Rosie's Book

9

"You scared the shit out of me asshole!" Slapping my brother with tears in my eyes, I feel all the stress leave my body. The anxiety has been lessened but I can already smell a difference in my brother, I'm scared for what he has to tell me.

"Miss you too squirt" Jackson laughs while hugging me close to prevent me from hitting him even further. Matthew sits on the sofa shaking his head with a cheesy grin on his face. Satisfied his body is without holes, bruises or cuts I jump over to Matthew and curl up on his lap.

With my head resting on Matthew's chest, I relish in having both brothers back in my life. Matthew may be an adopted brother but to Jackson and I he is our brother, end of story. Matthew knows the tension is still tightly wrapped in my body even though I am more at ease with Jackson being home. Stroking my back and placing kisses on the top of my head he asks if I am happy to have big bro back. Laughing I nod, for the first time in months I feel safe and loved.

Placing the tray on the coffee table, Jackson takes a seat on the sofa across from us. With the remote he turns on the stereo, selects the CD we always enjoy listening to when we are together. For the first time since nanny died, we are able to listen to a nineteen fifties album without crying. Slipping me off his lap, Matthew leans over to the coffee table and pours three shots of Schnapps, passes them to each of us then raises a toast. "Together again, may we separate for a time but remain together for all of time." Raising our glasses in a silent salute we throw the drink to the back of our throats, swallow and slam the shot glasses on the coffee table before falling back in our seats to relax.

"Now the pleasantries are out of the way...." The warning is in my tone, I know Jacky, is waiting for the Spanish inquisition. I'm going to disappoint him.

"Did you mate?"

"No sis, no mating"

"Did she bite you?" My eyes rest on his neck then move to his wrists. He has all three spots openly revealed so I can see for myself, still I have to hear the words.

"No biting involved"

"Why is your scent different then?" The growl is even louder and harder than I had expected. Matthew holds my hand while Jacky takes a long breath before explaining himself.

"Rosie, I love you with all my heart. You have always been the love of my life. When mum brought you home from the birthing unit, she placed you in my arms and made me promise to protect you. It was the first time I ever saw our mum feral." He chuckles remembering this, he always does. "Dad?, Wow he was warning me too, but told me no male was to ever come near you, even if his tail was between his legs." Shaking his head, he rubs the back of his neck then looks into my eyes holding them with determination, "It is why I came home, Matthew told me everything you had passed on to him. Now with this extra information, I think I know what dad meant. He knew we are wolves, he doesn't want you mating with another wolf Rosebud."

"I don't care, we both know men are not of interest to me." Reaching for Matthew's hand I wink at him. "Unless this sexy panther finally admits he wants me!" We both know it's a joke. When we were kids, I had a crush on Matthew so big our parents began the jokes that we would one day be mated, so now we are all orphans it feels natural to tease him.

"Don't deflect, why do you smell different?"

"Fine" He sighs while Matthew remains silent but there for support, because he knows why my brothers scent has changed. They both know I am going to overact which is why Matthew is basically wrapping himself around me.

"The only way I was able to come home, and keep the Queen happy." Oh here it comes!, Jackson is frowning, his palms are sweaty and he is rubbing them along his thighs but more than that, his heart rate is faster than I have ever heard. He is looking deep into my eyes, holding my eyes to make sure he can't avoid my first reaction. "The Vampire Queen knows I am a hybrid, she would only release me from the contract we formed if we drank from each other." The gaspis out of my mouth before I can even stop it.