Paws for Change by Charlie Richards

phone to his ear, waiting. It only took one ring.
    “Dillan? Is that you?”
    Dillan grinned widely. “Of course, it’s me. Who else would be calling you from my phone?”
    “Well, you took a complete stranger home. Diana said he looked like he was strung out on drugs. I was worried!”
    “I did not!” Diana’s muffled cry could be heard in the background. “I never said that!”
    “You said he looked like he was strung out,” Edwin snapped, obviously no longer talking to Dillan. “That means drugs.”
    “No, it doesn’t,” Diana responded. “Sorry, Dillan!”
    “It’s fine,” Dillan replied, shaking his head. “Edwin, focus.”
    Edwin huffed. “Well? What’s this about him being your mate? Did she at least get that right?” he snarked.
    “Edwin,” Dillan growled in warning. “Tell me what’s really bothering you.”
    Sighing, Edwin muttered, “I haven’t seen you in six years. You show up, say you’re going to spend a few days with me, then disappear again.”
    “I’ve missed you, too, Edwin,” Dillan murmured. “Now, get your head out of your ass and be happy for me.”
    Dillan heard a masculine snort in the background which he guessed was Byron. It seemed Edwin’s mate was in the room with him, now...or too. Dillan had no idea if Diana had left.
    Edwin remained quiet for a few seconds, then he mumbled, “I’m sorry, Godfather.”
    “You’re forgiven,” Dillan responded.
    It was an old custom. One they’d used many times over the years as Dillan raised Edwin...on both sides. If one of them did something thoughtless and stupid, the other person could call them to the carpet on it. If no harm was done and the first person apologized, then the second would accept the apology. Then, they could both move on with a clean slate. No grudges.
    “So, tell me about this guy?” Edwin urged. “Byron hadn’t recognized him. Who is he?”
    “His name is Derek Sommers,” Dillan replied without hesitation. Once his shifter secret was out to his godson, they hadn’t hidden anything from each other. “He is new in town, my guess having just arrived since he hadn’t even found a hotel room, yet. He’s in the midst of some kind of, well—” He paused, wondering how much he should actually share, since it wasn’t his story. Finally, he decided it was safe to say, “I think there’s some family problems. His father’s a bigot.”
    “Wait. Did you say Sommers?”
    Dillan nodded, even though he knew Edwin couldn’t see it. “He says he has a brother in town. One that had been kicked out of the family,” he told Edwin. “I’m thinking he’s trying to figure out how to make amends.”
    “Deke,” Edwin mumbled.
    “What?” Dillan scowled, confused. “No, Derek.”
    “No,” Edwin countered. “ Deke Sommers is mated to the wolf shifter Luther. Word around the pack is that he has an estranged brother.” His tone took on a speculative quality, his analytical mind probably going at full speed. “What do you want to bet your Derek is the brother?”
    My Derek.
    Dillan liked the sound of that.
    “Hmmm,” Dillan mused. “That very well could be. He’s finishing up a shower and then heading back to sleep right now.” Hearing his stomach rumble, he realized that, once again, he’d forgotten to cook food. “Damn.”
    “Uh, what’s wrong?”
    “Oh, I’d just planned to cook for him and got a little distracted,” Dillan admitted. “I wonder if he wants something before going to sleep.”
    “Maybe soup or a grilled cheese,” Edwin teased.
    Dillan chuckled. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea. Look, we’ll need to pick up his car tomorrow. Why don’t we meet you tomorrow for breakfast?”
    “We? You want to introduce him to us already?”
    “Actually,” Dillan began, an idea forming. “Would Byron be willing to contact his pack-mate Luther and set up a surprise meeting at the diner? Well, it’ll be a surprise for Derek, anyway,” he continued, thinking out loud. “I