Christian (bxb)

My choice

(Christian)

I looked around at everyone near me and tried to make sense of the day. A few hours ago, I'd run into the forest because everything had become too much. Now I was back with my family, and nobody was asking me to make a decision. I was grateful for that.

Pop stayed beside me after the others moved away. Having him there helped more than I wanted to admit. He'd always known when something was bothering me, even when I tried to hide it. Today hadn't been any different.

He gave my arm a small squeeze and looked around. Most of the guests had already left, but some of our family was still outside. The birthday decorations were still up, reminding me how differently the day had turned out. Pop suddenly leaned closer to me.

“I've got an idea.”

I looked at him suspiciously. I knew that look on his face. Whenever Pop had an idea and looked that excited about it, someone usually ended up annoyed with him. Somehow, I had a feeling he wanted me involved.

“What kind of idea?”

Pop grinned. I hadn't seen him look this excited since before the party. Whatever he'd come up with clearly had nothing to do with mates or wolves. That alone made me interested.

“We should prank someone.”

I stared at him for a second before laughing. Of course that was his idea. Pop could turn almost anything into an excuse to mess with someone. Being thirty six hadn't changed that about him.

Because of Alpha King Jacob, Pop didn't look thirty six either. None of us aged anymore, even though we still celebrated birthdays every year. Sometimes it was strange looking at my parents and knowing they'd stay exactly as they were. I was eighteen now, and the same thing would happen to me.

“What did you have in mind?”

Pop moved closer like he was about to tell me something important. I already knew whatever came next was probably going to get us in trouble. That should've made me say no. Instead, I wanted to hear it.

“I have something that smells terrible.”

I covered my mouth to stop myself from laughing. Pop looked far too proud of himself. I didn't even want to know why he had something like that. Knowing him, he'd probably been saving it for the right moment.

“I was thinking we could put some in Mason's bag.”

That made me laugh harder. Mason was particular about his belongings, and Pop knew it. I could already imagine Mason opening his bag and trying to figure out what happened. For a few minutes, I forgot everything else.

“I'm in.”

Pop's grin got bigger. He looked like I'd just agreed to help him with the greatest plan he'd ever created. I hadn't seen him this excited all day. Maybe I needed something stupid after everything that happened.

“Mason first.”

I nodded. Greyson and Jaxon could come later if we didn't get caught. I was already wondering how we'd get near Mason's things without him noticing. Then I noticed Pop looking behind me.

I turned around.

Dad was standing there.

His arms were crossed, and the look on his face told me he'd heard enough. Pop immediately looked less pleased with himself. I tried not to laugh because that would probably make things worse.

“You two aren't doing that.”

Pop looked at Dad like he'd personally ruined his entire day. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. Dad didn't look impressed. He knew Pop too well.

“Come on, Landon. It's harmless.”

Dad didn't change his mind. I could tell by his face before he even answered. Pop probably knew it too. That had never stopped him from trying.

“Leave Mason's things alone.”

Pop sighed and looked at me. I knew he was hoping I'd help convince Dad. I wasn't getting between them over a prank. I'd learned better than that years ago.

“You're no fun.”

Dad raised an eyebrow. Pop stared back at him for a few seconds before looking away. I finally laughed because I couldn't hold it anymore. Pop pointed at me.

“Don't encourage him.”

That only made me laugh again. Dad looked at me, and I could see he wasn't actually angry. He probably knew Pop was only trying to make me feel better. I knew it too.

For a few minutes, I hadn't thought about the triplets. I hadn't wondered why my wolf hadn't appeared yet. I hadn't thought about running away or everyone expecting me to accept a future I wasn't ready for. I'd just been laughing with my parents.

Maybe that had been Pop's real plan all along.

He was ridiculous sometimes, but he knew me. He'd seen how miserable I'd been and found the quickest way to make me laugh. I couldn't stay annoyed with him after realizing that. Pop reached over and messed with my hair.

“We'll find something else to do.”

I moved his hand away from my head. He laughed when I tried to fix my hair. Apparently being told no hadn't bothered him for long. That was Pop.

“Something that doesn't involve ruining anyone's stuff.”

Pop looked offended by the suggestion. Dad seemed pleased with it. I looked between the two of them and shook my head. They couldn't have been more different sometimes.

“I'll think about it.”

Pop gave me a quick hug. I hugged him back before he released me. He looked happier now that I wasn't crying anymore.

Dad waited until Pop walked over to where Alpha King Jacob and Arlo were standing. I watched him join them and immediately start talking. Arlo laughed at something he said. Alpha King Jacob looked like he already regretted listening.

Dad stepped beside me. He didn't ask me anything about what happened in the forest. I was glad because I wasn't ready to go through all of it again. We'd have plenty of time to talk later.

“He was trying to cheer you up.”

“I know.”

I looked over at Pop again. He caught me watching and grinned before turning back to Arlo. Whatever he was telling them had Arlo laughing again.

Dad rested his hand against my back. I knew he worried about me just as much as Pop did. He just showed it differently. Dad was usually the one who made sure I thought before doing something stupid.

“You okay?”

I thought about the question before answering. I wasn't completely okay. My wolf still hadn't appeared, and I still didn't know what I wanted when it came to Greyson, Mason, and Jaxon. But I felt better than I had earlier.

“I'm getting there.”

Dad nodded. He didn't ask for anything more. That was another thing I appreciated. Nobody needed to fix everything for me today.

I looked toward Greyson, Mason, and Jaxon. They were talking together a short distance away. Jaxon noticed me looking and smiled. Mason said something to him before Greyson glanced in my direction too.

None of them came over.

They were actually giving me the space I'd asked for.

I wasn't sure why that surprised me so much. Maybe I'd gotten used to expecting them to follow me everywhere. Seeing them stay where they were made something inside me relax. They'd listened.

“I'm going over there.”

Dad followed my gaze and understood immediately. He didn't tell me whether he thought it was a good idea. He simply removed his hand from my back. The decision was mine.

“Okay.”

I started toward them before I could change my mind. Jaxon looked ready to come toward me, but Greyson caught his arm and kept him there. I noticed immediately, and I couldn't help smiling. At least they were learning.

Maybe spending time with them didn't have to mean accepting everything everyone had planned for me. I could sit with them without promising them forever. I could laugh with them without deciding they were my mates. Right now, I wanted to see what happened when nobody was trying to decide for me.