Brother’s Best Friends Are My Mates novel Chapter 178

Lia

He was feeling anxious. I can’t believe Colby was feeling anxiety because it wasn’t something I ever thought he would have to deal with, but he was. It was obvious from the look on his face and the way he kept breathing super fast.

Those were what we called panic attacks. I wanted so badly to help him, to figure out some way to help Colby and make him understand that he could lean on his mates, but the more I tried to help, the more I realized I was in over mt head.

Plus, Colby was trying to avoid me helping him. He was proud and had become more proud since he became the pack leader. It was like he was unable to comprehend that he and an entire pack at his disposal to help him with his issue. But no. Colby wanted to take it all on his shoulders.

Simone and I were hanging out at her place next door, the two of us trying to figure out how to help Colby. Well, first, I wanted to vent about how I wanted to help my mate.

Out of all of them, Colby was the one who was able to keep a good head on his shoulders. It was so strange that he had become this ball of anxiety.

What had triggered it?

It must’ve been what happened to Matt.

When Matt was kidnapped, we didn’t know what to do. We were at a loss for words, unable to comprehend that one of our pack was gone. But he was back, and Colby was doing what he could to bring that pack to justice.

I wanted them raked over the coals-to face consequences for their actions. They deserved it and so much more for what they had done to Matthew.

He was such a good mate. A good pack member. Yes, he had a lot on his mind and a temper, but it didn’t matter. A man with a bad temper was still a good man, and since we got together, he had gotten better, lessening his temper and becoming someone who could be reasoned with.

But his pack was someone who couldn’t be trusted, no matter what. I wasn’t going to be able to trust that they wouldn’t do it again, which was the exact reason

“I want to help him,” I said, pacing Simone’s room for the fifth time in ten minutes. “He’s so stressed lately. The whole ‘pack leader’ thing is getting to him.”

Simone raised an eyebrow. “Have you tried telling him to take a nap and eat a cookie? Works wonders for me.” “This is Colby we’re talking about, not you after midterms.”

“Okay, okay,” she said, sitting up straighter. “Then we need something epic. Like a battle speech. Shirtless. In front of a bonfire.”

I blinked. “Why shirtless?”

She smirked. “Inspiration and motivation. You’re welcome.” I groaned and flopped onto the bed next to her. “Be serious.”

“I am serious. People get inspired by different things. Some like words, some like actions… some like strategic shiftlessness.” “Simone.”

“Fine. Then you write him a heartfelt letter.”

“He’d think I was dying.”

“Okay, then you fake dying. Think about it-he panics, realizes how much he loves you, finds inner strength, becomes super alpha, saves the day.”

“I’m not faking my death to boost his confidence.”

She sighed dramatically. “You never let me have any fun.” “I want to do something that’ll help him. Something real.”

She tilted her head, thinking. “Well, what about reminding him why he started this? Why did he want to lead? Maybe he needs someone to believe in him out loud.”

I stared at her. “That was… surprisingly insightful.”

She grinned. “I contain multitudes. But also, maybe throw in a kiss. And like, wear something cute. Confidence boosts both ways.”

“So your real plan is ’emotional support with cleavage’.” “Exactly. Now you’re getting it.”

I threw a pillow at her. “You are the worst therapist ever.”

She caught it with one hand, unbothered. “And yet, somehow, I’m still your favorite.” I didn’t argue. Instead, I stared at the ceiling, the weight of it all settling over me again.

“I just… I hate seeing him like this. He tries to hide it, but I know him. His shoulders are always tense. He hasn’t slept properly in days. He’s carrying everything alone.”

Simone was quiet for a moment, which was rare enough to make me glance over. Her expression had softened. “Then maybe don’t try to fix it for him,” she said gently. “Just remind him he’s not alone in it.”

I rubbed my temples. “This is serious, Rain. I mean it. Colby’s on edge. If we push too hard, he’s just going to shut down.”

“I know,” Rain said, and for once, his tone was a little softer. “I get it, Matt. I’m not trying to make a joke out of it. I just… when I see him like this, all wound up and tired, I want to do something. You know?”

I paused, then nodded. “Yeah. Me too. That’s why we’re doing this. But we’ve gotta meet him where he is. No big declarations, no surprise choirs singing ‘Lean on Me.’ Just… real stuff.”

Rain gave a thoughtful nod. “Right. So… heart-to-heart vibes. Quiet affirmations. Maybe one or two meaningful hugs. No glitter.”

“Exactly. And no slideshow of Colby falling into ponds.” “Okay, but if I did it as a warm-up act to loosen the crowd…” “Rain.”

“Kidding!” he said quickly, holding up his hands again. “I’ll behave. Scout’s honor.” “You were never a scout.”

“I watched Up. That counts.”

I gave him a flat look. “Just… keep it simple. Let’s remind him he’s not failing without making it feel like an intervention.” Rain took a deep breath, nodding more seriously now. “Yeah. Alright. Subtle but heartfelt. Think I can manage that.”

“For his sake,” I said, heading toward the door, “you better.”

“Don’t worry,” Rain called after me, “I’ll only wear my quietly supportive outfit.” “… That better not be the sequined blazer.”

“No promises!”

Rolling my eyes, I decided that there was nothing else I was going to do or be able to do to convince Rain to calm down. Lia, Matt, and I were just going to have to do our best to reign him in as best we could.

Rain could be reigned it but it did take a lot of effort because of how exhausting he was..

But as I’ve said before, he was one of my best friends. Why would I ever stop being friends with him because he was exhausting? It was just something you had to put up with when you were friends with Rain.