smiling about?” Gilly asked. She’d pushed back enough to look up at my face, but was still firmly in my arms.

  “Just how happy I am,” I admitted softly. “I never imagined I’d actually be able to have you. And, now that I do, I don’t care about anything but making you happy. Not what the pack thinks, and certainly not your parent’s shortsightedness. I’m the happiest man in the world right now.”

  “Looks like some things have changed since last we saw each other…”

  I tore my eyes from Gilly to the large man who’d just entered the room, then shot him a grin as I tucked Gilly into my side to extend my hand to my old friend.

  Taller than even Mateo, Logan was a bear shifter from the north and Chief of his Clan.

  “I didn’t realize you were coming,” I said as we shook. It had been a little over a year since Mateo, Calin and I had gone up to help Logan’s clan with some issues they’d been having with some thieves who’d squatted on their land. “It’s good to see you, brother.”

  “Good to see you as well,” Logan replied, then turned his charm to Gilly and added, “And you, my lovely, are a sight for sore eyes, although I’m a little confused…”

  That’s when I remembered that Gilly had gone with Mateo on a trip up to Logan’s land on a previous trip, so they did know each other. While this was Logan’s first trip to our town, Mateo and I had known him for many years, and often took turns going up to see him. Sometimes it was to help his clan, while others it was to utilize the isolated cabin he had on a lake, which offered great fishing and a relaxing place to take a break and let our wolves hunt.

  “We’re actually about to have a meeting with the pack to explain things,” I informed him. “Gilly is my mate.”

  “I see,” Logan said, although the crease in his forehead suggested otherwise.

  “Is that why you came?” I asked, although I didn’t see why Logan would care about the workings of our pack.

  Logan shook his head.

&nbs
p; “No, Mateo invited me to be here for the harvest. I’m interested in learning some things, maybe starting something up for my clan.”

  “Great, well, hopefully we’ll get a chance to grab a drink and catch up,” I said.

  “Sounds good.”

  “You guys ready?” Mateo asked as he walked in from the stage. He noticed Logan and crossed to our friend. “Hey, Logan, I didn’t realize you were here already. We’re just meeting with the pack. Why don’t you head to my place and I’ll meet you there? This shouldn’t take too long. There’s beer in the fridge.”

  “Perfect,” Logan replied, his eyes roaming over Mateo’s face as if searching for something. What he saw there must have eased his mind, because he clapped Mateo on the shoulder with a grin, then turned to Gilly and I and added, “Congrats.”

  We watched as he strode out of the room, then turned back to our Alpha for further instructions.

  “Let’s do this,” Mateo said and we followed him to the stage, leaving Gilly in the room to wait for her cue.

  Mateo explained things to the pack much as he had to the council. First, by explaining the fact that he and Gilly and been pretending to be mates, and why, then he told them about Gilly being my mate and announced there would be a claiming ceremony in our future.

  Everyone was shocked at first, and I could see some murmuring their displeasure at being lied to, but once Mateo explained about Gilly and I, I sensed the shift in the room.

  Our pack always celebrated the mating of two new souls, and loved being a part of claiming ceremonies, as well as the romance of young love and the joy of a wolf and his or her mate starting a family.

  By the time Gillian came out and she and I stood on the stage hand in hand, the pack was in a full-on frenzy.

  I knew we’d still face some adversity. Not everyone was going to forgive the lie so easily, and I could already tell that some of the single women in the crowd were eyeing Mateo hungrily, eager for the chance to mate with the Alpha, now that he was no longer taken.

  Mateo was going to hate that…

  But, all in all, I was proud of our pack and their willingness to forgive Mateo and Gilly, and to be excited for Gillian and I.

  The only black mark on the announcement was the obvious disapproval of Gilly’s parents, who were the only members of the pack not in attendance.

  Chapter 14

  Gillian

  My legs were shaking as I stood on the stage in between Max and Mateo. Staring into the eyes of our pack, I couldn’t help but feel a myriad of emotions. Guilt, shame, apprehension, and finally, hope.

  Mateo and I hadn’t hurt anyone with our lie, but still, we had lied. For many years and to everyone. And no matter how accepting the pack seemed now, people were bound to be upset about that.

  But, when Max took my hand, lifted it to his lips and kissed it softly, not only did the crowd go wild, but the frenzy within me calmed, and I smiled genuinely out at the people we’d grown up with, who had helped raise us, and who would be in our lives until we passed.

  I searched the crowd for my parents, and even though I knew they wouldn’t be there, I still found myself hoping I was wrong. Instead, my gaze landed on Natasha and Brick. My siblings were standing in the back of the room, arms thrown around each other, and they were both grinning.

  Mateo dismissed the pack and Max and I followed the rest of the council members to the back room.

  “Since Logan is finally here, I figured it be nice to make him feel welcome by having a small barbecue at my place. If you guys will pick up some more beer, I’ll grab meat on my way home and we can all meet up at my place in about an hour,” Mateo told the group, who began nodding enthusiastically.

  “Can I tell Tasha and Brick?” I asked, wanting to spend time with my siblings, but not quite ready to leave Max’s side yet.

  “Of course, you know your family is always welcome,” Mateo replied, looking at me pointedly as if to convey that nothing between us was going to change, just because almost everything had.

  I loved that. Mateo had been such a large part of my life, and I wouldn’t know how to handle it if things went sour between us.

  My heart felt so full that I almost felt guilty, as if I shouldn’t be allowed to have everything… A mate, my best friend, my friends and family, well, most of my family. I’d been living half a life for so long, it seemed inevitable to me that something was going to go wrong.

  I nodded and smiled gratefully at Mateo, then leaned into Max and said, “I’m going to go tell Natasha and Brick. Meet you outside?”

  “Yeah, babe,” Max said, leaning down to brush his lips against my temple before letting me go.

  “Awe….” Calin and Bryan cooed.

  I shot a grin at them before turning to go find my brother and sister.

  They were deep in conversation, still standing at the back of the room, when I approached.

  “Hey,” I called, and smiled as both their heads swung in my direction. My breath caught as Natasha’s face crumbled and she ran to pull me into a hug.

  “I’m so sorry, Gilly,” she said, and I sighed, hugging my sister harder.

  “No, I’m sorry, not you’re going to get the brunt of parental pestering,” I countered, giving Brick a frown over her head.

  “Don’t worry about that,” Natasha said, pulling back and flicking her hand back. “I can handle mom and dad, even though I don’t know if I even want to. I hate what they’re doing to our family. First pushing Brick away, now you… I really don’t understand.”

  “Well, you can bet that they’re sole focus is going to be on getting you mated to an Alpha, whether they try to push you at Mateo, or send you somewhere else. I wouldn’t be surprised if they ordered all the Alpha’s in the State to come by the house and set them up to some sort of machine to gauge their feelings upon touching you.”

  I was trying to make light of the situation, but even as I joked, I worried that it my parents would go that far to try and assure the Matthew’s family place in the world was as it should be.

  “I wish they cared about their children as much as they did some damn family trait,” Brick muttered as he joined us.

  “We still have each other,” I promised with a smile.

  “Nothing will ever change that,” Tasha put in.

  “I know,” Brick said softly, but I could tell this trip home was hurting him. Being away at school, he could try and forget our parent’s rejection, but I knew it was hard for him to feel it again first hand.

  “What do you say to some barbecue, beers, and good conversation?” I asked, thinking I could really use the down time myself.

  “I should get back to the bar,” Natasha began, so I asked, “Who’s covering?”

  “Taylor,” she replied.

  “She’s dependable, she can hold it down for a few hours at least,” I said, then cajoled, “Come on, just for a little while?”

  Natasha smiled and gave in. “Okay, but only for one beer and one burger.”

  “Deal. What about you?” I asked Brick.

  He shrugged and said, “I’m at your mercy until you decide to take me back home.”

  “Oh, yeah,” I laughed. “Good, you’re coming with us to Mateo’s then.”

  Bricks eyes flashed at that, but before I could ask what was up, Natasha leaned forward to squeeze me tightly again, then whispered, “I’m sorry I got mad at you. Seeing you and Max together, I totally get it. You never lit up that way around Mateo.”

  “Thanks, Tash,” I said softly into her hair. “That means a lot.”

  “Okay, my beautiful babies,” Brick said, pulling us apart and throwing an arm around both of us. “Let’s get this party started.”

  Chapter 15

  Maximus

  “We’ve been pretty busy keeping poachers off the land, and there really never seems to be a dull moment, but I like the idea of being sustainable,” Logan was saying.

  We were all sitting around the fire pit in Mateo’s backyard, drinking beer and c
atching up while the charcoal burned. Gilly had ended up going with Natasha to the store, saying we couldn’t have a barbecue with potato salad, baked beans and pie, so Brick had ridden with me.

  “It’s really worked out great so far,” Mateo told Logan. “It takes a couple years to get going, but I think you’ll be happy with the results.”

  “So, Logan,” Brick began, causing us all to turn our attention to him, “I’ve never been around a clan, or any bear-shifters for that matter, are ya’ll an equal opportunity bunch, or are you like our wolf pack?”

  “Brick,” Mateo said, his tone low and warning, which caused me to look sharply at him, then back at Brick, as I wondered what was going on.

  “I don’t follow,” Logan replied, also looking between the two.

  “Does your clan find value in more than just the token male shifter… You know, women, humans, or homosexuals?” Brick said the last in a whisper, then gave a mock horrified gasp.

  Logan seemed unphased as he took a pull from his beer with his gaze on Brick.

  “We find value in all members of the clan. I’ll admit that most of our shifters are men, that’s just the way it is, but we do have a female panther shifter who is mated to one of our men, as well as a lesbian couple who moved to be with our clan when they adopted two boy cubs. And, the youngest of our clan is gay, although he hasn’t found his mate yet.”

  “Interesting,” Brick replied, but his focus wasn’t on Logan, it was on Mateo.

  “What are you getting at, Brick?” I asked, not liking what I was hearing. “Has someone in the pack said something to you, other than your parents, I mean.”

  Brick turned to me and gave me a sad smile.

  “No, nothing like that, Max, everyone has treated me the same as they always have, it’s just… Well, even if I wanted to move back to be with the pack, it’s not like I’d ever be able to find love here. I was just wondering what it’s like in other breeds.”