Freya and Her Beast Husbands-Chapter 16: Brotherly Chat

Xavier stepped into his office with a towel wrapped around his waist, ignoring his brother, who was lazing around on his leather couch. He moved towards a nearby chest of drawers and pulled out some clothes.

"Could you not get dressed inside the bathroom?" Ethan muttered, turning his head to the window.

Xavier slipped into his clothes, not giving a rat’s ass about modesty. "Learn to knock first and arrive at the right time. You’re five minutes early."

"You should really learn some modesty." Ethan grumbled. He then turned his head and gave Xavier a smirk as he added, "After all, that sight should only be for my dear sister-in-law’s eyes. I wonder what she would think if you go walking around half-naked all the time. Bet it would shock her."

Xavier stopped buttoning up his shirt for a second, closing his eyes for a second and taking a deep breath to calm himself. He knew Ethan was trying to get a rise out of him, like he did with everyone, and it was beginning to work.

"What did I do in my past life to deserve this idiot?" Xavier muttered to himself as he went back to buttoning his shirt.

Ethan leaned back on the couch, putting his hands behind his head. "Must’ve been something really good to be blessed with me by your side."

"Someone’s back to being in a good mood." Xavier scoffed, finishing getting dressed. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Turns out I was just hungry and needed to eat." Ethan replied sarcastically. "Oh and the blood loss didn’t help, but I’m good now. Lunch was great."

Xavier eyed his brother, gazing over at the bandages covering Ethan’s chest. Wilson had got him good with that new system. Although, his youngest brother didn’t really use anything too dangerous.

Shaking his head, Xavier picked up the towel on the floor, tossing it into a laundry basket. He then headed over to where Ethan was, but before he sat down, he grabbed his pack of smokes and lighter, taking a cigarette out.

He was going to need a smoke to get through this conversation.

"So, what did you call me here for then?" Ethan asked. "I’m a busy guy you know, so out with it already."

"Well for one, you need to stay away from Freya." Xavier stated. "I’m not changing my mind about becoming her beast husband, whether you like it or not. And you pull another stunt like earlier I won’t just kick you out of here... I will hand you over to them."

Ethan’s eyes hardened at his brother’s words, that sickening cheerful act he was putting on disappearing for a split second at the threat. Xavier wasn’t playing around, even stooping low to threaten him.

"And what would bring about such a decision?" Ethan spat out, straightening up. "It must’ve been something good that you stooped so low."

"Freya is a guide. High ranking one from the looks of it." Xavier explained. "And it seemed she was living with the Wanderers. I found her outside with a group of them while hunting some monsters... We made a deal. She’s free to do what she wants here and will occasionally use her ability when I need it."

Ethan’s eyes widened at his brother’s explanation, bringing to understand what Xavier was up to. He ran a hand through his bangs and muttered, "Shit..."

"Exactly that, you moron." Xavier leaned back against the couch. "I was in the middle of setting it up and you had to just fuck things up for me. You better pray this doesn’t fall though..."

"Well if it does, then so be it." Ethan shrugged without a bit of worry in him. "If she can’t handle that, then she doesn’t belong here... No matter what kind of deal you make."

"Ethan..." Xavier gave him a pointed look.

"No." Ethan shook his head. "You can make all the deals you want, but you know exactly what can happen. We’ve seen the result of it failing... And I’m not about to let you do that again. Hate me all you like, but I’m not letting that shit happen again."

Xavier bared his fangs before he could stop himself. "I’m not like that beastman!"

"Yet you have his nature." Ethan hissed back. "You can act like you’re in control all the time, but we both know what will happen when you snap. When Wilson and I will have to deal with the aftermath. You think she’d stick around for that..."

Xavier wanted to argue with his brother, but he couldn’t deny some of his words. He knew Ethan was trying to look out for him, in his own twisted way. Even if it was ruining things for Xavier.

Ethan stood up, eyes narrowed. "I hope this works for you, but I don’t think it will. However, you have my word I won’t play any more games. In fact, I think I’ll be heading back to the apartment... It’s for the best."

Xavier let out a sigh, knowing why his brother was getting all angry. He wanted to tell him that he could stay here, but knew it was probably for the best that Ethan left. They’d just land up at each other’s throats.

The best he could get out of him was a promise not to interfere.

"Fine, do what you want." Xavier finally murmured.

"Always do." Ethan gave him a faint smile before going quiet. He then asked, "Have you spoken to Wilson?"

"A bit..." Xavier answered. "He knows the basics and handled it better than you did... I’ll just have to tell Freya to keep away from the West Wing. You know how he is about his space."

"Yeah, these injuries are the result of that." Ethan grumbled. "Speaking of which, you’re going to need to get the entrance room’s window fixed."

"I know..." Xavier ran a hand through his hair. He then added, "Oh before you leave, there’s one thing you need to do."

"Huh, what’s that?" Ethan frowned in confusion.

Xavier gave his younger brother a small smile. "You’re going to apologize for what you did."

"What?! No way! I’m not doing that!"