Page 24 of Devon

Devon blinked his eyes open.“What do you mean?”

“I talked to Kendrick and Jonas.They told me that you tried to get with Kendrick and that you didn’t take no for an answer.”

Devon was going to die of humiliation, wasn’t he?Could the earth open up under him and swallow him?He’d be extremely grateful if it did.

Ryan shook his head.“I can see that you’re freaking out, but you don’t have to.Yeah, it’s a bit weird, but it’s fine.Kendrick told me what happened when he and other hunters found you and your family.Just like you said, he thinks that’s the reason you latched onto him.He doesn’t resent you for anything that happened.”

“Jonas does,” Devon croaked.

“Yeah, he does, but he’ll get over it.You’re my mate.That means you don’t want anything to do withhismate anymore.”

“I already don’t want anything to do with your brother.It was a stupid crush.I wanted to be loved, and I convinced myself that Kendrick would be the perfect person to do that.”

“Maybe it’s because a part of you recognized him as my brother.”

Devon wanted to believe that was true, even though it couldn’t be.He wasn’t a shifter.He would’ve been perfectly fine never having a mate.

But hehada mate, and Ryan was asking him for a chance.“What do you want from me?”

“A chance.That’s all I’m asking for, Devon.A chance to get to know you and for you to keep your mind open to our bond.”

Devon wasn’t sure he could do that, but for the first time since they’d met, he wanted to try.

Chapter Five

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RYAN HADN’T BEEN PLANNINGon keeping what was happening between him and Devon a secret, but considering how complicated the situation was, he’d kept to himself that he and Devon were talking.Kendrick seemed to be okay with Devon being Ryan’s mate, but Jonas wasn’t.

Ryan didn’t blame him.He wouldn’t take it nicely, either, if someone tried to get with his mate even after they found out he’d had one.He’d force himself to accept it if it was what Devon wanted, but it hadn’t been what Kendrick wanted.Kendrick and Jonas were together, and Devon had tried to change that.He’d tried to get between them, which was a big no-no in the shifter community.

Of course, Devon wasn’t a shifter.That didn’t mean he hadn’t known he wasn’t supposed to do it.He admitted as much to Ryan.He wanted to be loved, and he thought that Kendrick would do that.

He’d been wrong.

Kendrick was in love with Jonas, and there would never be anyone else for him.Devon hadn’t stood a chance.Hell, he hadn’t stood a chance even before Kendrick met Jonas.Kendrick had told Ryan that he’d always seen Devon like a younger brother and that he’d reminded him of Ryan.Ryan believed that to be true.

So he hadn’t been planning on talking to Kendrick and Jonas about Devon until he had something more concrete to say, but he should’ve known that his brother would notice something was up.Maybe it was because he felt he was smiling a lot more these days, or maybe Kendrick was guessing.Either way, he’d walked in on Ryan whistling in the kitchen while he was making coffee, had sat on one of the chairs at the table, and had watched him until Ryan turned to him.He clearly wanted to talk, but Ryan hadn’t expected him to mention Devon.

“How are things going with Devon?”Kendrick asked as he accepted the coffee Ryan had poured for him.

“Why are you asking about him?”

“Shouldn’t I?He’s your mate.”

“Yeah, but Jonas is home.”

“He’s in bed.”

It wasn’t a surprise since it was late morning, but it was a good thing.Ryan wasn’t sure how Jonas would react to what he was about to say.Maybe it would be good to ask Kendrick to talk to his mate first.Ryan didn’t want to create trouble, but he couldn’t exactly offer to leave the house and find a place on his own.He still didn’t have a job.

Ryan would eventually have to talk to Jonas about Devon, but today, he was glad Jonas wasn’t here.He liked the guy, and it was clear that Jonas loved Kendrick, but it was nice to have some time alone with his brother.It was especially nice not to have to watch what he was saying about Devon.Even though Kendrick had been at the center of this mess, he didn’t hold it against Devon the way Jonas did.

“So?What’s going on with Devon?”Kendrick pushed gently.“Is he the reason you’ve been smiling so much?”

“Yeah, he is,” Ryan admitted as he sat down.He had his own cup of coffee, and he took a sip before focusing on his brother.“We’ve been talking.”

Kendrick seemed pleased.“That’s great.”

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