***
“Reynard,” Troy whispered as he stared at Ryan. Everyone stared back at him. Paul was the first to break the silence.
“It’s rude to stare, Troy.” Paul admonished his friend in a loud whisper. Then he turned apologetic eyes to the white-haired man. “You must pardon him, man.” He addressed Ryan. “It’s your hair that’s shocking him.” He grinned when Ryan turned to face him. “He’s still getting used to the weird hair colours that people are sporting these days. Do you blame him? Dude’s been holed up in some magical fortress all his life. You should have seen his reaction the first time he saw someone with green hair.” He laughed. “Yours really suits you, by the way. Your hairdresser did a great job.” He gave a thumbs-up sign.
“That’s his real hair, Paul,” Jeremy growled.
“What?” Paul gasped. “Really?” It was his turn to stare.
“You must be Ryan,” Troy said quietly.
“I am.” Ryan managed to tear his amused gaze off Paul and began to move toward Troy with a hand extended. “Nice to meet you, Troy.”
“You look exactly like him,” Troy whispered as he shook Ryan’s hand. “Well, you do look younger but…” He gave a soft chuckle. “Nice to meet you too.”
“And I’m Paige,” Paige said with a brilliant smile as she stepped forward too. “And I’m afraid I’m going to demand more than a handshake…” She said as she drew Troy into her arms and kissed him on the mouth. Paul gasped, Ryan laughed and Jeremy groaned.
“Paige…” Jeremy sighed.
The four friends had made a silly agreement of sorts when they were in their teens. They each got to kiss each other’s mates the first time they meet them. Jeremy couldn’t possibly kiss Troy because they were brothers. And there was no way Stan was going to kiss Troy either because he was a guy. And Stan Norris sure as hell didn’t play on that team. But although Paige was a lesbian, she didn’t mind at all. She had shocked Ryan by kissing him the first time she’d met him, to the exasperation of Jeremy.
“The alpha will explain everything later,” Paige murmured with a grin when she stepped back from a bemused Troy. And to Jeremy, she murmured in a low voice. “I’m sure Lip was practically salivating at those luscious lips yesterday. Damn.”
“Philip?” Troy croaked as he stared at Paige. “What has he got to do with this? Is that how you greet people?” He looked surprised and confused. That was his first kiss.
“Not everyone.” Paige grinned. “And yes, Philip will explain. You were just a tiny thing the last time I saw you.” She said, making Jeremy and Paul laugh. “You used to insist on following us all the time but Mama G always managed to talk you out of it.” Paige chuckled.
“Follow you and who?” Troy rasped, still confused after that surprise kiss.
“Jeremy, Stan, and Philip,” Paige responded as she grabbed a muffin off the plate Gloria had brought from the kitchen.
“Who’s Stan?” Troy asked, turning to look at the elderly man who had come into the living room with Gloria.
“The craziest guy in the pack.” Joel drawled as he started towards Troy. “He’s gone to see to some stuff with Philip. You’ll meet him later.” Joel stopped in front of Troy and stared at him for a moment before drawing him into his arms for a hug. “I’m Joel.” He said when he released Troy. “I’m the father of Philip and Paige and the best friend of your father’s.”
“And…” Paige drawled.
“Shut up, Paige.” Gloria cut her off.
“Nice to meet you, Joel…”
“Uncle Joel.” Jeremy corrected automatically.
“Uncle Joel,” Troy repeated with a smile. He’d seen pictures of Joel and his father in the old family album that Gloria had given to him.
“Hey, I came to pick you up to show you around the estate,” Jeremy told Troy as he went to pick a muffin too. “Cool?”
Troy nodded. “We’re going with Paul, right?”
“No. Mum wants to talk to him so this will give them the chance,” Jeremy said.
They had decided at their meeting that Gloria would have a talk with Paul about who they really were. Since she was hell-bent on keeping her son’s pal alive and in the pack house as his companion, they thought it was necessary to prepare him as he was bound to see…things at a point. Gloria had insisted that there was a reason for everything that happens. She felt that Paul was there for a reason and would therefore be able to handle their secret. Both boys would be given the opportunity to study, which would be to their own advantage.
Troy was to be formally introduced to the council the following day. Then afterward, the pack was to be informed of his return. In the meantime, Jeremy wanted to show his brother around. He felt he was the best person to do that as he could potentially jog Troy’s memory. Jeremy couldn’t wait to take his brother on that tour. He was so excited.
“So…ready?” Jeremy’s grin was so infectious Troy actually laughed.
“Sure,” Troy responded. “A moment, please. Need to wear my trainers.”
“Waiting.”
‘You’re bursting with excitement.’ An amused Ryan told Jeremy through their mind-link. ‘It’s cute.’
Jeremy began to laugh softly as he went to his mate and pulled him up into his arms. “I’m missing you already.” He murmured huskily.
“No, you’re not.” Ryan laughed. “Have fun.”
And the two brothers did have fun. But by the end of their tour, Jeremy knew his brother had a big problem. And he had a good idea what it was all about. Troy’s wolf clearly wanted out.
The problem was, Troy had no idea.