“Take care of my man,” she tells him with a smile.
Silas smiles back and bows his head to her respectfully. “Always.”
The interaction fills me with warmth, seeing my alpha, my brother, show such respect to my mate. I’ve watched how she’s slowly carved out her own space among us, winning over eventhe most skeptical members of Frost Clan with her warmth and strength.
Jackie takes the bag of hair tools and products from my hand and walks toward the building. I watch her until she disappears inside, drinking in the sway of her hips, the confident set of her shoulders. Even in the simple act of walking away, she captivates me.
Once she’s out of view, my bear whines in disapproval, a low, mournful sound that echoes through my mind.We want our woman back.
“We’re almost finished with the space,” Silas says, turning to me. His voice lowers as if Jackie might somehow hear us from inside. “Jackie’s moving truck is scheduled to arrive at the docks a month before we can announce that the space is ready for her to open.”
The weight of keeping this secret from her feels heavier with each passing day.
“She doesn’t like surprises, and she’s complaining to me about not knowing what we are doing. She’s getting suspicious,” I explain.
Silas sighs heavily, his breath forming a small cloud in the cool air. “It’s just a couple of months more, and I really want to do this for you and my new sister-in-law.”
“We can just tell her now because we’re close,” I suggest, feeling the weight of keeping secrets from my mate. The space is nearly ready—the walls painted in the soft colors Jackie once mentioned she loved, the displays crafted by Kane from House of Zorah nearly finished, the lighting installed to showcase clothing in the most flattering way.
Silas groans, his disapproval evident in the set of his jaw. “I don’t agree, brother, but I won’t come between you and your decisions for your mate.”
His words hit a nerve, sending a flare of irritation through me. “Why does it feel like I’m choosing between my woman and my clan in this situation?” I ask, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Something I’d never do to you. Something I’d never do to the clan.”
Silas looks flustered, his usual composure slipping as he realizes how his words have landed. A flash of regret crosses his features, and he takes a step closer.
“That was not my intention, brother. In fact, I’ll stand down from here on out and let you take care of your own house,” he says, his voice softening.
He takes a deep breath, his eyes meeting mine directly. “You longed for this, made it your identity. You were going to be a father and a good husband to your woman. And when I saw you with Jackie, the pride in your eyes, the way she’s awakened a happiness in your bear—it’s something I haven’t seen since we were cubs, before the Great War.” His voice grows quieter, laden with emotion rarely displayed by my stoic brother. “I got carried away, trying to use my authority as alpha when I should be your brother instead.”
I’m speechless. Silas rarely speaks so openly about his feelings. He’s always been the steady one, the responsible one, weighted down by leadership without complaint. To see him this vulnerable, this honest about his excitement for my happiness—it hits me in an unexpected way.
“Thank you, brother,” I manage finally, the words inadequate for the emotion swelling within me.
“The clan is still helping you with this project,” Silas assures me, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “It’s a gift from all of us, from Wintermoon. Our women sacrifice a lot to be with us. I want to make sure Jackie knows she’s appreciated, like all the women of our clan.”
“Let’s get to work then,” I say, ready to move forward, to build this gift for my mate.
We climb into the truck, the vehicle dipping slightly under our combined weight. Silas starts the engine, and the rumble vibrates through the frame as we pull away from the spa and head down the road. The forests of Wintermoon pass by in a blur of green and gold as autumn begins to paint the landscape.
As we drive, my mind drifts to a worry that’s been growing lately, gnawing at me during quiet moments.
“Jackie is beginning to worry that she hasn’t claimed me yet,” I admit. The admission feels like exposing a wound, but if I can’t speak openly with my brother, who can I turn to?
“It’s only been four months,” Silas responds, keeping his eyes on the road. “Some women take longer to get comfortable.”
I go quiet, my bear growing restless within me, disagreeing with Silas’s casual dismissal. Four months feels like an eternity when you’ve already waited centuries. Every night when I hold Jackie in my arms, I wonder if tomorrow will be the day she feels the urge to complete our bond.
“But everyone else in the clan seems to be fully mated, and the women have gotten pregnant,” I point out, unable to keep the edge of worry from my voice. “It didn’t take long for you and Jewel either.”
Silas keeps his gaze fixed ahead, his fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel. I find the sound oddly comforting.
“Well, how about this?” he says finally. “You’ve already been what humans like to call a late bloomer. You were the last to learn how to shift in our clan, and I remember mother and father being worried when you didn’t shift for so long.” He glances at me briefly. “Then there was finding Jackie—you were the last in the clan to find her. So maybe you were just meant to take your time on this journey.”
His words settle over me, easing some of my anxiety. My bear calms slightly, accepting the wisdom in what my brother says. Perhaps this, like everything in my life, will happen when the time is right.
“Oh, and by the way,” Silas adds, a hint of mischief in his voice, “you’re going to need to learn how to drive.”
I glare at him, and he laughs at my expression.
