Chapter Six
Jameson
I was the first to reach the house and climb back into my clothes. The heightened emotions of the situation made me have to contain my wolf before he exploded in rage and ran to the other pack’s land.
That’s what I wanted to do.
That bastard Kyle wouldn’t take Oliver away from him. He wouldn’t even get within an inch of him if I had my way. Everyone in the area knew that Kyle Matthews was trouble—had been since birth.
I had to do something to protect Russell and Oliver.
If only he didn’t grow to hate me in the process.
“You’re so fast. I forgot how fast you are.” He spoke to me, but as I turned, I saw that his gaze never left Ollie. They probably wouldn’t until this whole issue was settled once and for all except when he was in the presence of family members.
“Travis isn’t the only one who can protect your family,” I ground through my teeth as my jaw locked in frustration.
“I know you wouldn’t let anything happen to my son, Jameson.” His voice lilted at the end.
“And you think I would let something happen to you?”
“No—I don’t know. No.”
Nothing more would be said until his brother got back.
He finally returned then gathered me, Russell, his parents, and the other beta, Damian, into Russell’s house. Ollie went to play with his cousins and, if he was aware of anything wrong, he didn’t show it.
“I’ll leave if I have to. I don’t want anyone going to war over me.” The first words out of Russ’s mouth made me want to do was put duct tape over them. We’d have to work on his self-deprecation.
I interrupted. “No one is leaving. I don’t care how long you’ve been back. You’re family, and you’re pack. Period. We take care of our own.”
Travis paced. “There are human laws he could call into effect. Not to mention the wolf ones. Both parents have rights, especially to a son.”
Damian stepped forward with a laptop in his hands. He’d been typing on it ever since he stepped into the house. “There was a dispute once, about ten years ago. A male in the Acadiana pack had denied his son for seven years, and he was not given custody. But he was mated to another by then.”
That sent Russell into another fury. His father and mother chattered in a corner and, from what I could overhear, weren’t coming up with anything better. And Damian with all of his technology didn’t offer another suggestion.
“If he was mated, it would make a difference, right?” My voice boomed through the tiny cabin.
Travis eyed me. “It would absolutely make a difference. His mate would have taken on responsibility for Russell and Oliver. He would be able to say that his environment was better for the pup. Kyle is still not mated. Hell, no male will have him—he’s pathetic.”
Russell paled and sat down on the couch.
“I didn’t mean… He’s just not good people, Russell. He never has been.”
He rolled his eyes. “I know. If anyone in this world does know, it’s me. But all of this talk doesn’t matter. I’m not mated, and he’s next in line for alpha, mated or not.”
I tried to give myself a minute to calm down. Somehow I managed to slow my breaths, but it was only superficial. My insides shook, and I could barely hear my thoughts over the jarring beats of my heart. If I didn’t say what I needed to, I felt like the Earth’s ceiling would collapse on me any minute.
“Then, take me as your mate, Russell.”
I thought he would gasp or cross the room to slap me. But none of that happened. Instead, with tears running down his face, he stared at me and said nothing.
Travis spoke to me, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Russell. “You can’t do that, Jameson. He has to find his true mate. And you have to find yours.”
I kicked at the baseboard nearest me. “He is my true mate. I don’t need a blood test, and I don’t need time to think about it. I’ve known Russell since before I knew myself. I’ve loved him since before I knew who I even was. I don’t care what blood or the laws say. I’ve loved Russell Granger all my life.”
A pause hung in the air. Damian shut his computer quietly, and Russell’s parents walked out the side door without a word.
Travis mumbled, “It would certainly solve the problem. He’d have stability and a pack—a mate who has the means to take care of both of them. Russell, it would solve everything. But even if you decide not to, we won’t let him take Oliver. I will go to war with them if I have to.”
Russell’s eyes were glazed, and he was going to catch a fly if he wasn’t careful.
I spoke for him. “Alpha, can you excuse us for a moment? It won’t take long if you still want to talk to Russell afterward.”
Travis nodded and left with Damian in tow.
Russell wasn’t responding. I did the only thing I could think of. I stomped over and kneeled in front of him, taking his face in my hands.
“Hey, it’s just me. Look at me, love.” After he blinked a few times, I had his attention again.
“Don’t feel like you have to answer tonight. They won’t come early in the morning. You have the night to think about it. I know that’s not much, but it might be all the time I can give you to decide. If the answer is no, I’ll still fight like hell for you, and we will still be friends. I promised you forever, didn’t I? You don’t remember, do you?”