Nodding, I swallowed the lump in my throat while I debated how to broach this new information with my baby brother. Would he be happy we have more family, or would he feel jealous? He hasn’t had to share my love for most of his life, so I wasn’t sure how he would react. I didn’t want him to fear he’d be left out. Snow made sure he knew the shifters would never leave him behind, but would Jax’s parents do the same? I couldn’t think of them as grandparents, because it made my heart ache. On one side, they might love us. On the other, we might remind them that their children are dead, and they may despise us for it.
My feet found their way to the kitchen on their own while my eyes took in the homey mansion. Jaxy definitely decorated it in a way meant to put me at ease. There weren’t any grand shows of wealth. Just wood floors that needed some dusting, comfortable-looking sofas under dust sheets, and several paintings that were also protected from the ravages of time. The color scheme was warm, with dark brown wood and light brown accents. Some walls were a dusty orange, which made me chuckle, while others were white. There were a few light blue ones too, and the kitchen was a light gray. What made me pause, however, was the dusty orange handprint on the white dining room wall. It was right beside the table, and tears filled my eyes when I saw it. I could almost picture a tired Jaxy grabbing a bottle of water for a drink and forgetting he had paint on his hand. The scowl on his lips, followed by the shrug and laughter, caused a few tears to fall, and I cursed my vivid imagination.
Brushing the paint, I sniffled and wished I could remember the man who went so far out of his way to take care of me. He bargained with a witch to become a ghost, for fuck’s sake. I wanted to remember what it felt like to bask in his love and return it wholeheartedly. That I couldn’t hurt so much, and the lump in my throat made it hard to swallow.
“You once told him you loved him more than cookies, which was high praise. Hell, you even shared your cookies with him, albeit only once. But that’s only because Jax often tried to steal them because he loved when you scowled. I admit your scowls were adorable. Setting this house up for you was his greatest joy. Jax hoped you would live here and find happiness, and was proud to create a haven for his beloved niece,” Ryker offered in a tender voice. My breath shuddered past my lips, but I kept from bawling.
“This is your house now?” Matty asked quietly, and I nodded after a moment. “Cool. I like it.”
“I do too, bud,” I replied honestly, my voice wavering from emotion. He looked tired but pleased to be awake. “I have some people I need to meet later. They are Jax’s parents. Jax is the one who left us this place, and he was our uncle.” Matty’s eyes widened, and I tried to smile but couldn’t quite manage. “Dakota here,” I added as the teenager entered the dining room with a bowl of cereal and a slight wave, “is our cousin.”
“So, these people you will meet are our relatives?” Matty asked, his expression unreadable. I couldn’t get any emotions from him either, which made me swallow nervously. Usually, I could read Matty with ease, but he shut me out. “Would you be all right if I sat this one out? I don’t want to meet them yet.”
“Why?” I asked. I mean, I knew Ryker wanted Matty to stay behind, but I didn’t care. I wanted to know how he felt.
“Because you will be the startling one,” Matty answered in a voice devoid of emotion. His blank expression caused icy fingers of fear to wrap around my heart. What did he know that I didn’t?
“Matty?” I asked quietly, and he smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Someone from mom’s side of the family found me at school. I know something you don’t, and I don’t want to be there when you learn it,” he replied. I sensed some of what he fought so hard to hide and shook my head before pulling him from his chair.
“You listen to me, little boy,” I growled sternly, and he flinched. “I don’t care what I learn or who I am related to, nothing will ever change that you’re my little brother. Even if they tell me you and I aren’t related by blood, I don’t give a flying fuck. You are my little brother, and always will be.” With that, I kissed his forehead, ruffled his hair, and returned him to his breakfast. I fear that might be the case, that I come from elsewhere. Which would explain why father always resented me so much if I wasn’t his. Still, I didn’t care. Matty would always be my brother.
Sniffling, Matty returned to eating his breakfast, only now the relief pouring off of him was palatable. Sighing, I walked into the kitchen only to be handed a plate with a few icing covered pastries by Riff and brightened. “Ryker got bored and picked up a few supplies. So, we have milk and your weakness,” Riff declared with a slight grin before shoving a doughnut into his mouth. Smiling, I ate my breakfast while Riff continued to eat doughnuts, laughing evilly when Char tried to take one.
Their squabbling eased my nerves about school, and I chuckled while watching their antics. Matty looked amused too, seeming to relax. Shaking his head, Dakota announced it was time to leave for school since we had a longer commute from this house. Arctic cleared his throat to declare he was coming with us and would stick to me all day.
