Everlasting

Chapter 25

"These should fit you." I say, placing a couple of items of clothing on the bed, they're Hardins of course.

My brother isn't small, being of Alpha blood he's naturally large. Slightly smaller than Hardin, but still big for his age. We're eighteen, and the guys a giant compared to most males his age.

"I don't want to cause more problems between you and your mate." Kage finally talks, his voice far deeper than the little boy I remember.

"He's not as scary as he looks." I say with a small smile.

"Didn't look that way to me." Kage comments.

My smile falters slightly.

"The panic attacks started a long time before my teenage years, I spent most days in a constant state of fear...Hardin has never lost his temper like that, it took me by surprise." I quietly explain.

I don't want to go into detail about my childhood, but I also don't want Kage to hate Hardin, I don't want him thinking that Hardin treats me cruelly. He doesn't, that's the first time he's truly been angry with me, and with jealousy on top, along with a wolf wanting to crack heads open, I'm not that shocked it happened.

"What's Sebastian like?" He asks after a minute of silence.

I exhale slowly. "He's ok, a little chummy with the parents but he's not like them...he's Alpha of his own pack now."

Kage looks at me. "How'd that happen?"

"Daddy dearest got into his head, trained him up, had him challenge some adolescent Alpha that didn't have a clue." I say with a slight shrug.

"Sounds like dad." Kage mutters dryly.

"How'd you end up here?" He asks suddenly.

"It's a long story, I'll tell you tomorrow?" I offer. He nods, glancing around the large simple bedroom.

After saying goodnight, I shut the door and leave him to clean up, knowing he probably hasn't used in a proper shower in a while.

Heading back to my room, I immediately take off the t-shirt and get in the shower. As I tilt my head back under the water, a hard body presses against me, and I smile a little, resting my head on his chest.

His large arms circle my body, hugging me completely, making me feel warm and loved. I love it when he hugs me like this.

"About earlier-"

"No, don't." I immediate sigh.

"I need you to know that I never meant to snap, especially on you of all people. I can't tell you how sorry I am." Hardin says.

Had his voice not cracked slightly, I would have continued telling him it didn't matter. But hearing that brief moment of guilt, pain, for making me feel the way that I did, I know it's hurting him. Hardin doesn't fall much about feelings, I suppose neither of us do, so the fact that he can be real with me right now means so much to me.

"I know, I do." I whisper, wrapping my hands over his, holding onto him.

"I want you to teach me." Hardin breathes quietly against my hair.

Teach him? Frowning, I ask just that. "What do you mean? Teach you what?"

"I don't know how to be gentle, but I want to be, for you." Are the words he says next.

Never in my life, has my heart broken and soared at the same time. Part of me wanted to just cry, and I mean blubber like a baby. I mean, he's so rough and Alpha like, no Alpha would dare consider being gentle. But he is...for me.