Take 2 Times 2? Future Book 3?

7. 1 of 2

Husky's POV

"Well damn, that only took a couple of seconds. He's out. Hey Panther, what you put in that bottle? 3 sucks and he's gone." I looked at Panther, I knew he would never use sleeping pills on the kid, but it sure looked like he did.

"Cocoa, sugar, and cream. That's all that I put in there." He said it so seriously I couldn't tell if he thought that I was accusing him of poisoning Max.

"Well, I'm going to be here a while. Could one of you do me a favor?" They both were looking at Max, but now all eyes were on me. "Could you give me a hand taking this head off? And then unzipping my back? I can use this as a blanket for him."

Bear brought his hands up and looked at them, one side then the other. He flexed them then said, "I would, but I think you want to keep that pretty suit in one piece."

Panther chuckled and said, "Come on Mama Bear, the boy needs some help getting undressed. I thought that would be your thing, not mine." He got up anyway and helped me take off my head. Then he unzipped my back all the way to my waist. He pulled on my underwear and said, "Nope he's old enough to change himself. No diaper here." He chuckled, and so did Bear.

I draped the top half of my suit over Max so he would be comfortable. I just straight up ignored Panther's little joke, but that got me curious about something. "Bear, Panther, you two said that you would help me understand this Little thing better. With him calling me his brother and all. Umm... am I supposed to pretend that you two are my mom and dad too? I'm not really getting the whole family dynamics here."

Neither of them laughed at my question. They just looked at each other for a moment. Then they turned to me, and Bear asked, "Do you want us to treat you like our kid?" I had to actually think about that for a moment.

"Not really. I mean you already do sometimes and that's cool and all. I am the youngest of the group and I still have a lot to learn. I get that, that you have to teach and that you have your own way of doing that. My previous instructor was all 'yes sir, yes sir, 3 bags full.' But you're more like "Puppy, go do this". There's no 'sir' with you. You're more relaxed, unless one of us gets on your bad side. And Panther's the same way."

Now I was getting really confused. I think I confused myself more than anything. I scratched the back of my head wondering if I confused them as well.

"I, well we, trust you. Our job is to look out for Max and his family. but for the most part, we are all family here. I look at all of you and see my cubs. And just like a mama bear I will protect my cubs even if it means my own life is taken. That's just how I am. When there is danger, even Jack is just a cub to me. The only one here that is not always a cub to me is Panther. And that's only because we have been doing this together for so long."

"However, putting that aside for the moment, what Max is going through is really rough on him. So, if you want to help him, be the big brother. When talking to him act the part if you want. Stuff like 'mom and dad will be back soon.' Or if he's small then it would be 'Mama Bear and Daddy kitty.' Use his words to help you figure out what mindset he is in. If he is older, then its Bear and Panther, whatever makes you comfortable. Also, me and the guys will quit calling you Puppy or Pup when he's not around. Are you understanding a little more or am I just confusing you more?" Bear spoke sincerely and not like he was talking AT me which I appreciated. We might not be equals as far as our experience and knowledge, but Bear didn't act like he thought any less of me because of my inexperience. He wasn't impatient with my questions either.

God, I feel like a teenager again, being tossed into a whole new way of life. And Bear really does like the sound of his own voice, but eventually he did get to the point. "I think I get it. Around Max, be a big brother with you two as the parents. When not around him, be myself." I get it, I think.