“You were going to help,” Alfie said, his eyebrow raised expectantly.
“You want my help?” Malachi couldn’t keep the surprise from his voice, but his legs started moving before his brain even decided to.
“Hand me the wipes,” Alfie directed. It was the only item not immediately at arms’ reach. His very-in-love brother had arranged crates on a pegboard with nappies in one and all the other ointments and stuff in the others—at his mate’s direction.
Chi had been there that day. Malek had been a general dictating to them because Axel was cranky.
There was even a wall with a bunch of picture books. Of course his teacher brother-in-law—or maybe he should sayformersince he wasn’t quite sure what they’d decided—had a crap load of books.
“So, Axel told me some stuff…” Alfie said. “…and I think we should talk about it.”
“Yeah?” Malachi responded, and held out the wipes. “You can always talk to me.”
Alfie glanced up at him briefly and their gazes held. He looked away a moment later and finally began changing Mason’s nappy. Malachi didn’t think Alfie would say anything, but as he grabbed a wipe from the packet Malachi was holding without looking at him, Alfie began speaking.
“Axel explained what mates are, and he said that’s why I keep thinking about you. Not that I’m thinking about you, or how you smell… not that I can smell you over this nappy. I mean, he said that’s why you… I mean, I…” Alfie let out a frustrated sigh, “…never mind.”
So, his mate was a babbler and a blurter, just like his brother. Malachi had noticed that sometimes Malek’s mate would just start rambling whatever was on his mind, but he appreciated it right now. His mate was thinking about how he smelt. He was thinking about Malachi in general.
“I can always smell you…” Malachi said. “…and you’ll always smell amazing to me, even if you’re covered in baby poop.”
Alfie chuckled. “Well, I don’t know if I can say the same for you. I’ll definitely want you to have a shower before you can touch me.” His cheeks became a pretty shade of pink, “I mean, not touch me, like, touch me… what I meant to say is, are you doing that mind thing on me?”
“Mind thing?” Malachi queried.
“Yeah.” Alfie snapped Mason back into his onesie and picked him up, then swayed from side to side while patting Mason on his bottom. “I should be in pain, but I’m not… at least not really. Also, I kind of feel relieved that Rupert is out of my life. It’s all so confusing.”
“I can’t influence how you feel, like that. As you said, this is notTwilight, although I do hope you were team wolf too… and before you ask, yes, I did hear that. And the pain is still there, just kind of dialled down.”
“So I really like you?” Alfie murmured under his breath, but Chi heard him.
Chi couldn’t hide his smile. Apparently, his mate had already forgotten that he could hear him from a room away, so whispering didn’t help. Although he had a feeling it was more to himself than meant for Malachi’s ears.
“You like me?” Chi said, and stepped closer to where Alfie stood.
“Huh. Uhh… no, I meant I like being around you. Like… like… close to you…” Alfie’s voice grew quieter the closer Malachi got to him until he was standing close enough to see all the colours in his mate’s eyes.
“Ask me the question I know you’ve been dying to ask,” Malachi said in a low voice.
He heard Alfie swallow, but his mate didn’t look away. He was brave, and Chi loved that about him already.
“Are you really a werewolf?” Alfie asked softly.
Malachi chuckled. “Werewolves like the half man, half wolf? I can honestly say those only exist in bad sci-fi movies. No, I can shiftintoa wolf, or I look the way I do now. Nowhere in between.”
“So, if I asked you to change into a wolf right now…” Alfie’s voice trailed off.
Malachi stared into Alfie’s eyes as he asked, “Are you asking?”
Alfie bounced a little, his hand tapping on Mason’s butt faster.
“Yes.” Alfie gave a decisive nod.
Malachi heard his brother’s footsteps coming up the stairs, so he wasn’t surprised when Malek opened the door.
“I’ll just get Mason, so take your time and join us when you’re done.” Malek scooped his son out of a surprised Alfie’s arms and walked out, shutting the door behind him. “You’re welcome, bro.” Malachi heard his brother’s voice say from outside the door. The asshole.
“What…” Alfie glanced at the door, then back at him. “What just happened?”
