Eight

“So… you don’t care then?”

Everett’s brow pulled together when Jeremiah’s heartbeat spiked on the other side of the wooden door. Jeremiah's racing heart echoed loudly in his sensitive ears, and guilt bloomed in his chest instantly.

Damn it.

He pressed his lips into a tight line, regretting his choice of words. “Jeremiah,” he said quietly, “I was just teasing. You don’t have to answer that.”

He leaned closer, carefully listening to every shaky breath the boy took. The last thing Everett wanted was to frighten him but that’s exactly what he kept doing. The only thing he seemed to be able to do was effortlessly mess up around him. It was like his brain shut down around Jeremiah, and every effort to be gentle was turned clumsy and overbearing.

He wished Xander were here, his brother always had a way of easing the tension and lightening the mood, something Everett couldn’t.

With a rough sigh, Everett pulled back from the door. “I have things to handle,” he lied, swallowing the urge to open the door. “Try to get some rest.”

He lingered a moment longer, hoping that Jeremiah would say something, anything. But the silence held. 

He turned away with a defeated sigh, stalking out of the room and into the hallway, his shoulder slamming against the doorframe on the way out. 

“This is going to take a hell of a lot of getting used to,” Everett muttered, ducking into the cramped kitchen.

Xander glanced up from the counter, raising an eyebrow. “What?”

“The damn house,” Everett snapped, snatching a mug from the sink. “It’s too fucking small. And I keep forgetting.”

Xander let out a chuckle, eyeing his brother’s broad frame. “The house is fine. You’re just too big.”

Everett scowled in response but didn’t argue. He dropped into a chair and stared into the empty mug like it held all the answers.

Xander leaned forward slightly, his expression masked with curiosity and worry. “Something happen with Jerry?”

“Everything happened,” Everett bit out, his frustration barely restrained. “Every damn thing I try just pushes him further away. It’s never meant to be this hard.”

Xander folded his arms. “Among werewolves, maybe. But Jerry’s human. You can’t expect him to act like one of us.”

“I know that,” Everett snapped. “I’m trying. But the more I try, the more I mess it up. It’s like this whole ‘bond’ is just a cruel joke. Some kind of sick punishment.”

Xander frowned. “Don’t say that. The Moon Goddess doesn’t pair people without purpose.”

“Well, I didn’t ask for this,” Everett muttered, his voice roughening. “She must be punishing me for what happened with_,” he trailed off, his lips pulled into a deep scowl. 

Xander’s expression softened, flashing with understanding and sympathy.

“First, she gave me Sebastian,” Everett continued, his voice thick with emotion. “I didn't want him, yet she dumped him into my life. And when I finally started seeing our bond as a blessing, she ripped him away. Now she’s shoved Jerry into my life, like it's supposed to make everything perfect.”

Xander took a cautious step closer, careful not to touch Everett. He knew better than to get too close when his brother got like this. 

“I know you’re still grieving, but Jerry_,”

“But Jerry nothing,” Everett snapped, his voice sharp. “He’s so damn different and fragile, how am I supposed to deal with that? I can’t even get close without him flinching like I would hurt him. How the hell is that supposed to work?”

Xander was quiet for a moment, then asked gently, “Do you want it to work?”

The question struck deeper than Everett liked to admit. His jaw tightened. He didn’t respond.

Xander sighed, already knowing he wouldn't get an answer. “You didn’t cower from Sebastian and I trust you to do the same with Jerry when you finally figure out what you think is right.”

Everett looked away sharply, face darkening at the mention of his late mate. His fingers clenched the mug until it threatened to crack.

“Did Baxter call?” he asked suddenly, changing the subject.

Xander’s lips pressed together. “No. But Darian mentioned that word has gotten out, and rumours are beginning to spread about the Alpha King. The people are uneasy.”

Everett swore under his breath. “How the hell did that happen? I told Baxter to keep it quiet.”

“No one’s sure how it spread,” Xander admitted. “Darian suspects some of the guards. He wants to investigate.”

“He's better. I can’t have the pack stirred up over whispers.” Everett yanked his phone from his pocket. He'd have to remind his beta about what happens when his orders are ignored.

Xander hesitated, then added, “Do you think the Alpha King is real?”

“No,” Everett said without hesitation, though his grip on the phone tightened. “But we are yet to identify whoever’s behind this so we have to remain on high alert.”

Xander nodded slowly but didn't look reassured.

“What is it?” Everett asked, catching the flicker of tension in his brother’s face.

“I… yesterday,” Xander began carefully, “The rogue, he… Is Jerry in danger?”

Everett’s expression darkened instantly. “How much did you hear?”

“Everything,” Xander answered with an apologetic look, “I think whoever it is might be responsible for Jerry's mark.”

“I think so too,” Everett said grimly.

Silence fell, thick as fog.

“Baxter’s started informing the other pack Alphas just to be on the safer side,” Everett announced, “And upped our security. I already have my betas stationed around the perimeter of the house.”

Xander hesitated again. “Maybe we should talk to Jerry. If he agreed to move to the pack house, he'd be safer. ”

“No,” Everett said quickly. Then added softly, “I understand you panic, Xan but it's different… he’s not like us.”

“I know, I just_,” Xander exhaled. “I guess you're right. I can’t even picture Jerry living amongst guys your size, he’d probably throw a fit.”

His comment finally cracked Everett's grim, worried demeanour. He let out a low laugh, the tension in his shoulders easing for the first time all night.

“Yeah,” he said. “He probably would.”