I was excited to see him as well.
He seemed more muscular and handsome than the last time I saw him. He has grown well.
‘`Thanks for coming to pick me up at the airport even though you said you were tired and jetlagged.’ He appreciated me as he tapped my shoulder.
“I just felt like walking around California since I just came back from the cold winter in England, my furs it’s been screaming for some warmth,” I confessed.
Yeah, that’s right. So cold.
My wolf agreed with me.
“Yeah, wouldn’t you warm your bed with a woman if you felt so cold?’ He teased me.
“Carmine.’ I cautioned. I felt embarrassed. He was so loud.
He laughed. “You changed while you were in England. I see it in you.”
“Yeah, I just shifted into my wolf's form alone and it was amazing doing it. I missed the pack though and the full moon there. I could howl as much as I wanted,” I admitted.
“Yeah, me too, we can’t do that in abroad, that’s why we have a fucking pack here to do whatever we want.” He agreed.
“Have you called Mom?”
He frowned. “Na, I don’t want her to come to pick me up. I want to be alone for a while, not having her lectures or something about me not having a mate.’
Me too. I wanted to be alone or else they might end up bringing Oceana with them and I was not ready to see her at the moment.
“Yeah! By the way, how is London over there?”
“It’s perfect, brother, and I want some food. I’ve been baffling about California steak. You have no clue how I even dream about it in my sleep.” He chuckled, “The ones over there aren’t home.”
“Come on, let’s go have some tasty food. I’ve booked a reservation in a nice, fancy restaurant and a classic hotel. You will love it.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want some local hotel that doesn’t even have an air conditioner and a soft bed,’ He complained.
“Come on, I know what you like and I’m filthy wealthy. Jeez, you will love it.” I chuckled, and we both talked more about the weather, the countries we’d been to, and how amazing it was.
When we first went to the fancy restaurant, Carmine was ordering lots of food, like some beggar who hadn’t had food for a while. I just kept laughing at his hilarious expression. Damn, the dude wouldn’t kill me.
“So, you are taking a day off work, huh?’ I asked.
“Yes, why do you think I came back? I want a fucking vacation, dude. I don’t want to die before my time and besides, Dad texted me and said I should come to see him because he had something important to inform us and, well, I guess I have to go see him. What about you? Did he tell you anything?’
“I saw his text too, and he also wants to see me. I’m wondering what it is.’ I conceded and took a piece of meat from the plate.
“You are getting handsome every day.” He grinned and took another piece of meat.
“Don’t flatter me.’ I laughed.
“So,’ he chewed the last meat in his mouth and drank some water before he began. “Have you heard from Oceana?” He inquired and I just nodded. “Nope!”
“When was the last time you heard from her, brother?’ He coughed a little.
“I haven’t called her in eight years. Mom and Dad kept saying she is doing fine and her coach told me the same thing, how hard she is working and training so hard.” I sighed in relief. “So there’s…there’s no need to call her.’ I continued eating my salad, grabbing a piece of tomato with my fork.
“Are you sure about that?’
“Huh!!’ I snickered.
“You are very handsome, especially with this white hair you got on your head and you can’t hide or fake your expression so easily.’ He smirked and gave me a look that says “ I GOT YOU, YOU CAN’T LIE TO ME, SPILL THE TRUTH”
“Ok, ok.’ I surrendered. “I feel like I made her what she is today, and she is getting married eventually,” I confessed.
“And you are getting married to Emily.” It was more like a statement than a question.
“Yeah,” I replied.
“It isn’t your fault. You are just doing what was the right thing to do.”
“But I hurt her feelings. She loved me so much like a brother, dotted and depended on me. What did I do afterwards? I pushed her away and left her with no one by her side.”
“Mom and Dad are there to protect her. She’s not alone. You did the right thing.’ He muttered.
“It’s not the same thing. This is different.’
“You know what, brother, things don’t always go the way we want in life.’ He advised.
‘She’s only eighteen, and she’s getting married. She’s too young for that.’ I unconsciously played with the fork on my plate.
“Even someone her age gets married these days.’
“Not until when she is eighteen.” I butted in.
“But she is eighteen, dude. I think it’s better that she gets married. That will be better for the clan, and she wouldn’t be lonely anymore and you wouldn’t have to be so worried about her all the time.” He remarked.
“What makes you think she wouldn’t be lonely? What if the Alpha Mom finds for her isn’t good enough? At least I want a man who will treat my sister well, not like some sex tool?’ I argued.
“Are you there with her to know if the Alpha is good or not? Gerard, you can’t judge if the Alpha isn’t good or freaking bad. Oceana will inform our parents and then they will look for someone better than her. Stop grumbling like an old man worrying about his little daughter.’ He took a plate of porridge and a spoon.
“Oceana looks like the type that wouldn’t speak her feelings, no matter what.” I persisted. “She will endure it.’
Why am I getting worried about her?
“Are you blaming yourself and getting apprehensive about her? You are fucking doing the right thing. And she peeped at you while you were doing your thing on that day, which she wasn’t supposed to. I had to put her in her place. Although it wasn’t my intention, I was preventing her from trouble.’ He stated.
I still don’t know why I can’t forget what occurred on that day. No matter how I try to forget it, it stays in my head.
Why today, of all days, do I have to be disturbed about it?