Brother’s Best Friends Are My Mates novel Chapter 33

“What do you guys think of adding to the pack?” I asked one morning.

The table went silent, everyone pausing in mid-bite or drinking. I shifted uncomfortably, wishing they would say something. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop!

Matt cleared his throat, tone gruff and bordering on a growl. “Who do you want to add?”

“Matt, my dude, which sounds a little possessive,” Rain whispered to him, giving him a sharp elbow to the ribs.

“You were thinking it too!” Matt accused Rain who shook his head desperately.

“I did not!” Rain muttered, casting a glance at Colby. “Colby were you?”

Colby rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t thinking it. Jesse?”

“I figured she meant Michael and Simone.”

My eyes flickered over to Jesse. “Thank you Jesse for injecting some sanity back into the conversation.”

“That’s what I am here for.”

I giggled. “Anyway, that was what I was thinking. Simone, her mates, Michael, and Gabi have yet to join a pack. Simone still has some time but Michael has only about a month left.”

The reason I think Michael had been waiting for so long was because he wanted to join a pack with me. It filled me with such warmth to know my brother wanted to join another pack with me. We had grown up in the same back before being forced to leave it after our parents died. Neither of us had a choice in the matter.

With there being less than five members, we were forced to leave and it left a gaping hole in our hearts. If I didn’t reach out and speak to him soon then he was going to have to join his mate’s pack. I suppose that Matt could leave it at some point and join the Moonveil pack, but I didn’t want to assume.

“Go ahead and shoot them an text,” Colby told me. “We’d love to have Michael be a part of the pack and I know you feel the same way about Simone.”

***

Later that night I was in my room, trying to figure out if it was a clever idea to reach out to Simone and my brother to see if they wanted to join the pack. There was no reason I shouldn’t. They would be thrilled, but the fear of getting rejected was making me want to avoid asking them. 1

First I had to text Simone about it. I already had a feeling she was going to say yes, but I needed to confirm it for my sanity. Hey, Simone. Got a question for you. – L

Shoot. – S

So, my mates and I have officially formed a pack now. It’s called Moonveil Pride. L

Ooooh, fancy. Congrats! What’s the question? – S

Well… would you and your mates consider joining? – L

Wait, seriously? Do you want us to be part of your pack? – S

Of course. You’re my best friend, Simone. I trust you more than anyone, and having you and your mates with us would make it feel… complete. – L

Aw, Lia, that’s so sweet. I’m a little teary-eyed over here. But what about your mates? Are they okay with it? – S

I’ve already talked to them. They think it’s a great idea. They like you and said the stronger bonds we have in the pack, the better. – L

They’re not wrong. Luis and Gene will love this. They’re always talking about finding the right pack. – S1

So… is that a yes? – L

Of course, it’s a yes! You couldn’t keep me out if you tried. – S

I wouldn’t dream of it. – L

Moonveil Pride, huh? Sounds like this pack is going to be unstoppable. – S

With you on board? Absolutely. – L

Now that this was out of the way, I had to text Michael and this was the one I was more nervous about. He had less than a month to register with an official pack so what if he said no? Michael’s mate might not want to join the Moonveil pack. She might prefer hers. Simone’s mates wouldn’t mind but Gabi was a different story.

I took a shaky breath and texted my brother, hoping I would get the response I was waiting for.

Hey, Michael. Got a minute? – L

For you? Always. What’s up? – M

So, my mates and I have officially formed a pack. We’re calling it Moonveil Pride. – L

Nice name. Congrats on making it official! What do you need? – M

Well… I was wondering if you and Gabriella might want to join. – L

Join your pack? Lia, are you serious? – M

Completely. You’re my brother, Michael. You’ve always been there for me, and I’d feel better knowing you and Gabs were part of this. – L

That’s a big ask. Have you run this by your mates? – M

Yeah, I did. They’re on board. They said the same thing I’m thinking having you two with us would make the pack stronger. –

“They’re in!” Rain blurted, practically vibrating with excitement.

Matt frowned. “Who’s in?”

“Michael and Simone,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, but it came out more like a squeal.

Matt paused, his brows lifting slightly before he nodded. “Good. They belong here.”

“They absolutely do,” Colby added, leaning against the banister. “Guess this means we’re an official pack now.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Rain said, flashing me a grin.

Jesse’s voice came from behind Matt. “All this noise better mean something important.”

“It does,” I said, spinning around to face him. “Michael and Simone are officially part of Moonveil Pride.”

He nodded. “Good. About time.”

Rain clapped his hands together. “This is huge. We should celebrate.”

“Rain, it’s midnight,” Matt muttered. “Celebrate tomorrow.”

“Party pooper,” Rain teased, but I grabbed his arm before he could argue.

“He’s right. We’ll celebrate tomorrow,” I said, tugging him back toward his room.

“Fine,” Rain grumbled. “But I’m still hyped!”

Colby chuckled from the stairs. “You’re always hyped, Rain. Go to bed.”

“Whatever. Night, guys!” Rain called, disappearing into his room.

I turned to the others, my chest warm with contentment. “Goodnight, guys.”

“Night, Lia,” Jesse said softly, the others murmuring their goodnights before retreating to their rooms.

I walked back to mine, clutching my phone. For the first time in a long time, everything felt perfectly right. Our pack was finally whole.

We had managed to weather the difficult storm and everything was going to be all right.