Chapter 2

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Charlie's POV

It's been eight years since I last saw my brother Cameron in person. I never understood why he left me behind. I remember the morning he left. I was twelve, and we had spent the night watching movies and laughing together. I fell asleep with his arms around me.

I woke up when he gently kissed my temple. I heard his voice, thick with emotion.

"I'll be back." He rasped quietly. "I promise."

I stayed in bed, waiting. I heard his soft footfalls exit the room, then go outside. The rest of the family, except Evie, was outside too. I knew Evie had gone to her friend Penny's house. I watched as they all hugged him goodbye, and he got into his car and left.

I let the curtain fall as I crumpled to the floor, sobbing. He left me. My brother left me behind.

It's going to be okay. Raven, my wolf told me.

No it won't, Raven! I sobbed. He left me! Cammie left me!

It will. He soothed me. It will.

Over the years, I became withdrawn. I didn't interact with my family as much. Ashton tried to pry me out of bed most days, and I obliged sometimes. But sometimes, the pain was just too much. Evie checked in on me, letting me know that she loved me. Papa and Dad did too.

When Papa had the triplets, I was forced to come out of Cameron's room and help him. Well, not really forced, but I knew that I could help him. So, for five years, we bonded, taking care of them.

"Em!" I call to my little sister. "Papa wants to take a picture for the grandparents! We gotta get you dressed!"

Braden was tearing around the house, and Hailey was sitting calmly with Ashton, waiting for the chaos to simmer down. Those two were so alike.

I had finally gotten Emily to sit and I was grabbing her a juice from the kitchen when I smelled him. Cameron.

"OI!" I heard his velvet-like voice. Nothing like over a phone.

"Cammie!" Braden shrieks.

"Cam! You're back!" Evie cheers. "Thank you for catching him. Papa wants them to sit for a picture for the grandparents."

"I'm guessing that's going well." Cameron snickers.

"Yeah." She laughs.

I walk to the kitchen doorway. I see him holding Braden in his arms. "Cam." I say softly.

"Hey, Charlie." He says, looking straight at me.

"Holy shit." I breathe, then my knees buckle.

"Charlie!" I hear him shout, and feel his hands catch me before I hit the ground.

I feel something soft beneath me. I was moved to the couch. I take a deep breath before opening my eyes. "You're really here." I whisper.

"I'm here, Bud." He smiles at me softly.

"Why did you leave?" I look at him, trying not to cry.

"I had to, Bud." He sighs sadly.

"But..." My lower lip trembles. "You're... We're..."

he kisses my forehead. "We're Mates, Charlie. Yes." He caresses my cheek softly. "It was hard enough to control myself while going through my own puberty, dealing with Harlow. I don't know that I could have dealt with him on top of your puberty and Raven."

"That makes sense... But did it have to be so long?" I frown.

"Charlie... What do you feel for me right now?" He asks softly.

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