Nico glanced at the door, but Chris had slammed it shut when he’d come in.“Yes, and no one knows about it, so keep your mouth shut.”
Chris’s eyes were wide.“Yeah, of course.I can’t believe you’re going out with a fox.”
“Like you can talk.Jacob’s a badger.”
“But if you’re dating someone, shouldn’t you be happy?Because you don’t look happy.Is it because he’s human?”
“Iamhappy.”
“Sure, but there’s also something bothering you.”
“I told him I’m a carrier because of his brother,” Nico said with a sigh.He hugged his blankets tighter.
“He didn’t take it well?”
“He’s okay with it.A bit surprised, and he’s not quite sure what to make of it, but that’s not the problem.”
“Whatisthe problem?”
“I didn’t tell him who I am.”
Chris waited for a second, but when Nico didn’t add anything, he frowned.“What do you mean?”
“I didn’t tell him about Dad or me being the future bobcat alpha.I couldn’t.I didn’t want him to be spooked or to leave.He was going through something, and I wanted to help him.”
Chris snickered.“I’m sure you did.”
“I’m not joking.I didn’t tell him right away, and now, it feels impossible to.”
“But you like him.”
“Yeah.We had a date a few evenings ago, and he kissed me for the first time, and it was everything I could’ve hoped for.I don’t want to lose him.I took a risk by telling him that I’m a carrier, and I don’t know if I want to tell him I’m a future alpha.”
Chris grabbed Nico’s ankle over the blankets and squeezed.“You don’t have a choice.You can’t keep that kind of secret from him, not if you want the two of you to have a relationship.You’re going to have to tell him.”
Nico groaned.“Do I really have to?”
“Yeah.And you’d better tell him before he finds out through someone else.I don’t know what you’ve been up to, but someone’s bound to see the two of you together eventually and to recognize you.I guess they could assume it’s me, but everyone knows I’m with Jacob.”
People would assume what they wanted, although Nico hoped they wouldn’t think that Chris was cheating on his partner.On the other hand, since Chris had Jacob, people would naturally assume that the man with Mackenzie was Nico, and they might say something.
Chris was right.Nico needed to be honest.He needed to tell Mackenzie who he was before things got too out of hand.The more he waited, the more Mackenzie would be hurt that he hadn’t been honest.Nico wasn’t sure he’d be able to get Mackenzie’s trust back if he waited much longer.
“Come on,” Chris said.“Tell me about him.”
It was a relief to be able to do that.Chris listened to everything Nico had to say, even when he waxed poetic about Mackenzie’s eyes.He didn’t tease or ask questions.He just gave Nico the space he desperately needed, which meant that Nico was still talking when their mother called them downstairs for lunch.He blinked, surprised he’d been allowed to stay in bed for so long.He was sure that his mother had something to do with that.
Chris and Nico’s father wasn’t a bad person, but he was very focused when it came to the alpha role, and he expected his heir to be the same.Before, that had meant Chris, but Nico had taken his place, and while he didn’t regret it and was even happy to learn more about the role, sometimes, he needed a little space from their father.Things were especially hard right now with Silas, and throwing Mackenzie in the mix hadn’t helped.
Nico and Chris headed downstairs, still whispering to each other.Their father was already sitting at the table, scrolling on his phone and frowning.Nico considered asking if everything was all right, but he was afraid of the answer, so he kept his mouth shut and sat down, ready to eat.He was starving.
“I thought I’d see you earlier,” their father said, looking at Nico.
“I’m sorry.Chris and I were talking, and I didn’t notice the time.Did you need me for anything?”
“Not today, but you should be more responsible.”
Nico prayed his father wasn’t about to lecture him.“Iamresponsible.I take my job seriously, and I apologize for not being present today.”Even though it was the weekend, and everyone needed time off sometimes.
