Learning to let him choose

(Jaxon) Greyson's eyes went straight to Christian when we returned. I gave him a look before he could ask what we'd talked about. Mason seemed to understand and kept his attention on the table in front of him. Christian stopped beside us without anyone telling him where to stand. “What were you two talking about?” Of course Greyson couldn't help himself. Christian looked at me, and I could see the amusement returning to his face. I wasn't going to tell my brothers about the dating question. Shylo had already reacted badly enough for all three of us. “None of your business.” Greyson stared at me. Mason looked up from what he was doing. I knew both of them would bother me about it later. They weren't getting anything out of me. “It involved me, didn't it?” Christian laughed beside me. Greyson immediately looked at him. I could practically see the questions forming in his head. Christian saved me from having to answer. “Maybe.” Greyson looked between us. I knew he hated not knowing what we'd discussed. Mason seemed curious too, but at least he knew when to leave something alone. Greyson had never learned that skill. Micah walked past carrying a box of decorations. Christian watched him for a second before going over to help. Landon was near the pack house taking down some of the things from the party. Dad was with him while Father stood nearby talking to a few pack members. I watched Christian take the box from Micah. He looked better than he had when we'd found him in the forest. Seeing him laugh again helped. Shylo agreed, although he was still angry about Christian asking if he could date someone. ‘Let it go.’ ‘No.’ ‘He said he wasn't planning to date.’ ‘He shouldn't have asked.’ I ignored him. Shylo could complain as much as he wanted. Christian wasn't ours yet, no matter how badly my wolf wanted him to be. That meant we didn't get to control him. Mason moved beside me. He watched Christian too. Greyson had gone to help Father with something, leaving the two of us alone. I already knew Mason had questions. “What did he say?” I looked at him. There was no point pretending I didn't know what he meant. Mason wouldn't believe me anyway. I decided to give him part of the truth. “He doesn't hate us.” Mason's eyebrows lifted. Apparently, that was better news than he'd expected. I couldn't blame him after what happened earlier. Christian running away hadn't exactly made any of us confident. “That's something.” I nodded. Christian and Micah were laughing about something now. Landon looked over at them and shook his head. I wondered what Micah had done this time. “He's willing to give us a chance to prove we can stop being overbearing.” Mason looked toward Greyson. I followed his gaze. Greyson was still watching Christian while pretending to listen to Father. This was going to be harder for him than either of us. “Greyson's screwed.” I laughed. Mason wasn't wrong. Greyson had spent years checking where Christian was and who he was with. Getting him to stop wasn't going to happen easily. “He'll learn.” Mason didn't look convinced. I wasn't completely convinced either. Still, Greyson cared about Christian enough to try. Christian returned carrying an empty box. He stopped in front of us and looked between me and Mason. I knew he was wondering what we'd been talking about. I smiled before he could ask. “Talking about you.” Christian rolled his eyes. He put the box on the table beside Mason. I expected him to walk away again, but he stayed. That didn't go unnoticed by either of us. “I figured.” Mason picked up the box. Christian reached for another one before Mason could stop him. I nearly told him we'd handle it, but I caught myself. He didn't need us deciding whether he could carry a box. We spent the next several minutes helping everyone clear the remaining decorations. Nobody mentioned mates or Christian's wolf. It almost felt like a normal birthday again. After everything that had happened, normal wasn't bad. Micah disappeared inside with Landon while Father and Dad remained outside. Christian stayed with us. Every now and then, I caught him looking at one of us. He always looked away when he realized I'd noticed. Greyson eventually joined us again. He reached for the box Christian was carrying. Christian immediately moved it away from him. I knew exactly what was coming. “I can carry it.” Greyson stopped. His hand dropped back to his side. A few hours ago, he probably would've taken it anyway. This time, he didn't. “I know.” Christian looked surprised. I was too. Mason covered his mouth, but I knew he was trying not to laugh. Greyson noticed. “Don't start.” Mason lowered his hand. He didn't say anything. That somehow made it funnier. I turned away before Greyson caught me laughing too. Christian carried the box inside himself. Greyson watched him go but didn't follow. I moved beside my brother and bumped my arm against his. “Look at you learning.” Greyson glared at me. I grinned back at him. Mason finally laughed behind us. Greyson looked ready to regret having brothers. Christian returned before Greyson could respond. He looked between the three of us. Whatever he saw made him suspicious. “What happened?” I pointed at Greyson. He immediately gave me another warning look. That only made me want to tell Christian more. “Greyson just discovered you can carry a box without his help.” Christian laughed. Greyson looked annoyed, but I could tell he wasn't actually angry. Even he had to know he deserved that one. Christian walked past him and patted his arm. “I'm proud of you.” Mason laughed again. I joined him. Greyson stared after Christian like he couldn't believe what had just happened. I liked this. There was no crying. Nobody was arguing about fate. Christian wasn't trying to escape us. We were teasing each other like we used to before everyone became obsessed with what would happen when he turned eighteen. Maybe we'd forgotten how much Christian needed that from us. He didn't need every conversation to be about becoming our mate. He needed us to still be Greyson, Mason, and Jaxon. Christian grabbed another box. This time, none of us offered to carry it for him. He noticed, judging by the look he gave us. Then he smiled. Father called Greyson over from across the clearing. Greyson went without asking Christian where he was going next. Mason picked up another box and followed Christian inside. I stayed where I was for a second. Shylo was quiet again. ‘What?’ ‘He's happier.’ I looked toward the pack house. Christian and Mason had disappeared through the door. Hearing Shylo admit it made me realize how different Christian seemed when we weren't pushing him. ‘Yeah.’ ‘We can do this.’ I smiled to myself. Shylo and I completely agreed on this. Giving Christian space didn't mean disappearing from his life. It meant letting him come to us too.