Silas’s attention shifts momentarily as Jewel brushes past him toward the kitchen, a trash bag in hand. As she passes me, she places her small hand against my chest.
“Brother,” she says with a warm smile.
“Sister,” I respond, bowing my head respectfully before she continues into the kitchen and opens my refrigerator, starting to clean it out.
“Last time, all the food rotted in the fridge,” Jewel calls over her shoulder, “and it took me two days to get it all cleaned out.”
“No, stop, baby. I—“ Silas starts.
Jewel holds up her hand without turning around, and Silas immediately falls silent. The power of an alpha’s mate—something I both envy and admire.
Silas turns his attention back to me, crossing his muscular arms. “You think dealing with those entitled humans on the tourist island was bad? Try the cruise ship.” His voice drops lower. “I did it for a week once we came out of hibernation. When the ship docked for restocking, I immediately debarked and said never again. Those humans that board the ship are far worse than the humans on the tourist island.”
Annoyance flares within me. “Is this a lecture, Alpha?” I ask, my tone sharper than intended.
Silas narrows his eyes at me, hurt flickering across his features. “You are my only brother. I care about you and love you deeply. Is it wrong for me to have concern for you?”
I groan, running a hand over my face. “No. It’s not wrong, but it’s difficult for me to stay in a nearly fully mated clan. Everyone is happy...” I pause, the words sticking in my throat, “...except for me.”
Jewel stops what she’s doing and turns around, her expression softening. “Oh, Jabari.”
I look away, not wanting her pity. I don’t need sympathy—I need my mate.
“I’m not stopping you,” Silas says, his voice gentler now, “but I am warning you. You’ve lost your job on the tourist island because you can’t control your temper. On the cruise ship...” He pauses, making sure I’m listening. “Kade’s going to ban you from human interaction until you learn how to properly assimilate. And when she does, I’m not going to argue in your defense.”
His words piss me off, but I bow my head in obedience anyway. “Understood, brother.” I push past him toward the door, my bear rumbling with irritation inside me.
Silas follows me out and down the cabin steps, walking alongside me to the edge of clan territory. Frost Clan is small, just ten members—nine of them paired. The constant scent of mated couples has been driving my bear mad for months.
“Brother, it’s not forever,” Silas says, trying to keep up with my long steps. “If nine of us have found our fated mates, surely you are next.”
I keep moving ahead, not slowing down. “And how long is that going to take? The moment we stepped on Wintermoon, the clan paired up in a matter of months. Me, it’s like I’m the odd one of the bunch. Fate has been dropping mates left and right. Where is mine?”
“Have faith in Fate, brother.”
“I’m trying,” I snap, then soften my voice. “But Jewel is pregnant.”
Silas stiffens beside me, his face falling slightly.
“I could smell the change in her scent the moment I came back from the tourist island,” I continue. “I am happy for you, brother. Fate couldn’t have blessed a better alpha and brother. But it’s hard.”
“I know, Jabari.”
“No, you don’t.” My voice rises with emotion. “You don’t know how much I want a family. I want something to come home to. I’m tired of waiting.”
Silas groans and takes a step back, bowing his head slightly. “Safe travels, brother.”
The pain and longing twist inside me, but before I step off territory, I pull Silas into my arms, giving him a tight brotherly hug. This isn’t the way you address an alpha of the clan, but as the younger brother of the alpha, I have that privilege.
“I miss you,” he murmurs against my shoulder. “The clan isn’t the same without you.”
“When I have my woman, we will be one again,” I promise. “But it seems that Fate doesn’t want me to sit around and wait for my woman to be delivered to me. I have to go out and get her myself.”
Silas grins at that. “You have your honey?”
I pat the small jar in my pocket. “Always.”
With a final nod, I turn and step over the territory line, making my way toward the docks. I walk through Wintermoon, the hot summer air becoming an annoyance with each step. I’m used to the mountains—the cold, crisp air, the freshness of it. Thankfully, Kade said summer season was always short here. Still, I appreciate the breeze from the trees whenever the wind blows through.
