Brothers

Roman POV

Caleb was itching to shift, scream, roar, or break everything in my sight!! I felt helpless. I felt as if my whole life had been one big lie after another, and sadly, those lies came from people who were supposed to love me and support me – family and friends. And now, I may be spellbound, the balance of pack future in peril. And I did not know whom to trust anymore. The anger and anxiety were rippling through me like a tsunami, and I was barely containing myself.

“Son”, I heard my father’s strong voice. I could sense through our bond that he wanted to talk, he wanted to explain. I could not make myself listen to him. “He is our father!!!” Caleb was screaming at me, wanting to talk to Draco, my father’s wolf. Draco was a fierce warrior, a fierce Alpha, if there ever was one. Even at his age, I knew father would be able to kick my ass though. Maybe I needed a fight to get all this pain out of my system.



“Don’t ”, I just spat at him, a little too harshly. Pain flashed in his eyes but he said nothing.

“Art still in the hospital?”, I asked, trying to change the subject. He just nodded. I needed to go see him, I needed a familiar face, somebody who I trusted. Even though I now knew he was in love with Dragana, I could not blame him. She did not belong to me; she was not mine. And if she accepted him and wanted him, who was I to stand in her way???“You say that now, but we both know you would not let anyone touch her but you. You are a selfish prick!” Caleb spat. “Is there something I can do for you Caleb? You are MY WOLF, you are me for fuck's sake!! Why are you not supporting ME??? What is wrong with you????!!!!”



“What is wrong with ME????? Let’s examine! You blamed father for our mother’s death. You blamed Dragana for not finding you a mate! You blamed Art for loving her. You are now blaming EVERYBODY for keeping things from you, things you are yet to understand. Based on everything, it looks like they were trying to save you, and the Kingdom and the packs. But yes, please tell me how much of a victim you are! Poor little Roman”.“ARRRRHHHHHH!!! Shut the fuck up Caleb!! Leave me the fuck alone!”. Snarling, he spat “With pleasure” and I felt him disappear. I had no idea when he would be back and at that moment I did not care. I was on my way to see Art. He was awake, thanks be to the Gods! I walked in to find him talking animatedly to nurse Emily, who bowed when she saw me. “Alpha King, it is good you are here. I am trying to make sure Beta does not leave, as we have final tests to complete, but he is becoming stubborn. Please, I need..”



“Roman, I need to get out of here man, I am going batshit crazy!!!I heard his booming, strong voice, getting straight to the point. I’ll come back for tests tomorrow, Emily, I have been cooked up here, I need some fresh air, I need to shift!!!” he was grumbling at her. His wounds had healed well and, from what I understood, Ivan had removed the dark magic which was causing the delay in the healing process. It was a complicated thing I did not fully grasp how, but had no choice but to trust his powers. There is but a minor scar now on Art where initially there was a gaping hole.



“Is it safe? Can he shift?”, I turned my attention now to the nurse. “Technically yes, Alpha King, but he is still weaker than he should be and ……”“Then it is settled. I’ll approve his release and if he wants to shift, I will go with him. If anything happens, I promise to bring him straight back to you, Emily”, I said, turning on all my charm, winking at her. She blushed and bowed again. “Of course, Alpha King”, and gave me a flirty smile. Art was elated. “C’mon bro, let’s go for a run!!” I patted him on the back, helping him up. We left the hospital, and I could see the happiness return to his face. Quickly shifting, I was grateful that Caleb was still there. We headed for the lake. Emir was an impressive wolf, only ever so slightly smaller than me. Art came from a long line of Betas, and I knew that down the line he had Alpha blood in him too. It showed. His physical strength almost matched mine, but more importantly, he was an intelligent man, a calmer and more rational, stoic presence of reason and dignity in my life. Truly a brother I never got to have. My thoughts went back to Michael and my mother, and I howled to the moon, my heart breaking at the memory.



Running around, we tugged and wrestled playfully as we did back when we were young. For a moment, everything was good in the world, the cool evening breeze was on my silver fur, the stars were coming out and the crescent moon stood high up, reflecting her beauty over the lake. I stood there mesmerized for a second as the moonlight hit the blooming tree and her flowers looked iridescent for a moment. Shifting back, we sat down. There was so much I needed to tell him, so much I wanted to know. But one thing was nagging me above all.



“Did you know?”, I turned to him, looking straight into his eyes. “Did I know what Roman?”

“Of Lady Asma, prophecies, spellbinding? Did you know Dragana is a Tribrid? All the shit show that was dropped at my feet today???”, I asked harsher than I should have. For a second, he was staring at me, as if I had grown a second head. “Dragana is a Tribrid????”, his voice whispered, his eyes bewildered. OK, so I guess he did not know that. Regaining his composure from obvious shock, he patted me on the back. “No Roman, I did not know any of that. You and I may have our differences, but I would never hide things from you” he said reassuringly.



“You hid that you are in love with her”, I said flatly. He tensed up, putting his eyes down, not knowing what to say. “I hid it from myself too, Roman. I…, I... I have no mate.. I have always felt protective of her, ever since.. you know”.. I knew he was talking about the deaths of her mother and mine. I knew those were hard on him too, as both women, my mother especially treated him as her son, dotted on him, loved him as she loved me. Mother was the most selfless woman I ever knew, I thought, tears prickling my eyes. The night was quiet and serene, perhaps too quiet, but for a moment I wanted to relax and breathe. “I should not have left”, he whispered again, heavy silence now around us. Epiphany struck me. “No Art, you did the right thing. You followed your heart. I should be the one apologizing, especially to you. I need to do better, be better, and be the King I was born to be”.