Oh, shut up.I chuckle.He is just happy that I don’t suck and won’t be shit to his brother.
Whoever is shit to our handsome mate will get a kick to his ass,she says in her usual aloof and composed manner, which makes her words weigh even more. She is right. Whoever hurts Arden or his little brother will have to take it up with me.
“Thank you,” I say. “Actually, I have two younger brothers your age. I think you would get along so well.”
“Is this an option?” he asks carefully. When I look at him, confused, he clears his throat. “I talked to Arden briefly, and he promised me he won’t leave me in this mess, and I appreciate it, but I don’t want him to put his own happiness aside. I know him, and I know he wants to move with you. He is not scared of uprooting his life and planting it in another continent. It’s more me who is scared…”
My heart jumps for joy at his words. Arden told me he wants to come with me and join me in Silverlake, and I have no reason not to believe him, but deep inside, the thought of him having to uproot his whole life worried me. But hearing his brother, now, verifying what Arden said, makes me so happy. I love Silverlake, and while I don’t yet know what type of role Arden wants to take at my side, I know that whatever he chooses, the pack will welcome him with open arms.
“Vander, we don’t need to make any decisions now,” I reassure him. “I’m here for an additional one or two weeks at least.
“Arden said that, too,” he says.
“But my offer will always stand,” I say. “You are more than welcome to come with us. Silverlake can be your home, if you want that.”
“I’m not sure about what I should do,” he admits.
“You have options,” I tell him.
“I do?”
“Yes, of course. You can come with Arden and me,” I say. “But you can also join the Council. I know Eric and Val would take legal custody over you if you want that. Alternatively, you can also return to your pack once everything is settled. Arden thinks you have it in you to become alpha.”
“That’s Arden’s birthright,” he says promptly.
“What does Arden think?” I ask him. “You know him better than anyone else. How does he truly feel about this?”
“Dad hurt him,” he admits. “And no ranked member of the pack ever stood up for him. I know he doesn’t want to become alpha. He wants to leave it all behind.”
“And?” I prompt him.
Vander looks flustered. “He thinks I have it in me.”
“Maybe you do,” I say. “Why don’t you think about it properly?”
He tilts his head, furrowing his brows, then he nods. “Will do,” he says. “You’re right. It’s time to think about all my options, instead of waiting for my father to magically come back to loving me.”
“There is nothing wrong with wishing for that,” I say quietly.
“I know, but I don’t want to expect it,” he admits, smiling at me. “Thanks, Aurelia.”
I glance at my watch. “You better hurry,” I grin. “You won’t want your lady waiting for you.”
“Oh shoot.” He grabs his bag and towel. “See you later!”
~~~
I take a shower and freshen up before checking on Nox and the others. “Look who’s coming!” Marilou grins when she spots me.
Terry, Nox, Tori, and Marilou are sitting together, having coffee and crepes. “These are heavenly,” Tori says. “Come and join us.”
“Awesome,” I say. “I just trained and now feel hungry.”
“You know…” Nox chuckles. “When you said you’d join us for this vacation, I didn’t think we’d barely see you.”
“Aw, you miss me,” I coo.
“Not really,” he teases. “I see you all the time at home, anyway. It’s like a break from my boss, now.”