Brother’s Best Friends Are My Mates novel Chapter 49

Lia

Now that all that curse business was temporarily out of the way, I was ready to get back to my regular life. But, of course, it could never be that easy.

My brother shot me a message over text that weekend, making me frown because of how strange he was being.

Hey, I need to talk to you and the guys about something. It’s important. -M

Okay… what’s it about? -L

You’ll find out when I tell you. Can we meet at your place later? -M

Come on, just tell me now. -L

Nope. You’ll have to wait. -M

Is this about the pack? Are we in trouble or something? -L

No, it’s nothing like that. -M

Then what? Did you get a new job? Are you moving? -L

You’re not going to guess. Just let me tell you in person. -M

Is Gabi okay? Are YOU okay? -L

We’re both fine, I promise. You don’t need to worry. It’s good news. -M

Good news? Then why the suspense?! -L

Because I want to see your face when I tell you. -M

Ugh, you’re so dramatic. Just text it to me. -L

Not happening. Be patient. -M

Fine, whatever. What time are you coming over? -L

Around seven. Tell the guys to be there too. -M

Oh great, now I have to wrangle them. You owe me for this. -L

I’ll bring snacks. Deal? -M

Deal. But this better be worth all the buildup. -L

Trust me, it will be. -M

You’re killing me here. It’s like waiting for a cliffhanger. -L

Hey, patience is a virtue. Besides, this is something I want to share with all of you at the same time. -M

Well, now I’m curious. And a little bit annoyed. But I’ll keep my cool…for now. -L

Good. Just get everyone together, and you’ll understand why I had to do it this way. -M

You’re so full of yourself, you know that? But fine, I’ll do my best to wrangle the crew. They’ll be there. -L

I know, I’m a little proud of it. But seriously, trust me. This is important. -M

I’ll be expecting a big reveal then. No backing out. -L

Of course not. You’re going to love it. -M

I’m starting to think you’re hyping this up too much, but we’ll see. -L

No hype, I promise. It’s worth the wait. -M

I’m counting on you. If this is some kind of joke, you’re going to regret it. -L

I’d never! I’m not that cruel. -M

We’ll see. You better not be messing with me, Michael. -L

I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m being serious here. -M

Alright, alright. Seven o’clock, right? -L

Yep, seven. I’ll be there, snacks in hand. -M

Good. And make sure it’s not a waste of my time, Michael. I’ve got a busy day. -L

You’ll see. It’s going to be worth it, I swear. -M

If you say so. -L

Trust me, this is going to be one for the books. -M

I don’t know if I should be nervous or excited. -L

Maybe a little of both. But mostly excited. -M

You’ve got me on edge now. If I show up and it’s a dud, I’m not letting you live it down. -L

Fair enough. You can hold it over my head all you want. But you won’t be disappointed. -M Alright, I’ll hold you to that. See you at seven, then. -L

I’ll be there. And don’t worry you’ll be glad you waited. -M

I hope so. I’m getting my hopes up now. -L

Good! You should. I promise you won’t regret it. -M

Fine, I’ll trust you. But this better not be some elaborate prank. -L

No pranks. I’d never do that to you. -M

I guess we’ll see. See you in a few hours. -L

See you soon. Just make sure everyone’s there. -M

Got it. You better bring something really good. -L You’ll see. It’ll be worth it. -M

All I could wonder was what the hell was going on.

***

While it was nice to see my brother, I was a little weirded out that he suddenly texted me earlier and wanted to show up out of the blue like this. It felt like something was wrong with him but I wasn’t sure. For a while, all of us sat there, waiting for him to respond.

Michael cleared his throat, standing awkwardly in the center of the room. I raised an eyebrow from my spot on the couch. ” What’s with the dramatic buildup? You look like you’re about to explode.”

He grinned. “Gabi and I are having a pup.”

The room went silent. My jaw dropped, but Colby was the first to break the quiet.

“Wait, what? You knocked her up before the mating ceremony?” He laughed, slapping his knee. “I knew you had it in you, but wow, Michael. Bold move.”

Michael glared at him, though his grin didn’t waver. “It’s not like we planned it, okay? It just… happened.”

“Sure, sure, ‘it just happened.”” Colby leaned back, smirking. “Translation: You couldn’t wait. Admit it.”

“Colby, knock it off,” Michael warned.

Rain chimed in, snickering. “Nah, this is classic Michael. Couldn’t keep it together, huh?”

Michael groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m regretting this already.”

Jesse’s voice cut through the chaos, dry and steady as always. “You keep it up, Colby, and you’ll be the first person banned from seeing the pup.”

Colby gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. “Michael wouldn’t dare!”

People need to mind their own lives. You’re not on some kind of timeline. -S

Exactly! Thank you. I needed to hear that. -L

Anytime. And hey, tell Michael and Gabi congrats from me, okay? -S

Will do. Thanks, Simone. Seriously. -L

I set down my phone but wondered why I suddenly had a knowing feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Everything was fine so why was I worried?

Well, I knew why I was worried. I was thinking of the situation. I brought it up when we were having breakfast the next day, feeling like I had to get it off my chest.

“Lia, just say it already,” Colby said, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

“Do you think the Rosewater coven will try to take Michael and Gaby’s baby?” I blurted out.

Matt straightened on the couch. “Take the baby? Why would they do that?”

“Because that witch said a child could settle the blood oath,” I snapped. “Now Michael and Gaby are having one. It’s exactly what they’d want.”

“Damn,” Jesse muttered, shaking his head. “That’s low, even for them.”

“Leverage,” I repeated bitterly. “They’re talking about a baby like it’s some kind of bargaining chip.’

“}

“They won’t get that chance,” Colby said firmly. “They’d have to get through us first.”

“Easier said than done,” I shot back. “They’re witches, Colby. If they want something, they’ll find a way.”

Matt frowned. “Then we find a way to stop them. They’re not taking Michael’s kid, end of story.”

“Do we even know how the blood oath works?” Jesse asked. “What exactly are they entitled to?”

“No clue,” I admitted. “But that which made it sound like it’s binding. If they think this baby satisfies their terms, they’ll come for it.”

“They’ll regret it,” Colby growled.

“Regret isn’t going to stop them,” Rain said. “We need a plan, not just a fight.”

“A plan?” I repeated. “Like what? They don’t exactly play fair, Rain.”

“Maybe not,” Rain replied, “but they can’t take what they can’t reach. We need to keep the baby-and Michael and Gaby- safe, no matter what.”

“We’re not running,” Colby said.

“Who said anything about running?” Rain asked. “I’m talking about making sure they never get close enough to try.”

Jesse huffed. “Great. So, what, we put them in a bubble? Witches aren’t exactly easy to avoid.”

“Better than sitting here doing nothing,” Rain shot back.

“Enough,” I said, cutting through their bickering. “We’re not letting them take that baby. But we need to be ready for whatever they try. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” Colby said immediately.

“Absolutely,” Matt added.

“Count me in,” Jesse said.

I let out a shaky breath. “Good. Because this isn’t just Michael and Gaby’s fight. It’s ours too.”

Rain nodded. “Always.”