Shrugging, Remy said, “I wasn’t sure if you’d made arrangements for it so I thought…”
“No, no…thank you,” Tristan replied, shifting his gaze back to the assembly line Kahn had set up with some of Reeve’s men. Watching as his members were given supplies, Tristan was impressed at how efficient the operation was. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw more men handing out cots and blankets. Shaking his head in amazement, he realized he owed his brother a huge debt for stepping up during this time of crisis.
Moving in close to Tristan, Remy murmured, “Your brother is a good man…and brave. He took the first step in bridging the divide between Carson and himself. And for that, I’m very grateful. It was the one part of my mate which was a wound that wouldn’t heal…and now there’s a chance it will.”
“I never knew I had a brother,” Tristan whispered, his eyes still locked on Kahn.
“And I nearly lost my three,” Remy replied. “My life would have been so empty had that happened. Family grounds us and gives us so much—a past that anchors us, a future to look forward to and, most important, the knowledge that our family’s love will always be there, no matter what.”
Staring at Kahn, Tristan let Remy’s words sink into his soul, knowing how true they were. His mother had died, but she hadn’t left him alone as he’d first thought.Instead, she had given him the keys to finding his grandparents, a brother, and two sisters. And he loved her all the more for her selfless act. Now, his family was rallying around him in his time of need and he realized how much better his life was with them in it.
Leaving Remy, Tristan walked over to his brother, tugging on his arm to get his attention. When Kahn turned around and smiled at him, Tristan didn’t say a word, instead, pulling him into a tight hug and whispering into his ear, he said, “So fucking happy you’re my brother, and I’m so fucking lucky to have found you.”
“I feel the same about you, brother,” Kahn murmured. “Our father was a shit for keeping us apart…but never again, okay?”
“Never again,” Tristan responded with a grin. Then, turning to look at Reeve’s men handing out supplies to his pack members, he added, “Very nicely done…I’m impressed.”
“Didn’t think this artsy wolf could do it, huh?”
Snickering, Tristan said, “Trust me…I know you’re capable of doing anything you set your mind to.”
Surprised at his brother’s unexpected praise, Kahn remembered his mother saying the same thing. A grin slowly spread across his face. “Thanks, brother…just don’t you forget it.”
“I won’t…I got to go, but after this business with Rudy is finished, I’m looking forward to that dinner you promised me.”
“You can count on it…hey, do you need some help? I wouldn’t mind getting a piece of that asshole myself.”
“Thanks for the offer, but as much as I’d love you by my side, I need you here to make sure my pack is safe.”
“Next time, then…and don’t worry about your pack…I’ll protect them until you return.”
“Thanks, brother…gods, I never thought I would ever say that…but it feels good, ya know?”
“I know…now go and get that sonofabitch out of our lives for good.”
After hugging Tristan again, Kahn watched his brother head down the hallway, noticing the respect he commanded from Reeve’s enforcers. Tristan was a born Alpha, and Josiah was a fucking fool for ignoring him because his first-born son was a natural leader, a role Kahn was never cut out for. Turning back to the pile of supplies, he resumed handing out the food and water, smiling at the amazing turn his life had taken.
~/~/~/~/~
“How did it go with Lizzie?” Jackson asked Dylon, who’d joined him in his study.
“Didn’t believe it at first, but once Mom got over her shock, I think it went okay, but don’t be surprised to find a very angry woman when she gets here,” Dylon said.
“Angry at Rudy?”
“No, more like super pissed at the High Council.”
“Can you blame her?” asked Jackson. “I would be, too, if they pulled a stunt like that on me.”
“That’s exactly how I feel, too.”
Glancing at the doorway to his study when he heard a slight flutter, Jackson said, “Brady…Lucius…thanks for agreeing to help me with this. You know Dylon…it’s his mother I need you to bring here.”
Entering, Brady sat down, tugging Lucius onto his lap. “We’re very happy to do it, Alpha. Does she know we are coming?”
“Yes, I told her,” Dylon answered. “I’ll call her just before you leave to let her know you’ll be there shortly.”
Nodding, Brady replied, “Very good. Well, we’re ready whenever you are.”
