by Alexis Woods
He stayed in the shower until he reached prune level, luxuriating in having an unlimited supply of hot water and nobody else clamoring for their turn. Shampoo, conditioner, a quick shave to neaten up above and below. Not that there was much above; crane shifters tended towards baby faces with little to no facial hair. Dylan had always envied the scruff Ryan had worn, although his brother used it as one more way to show the community how different he was. After enough teasing and bullying, Ryan relented and had kept his cheeks and chin smooth.
Dylan patted himself dry with large, fluffy towels, wrapped his head in a smaller hand towel, and then slathered on a lightly scented lotion. Facing the bed, Dylan admired the outfit he’d selected. He stepped into an ebony jockstrap before sitting and pulling on opaque black leggings. These he topped with a dark leather mini-skirt and bright pink crop top.
Skipping to his suitcase, he withdrew his favorite black ankle boots. No way would he have left home without them. He also took out his makeup bag and headed back into the bathroom. He styled his hair, and then deftly defined his eyes and lips, adding just a touch of powder to highlight his cheeks.
Dylan pursed his lips and gave his reflection an air kiss. “Looking good, darling. Looking good.”
“Dylan?” Christian knocked on the outer door. “Almost ready?”
“Yes, Daddy. Here I come.” Dylan threw open the door and posed for effect.
Christian took a step back and raked Dylan from head to toe. “Oh, darling, you look wonderful.”
Dylan laughed. “That’s what I just called myself.”
“Darling?” Christian grinned. “I like it. It suits my pretty boy. Come out here into the living room, so I can get the three-sixty effect.”
Biting his bottom lip shyly, Dylan let Christian take his hand and lead him into the bigger room. Christian raised his arm and slowly spun Dylan around. “Gorgeous.” He pulled Dylan into his arms, palming Dylan’s ass, his fingertips curling under the edge of the skirt to tickle Dylan’s thigh.
“Daddy,” Dylan said breathily, tucking his nose into Christian’s neck. How could a few nice words and a simple touch make his heart flutter?
“I received a phone call from my alpha while you were getting ready. He wanted to invite me—invite us—for dinner.”
“How’d he know about me already?” Dylan fingered the buttons of Christian’s shirt.
“That’s where Brian works on the weekends. I don’t know why he went there when he left here.” The thoughtfulness of Christian’s tone spoke of an inherent worry for his housemate. Just another endearing quality for Dylan to add to Christian’s profile.
However, hearing Brian’s name spoiled his happiness. Would Brian’s presence ruin his chances of staying? Would it affect his attempt to locate Ryan? Dylan had been hoping to ease into the transition of living here at Forest Edge, and then casually work out where his brother lived. Could he slip into conversation that Ryan lived somewhere here and perhaps Christian or Christian’s alpha knew where?
“Did you accept?”
“Hmm?”
Dylan leaned back so he could see Christian’s face. “The invitation to dinner? Did you say yes?”
“I did. It wouldn’t be right to decline an invitation from him. We can drive if you’d like, or it’s about a ten-minute walk.” Christian slid one hand over Dylan’s ass, up to the small of his back, and then right underneath his top.
Dylan shimmied under the gentle caress. “A walk sounds nice, especially if you hold my hand.”
Christian grinned down at him. “I can do that. Go grab a light coat or sweater; these October nights are getting cooler.”
“Okay.” Dylan lifted onto his toes and gave Christian a quick kiss. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Chapter 5
Ryan
“I can’t believe you never told us you had a brother,” Jon said as he stood in front of the mirror, trying to tame his hair.
Ryan slouched on the lounge, leaning over the back of it so he could watch his Daddies getting ready. Jon had been late returning from work, barely giving Ryan time to explain his familial relation to Dylan. He still hadn’t mentioned his half-shifter status, although he suspected Daddy Jon already knew. “Half-brother, and like I said, I never thought I’d see anybody in my family again. My mom and stepfather doted on Dylan; I was an afterthought, and no thought at all to my stepfather. He made it unbearable those last few years.” Ryan had buried his past, never expecting it to reappear, but if he’d wished for anyone from his old life to appear, it would have been his little brother.
Eli sat on the bed to tug on a clean pair of socks. “Do you think he knows you’re here?”
“I don’t know how he would. I’ve had zero contact with them since I left. I suppose it’s possible he found out where I am, but I don’t know why he wouldn’t just ask to see me at the front gate. Why the subterfuge of going through Scion House? To walk in my footsteps?” Ryan scoffed.
“You said he idolized you when he was growing up.” Eli slipped his shoes on, stood, and walked over to Ryan. He playfully tugged on Ryan’s ear. “Maybe he wants to be exactly like his big brother, but I presume the real reason was because they would have turned him away at the gate. Charles would have explained that to him. Jon, remind me to call Charles tomorrow. A heads up would’ve been nice.”
Ryan groaned and flopped backwards. “Ugh. I’m the worst person to copy. My life was a big ball of suck until you chose me, Daddy.” And he still hadn’t revealed his half-shifter status to his daddies. It was stupid; as soon as they met Dylan, they’d know. Hopefully, Jon and Eli loved him enough to forgive him.
Needing to psych himself up, Ryan rolled off the couch and skipped to Eli’s side. He needed to release the crazy tension he felt about seeing his brother for the first time in five years. Little Ryan to the rescue! He threw his arms around Daddy Eli. “Have I told you how much I love you today?”
Eli appeared thoughtful, tilting his chin up and tapping his lips. “No, I don’t believe you have.”
Ryan tickled Eli’s sides, and they fought a mock battle of tickle torture until Jon called a halt to their fun.
“They’ll be here any minute. Ryan, you ready?”
“Not really.” Ryan walked over to Jon, whose arms were open and welcoming for Ryan to snuggle into for a moment.
Jon kissed the top of his head. “You’ll be fine. Daddy Eli and I are here for you.” He took Ryan’s hand and led him to the living room.
Luis, Daddy’s Eli’s work partner and their upstairs housemate, sat on the couch with his little, Marco, at his feet. Marco had a few toy cars he raced around on the coffee table. At the far edge, a coloring book of mandalas and a tin of colored pencils waited for Ryan.
“Thought you might need a little distracting,” Luis said, pointing at the book and pencils.
“Thank you, Mr. Luis. Can I, Daddy J?” Ryan tugged on Jon’s shirtsleeve.
“Go on, I’ll check on dinner.”
Eli sat on the opposite side of the couch from Luis, and Ryan settled to the floor in front of him. Ryan opened the coloring book to a random page and grabbed whatever pencil he touched first. He picked a spot and started shading in the coordinating points, letting his thoughts wander as Eli carded his fingers through Ryan’s hair.
Brian sank to his knees beside Ryan, frown lines etched on his forehead. Ryan scooted closer and whispered, “You okay?”
Brian shook his head. “Mr. Jon told me I have to have dinner with you all.”
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I spilled your secret.” Ryan grimaced.
Brian patted his arm. “Don’t be. It’s my fault. I should have told Christian how I felt a long time ago.”
“How long is long?” Ryan asked, trying to keep the eagerness at learning a bit of gossip from his tone. Brian knew more about him than vice versa. Even though Ryan pried, Brian remained tight-lipped about his life before he’d been discovered sleeping on a
park bench in town and been brought to Eli.
“Four years.”
Ryan stared at Brian. “Four years? Before you started living together?” He knew from prior conversations, Brian had moved into Christian’s house two years ago.
Brian nodded. His mouth opened, but the ringing doorbell interrupted whatever he’d been about to say.
Ryan’s nerves flared. This is it. Eli and Jon finding out he was half-crane sat equally heavy in his gut as seeing his brother again.
“I’ll get it,” Jon said, striding from the kitchen to the front door, while the rest of them stood and straightened their clothes. “Christian, welcome. Come on in. Everyone’s in the living room.”
Christian entered first, looking smart in business casual, but it was the beautiful boy clinging to Christian’s arm who had him doing a double take. That’s Dylan? Damn.
It had been just over five years since he’d last seen his little brother. Dylan had been a snot-nosed tween of thirteen, a boy who’d thought he knew everything, but hadn’t a lick of common sense. Now eighteen, Dylan had grown up fine. The skirt and makeup provided an unexpected twist, but Ryan couldn’t deny Dylan wore them both well.
“Let me introduce you all to my little,” Christian said. “This is Dylan. Dylan, this is Alpha Eli.”
Dylan curtseyed to Eli, his gaze sweeping the room and landing on Ryan. Dylan’s mouth formed an O. “Ry?”
Christian startled and peered between Dylan and Ryan. “You know Ryan?”
Dylan nodded, letting go of Christian. Biting his lower lip, eyes filled with hope, he took a cautious step towards Ryan.
“Come here.” Ryan grinned as he opened his arms, and Dylan rushed into them. He caught Christian’s surprised gaze. “Dylan’s my half-brother.”
Chapter 6
Dylan
With his older brother’s arms around him, Dylan was transported back to his childhood. So many times, he’d found solace in them from the trials of school and the demands put on him by their parents. He knew he could knock on his brother’s door, and Ryan would always have time for him. It had crushed Dylan when Ryan had left. He’d wished and wished that Ryan had taken him with him for the last five years.
Ryan petted Dylan’s hair. “Hey, Dyl. It’s so good to see you. Hey, hey. Come on, no need for tears.”
Dylan lifted his head from Ryan’s shoulder. He hadn’t even realized he’d started crying. Totally happy tears. He giggled and sniffled as Ryan used the pads of his thumbs to dry Dylan’s face.
“You’re all grown up.” Ryan moved back and held him at arm’s length, studying Dylan from head to toe. Dylan had hoped he’d grow as tall as his brother, but as a full-fledged crane shifter, he’d maxed out at five-five. Ryan’s human blood and genetics made him a few inches taller. “And stunning.” He lifted one of Dylan’s hands and twirled him around. “I like the look.”
“Really?” Dylan smiled stupidly at his brother.
“Have I ever lied to you?”
Dylan shook his head, shamefaced with heated cheeks. He glanced around at the others, but the only one who seemed to know what was going on was Brian. Alpha Eli and Jon peered at the brothers with creased foreheads and bewildered expressions. Christian looked confused and angry.
Dylan rushed from Ryan to Christian’s side. Pressing his face into Christian’s chest, he mumbled, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“You knew your brother was here?” Christian vibrated, speaking with a clenched jaw.
“I knew he lived in Forest Edge, but I didn’t know he lived with your Alpha.”
Christian looked over his head. “Brian.” Dylan turned in Christian’s hold towards Brian.
“Sir.”
“You made the connection, didn’t you?” Christian accused him.
Brian stiffened. “I’ve become friends with Ryan. They look alike except for height and hair color. It wasn’t hard to make the assumption with the same last name, but it was Ryan who confirmed it.”
Christian sighed, tightening his arms around Dylan. “Maybe we could all sit down, and you can tell me the truth. Fuck, did Charles know?”
Eli huffed, taking the three steps to Ryan, grabbing his upper arm, and staring into Ryan’s eyes. “I’d like to know the answer to that myself.”
“Sorry, Daddy,” Ryan whispered. “I was afraid you wouldn’t want me if you knew I wasn’t a proper shifter.”
“Kit…” Eli sighed. “How could I not want you? You’re perfect for me, for us.”
Jon crowded them for a quick kiss to Ryan’s temple, then he pointed towards the living room. “Let’s move into—”
A fast, loud pounding on the front door made them all jump. Eli narrowed his eyes as he waved them all away from the door. Christian pulled Dylan along, shielding him with his body.
“Alpha,” a young man yelled, falling inside when Eli yanked the door open. Eli caught him before he could hit the floor.
“Jack! What’s wrong?” Eli demanded.
“Three wolverines, Alpha. We caught them vandalizing the community center, but they escaped into the woods on ATVs before we could catch them.”
“Luis, call Alpha Payton,” Eli shouted.
“On it.” Luis took off running towards the office.
“Brian, bring some water for Jack.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jack? Little Jackey? Is that you?
Before Dylan could confirm if the flustered fox before him was in fact the little he’d met during training, Luis rejoined them, lowering the phone from his ear. “Alpha Payton’s on his way.”
Another Alpha? Dylan wondered who this other Alpha was, considering most communities only had one. He was about to ask when Jack spoke.
“Alpha, I should get back,” he said as Brian handed him a glass of water. “Kev will expect me to report. What should I tell him?”
“Assuming my head of security already has it under control, have him report to me in two hours with an update, sooner if you catch any of them.”
“I’ll tell him.” Jack took a few swallows of water before handing the glass back and giving Brian a slow smile. “Thanks, Bri. I’m glad you’re home. I’ve been missing my workout buddy.”
Christian’s hands tightened on Dylan. He looked at Christian to find him glaring at Jack. Did Christian have some latent attachment to Brian? Would he even admit it if he did? Dylan huffed. Either way, this is an interesting development.
Dylan glanced at Brian, paused, and studied him longer. He was hot, in that boy next door—with a few added muscles—way. He was at least the same height as Christian, who Dylan thought was about six feet. Brian sported a crew cut of dirty blond hair with a little length on top. Broad shoulders tapered to a slim waistline, highlighted by the tuck of shirt into his pants. Long legs Dylan suspected packed the same defined muscles he could see on top. Strong, capable hands, clasped together, blocked Dylan’s view of Brian’s potential package.
And why was he thinking about Brian’s dick at a moment like this? He’d finally found his brother and had a contract with a nice, older, handsome shifter, one who’d bought him lots of pretty clothes. Why would he need to complicate matters by lusting after another man?
He raised his view from low to high and was caught by Brian’s own stare. Brian’s lips twitched, his brows lifted, and he shifted his hands to hang his thumbs from the belt loops. With his fingertips drumming slowly on his thighs, there was a picture-framed show of a significant bulge.
Is he flirting with me? Dylan turned away only for Christian to steer him towards Brian.
“Perhaps we should go home. You can tell me the truth there, without an audience. Brian can drive us.”
Dylan frowned at Christian. “But I want to stay and talk with Ryan. I haven’t seen him in over five years. We have a lot to catch up on.”
“I understand that, but this isn’t a good time. This attack has distracted Eli.” Christian smoothed Dylan’s hair away from his face.
“Daddy,” D
ylan pouted. “It’s not fair. We just got here, I’m hungry, and I wanna talk to Ryan.” He added a foot stomp for good measure.
Christian cupped Dylan’s jaw in a firm grip. “Boys who sass their Daddies get punished.” His tone dropped lower as he leaned in and whispered, “Is that what you want?”
“No,” Dylan drew the word out. “I like my behind just the color it is.”
Christian slid his hand down Dylan’s back and palmed his ass. “But pink is such a pretty color on you.”
Brian snickered, and Dylan glared at him. “I think somebody else wants a spanking too.”
Brian looked away, his cheeks flaming. Dylan smirked. Somebody definitely liked that idea. And the thought of watching Daddy spank Brian turned him on.
“Okay,” Dylan chirped. “Brian can take us home, but only after you arrange for me and Ryan to have a playdate. Please.” He batted his long lashes at Daddy.
Christian chuckled. “You’re going to be a handful, aren’t you?”
“Yup,” Dylan popped and smiled. “We’ll keep you on your toes.”
“We?” Christian’s head snapped back. Behind him, Brian coughed.
Dylan pushed Christian towards Alpha Eli. “Go make arrangements while I say goodbye to Ryan.”
Brian sidled up beside him. “Sneaky.”
Dylan shrugged. “He doesn’t see it, but I can. You want him, I get that, he’s hot, but I need to be here. I’ve missed too much time with my brother, so I’m willing to work with you, if you think you can deal.”
“I want to hate you, but seeing you and Ryan hugging broke my heart. Ryan and I are friends, and he gave me food for thought. I don’t think it would be a hardship to work with you.” Brian slid two fingers lightly down the length of Dylan’s arm. “You’re stunning.”
“Dyl?” Ryan interrupted, stepping around Brian, mouth downturned. “You’re leaving already?”
He nodded. “Christian doesn’t think we should stay since your alpha will be distracted, but he’s scheduling us a playdate.”