Page 7 of Devon

“It won’t change anything even if you do.Devon needs time.”

Ryan had no idea what Kendrick was talking about, but from his expression and the way he was speaking, Ryan could tell there was something there.“You know Devon?”

Kendrick dropped his hand.“I do.”

He was trying very hard not to look at Ryan, which told Ryan what he wanted to know, or part of it anyway.Whatever was happening with Devon, Kendrick knew what it was and didn’t want to talk about it.“Tell me.”

Kendrick shook his head.“We should go home.Jonas is probably waiting for us.”

“He should still be asleep.It’s early.”

“I texted him when we left Clay and Rowan’s house.He’s awake, and he’ll want to know about this.”

“Why would he want to know about it?”

“Because you’re my brother, and you met your mate.I’ll never know how it feels from your point of view, but I’ve been where Devon is.”

Kendrick’s words made Ryan feel guilty.Kendrick was right.Kendrick was human, like Devon.Ryan knew nothing of how Jonas and Kendrick had met, but Kendrick did know what Devon was feeling.He’d been in his place.He also knew Devon.

If Ryan wanted a chance to understand what was going on, he needed to talk to Kendrick.

“Come on,” Kendrick gently pushed.

Ryan glanced back in the direction in which his mate had disappeared, but there was no sign that Devon had ever been there.Ryan desperately wanted to know where he’d been going and what he’d been planning on doing with his day, but he wouldn’t get answers to those questions.He also couldn’t go after Devon.Not only did he not know where Devon had gone, but he also suspected that Kendrick was right and that Devon needed time.He probably wouldn’t appreciate it if Ryan hunted him down like prey.

When Ryan finally moved toward Kendrick, his tiger tried to rebel.It wanted to go after Devon and make their mate happy, but there was no way for them to do that right now.They didn’t know what the problem was or what Devon needed.It was best for both of them to keep some distance until both Devon and Ryan could wrap their minds around what had happened.It wasn’t like the village was big, anyway.Ryan was sure he could find Devon if he went looking for him.

“Is there a problem with Devon being my mate?”he asked as he and Kendrick walked toward the house.

“I don’t think so.”

“But you’re not happy for me.”

“Why wouldn’t I be happy for you?”

“I don’t know.You tell me since you know him and I don’t.”

“It’s complicated.”Kendrick pushed open the front door and gestured at Ryan to go in.“Things usually are in the village.Everyone who lives here has been through a lot, including him.”

“Who are we talking about?”Jonas asked as he appeared from the kitchen.He was holding a closed stainless-steel mug and sipping from a straw.

Ryan was careful not to look too closely at whatever was in the mug.He knew, but I didn’t mean he wanted to see it.He was curious, though.“I thought you got your blood from my brother,” he said.

Jonas wrinkled his nose.“Usually, I do, but I lost blood yesterday, and I wanted to be sure I didn’t take too much from Kendrick.Besides, he was gone when I woke up.”

Kendrick was next to Jonas instantly, wrapping an arm around his waist and leaning close to kiss his temple.“You shouldn’t be awake.You need more rest.”

“I’m fine.The bed was empty without you in it, though.”

Kendrick kissed Jonas on the lips, seemingly not caring that he had to taste blood.Ryan looked away, both to give them privacy and because it made his stomach churn.He had nothing against Jonas, but he didn’t know how Kendrick did it.Ryan supposed that if Jonas was his mate, he wouldn’t have a problem with it, either.He was glad that Devon was human, though.

He’d never really thought about meeting his mate.He was young, even for a shifter, and he’d thought it would be decades before he did.Meeting his mate hadn’t factored into his plans for his future.He’d worked and had put money aside until his father had demanded all of it for rent.Ryan had known his life would be different in the village, but he hadn’t expected it to be so different that he’d end up bonded.

Not that that was about to happen.Devon could barely even look him in the eyes and had run from him.Ryan wanted to talk to him, but maybe he should find answers before he did.He didn’t like going into conversations completely in the dark, especially when the person he was talking to knew at least something about what was happening.

He eyed Kendrick and Jonas.They were softly talking, and Jonas kept glancing at Ryan.It was obvious that Kendrick had told him about Devon and what had happened with him.He knew that Devon was Ryan’s mate, and for some reason, there was pity in the way he looked at Ryan now.

Ryan wanted to snap at both of them to stop it, but he reminded himself that he was here because they’d welcomed him into their home.It wouldn’t do anyone any good if he snapped at them.In fact, it would be disrespectful, and Ryan didn’t want to hurt his brother or Jonas.

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