I Belong With Your Brother

A not so warm welcome

“I'm not interested" Emma crossed her arms and legs in defense on the couch, just after listening to all her brother had to say.

Dante glanced from Emma to their mom and then back to Emma. “It seems you don't understand what I'm talking about. I just said The Nightmoon Pack Alpha has taken an interest in you, and he wants you to be his Luna" He reiterated, hoping for a better response from her this time.

“Yeah I heard you the first time and like I said, I'm not interested" Emma replied, undoing her tied up hair and letting it fall down to it's normal length.

“But he's an Alpha" Dante pointed out a little surprised at her response

“It doesn't mean I'll just accept his proposal" Emma countered

“Explain to her mom" Said Dante, now staring at their mother who had been silent throughout the conversation.

“It's nice of you to want to do this for your sister but if she's not interested, then I think we should respect her decision"

“It's not gonna be that easy" He stated

“And why is that?" Emma questioned with furrowed brows

“Because.... because...." He paused knowing his reply was going to cause a not so good reaction from both of them. “Because I promised you to him"

“Wait what!!!" Emma sprang to her feet angrily “What do you mean you promised me to him?"

“What did you do Dante?" Beatrice questioned, knowing her son had probably gotten himself and everyone into some new trouble like always. Being the oldest son and only man of the Clarke family, you'll think Dante would be responsible enough to shoulder the family but the reverse was the case. It's been one trouble after another with him since high school.

“Nothing....I didn't do anything. I just saw an opportunity and took it. I thought Emma would appreciate it, maybe it was what she wanted" He shrugged

“And why would you think that? Because he's an Alpha? You didn't even ask me first if that is something I wanted....instead, you just went ahead and made a decision for me as always" She quarrelled before stomping off to her room.

Dante turned his attention to Beatrice “What did I do?"

“You can't just go toying with your sister's life like that. Being a Luna and mate is an important and personal decision. It's not what you can just throw around. You might be her big brother but this isn't your call. Fix it" Beatrice explained before walking away too.

“Damn it!" Dante cursed, knowing what trouble awaits if she doesn't accept. Lives are dependent on her decision and she doesn't know it yet.

***

Liam stared at his family, still sitting around the dinning table. Since Emma left, none of them had said a word and it was surprising because all they ever did was talk at him before he went off to college. Even the big wolf's lips were sealed.

He stared at them eventually and couldn't help but scoff. “Oh my God, this silence is deafening. Why is everyone quiet all of a sudden. It's been almost an hour. What is it? Am I not welcome here anymore?" He finally broke the silence.

“Of course you are, brother" Noah replied

“Welcome back Liam" Katherine added and then taking a sip from her wine.

“Thank you" he nodded and then fixed his gaze on the Alpha who still hadn't said anything. He waited a few more seconds and when no word came, he proceeded first. “Father, I'm back home. I'm back from school"

The Alpha took a sharp breath, emptied his glass and then stood up “There's nothing special about your return. There's no reason to make a fuss about it. Your room is how you left it" He stated and left.

Liam sank back on his chair, his expression darkened. He had expected a different reaction to him returning home, not a happy reaction though, he knew better than that but a more welcoming reaction even if it was fake. “Good to know Somethings never change" he muttered to himself.

***

Emma collapsed on her bed, staring at the ceiling. The evening was going so well until Dante had to come spoil it for her. She tried to block it out and focus on just the happy part which was what happened at dinner. A smile crept on her lips as she replayed the scene over and over again.

She wasn't expecting to be asked such intimate questions, at least not yet. They've been going out for less than six months but it was enough time for their wolves to connect and for her to fall in love with. She had fallen for his kindness, sweetness and gentleness. He always try as much as possible to avoid things that would upset her.

Emma was happy he asked and although she tried not to be too transparent, she was overjoyed when the Alpha and Luna gave their blessings too. She was going to be the Luna to the future Alpha of her pack whom she loves. Talk about lines falling into pleasant places.

Just then the memory of Liam walking in and interrupting dinner took over her mind. She hadn't seen him in a long time and he definitely has changed. What was weird to her, was how bluntly they took his return and how the evening changed from a happy one to a solemn one.

Her phone lit up ringing, which broke her out of her thoughts. She picked up the phone from the nightstand and picked up the call. “Hey Karen!" She called

“So how did it go? Tell me everything!!!" Karen said with excitement in her voice.

“It was an interesting dinner..." Emma began.

***

Liam placed the last of his clothes in his drawer and then turned facing the mirror resting on the wall. He stared at himself for a while. Going to college was the best decision his father ever made for him. Although he knew it was to get rid of him for a while but still, it helped him to put some distance to this house.

He stared at his blue eyes which he was told he got from his mother. He examined the rest of his body. His hardened packs, broad chest, gym cut muscles which was a result of hitting the gym frequently back in college. He had a diamond shaped face with a little pronounced cheekbones and his dark medium length curtain hairstyle completed his look.

He was 6"4 just like his brother, Noah who was also well cut and being a wolf helped with that a lot. He had brown eyes like their father, a square chiseled face, short dark hair and broad shoulders. They were both dreamy. Built like the kind of men you find in romance novels, they caught the attention of most girls they came across.

Their exact same height was because Liam's height was one he couldn't control. Every other thing he could control, he took control of. Hence the reason for his frequent visit to the gym. He tried hard to shed the skin of the boy he was before college, the boy they made him to be, but looking at himself right there in the mirror, all he saw was the manifestation of his pain and past.

“What are you doing staring at yourself shirtless in the mirror?" Noah's voice drew him back to reality.

“Damn it Noah, you don't knock anymore?" He questioned, turning to face him.

“I did but you didn't hear me" He replied

“Yeah well what do you want?" He picked up his shirt from the bed

“I just came to welcome you back personally. Congrats on your graduation" Noah stated

“Thanks and congrats too...." Liam smiled on seeing the confusion on Noah's face. “You and Emma. I saw the way you two were staring at each other during the shortest dinner time ever. Is she your mate or something?"

“Not yet but she accepted. So I'm gonna claim her on the next claiming ceremony" Noah replied with pride in his voice.

“I guess you're gonna have a Luna soon....whatever that means" Said Liam

“I know you're not a wolf but it wouldn't kill you to show some appreciation toward our ways. You might not be one of us but you're still a son of the Alpha of our pack"

“But I'm not one of the pack am I? Not the family pack, not the wolf pack. I'm just a regular ol' human from a werewolf family" he quipped before walking past Noah. “Really brother...." He opened the door “I'm glad you finally nialed her down. I know you've been drooling over her since you were running naked. Congrats" he concluded and strolled out, shutting the door behind him.

***

“You know he has to leave soon right? He's grown now and he doesn't have to be living here still" Katherine started as she climbed on the bed and under the sheets. She cuddled up against the Alpha, placing her hands on his bare chest. “He might not be a threat but him still here isn't a good look"

“I know. Let's just give him some time to settle back in" The Alpha replied with a low rugged voice.

“Noah is all grown now" She began with a smile. “Finding a Luna for himself and all....I think it's time he starts taking some more pack responsibility. Don't you think so?"

“Yeah you're right. He needs to get used to the weight that comes with the crown. The next claiming ceremony is fast approaching and it's always a time bomb with Alphas gathered under one roof with their individual packs. Don't worry, he'll have his hands full"

***

Noah descended down the stairs with Liam following closely behind. They came down to the living room of the house to find the Alpha and Luna standing there, facing the door as though waiting for someone. “What's going on father?" Noah asked, approaching them “It's quite still early in the morning"

“Duty calls anytime son" Katherine replied

“What duty?"

“It appears we have an uninvited guest coming. I just received word" Alpha Wolverson replied.

“Lovely" Liam sighed, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms.

Few seconds later, the door flung open upon. “Well well well, this is a nice place" Alpha Marcus whistled, looking around as he stepped in accompanied by four of his Betas.

“Welcome Marcus" Alpha Wolverson greeted.

“Thank you. Now shall we sit? We have a few things to talk about" The Alpha replied with a crooked smile.