Brothers - 38. Chapter 38

DEVYN

Lenya morning couldn’t come soon enough. A chance to get out of the house, an opportunity to go to school in wolf form, Devyn was overjoyed to finally have things going his way.

“I’m walking with you.”

The wolf stared at his mother in muted horror. He left the house every day to escape her, and now she wanted to walk with them to school?

“Oh don’t give me that look. Dylan is late, I doubt he’s coming,” Margaret said. “Jason has both your lunches. Remember, you’re staying in the WolfRoom all day. I don’t want to hear that you are disrupting class.”

Devyn doubted Dylan would be at school, not after what had happened to his etul. Getting him away from Lysander’s side would be like trying to bite through a bone. But at least Jason was with Devyn. He didn’t see why his mother had to walk him to school.

The neko chose that moment to step out of the kitchen, his bag weighed down with food and his computer. He walked past the wolf, scratching Devyn’s head absently as he pulled out his phone.

“Ready to go?”

“Yes, we are,” Margaret said, bringing a minor look of panic to Jason’s face.

The look vanished an instant later, bland indifference taking its place as the neko opened the front door. Devyn squeezed his large body between his mother and brother, shoving them aside as he bounded out of the house. He exulted in the sense of freedom, brief though it was.

“Devyn! Don’t go running off. The last thing we need is for you to get hit by a car,” Margaret snapped.

The wolf glanced at Jason, a soft whimper escaping him at the neko’s distance. He knew Erith had claimed his brother, and it pissed him off that the elf thought he could own Jason. But Devyn had already come to terms with the situation… as best as he could. His heart was broken, but he would still be by the neko’s side, protecting his brother.

A blue jacket suddenly fell over Jason’s shoulders. Devyn bit back a growl as Erith stepped up beside the neko, the elf wrapping an arm around him.

“Geyn rinyal.” the elf smiled brightly, ruffling the neko’s hair gently. “Mrs. Farin, you don’t have to walk with us if you don’t want to. No one’s going to mess with us, and I’ll make sure your sons are safe.”

Devyn sniffed at the coat, a confused huff escaping him. There was barely any scent on it, just enough to be picked up by another wolf. What was Erith doing? He claimed Jason, shouldn’t the claim be stronger; more proud?

“I think I’ll walk with you,” Margaret said icily. “It’s not that I don’t trust you to have the best intentions for my neko son-”

“I understand. Big scary elf, poor innocent neko,” Erith smirked, walking with his arm around Jason. “I hope in time you can understand I only want what’s best for both Jason and Devyn.”

Devyn sighed quietly as Jason seemed to lean into the elf. Every step they took together seemed to drive a wedge deep into his heart. Why couldn’t Jason walk like that with Devyn? The wolf knew he could make the neko happy. He just needed the chance to try. If he had to share the neko, so be it. But he couldn’t handle being brushed off by his brother.

“Nie werlen Rellanic?” Erith murmured, Devyn’s ears flickering at the sound.

Jason shrugged at the question, his ears swivelling so one was aimed at Margaret at all times.

“I’m going to get both you and Devyn to class, okay? Wait for me after class, I don’t want anything to happen to either of you,” Erith spoke up as they neared the car park.

Jason nodded, as Devyn huffed in annoyance. The wolf was going to be stuck with Dr. Marin all day. There was no point in Erith waiting around for him.

“If you have a problem, message me. I’ll pick you up,” Margaret said as they approached the school.

“I’ll make sure they don’t have any issues,” Erith promised.

Margaret scoffed at the elf. She turned away as soon as they reached the school, heading back home. Erith, Jason, and Devyn all relaxed as the woman left, and the elf pulled away from Jason.

“You didn’t tell me she was going to walk you to school,” he scowled at Jason.

The neko signed back, his response lost on Devyn. The wolf was too busy trying to figure out what was happening. Gone was the cuddly warmth the elf had been showing his brother. Come to think of it, Devyn hadn’t even smelled anything that would make him think Erith was even interested in Jason. He wouldn’t be surprised if his mother had picked up on that either. What game were these two playing?

“I’ll get you to your class first. I’m near the WolfRoom for first period,” Erith said as Jason handed the jacket back to the elf.

Devyn saw it as a clear dismissal of the werewolf’s claim, and he stared at his brother in confusion. If he didn’t want to be claimed by Erith, why hadn’t he indicated it before? This was getting weird.

A hand fell on his back as Jason passed him, the neko scratching his back gently before heading off to his own class.

“Fine, guess it’s just you and me Devyn,” Erith muttered, glancing at the wolf. “I swear, he’s asking for trouble with all of this. You should just claim him and get it over with.”

Devyn grunted in agreement as they walked toward the WolfRoom. Even if he was mated to Erith, Jason could still be mated to Devyn too. But who knew what Margaret would do if the two were actually mated? The thought worried him.

JASON

The day passed with a deceptive slowness. Erith appeared after first and second period, acting as Jason’s personal bodyguard. It was ridiculous, nothing was going to happen. And yet Jason had to admit he felt better having someone to walk with. Erith seemed happy enough with their arrangement. After all, the elf was getting the chance to spend more time with Devyn. Or that’s how it was supposed to work. Though Erith seemed a little uncertain about the wolf himself. Almost like he wanted to be with Devyn, but at the same time, he wanted nothing to do with him beyond friendship. Maybe it was because he was an elf, and he didn’t want to mate with someone who would die nearly a century before him. Either way, his behaviour was confusing.

Third period was the worst class by far. So many elves staring at him, accusing glares peppering him as he listened to Halor’s lecture. He was near the front of the line to flee the room when the class ended, but a call from Halor stopped him.

“Jason, can I have a word with you?”

Ears twitching in worry, the neko returned to the front of the room as elves filed out through the door.

“Relax, you’re not in trouble,” Halor said.

Jason still flinched as the door closed, leaving him alone with the elf.

“You still have a lot of work to make up from when you were out of school. I know you’re a bright person, and there’s no doubt you could easily catch up.

The elf stepped around Jason, and the neko spun quickly, keeping him in his eyesight. Halor let out a sigh.

“Look, I have nothing against you. I’m not about to attack you over something the dowager did. I’m just trying to help you Jason.”

Halor’s hand reached out, patting the neko gently on the shoulder.

“I’m sure we can come to a suitable arrangement regarding the missing work.”

Jason couldn’t help it. This was how so much porn started. He took a step away from the elf, and then another, until he felt the hard wall behind him.

Halor seemed to catch his mistake, and hastily worked to fix it.

“Let me rephrase that. I think you can help me. All of your work is well done to this point, and I think you could be of great use in teaching some of the other students. Do you know Dylan Ethis?”

Jason nodded warily, wide eyes staring at Halor.

“He is struggling in the class, and I gave him an offer to be tutored after school. I think you could help him out a lot.”

The elf stepped toward him, a small smile on his face.

“I’m sure he could use a little more practice. I’m committed to seeing my students succeed in school, and I would appreciate your help. I’m willing to drop the final project for you. I know it’s a little difficult for someone in your position to give an oral presentation.”

No wonder Dylan had been upset after second period on Urdya. If Jason was failing the class, he’d be upset too. But the neko couldn’t stop the feeling that there was something else going on here.

‘Is it just Dylan and I?’ he demanded.

Halor frowned at his hands, nodding.

“No one else seems to be struggling as much as him.”

The door opened suddenly, Jason glancing over Halor’s arms at Erith. He felt a rush of relief at the sight of the other elf. Halor glanced at the intruder, before turning back to Jason.

“If you’re interested, stop by after school-”

“Jason, step away from him,” Erith growled.

The neko flinched at the elf’s tone, ducking around Halor. The older elf frowned at them, his eyes focusing on the sniffling werewolf

“I don’t believe you’re in any of my classes-”

Erith crossed the room in an instant, slamming Halor back against the wall. An arm pressed over the elf’s neck, and Jason scrambled back, a silent yelp escaping him.

“If you’re going to be ballsy enough to go after a neko in a school full of werewolves, you might as well ask him to suck your dick in front of everyone else,” Erith snarled. “The only reason you’re still in one piece right now is because I don’t want to deal with cleaning the blood of a pedophile off my hands.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Halor blustered. “I never intended to do anything with him!”

“Save it for someone without a nose.”

Erith grabbed the elf by the back of the neck, pushing him toward the door. Jason stepped aside hurriedly, his heart pounding in his chest. He followed the two out of the room.

“Jason, go to the WolfRoom and stay there. I have a castration to handle,” Erith growled.

The neko frowned at the elves as they walked.

‘He didn’t do anything, Erith.’

The werewolf snorted.

“Yeah, because we should wait for everyone to commit the crime before going after them. You didn’t smell his fucking scent.”

“I was thinking about my wife-” Halor protested.

“While alone in a room with a seventeen year old neko? Now why the fuck would you do something like that?” Erith sneered.

Halor flinched as he was knocked into a wall.

“Oh, sorry, I was thinking of someone else,” Erith said. “Jason, I’ll deal with this. Go find Devyn. I think he’s still upset about this morning.”

The neko shuddered, trying to figure out if he should follow them or head to Devyn. If the wolf didn’t get his lunch soon, he would get suspicious. And that was the last thing they needed. Sighing, Jason turned away from the two, directing his steps toward the WolfRoom. He wanted to trust Erith, but Halor hadn’t come onto him. He was uncomfortable, but nothing had actually happened.

There really was only one person who might be able to clear this up, but Dylan hadn’t come to school. And Jason had to wonder if it was because of his etul, or something worse.

DEVYN

The wolf paced back and forth as he waited for his brother. The bell chimed nearly ten minutes ago. It didn’t take that long to get from third period to the WolfRoom. Was Jason okay? Had something happened?

“Hey Devyn, you want to chase the ball?”

Devyn’s body spun toward the boy, Blake nearly dropping the ball from shock. He wanted to chase the ball. There was nothing more important in the world than that blue ball in the human’s hands. The wolf stretched out into a play bow, whimpering his desire for the ball.

And then the door opened, and the scent of a worried neko filled the room.

Instantly the ball was forgotten. Devyn whirled back toward the door, leaping at his brother. Jason dodged his assault nimbly, and the wolf slammed into the door.

“Devyn, calm down.” Dr. Marin scolded.

The ball bounced off the door, and the wolf’s head snapped between the rolling toy and his brother, torn between desires.

“Blake, don’t be rude,” Dr. Marin frowned, gathering the ball. “How would you like it if you had to choose between ice cream or cuddling?”

The human deflated, crawling into a wolf bed. Devyn was too busy sniffing at his brother to notice, trying to figure out why Jason was upset. The neko’s hands were signing, and Devyn heard a sharp inhale from Dr. Marin.

“Okay, I’ll be right there. Go ahead and get comfortable here,” the man said, heading for the door.

Devyn whimpered as Marin left, wondering why he couldn’t help instead. Whatever was happening, he was supposed to protect Jason, not Dr. Marin. Licking at the neko’s hand nervously, the wolf’s whimpers grew as Jason turned away from him.

His brother reached into his bag, pulling out a bag filled with meatloaf. Heading into a closet, Jason pulled out a bowl, pouring the meat into it before setting it on the ground. Only then did he rub Devyn’s head.

The wolf grumbled under his touch, trying to get Jason’s hand over an itch he had a hard time scratching himself. His head lowered a moment later and within a minute, lunch was gone.

Jason dropped into a bed, Devyn joining him as soon as he finished his food. The neko’s scent was filled with worry, fear even, and it made the wolf upset. He curled up in his brother’s lap, gently licking the neko’s arm.

Blake stood in front of the two, watching them uncertainly. His uncertainty mixed with Jason’s fear, the smell only adding to Devyn’s discomfort. With a silent huff, Devyn adjusted himself, making room for the human. Blake didn’t need more of an invitation; the twelve year old crawled into the bed with them and curled up between Devyn and Jason.

By the time the bell chimed again, Jason seemed to be feeling better. His entire left arm was a slobbery mess from Devyn’s licking, but the neko didn’t seem to mind too much. Even better, Jason smelled like Devyn again. If Erith wasn’t going to protect his brother and keep everyone away from him, Devyn would do it instead. He was supposed to be the neko’s true mate anyway. Besides, the elf didn’t seem to want much to do with Jason. Which made Devyn wonder, why had the elf claimed him? What was he doing with Devyn’s brother? And why did Jason seem okay with a werewolf who didn’t seem to want him back?

These questions haunted the wolf as he trudged out of the WolfRoom. He had work today, and it meant he would miss gym and cooking. But he would have missed cooking anyway.

Devyn was feeling a little drained as he climbed onto the bus in front of the school. To his surprise, Erith joined him in the bus, the elf frowning at the sight of the wolf.

“Hey Devyn. I didn’t know you worked too,” he said cautiously.

Devyn huffed quietly as he was strapped into his harness.

“It’s cool you found something to do in wolf form.”

The wolf yawned, his eyes staring out the window as the bus started moving. Anything to avoid looking at the elf who was supposed to be chasing his brother.

“You know it’s fake, right? I’m only doing this because Jason asked.”

That startled him. Jason wanted Erith? But his brother had agreed that they were mates. Why would he be chasing another wolf?

“I know, it’s confusing,” Erith sighed, his nose wriggling slightly at the wolf’s scent. “I think it’s because of your mom. She doesn’t really seem that… nice.”

Nice? Not at all. But what did Margaret being mean have to do with Jason dating Erith? Were they going to fuck? Was Jason trying to get turned? It made no sense. If his brother wanted to be a wolf, why didn’t he ask Devyn? The wolf would have done anything to help Jason.

“But anyway… you two are free to use my place. It’s not much, but there’s… space in the basement.”

The elf’s scent flickered sharply, disgust peppering the burning scent of anger that had been filling the air, and Devyn sneezed suddenly, trying to get rid of both smells. Whatever was in the basement, Erith did not like it. But he wanted them to come over? Why?

Devyn almost wished he was in human form. He had so many questions for the elf. There was so much he didn’t understand, and the short ride to the therapist’s office did nothing to clarify the situation.

It was made even more confusing when Erith got off the bus with him. The elf looked at the wolf warily, a note of fear in his scent.

“It’s… just a job, like you, right?” he said quickly, heart thumping in his chest.

Devyn snorted, stepping up to the automatic doors. He passed into the building, heading into Dr. Aster’s office.

“Good afternoon Devyn. Are you going to be in wolf form today?” the elven woman asked with a smile.

He nodded, tensing slightly as the door opened behind him again. Erith was following him into the office? The only reason for that was if he was here to see Dr. Aster.

Things were about to get very interesting.