Brother’s Best Friends Are My Mates novel Chapter 184

Colby

Everything had led to this moment.

I was standing here in this field where the werewolf association had declared this fight would take place. We had gone through all the official channels and everything. It was hard to believe I was seconds from fighting them, about to risk my life.

It wasn’t something I wanted to do but something I had to do. If I didn’t want to do this, I wouldn’t have agreed to the fight.

The leader of Matt’s former pack looked ready to rip his hand through my chest and pull my heart out in an instant. Let him try because he wasn’t going to have a chance to do that. I was very sure I could hold this guy off.

But on the off chance I couldn’t, then all hell was going to break loose. No, I couldn’t think of this.

Everything was going to be fine.

I was going to win. I would be victorious over this back who refused to follow the rules. “Ready?” Lia asked, kissing me on the cheek

I flashed her a grin. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” “Do you want a kiss on the cheek from me, too?”

My eyes trailed over to Rain. “Do that and I will kick your ass first.”

Rain grinned. “See, he’s going to be fine. If he can still make a joke, then everything is going to be good.”

I hoped everything was going to be good, but the fact of the matter was I had no idea how this was going to go. Jesse firmly squeezed my shoulder, grinning at me.

“Everything is going to be okay. Just remember all the tips and tricks we gave you. You’ll be able to pull this off. Sure you’ll get your ass kicked but the point is you will be alive and the winner.”

Matt huffed. “Jesse, that is the worst fucking pep talk I have ever heard. What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“A lot, but it looks like the match is about to start, so we don’t have time to unpack all of that,” Jesse said, flashing me a wink like this was just some casual sparring match and not a life-or-death showdown.

Matt rolled his eyes but stepped closer, gaze locking onto mine with that serious, older-brother-who-hates-seeing-you-hurt expression. “You sure you’re good?”

I gave him a nod, sharp and quick “I have to be.”

He didn’t say anything for a second, then just muttered, “Kick his fucking teeth in.” Rain clapped dramatically. “Aw, Matt, that’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said.” “Shut up, Rain,” Matt and I said in unison.

Rain grinned wider. “See? Team chemistry is off the charts. can’t lose now.”

When the wolf association council declared the duel active, the two of us went after each other like we’d been waiting our whole lives for this moment.

He came in fast, all muscle and fury, swinging like he thought this would be over in seconds. Maybe he believed his hype. Maybe he thought I was just some upstart trying to play hero.

Let him think that.

I ducked the first strike, felt the wind of his claws pass inches from my face, and slammed my shoulder into his side. He grunted, stumbling, but recovered fast. This wasn’t going to be easy. I hadn’t expected it to be.

But l could hear them… my pack. Cheering. Shouting my name. Rain’s unmistakable voice cutting through with something unhelpful like, “Bite his stupid face!”

I didn’t have time to laugh, but it helped. It reminded me of what I was fighting for.

This wasn’t about pride. This was about justice. About Matt, who had been torn down and cast out, like he didn’t matter. About the Moonviel pack, which had been written off too many times. About showing the council, and everyone watching, that we were done backing down.

***

Rain

I didn’t even wait. The second Colby stepped off the field-bloodied, bruised, victorious-I launched myself at him.

He grunted when I hit, probably more from surprise than anything else. “Rain,” he said, voice gravelly, “I just got punched in the ribs six times.”

“Yeah, and now I’m hugging those ribs better. You’re welcome.” I wrapped my arms tighter. “This is a healing embrace.” He wheezed a laugh. “It’s a suffocating embrace.”

“That’s how you know it’s real.”

He didn’t push me off, though. Just stood there, all sweaty and wrecked and still somehow managing to look annoyingly cool.

“You good?” l asked, pulling back just enough to see his face. “Because from where I was standing, you were very ‘main character’ out there.”

He gave me a tired smile. “I’m sore. Might pass out. Pretty sure something’s broken.” I nodded solemnly. “But you’re also awesome.”

“Rain-“

“No, no, let me say it. I need you to hear this while you’re still loopy from adrenaline. You. We’re. A. Badass.” He rolled his eyes, but the corners of his mouth twitched. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you love it.”

Slowly, we got in the car and headed back home. It was nice to be home but I bet it was even better for Colby who looked like he had gotten his ass kicked even though he had just won.

He didn’t deny it. Just muttered, “Thanks,” and clapped a hand on my shoulder before limping toward the porch. I followed, arms still half-open. “You sure you don’t want one more victory hug?”

“Okay fine, I’ll pretend to let you win. That’s the best I can offer.” Colby chuckled again, quieter this time. “Put that hug on the calendar.”

I grinned. “Already did. Gave it a glittery star sticker and everything.”

Even after we got home, I kept talking to Colby, determined to get through to him.

Colby tilted his head, eyes half-lidded like the exhaustion was finally catching up to him. “You’re not going to leave me alone, are you?”

“Not,” I said cheerfully, stealing a sip from his water bottle before handing it back “You think you can just bleed all over the field and not get doted on? Rude.”

“I don’t need doting. I need a body that doesn’t feel like it went through awood chipper.” “Same thing.”

He snorted, then winced and pressed a hand to his side. “Ow. Stop being funny.”

“Oh no, is laughter pain now? Should I switch to tragic poetry? Maybe a dramatic sonnet about your heroic suffering?” “Rain.”

“Fine, fine. No poetry. Yet.”

I pulled the throw blanket off the back of the couch and draped it over him like a proud grandma. He didn’t even protest-just kind of melted into it, like his bones had clocked out early.

“Don’t get used to this,” he mumbled. “I’m only letting you fuss because I might be dying.” “You always say that when you stub your toe.”

“This time it’s legitimate.”

“I believe you,” I said seriously, fluffing the pillow behind his head with way too much flair. “But also, I made snacks.” That perked him up a little. “Snacks?”

“Yep. Jesse made that weird protein bar sludge, and I made actual food. Guess which one tastes like betrayal?” His eyes lit up. “Please tell me there’s mac and cheese.”

“With extra cheese and just a hint of smugness.”

He groaned-possibly in gratitude-and slumped deeper into the couch. “You’re the best.”

“I know,” I said, already halfway to the kitchen. “Try not to die before I get back. It’d ruin the vibe.”

“Noted.”