Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 54759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
His blue eyes finally shifted to Liam.
Some unidentifiable emotion flickered in them before Anthony smiled again. “Li,” he said, his voice quiet and low.
And suddenly Liam’s vision was a little blurry.
This was his brother. His big brother he used to adore as a little boy. He was alive. He was back.
His tablet dropping onto the bench, Liam got to his feet. The next thing he knew, he was striding toward his brother and then Anthony’s arms were around him, Liam’s face pressing against Anthony’s neck.
It felt like coming home. Until now, Liam wouldn’t have claimed to remember what Anthony smelled like, but as he breathed in his fresh, masculine scent, he felt curiously like he had been missing this all his life. Anthony smelled so nice. So wonderful. Toe-curlingly right. Liam felt so safe in his arms. So very good.
A small sound slipped out of his mouth before he could stop it.
He felt Anthony’s firm body stiffen against him, and then Anthony pulled back.
Liam barely stopped the groan of disappointment from escaping his lips, his fingers clutching Anthony’s shirt.
“Hey,” Anthony said, his voice low and kind, but his eyes difficult to read as he gazed at Liam. His thumb brushed against Liam’s cheek, wiping away the wetness. “None of that.”
Liam gave him a weak smile, feeling embarrassed and confused by his uncharacteristically emotional behavior. He was normally good at hiding his emotions. He wasn’t one to cry.
Maybe it was just the relief—the relief that he no longer had to be his siblings’ eldest brother, no longer had to take care of them. Yes, it must have been the relief.
“I’m just glad you’re back,” Liam said with a crooked smile, trying to unclench his fingers from Anthony’s shirt. His fingers didn’t listen to the commands of his brain at all. Fuck, what was wrong with him?
Anthony smiled back and laid his hands over Liam’s. His thumbs stroked his wrists, gently coaxing Liam’s hands to release his shirt.
Flushing, Liam did just that, but Anthony didn’t drop his hands.
“I’m glad to be back, too,” Anthony said, stroking the scent glands on Liam’s wrists gently. Scent-marking him.
It felt…
Liam inhaled unsteadily, unsure why the gesture had shaken him so much. It was normal for the family alpha to scent-mark his siblings or children. It was the most non-invasive form of scent-marking. Perfectly acceptable. And yet it felt nothing like their mother’s scent-marking had felt like: it was comforting, yes, but it was also… satisfying on a completely different level. It made Liam feel like purring and rubbing his cheek against Anthony’s.
“Nephew.”
The cold voice startled him so badly that Liam flinched.
Right. They weren’t alone. Uncle Wayne, Jules and Eric were there, too.
Feeling oddly off-balance, Liam stepped away and turned.
Uncle Wayne had a slight sneer on his face as he gazed at Anthony. “You have changed,” he said, boring a hole in his nephew with his eyes. “You look different.”
“I’m not sixteen anymore,” Anthony said, holding Uncle Wayne’s gaze steadily. “It’s good to see you, Uncle.”
Uncle Wayne looked at him for a long moment before finally extending a hand for a handshake.
Anthony shook his hand as they stared each other down.
Liam exchanged a look with Jules and they both rolled their eyes. Alpha posturing was so ridiculous.
“No offense, but I require proof of your identity,” Uncle Wayne said in a tone that was frankly quite offensive.
“None taken,” Anthony said, reaching into his pocket and retrieving his ID and a document with the seal of the Inheritance Department.
Uncle Wayne studied them for an embarrassingly long time, his lips becoming thinner. Finally, he smiled. “Welcome home, son.”
The smile that stretched Anthony’s lips was about as sincere as Uncle Wayne’s. “It’s good to be home,” he said. “I understand that this situation is rather awkward for you, Uncle. I’m not offended that you aren’t happy to have me back.”
“Nonsense,” Uncle Wayne said, smiling wider. This time his smile looked less forced. “You’re my nephew. Of course I’m happy that you’re alive. As you said, it’s just a little awkward.”
Anthony nodded genially, but his gaze remained sharp and assessing. “Let’s go inside,” he said, stepping forward and somehow managing to lead them into the house he hadn’t lived in for the past fifteen years. Everything about his presence screamed alpha. It made Liam both extremely comfortable and extremely self-conscious. It was so bizarre. He wanted to be closer to Anthony and very far away from him at the same time. He wanted to be wrapped up in his arms again—but the prospect of it made his stomach squirm. It truly was bizarre. He didn’t understand himself.
As if sensing his confusion, Anthony looked back at him, his expression inscrutable. “Everything okay?” he said, glancing down at Liam’s hands before shoving his own into the pockets of his jacket.
Liam nodded with a faint smile, and Anthony cleared his throat a little and looked at Jules.