Chapter One
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MACKENZIE AND HIS FAMILYwere about to drive in a forest full of shifters.
He looked out of the car window.Did it make him nervous?Yes, it did.It didn’t matter that he and his family had shifters in their family tree.He’d never met those shifters.He was happy that his grandmother would finally be able to see her brother again, but Mackenzie wasn’t a shifter.No one in his family—in the family he knew—was.Besides, it wasn’t only that they were about to meet a bunch of shifters.They’d stay here for a while.
Mackenzie had always said he’d do anything for his brother, but he hadn’t expected his brother to ask him to fucking spend his vacation in a forest full of shifters.
He glanced at his father, who was driving.He was humming along with the radio, as if nothing strange was happening.They’d talked about what they were doing before coming, but Mackenzie didn’t understand why his family wasn’t more nervous.They were eager to see Dean, and of course, Mackenzie’s grandmother wanted to see her brother again after decades, but this was still a massive step.No other humans had been allowed into the forest since it had been closed off.The only reason they were was that they had shifters in their family tree.Their grandmother’s brother lived in the forest.
Mackenzie had nothing against shifters.In fact, he didn’t think that keeping them all locked up in the forest was a good thing, but he didn’t know a lot about them.He knew they could turn into animals, and that was about it.He was curious, but also worried.
Was coming here a good idea?
It hadn’t been a real choice for him.His family was here, so, of course, he was, too.If it had only been Dean, he might not have decided to visit, even though he loved his brother, but everyone had wanted to come, and Mackenzie wasn’t letting them come alone when they didn’t know if they’d be welcomed.
So, here he was.
“There,” his mother said from the passenger seat.“Do you see the gate?”
Mackenzie snorted.“How can I not?It’s massive.”
“People really want to keep them inside, don’t they?”
“Maybe they have good reasons to do so.”
Mackenzie’s mother turned to frown at him.“Don’t say that.You know they’re as innocent as you and I are.The only reason they’re locked up in here is that they can turn into animals, just like Uncle Bellamy.”
“I didn’t mean that they’re monsters or anything like that,” Mackenzie tried to defend himself.“I’m just saying that we don’t know these people.”
“Well, we’re about to,” his father said.
He slowed down the car as he reached the gate, stopping it next to a guard who seemed to be waiting for them.The guard stepped up to the window, and Mackenzie’s father lowered it.He leaned out to talk to the man, and Mackenzie wondered if the guy was human.
Mackenzie half expected them to be told to leave, but they’d been invited.They were here because someone wanted them to be and had somehow managed to convince the people in charge that they should be the first human civilians allowed into the forest since it had been closed off.When the gate clicked open, it wasn’t a surprise, but he still sucked in a breath.
Mackenzie’s father nodded at the guard and drove through.Nothing happened as they passed the gate and moved into the forest.The thought of not knowing what would happen next made Mackenzie’s stomach churn, but it only lasted a few moments.
His father stopped the car.Just like everyone else, Mackenzie had noticed his brother waiting for them by the side of the road.He was mostly here for Dean, and he was relieved they wouldn’t have to traipse around the forest looking for him.He should’ve known that Dean would be there as soon as they arrived.Their family had always been close, and they all missed Dean.Mackenzie had so many questions for his brother, but they’d have to wait.He wasn’t the priority today.
He quickly opened his door and jumped out of the car.Dean was on him before he could say anything, pulling him into his arms and hugging him tightly.Mackenzie laughed and hugged him back, and they clung to each other.It had been too long since they’d last seen each other, and even though Mackenzie had doubts about what he and his family were doing, he knew that if it was up to Dean, it was the right choice.Dean had moved into the forest and had made it his home.No matter how much Mackenzie was worried, he knew he wouldn’t regret visiting.Family was everything to him, and being close to Dean and everyone else would be worth it.
Soon enough, everyone else was out of the cars.Mackenzie let go of Dean so that their mom could hug him, but he didn’t go far.None of them did as they took their turn hugging Dean until he gently pushed them away and made a beeline for their grandmother.
She was the main reason they were here.Well, they wouldn’t be here if Dean hadn’t moved into the forest, but she was here to reunite with her brother.Dean hugged her tightly, and she relaxed in his arms.Mackenzie was close enough to hear her whisper, “You found him.”
“I did,” Dean confirmed.“And you’ll be reunited soon.”
“I can never thank you enough for this.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for.I don’t know if I’d have been able to find them if I hadn’t been sent here for work.”
“But youweresent here for work, and from what you’ve told me, you found a home here.The only thing missing is a partner, and I’m sure that in time, you’ll find someone.”She leaned back and touched Dean’s cheek.“We all want you to be happy.”
Dean smiled.“I am.”
But Mackenzie could tell that wasn’t the entire truth.Dean was happy for them to be here, of course, but there was something in his expression that told Mackenzie they needed to talk.Hopefully, they’d be able to.At the very least, it would be harder for Dean to use his job as an excuse to keep distance between them while Mackenzie was here.Once the feeling of being overwhelmed faded, the entire family would be on Dean, asking questions about his personal life and expecting answers.They wouldn’t let him shy away.
