Bailey Bradford - Southwestern Shifters 07 - Revolution (18 page)

“You aren’t a lost cause, Wes. I do know some of what has happened to you. Your grandmother is a good friend of mine.” Remus held up a finger when Wes started to talk. “But I am no one to judge another. That is not my place, and besides, I know a good person— which you are, despite your fears otherwise—is harder on themselves than anyone else could be.” He leant down and whispered, “Who are you truly angry with?”
And despite his earlier claims, Wes knew the truth, and it scared him to his core. “Me.” Because if he hated himself, then what was the point to his existence?
“And many people love you,” Remus said quietly. “You have little faith in yourself. We will start there, perhaps.” He stood and Wes found himself pulled to his feet by the surprisingly strong old man. “Come. Let us get you to neutral ground.”
“Neutral ground?” Sully sputtered. “What does that mean? I’m not the enemy!”
Remus nodded. “Indeed you aren’t, but nor are you his friend.”
Neither Sully nor Bobby argued, although Bobby glowered. But Wes knew Remus was right. Sully wasn’t his friend just then. The two years since he’d moved away and hooked up with Bobby had eradicated most of the bond he and Wes had shared when they’d been younger.
“In time, you two can repair the damage done. For now, give me and Wes a few days, then perhaps, rather than having him stay in the house, you should trust him with the garage apartment and some privacy.” Remus didn’t wait for an answer, he simply turned and steered Wes outside. “Family means well, but they do not always know how to help. Indeed, they can make things so much worse.”
Did it make him a traitor to agree? Wes slanted the old shaman a look and saw only kindness in his eyes. “Yeah, I guess. I didn’t make it easy to help me, either.”
Remus made that humming sound again before he spoke. “Yes, but there is too much anger and hurt between you and your brother.”
“It’s just me,” Wes clarified. He felt so tired, and his muscles, what there were of them, were weak as if he’d worked out for hours. “It’s just me.”
“No.”
Wes almost stumbled at the forcefulness and certainty that one little word conveyed.
Remus stopped and Wes looked everywhere but at him. His brother and Bobby lived right on the outskirts of the pack property. There were mesquites and drought-dead grass, cactus and grass burrs all over. It was kind of pretty in a desolate way.
“You do not want to hear me, or believe what I say. You love your brother and want to keep idolising him, except you cannot. He failed you and it broke your heart.”
“It did not.” Wes had meant it to come out adamant, angry, even but his protest sounded feeble.
Remus peered at him with those eyes and Wes would have sworn the man could see right into his thoughts. Remus seemed to know him better than Wes knew himself. “It isn’t uncommon to idolise our older brothers. We measure ourselves by their standards, and want their approval and love. We want to be everything they are to us, but what we fail to realise is that they too are only human.” Remus’ lips quirked. “Or shifter, as the case may be. Still, they make mistakes, and they hurt people, and often it is the people who worship them that get hurt.”
Wes could deny it, but he’d be lying again. He wondered, though. “You have an older brother?”
Remus nodded. “Two. Both alive, in case you are wondering. I’m not as old as you might think.” He grinned and it was rather disconcerting to realise the old man was attractive with that long white hair and distinguished features. “Surprised you, no?”
Wes nodded dumbly, snapping shut his mouth. He’d not realised he was gawping until the breeze dried his mouth out.
Remus laughed, a rich, warm sound that encouraged anyone around to join in. “I get that often, as do my brothers. We are from a generation that spent most of our lives outside, and sunscreen was unheard of.”
“Would shifters really need it?” Wes asked, curious even though it was probably s dumb question, considering everything they’d discussed.
Remus nodded. “Oh yes. We cannot get many diseases, it’s true, but cancer is one that can kill us as surely as it can a human. While I’ve only known of one shifter to die from melanoma, it can happen. We have more protection against the sun’s damage, but too much can still damage us. I am probably sun-proofed, like a piece of worn leather.”
“Huh.” Wes hadn’t ever been accused of being a chatter box, or a brilliant conversationalist, and he obviously wasn’t going to start being one now.
“I can only keep you with me for a few days, then there will be someone coming who must be assured of his safety. But I think, in those few days, you and I can make some grand progress.” Remus tilted his head and gestured for Wes to walk. “If you will be honest with yourself and me. You do want to get better, don’t you, Wesley?”
Did he? Or would he rather run away and lose himself, and his leopard, and, eventually, his life?
Wes had decisions to make, the first one being whether or not he was going to grow up instead of being a churlish brat. Yes, Sully had hurt him, but would he let that be the focus of everything in his world? Or would he make himself into a better man, one he liked and others might, someday, admire?

A native Texan, Bailey spends her days spinning stories around in her head, which has contributed to more than one incident of tripping over her own feet. Evenings are reserved for pounding away at the keyboard, as are early morning hours. Sleep? Doesn’t happen much. Writing is too much fun, and there are too many characters bouncing about, tapping on Bailey’s brain demanding to be let out.

Caffeine and chocolate are permanent fixtures in Bailey’s office and are never far from hand at any given time. Removing either of those necessities from Bailey’s presence can result in what is know as A Very, Very Scary Bailey and is not advised under any circumstances.

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