Trio of Mates
Chapter 51

What. The. Hell? I thought that Brandon would be ecstatic that he not only had one, but both of the people that he is in love with as his mates.

The Goddess pretty much guaranteed that if we didn’t tell him about the trio beforehand, then he would accept them. Xander and I even came to breakfast this morning specifically to see it happen.

This wasn’t supposed to happen!

I follow Brandon’s heavy running out of the packhouse. He’s nearly to the treeline when I catch up with him.

I grab his shoulder and spin him around to face me. You f*****g idiot!” I scream. What the hell was that?”

But when I see his face, I back off. Tears pour from his eyes. His face is red and blotchy and sobs wrack his frame.

Seeing it’s me, he wraps his arms around me and I just hold him.

I had to Dev,” he says through the great heaving sobs. His sentences are incomplete, his words difficult to understand. I manage to make out “I had to.. good of the pack…annihilate us… couldn’t risk..Dad and your parents..”

Each word comes out in a rush. His breathing is harsh, ragged, and fast.

Rubbing his back, I interrupt him. “Ok, man.

It’s ok. Calm down! You’re gonna hyperventilate. Come on. Let’s sit down.”

I lead him to one of the benches that edge the treeline and we sit. He continues to cry, his head leaning on my shoulder. I try to comfort him as best as I can, rubbing his back, making shushing sounds.

Did you replace him? Xander links.

Yeah. We’re out by the treeline at the front of the packhouse.

What happened? Did he tell you why?

I can’t really understand what he’s saying. He’s crying too hard. Something about it being for the good of the pack.

Sh!t…

You can say that again. Brandon’s sobs have started to subside, but he still hasn’t said anything. As I wait, I continue to link Xander.

How are Charlie and Z?

Inconsolable. They won’t let each other go.

We’ve put them to bed and their mothers are with them. Carl, the former leaders, and I are trying to do damage control with the pack.

What a sh!t show. I rub my face with my hand before placing my head on top of Brandon’s. He takes a great, shuddering breath. Then the sobs stop. He’s calmed down. Let me see if he’ll talk to me. I love you.

I love you. And, Dev… thanks.

For what?

For not rejecting me..for the good of the pack.

I couldn’t, Xander. I need you. I love you. I have since the first time I laid eyes on you.

I love you, too, Dev. More than anything.

I smile and cut the link.

My facial expression quickly changes when l hear and feel Brandon take another deep, shuddering breath. He’s not crying anymore, but his breathing still hitches and he hasn’t moved to dry his face.

I give him a quick squeeze before speaking.

Ready to talk now?”

He hangs his head and shrugs his shoulders. I almost want to giggle. This is the way that he would react as a kid when he had a huge crying fit. But I wouldn’ t get anything if I laughed at him now, so I manage to keep it in.

Come on, Bray. What’s going on?”

He huffs a short laugh. You haven’t called me that since fifth grade.

I smile into his hair. “It seemed like you needed something comforting. Don’t change the subject. Why did you reject Zach and Charlie?

You’ve been in love with them for years.”

He takes another deep breath. I’m afraid that he’s going to start crying again. Instead he sits up, leaning against the back of the bench. He pulls off his shirt, using it to wipe his face. “I had to. The pack needs stability right now.

We’re on the brink of war, even if the other side doesn’t know it yet. We don’t need to give our allies a reason not to remain on our side.

“So, you’re saying that you rejected the only two people that you’ve actually been in love with, the two people that our Mother made for you, because you think we would lose some allies?”

He nods his head, not looking at me.

Brandon, I say this with all compassion and love, you’re a f*****g dumba-ss.”

He lets out a humorless laugh. I sure feel like it right now. “

Didn’t you hear what Lucille said yesterday?

This mating is Goddess ordained. She specifically chose both Charlie and Zak for you.

There are even other trios out there. Look at the Diana pack. There’s gotta be more-

Didn’t you hear what she said about the trios being hunted down and killed?” He looks at me, his face twisted in pain. We would never be safe. The entire pack would be killed, enslaved, or left for rogue if we were defeated. What if our allies scatter once they hear about it? Who would help us? One f*****g pack? It’s not enough, Dev! I can’t..” His voice has steadily risen in volume as he spoke, but his voice breaks here. Tears fall freely from his eyes again, his chest heaving. When he’s able to speak again, his voice is nearly a whisper.

“If I accepted them, it would be like signing their death warrant. I can’t…I can’t do that. I love them too much.” Brandon folds forward, his face buried in hís hands.

Well, sh!t. What do you say to that?

I lean down and scoop him into my arms, allowing him to cry on my shoulder again. I try to come up with soothing words, but there are none. He did this for his love of them. Just as I was willing to give up my position for the love of my mate, he is willing to give up the bond with Charlie and Zak for love of them.