Golden Rule

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 – the brothers

“Quit embarrassing yourself, you’re acting like a teenager.” Nathan said as his older brother by four minutes kept combing his dark hair back.

Brandon, being the eldest and more business oriented, always looked the part. He was not pretentious or anything, but he knew he was good at what he did. He dressed the part too, using dress slacks and collared shirts every day of the week and blazers when he needed to. His dark features were captivating and enchanting. He enjoyed getting his hands dirty working with his brother on the weekends. But he was all about the business and keeping the pack and village afloat.

Nathan on the other hand was a laborer. He loved working outdoors under the sun with the cattle and on the farms working the tractors and heavy machinery. He was into cowboy hats and breezy cotton flannel shirts, and a whole collection of worn work boots. His features were lighter than his brother’s, but the sun gave him a delicious golden tan. They were twins but not identical twins and they could not be more different.

“I don't know how to explain it, but I've been feeling something all day long. This girl might be the one; at least I'm hoping she's the one. I've waited too damn long.” replied Brandon.

“Whatever Bran, all that s**t is overrated.” Added Nathan.

Brandon did not respond to his brother’s cynical comment. He knew better and the last thing he wanted was to start an argument. Nathan had gone through so much that it wasn’t worth the fallout they were sure to have if he gave into his brother’s taunting words.

“You know, I do need you at this dinner. It involves your son's education, so I don't understand why you don't want to attend.” Brandon said.

“I'm meeting up with Lorena. I guess I've been feeling something all day too.” Nathan smirked at Brandon. “Janet asked about you again by the way.”

Brandon cringed at that. “I told you I broke it off with her. I don’t want to waste any more of her time… or mine.”

“There’s nothing wrong in letting loose and having fun. That’s all these girls want anyway.” Said Nathan.

“No, maybe Lorena, but I know Janet expected more out of our… whatever we had going on.” Said Brandon. “the drama wasn’t worth it for just a lay once a week.”

“Isn’t that what they are good for anyway, getting laid and having pups.” Chuckled Nathan.

“I feel like you are purposely pushing my buttons, little brother. Its not going to work, not tonight. Now, go to your f**k girl if that’s what you want. Don’t forget to say good night to your son.” Retorted Brandon.

Nathan gave Brandon a low growl at the insinuation of him forgetting his son and being called little brother. If anything, he was taller than Brandon, if only by an inch. Brandon was always known as the stronger one while Nathan had the advantage of speed. There was no other werewolf as fast and agile as Nathan Duran. He could finish a whole band of rouges before any of their capable Golden Warriors could blink. But Brandon had all the brute strength. The strength of 20 wolves said the stories of the living legend, Brandon Duran. Together, the brothers were invincible.

“Don’t worry about my pup, I’ll make sure he is tucked into his bed before I head out. What time is this teacher getting here?” Nathan finally spoke up.

“We thought she would be here earlier, but we haven’t received word from the guards at the gate and it’s getting late.” Answered Brandon.

“What a great first impression.” Nathan said grimly.

“If she isn’t here in the next 30 minutes, I’ll have a group of warriors scan the main roads. I don’t want Canon Mountain down my neck thinking we didn’t bother to do something if she hadn’t arrived and is missing. In case anything comes up, be on the ready.” Said Brandon.

“Right, right. Well, on a different note, have you been to see your father?” asked Nathan.

“No, and I don’t care too. It seems he gets worse every time I go see him. How about you?”

“Same, all he does is curse the wolf that ‘hurt his back so bad he still feels it 20 years later’. You know mom is a sore subject and he asks about my pup all time and wants to see him.”

“We know that’s a bad idea, last time he went to visit his grandpa he was so scared he didn’t want to sleep alone.”

“Yea, your father has that effect on kids huh?” Nathan said looking at Brandon with a sad expression.

“Your father is who he is. We know all he went through after we lost mom and the Tanok family. The only thing that keeps him going is that he wants to avenge them.” Brandon said.

“As do we brother.” Nathan said with a determined expression on his face. Suddenly, he felt a twitch in his body. “s**t” his wolf started running circles in his head.

Brandon noticed and furrowed his brows. “What’s wrong with you, what was that? the same happened to me earlier today and I couldn’t calm my wolf.” said Brandon worried.

“I don’t know, I felt it earlier too. This is the second time I feel it today.”

“I thought it was the mate pull, but if you are feeling it too, it might be something else.” Brandon said with sorrow in his voice.

“I guess it could be in your case... I need a drink; I’ll see you in the morning.” He said as he got up to make his way to his son.

His mourning period was over. He was done suffering for the loss of his mate. He loved his son and no one or nothing came before him. His son and brother were all he had left to lean on, as they never agreed with their father on absolutely anything. He didn’t want to fight with his brother about the whole mate topic and how useless it was. He needed to leave to the cantina to meet up with Lorena and relax as much as he could. He needed a release; he had been on edge all day and was tired.

He opened the door to his son’s bedroom and saw the boy’s nana tidying up from his bath while the young pup picked up toys and put them in their place. He smiled and entered the room when his son caught him peeking.

“You sneaky dad! I didn’t even hear you!” exclaimed the four-year-old.

Nathan walked over and picked him up and tossed him in the air. The little boy yelped with joy. Nathan brought him down to his chest and gave him a tight hug. The boy still had his mother’s essence. Children usually lost their mother’s essence around six. Nathan was ready to be rid of it. It was unbearable at times. Taking in the smell of his mate that had been missed physically for almost a year now. He just wanted to forget but the small boy made it impossible. Nathan knew he couldn’t hold anything against his son. If anyone was at fault, it had to be Nathan himself. He could have done more for her.

But no, he was not going to go down that path again. That lonely and miserable way was not healthy for him or his little boy. At first, he drank himself into oblivion, blaming himself for what happened. He felt worthless as a mate. After weeks and weeks of drowning in alcohol, the guilt that was the feeling of being worthless towards his pup was even worse. Had it not been for his brother and their grandmother, he would not be alive to hold his son tonight.

He got on the floor with his pup and began to hear all about his day and how excited he was to start pre-school the following week. The boy was smart like his uncle Brandon and strong like his father. He had a gentle soul like his grandmother, Luna Hope, who had been taken by rouges that fateful night. Nathan couldn’t see anything of the boy’s mother in him. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or bad. He stayed with him until the feeling in his chest became almost unbearable. He needed to get away. The smell of his mate was driving him mad. He picked up his son and laid him on his bed, he grabbed a book and told him to read himself to sleep and made a dash for the door.

The boy was left feeling lonely. He knew something was wrong with his father and as much as he asked those close to him why his dad was so sad all the time, he never got an answer. He grabbed the book and started looking at the drawings making up what was happening in his child mind and soon began to drift to sleep.