Thor's POV
Even though I might not like it sometimes when Eric disagrees with me over some decisions, I still like the fact that the relationship I have with all of my men is the kind where they're allowed to speak freely and not say what th ey think I would want to hear just to massage my ego.
I honestly didn't like it when he didn't support me concerning when my mate should know about her parents but I know he was being logical because of our future while I was being sentimental. I allowed my emotions to cloud my sense of reasoning. Not that I regret my decision though.
Despite him not supporting me and knowing how crazy he can be sometimes, I still decided to bunk with him for the night instead of choosing an empty room to sleep in
A decision that I would later regret.
Before we retired to bed, we talked about our disagreement. He understood my reasons for wanting to wait before Ash met her parents but he was finally able to convince me to their side and we went back to being best friends again... well until this morning.
The morning started not like every other morning for me. I was still sleeping soundly when I felt someone cuddling up to me on my side of the bed. Maybe I cuddled back at first since I thought it was my mate. I had forgotten at that moment that I wasn't in my bed.
Then it suddenly occurred to me when I realized that the person's essence doesn't smell like my mate. As a matter of fact, it doesn't smell like a female's essence. My eyes flew open then and I saw Eric's head on my arm while one of his arms was thrown casually around my waist.
He was already awake
"Morning babe." He said and puckered his lips, moving his head closer to mine like he wanted to kiss me
My eyes widened with shock
"What the hell!" I panicked and immediately scrambled out of his bed
"Son of a bitch, Eric! What the fuck has come over you!? Are you fucking out of your mind!" I rapidly shouted at him.
Even though I know he is not gay, I still looked at him strangely and wondered, why the hell was he in my arms. Why the hell would he look me in the eyes and call me babe? What the hell has come over my best friend?
It was after a few seconds when my brain became clear of sleep that I was able to see he was smiling broadly. It was the stupid grin he always has on his face whenever he's up to no good.
"I bet you don't know you look beautiful in your sleep, Thor," He says and my mouth falls open out of shock
"Beautiful!? What the fuck man!? What kind of a stupid joke is that!? What if someone walks in and sees you in my... Goddammit, Eric!" I swore at him.
"Well, it wasn't even my fault, so don't chump my head off!" He replies with indifference to my surprise.
"It wasn't your fault!?" I repeated his words in disbelief. "Whose fault is it then that you suddenly started acting like... You know what? Never mind!" I say in dismissal when he opens his mouth to reply to me. I kinda know the next word out of his mouth would only annoy me the more.
I'm no match for Eric whenever he decides to act stupid. I would rather leave his room than dance to his tunes
"Hey! Where are you going? It was just a joke, c'mon man! Don't tell me you took it seriously!" He starts saying when he sees me moving towards the door with the little stuff I brought with me to his room
"You have a stupid sense of humor and I don't want any part of it this morning. Not now when my mate is around. I'll see you at breakfast." I reply before leaving his room.
I can't help but laugh the moment the door closes behind me. God, I don't know how the bastard can get on my nerves and still make me laugh at the same time.
I find an empty room I can use. Since it's already daylight, I first get down for some exercise before hitting the shower. When I finish in the bathroom, I get dressed and then check my emails
I first opened the one from Ella. I remember I told her the previous day to help me get the estimate of everything she helped shop for Ash so I would be able to reimburse Eric for the money he spent.
"Good morning all" I greet everyone at once when I arrive at the breakfast table and they reciprocate.
Ella is already having her breakfast while Victoria and Ash are not at the table yet. Maybe they're still in bed I think before asking Ella
"Is Ash still in bed?"
"I guess. She was still sleeping when I left early to supervise breakfast." She replies
"Oh, and what about Victoria?" I casually ask as I peruse the morning paper. Even though I've now forgiven Victoria because of Ash, I don't think I will be comfortable sitting with her at the breakfast table with my mate. It will be too awkward for me to bear
"Victoria left early too. She wanted to go pick up her mom at Council Yard."
"Oh! We totally forgot about her." Eric says. "Yesterday was nerve-wracking for everyone, no one remembers her."
"It's just for a few hours. I'm sure she wouldn't mind considering how we still save their lives after what her mate did to my family." My dad says grouchily
"Yeah... Oh, I almost forgot, Thor, you transferred some money to my account. What is it for?" Eric turns to me to ask.
"It's for Ash's expenses while at the Penitentiary..."
'I can't get myself to use the word prison.'
"I meant to ask you today since Ella wasn't sure about the accurate amount. Just send me the total amount and I'll make sure..."
He doesn't allow me to finish my sentence before the stupid grin appears on his face again
"What's funny?" I ask with irritation. With that grin on his face, I sort of know the stunt he pulled on me in his room was just a warm-up. He's not done with me yet.
'You, Thor. You are funny... Knowing who you are, I was kinda expecting you to ask me about the money, you know. You're my brother, yet you asked Ella because you knew deep down in you that it wasn't right for you to ask me for such. Isn't that right?"
I chuckle
"It wasn't right for me to ask you for such? Why, though? It was the expenses my mate incurred that you paid for in my absence. Surely I'm expected to reimburse you or am I not?"
"No, Thor! You're not expected to reimburse me for what I did for your mate! Geez! We're brothers, man!
Tell me the meaning of jealousy without mentioning the name, Thor." He dramatically says, rolling his eyes at me and making the people around the table chuckle some more
'God! I'm so going to kill Eric for making me the breakfast table spectacle.' I thought before replying to him
"Now, where did you get that from!? What has jealousy got to do with me reimbursing you, idiot? I'm not jealous. You're just trying to act stupid and make me feel stupid along with you."
My dad and Uncles laughed again while the rest of my men tried to stifle their laughter
"Okay! Yes, you're not jealous. Just like how you were not jealous when I got her a laptop for her birthday, hmn?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," I say before returning my gaze to the newspaper in my hand.
Well, maybe I was a little bit jealous. Isn't that normal? I trust Eric with my mate but I'm sure I'm not the only shifter in this world who feels jealous when their mate relates with the opposite sex.
"See, that's the jealousy I'm talking about written all over your face. I know you can't handle any man being too close to your mate, even if the man is me, can you?..." He says and laughs. He's obviously enjoying himself and I allowed myself to be the topic of his enjoyment.
God, I hate it whenever he's right about something but I just laugh and shake my head at him
"She's my mate and my responsibility Eric, not yours... And hold it!" I interrupt him when I see he's about to say something further.
"Before you say anything else, I hope you've not forgotten who you're talking to?... Do I need to remind you that I am your Alpha and you still have to respect me even if we're brothers?
Or perhaps you need me to beat your ass up for the umpteenth time to jog your memory?" I say with a raised brow. I see with satisfaction as the stupid smile on his face slowly disappears. How I love his reaction anytime I pull rank on him
"Cat got your tongue, Eric?" The seer sneers. "C'mon don't stop, I'm enjoying the show..."
"Shut up, Uncle Leif!" I snap, looking at him with annoyance.
"Yeah shut up, Uncle Leif! Nobody asks for your opinion." Eric adds
He looks at the two of us with surprise. He couldn't have been thinking we were quarreling for real or could he? I wonder.
"Nobody told you never to interrupt or gloat when they're bickering?" My Uncle asked the surprised Seer
"Well, now you know." My dad says, laughing.
"Hey, guys!... Good morning!" My eyes immediately lit up on hearing my mate's voice.
I turn in the direction her voice is coming from and I'm rendered speechless.