The Courage to Love: The BraveHeart Series Book 2

Chapter 18 - Trent

After I bared the truth to my only baby brother, he stared at me for a short moment with a beguiling look on his face, then he burst out into a belly-aching laugh that confused me.

"What are you laughing at, jackass?"

"To be honest with you, Trent, I'm not surprised with nothing you do anymore. I know Pop did some crazy shit during his time as Alpha, but this takes the cake!!" He doubled over in more fits of laughter which were pissing Amir off. This was some serious shit, and he was laughing like I just told the greatest joke of all time.

"Duke, I'm being serious!"

"I am too!! After I told you how I felt about the whole Quincy and Thema situation, I saw in your eyes how desperate you were. Just like Pop, you're willing to do anything to maintain control. I hate to burst your bubble, big brother, but the world is bigger than you and you can't control everything." Duke said to me with sincere eyes while placing a firm hand on my shoulder. As usual, he was right, and I was wrong. You would think with me being the oldest, I would be the one giving out good advice. You would also think I'd know to learn from my father's mistakes, but Pop once told me that a great Alpha learns from his own mistakes, not from the mistakes of others.

"I'm so sorry if I've been a pain in the ass. I somehow forgot that I wasn't alone, and that mistake is mine. Can you forgive me, baby brother?"

"Hey, that's what family is for. If we can't rely on each other, who the hell can we count on, right?" He spoke to me while we did our secret handshake that ended in a brotherly hug. I cherished my brother, and I don't know what I'd do without him.

"After we talk to him, how about we get together and throw that rock, later on? It's been a while since we balled together, and I kinda miss talking to your big-headed ass."

"You know what? That doesn't sound half bad. It has been a while since I've dunked on your ass!!" I playfully tapped his shoulder, but before he could retaliate, the door to my office swung open and Mama greeted us with bright eyes and a gentle smile.

"Both of my sons at the same time!! I haven't seen this sight in ages!!" Mama came forward with arms wide, and neither I nor Duke ever said no to a motherly hug. The grief of losing my father still weighed heavily on Mama, but Pop would be so proud of how his 'one and only' was handling things in his absence. Soon after Mama hugged my neck hard and deep, she fixed the collar on my shirt, then she started popping me on the shoulder. My mother may be small, but she is the former Luna of this tribe, and respect is automatically given to her, no matter who you are.

"Ow, Mama!! What did I do??" I yelled out while I tried my hardest to block Mama's hits. Duke and I knew better than to run from Mama. Even as grown men, we had no choice but to take that ass-whupping. I mean, she is our mother.

"Why didn't you tell me you were summoning Ahmad and Amirah early?? I've known them since before they knew themselves!! The four of you practically spent every summer with each other as pups." Mama walked over to Ahmad and pinched his cheek, and I could see him blushing at my mother's remembrance of him. Duke and I looked at each other because we didn't remember anything that Mama was talking about.

"That's quite alright, Iya ayaba. It was a surprise to us, as well. I personally want to thank you for your beautiful generosity and warm hospitality. My family is forever grateful for the olive branch that you've extended our way. My parents also wanted to extend and express their condolences to you on the loss of your Alpha. He was a noble man that was taken from the world far too soon, but as always, your infectious beauty outweighs any evil that exists in this world." Alpha Ahmad took my mother's hand in his and placed a tender kiss on the back of it. Mama giggled like a teenager, and if I didn't know any better, I'd say they were flirting with each other. I knew Duke and I was thinking the same thing because, as usual, he broke the silence and the tirade that was going on between our guest and our mother.