Midnight River Shorts

Higher Parks Special - Axel and Brandon

Brandon's POV

It's been seventeen years since Dad and I came to Higher Parks. I've spent a lot of time in the kitchen baking, after my talk with Shay all those years ago. We occasionally facetime while baking, as his kids aren't really interested. Mira is the next Alpha, so he's been working with his aunt to take over when they're ready. Savvie is on tour with her band. They've been all over the country, playing in different Packs for celebrations and whatnot. And Nicholas has taken after Ethan in his interest with interior design.

I've been more than happy to spend my days baking. Anya and Axel have been training to take over as Alpha and Beta. When I got my Wolf, Titus, Dad locked me inside the house for three weeks. He was terrified that I'd do the same as him, running out and injuring myself. But I accepted that I'd be an Omega easily. I love living in this Pack. Dad and Cal transformed this Pack into one we can all enjoy living in before Titus even came to me. Dad apologized several times over the years, and I'm sure he'll apologize more in the future. But I would never hold his trauma against him.

When Dad was thirteen and got his Wolf, Leon, he got in a bad accident. It hindered his ability to have pups. He got lucky being assigned my father, Zachary, to have a pup with. They were best friends, and Dad honors him at every turn he can. My little brother Lucas' middle name is Zachary. He was named after the little Omega who suffered so much before Cal took over and my own father.

I take a deep breath and focus on frosting the cake in front of me.

"Looks good, Bran." Shay says over the monitor.

"Thanks." I grin at him. "I want to make it perfect. It's Axel's twentieth birthday tomorrow. I want him to love it."

"That kid's got a black hole in his stomach." Shay laughs. "He eats anything you make."

"True." I chuckle, finishing a swirl on the side. I step back and look at it. "I think it's done." I nod, and set down the piping back.

"Gimme a three sixty?" Shay asks, and I pick up my phone, flipping the camera and spinning the cake on the lazy Susan. "Looks wonderful." He praises. "You've gotten really good, Brandon."

"Thanks." I grin happily. "I've gotta put it in the fridge for the party tonight."

"Do so carefully." He instructs. "You don't want to bruise your hard work. It's a beautiful cake, Brandon."

"Thank you, Shay." I grin and flip the camera again. "I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Alright, pup." He grins. "Tell me how he likes it next time, okay?"

"Okay." I smile at him. "Bye, Shay." I say and hang up. I gently lift the cake and set it in the fridge just before I hear Axel bounding into the house. "STAY RIGHT THERE!" I yell out.

"WHY?!" He yells back.

"Because I said so!" I snicker and shut the fridge door. I walk out to the entryway where he's waiting. "You're not allowed in the kitchen until after your party."

"Ugh, why?!" He groans playfully.

"Because!" I whine back. "I made a cake for your birthday, and I want it to be a surprise!" I say, looking up at him.

"I love you!" He clings onto me. He's always been clingy.

I laugh and hold him tightly.

This might be the last time. Titas says softly.

I refuse for this to be the last time. I snap back at him. He's my little brother. I will never let him go.

"I love you too, Axel." I say softly in my brother's ear. "Are you excited about your party tonight?"