With Caution

his eyes unblinking. He stood there staring for several seconds, then a slow smile crept over his lips. “That is so freaking cool.”
    Getting up from the love seat, Jake knelt beside Remi and stroked his fur. When Sterling came forward, Jake moved back, allowing Sterling to touch Remi.
    Rhys stood perfectly still, but Remi wasn’t fooled. He was beginning to realize that Rhys was ready for anything. As if Remi would harm his brother. But then, since they’d found him a few hours ago, Rhys wasn’t being exactly logical where Sterling was concerned.
    Oh man. That’s when it hit Remi. Sterling was Rhys’ mate. Rhys acted like Jake did in regards to Remi. He was overprotective.

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    Petting Remi’s fur, Sterling dropped to his butt and looked Remi in the eye. He touched Remi’s nose. “Remi?” Scrunching up his nose, Sterling grabbed Remi’s face in both hands and looked at him. “It is you, isn’t it?” Sterling started laughing and launched himself at Remi, wrapping his arms around Remi’s neck and nearly knocking him to the ground.
    Letting out the breath he’d been holding, Remi lapped at his brother’s cheek. He should’ve known Sterling wouldn’t freak. Hell, he should have known Sterling would think it was cool.
    “I’ve always wanted a dog.” Laughing harder, Sterling ruffled the fur on the top of Remi’s head.
    Jake and Rhys both groaned. One of them mumbled, “Wolf not dog,” but Remi would have laughed if he’d been able. Sterling was taking this very well. Much better than Remi had. Remi had fainted when he’d found out. That still chafed at his ego.
    Suddenly, the laughter ceased and Sterling’s arms disappeared from around his neck.
    “You asshole.” Sterling shoved him hard, nearly knocking him down, then his brother jumped to his feet.
    Stumbling sideways, Remi tried to figure out what the hell had happened.
    Jake was there instantly, putting himself between Remi and Sterling. “Sterling?”
    “No.” Walking to Jake’s side, Sterling glared at Remi and pointed his finger. “You didn’t tell me. How could you keep something like this from me?” His face grew red with anger. “You lied to me, Remi! This is where you’ve been. Hunting, my ass.” Scoffing, he turned away.
    Remi changed back so fast he got dizzy and would have fallen if Jake hadn’t caught him. Whoa. Clutching his mate’s arms for a minute, he tried to get his bearings.
    “Slow down, pup. He’s had a shock.” Jake tipped his chin and kissed him.
    Easy for you to say. Remi let himself lean into the kiss for just a second before letting Jake go. “Sterling, we couldn’t tell you. Would you have believed us?” He felt a little on the ridiculous side, having this conversation naked. Where were his fucking clothes?
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    With Caution
    Rhys was talking to Sterling, trying to get him to understand.
    “What is the world coming to? What is with all the damn lies? First Mom lies then—
    ” Sterling stopped. “Oh God.” He looked around, suddenly frantic. “Where is it?”
    Remi froze. “Where’s what?”
    Sterling started lifting couch cushions. Running to Rhys, he grabbed his arms and tugged. “Where is it? Where’s the book?”
    “What book?” Jake asked, handing Remi his jock and jeans.
    “The diary.” Sterling jerked on Rhys’ arms again. “Where is the diary?”
    Rhys untangled his forearms from Sterling’s grasp. “Shh… Calm down. I got it, it’s in my car. Let me go get it.” He headed for the front door and Jake followed, standing at the door watching as Rhys went out.
    As soon as he jerked on his jock and jeans, Remi went to his brother. “Sterling?”
    He blinked at Remi. “I found it in my nightstand today with a piece of paper between the pages. She must have put it there.”
    Rhys came back in with a leather-bound book, and Jake locked the door behind him.
    Racing over to Rhys, Sterling snatched the book and began thumbing through it.
    “She claims that Dirk killed someone.” He stopped and frowned at Remi. “Did you have a friend named Billy?”

    * * *

    “I don’t like him going with Rhys.”
    Jake sat on the edge of his bed, feeling tired to the bone. What a day. “I know you don’t, but it’s better than him being here. If Dirk comes here with the police to get him back, he’s shit out of luck.”
    Remi dragged his hands through his hair. “I know, but—” Wincing when he hit a