Chapter 160: The Chaos in Corridors
Kieran:
Oscar’s head was lowered slightly, hands resting inside his jacket pockets, but his stance was firm. Steady.
He wasn’t going to tell us who his mate was.
Not yet.
"I’m not hiding her forever," he spoke after a moment, his voice softer now. "When she’s ready to meet the family, I’ll bring her to you. Until then, I just want to enjoy this... without judgment, pressure, or any sort of interference. I know what I’m asking for. But I also know I have never asked for much from either of you."
He was right. Oscar had always been the golden boy. Our second youngest. He never complained, never rebelled, always carried his share of the family burden with more grace than anyone his age should be expected to.
And now he was simply asking to be left alone with the one person who finally made him feel whole.
I stepped forward first, unable to suppress the smile tugging at my lips. I pulled him into a hug, not the kind of stiff embrace that passed as masculine among most shifters, but a real one, like the big brother I was.
"I’m happy for you," I said, thumping his back before letting go. "You are lucky, Oscar. Most of us are still waiting to find our mates... Don’t take it for granted. Cherish her."
He gave me a small, grateful smile, one that barely reached his eyes but still meant something. I turned with him toward River, who had yet to say a word. His jaw was locked, eyes unreadable, and he was tapping his fingers against his folded arms.
"River," I said, calling his name when he didn’t respond.