Free Hagen, Lynn - Maverick's Mate [Brac Pack 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) by Lynn Hagen Page B

own decisions.” Maverick watched as Hawk whispered to his mate. Being a Timber wolf, he had exceptional hearing. “It’s okay, pretty baby. That’s Cecil’s boyfriend.” Hawk kissed Johnny’s temple.
    Maverick’s heart warmed at the frail man in the Commander’s arms. “Johnny, I need you to tell me if you want to stay with Hawk or go with your brother. Whatever you decide, I’ll make sure it happens.” Maverick got down on one knee, trying to remove his towering height as a factor from Johnny. If he wanted to stay with Hawk, he wasn’t going to have the skinny — holy shit, he was as thin as a corpse — man intimidated.
    “Hawk.” Johnny mumbled into Hawk’s chest.
    “So you are deciding to stay with Hawk?”
    Johnny nodded.
    “I need you to say yes or no.”
    “He gave you his answer, Alpha. He —”
    “Don’t take that tone with me, Commander. I need to hear in clearly spoken words what Johnny wants. I won’t have this coming back to bite me or Johnny in the ass. I’m looking out for him,” Maverick pointed at Johnny, “making sure his wishes are abided by.” Maverick looked at Johnny once again.
    Johnny raised his head and spoke clearly.   “I. Want. To. Stay. With. Hawk.”
    “So be it. Hawk, get ready for a battle. I don’t think his brother is going to give up so easily.”
    Hawk nodded.
    Maverick went to deal with the brother at his front door. He found the guy standing with his back against the door, warily eyeing his Sentries in the den. If the brother only knew he had just walked into a pack of wolves…he probably would still act like a jerk. The guy had an air about him, one Maverick didn’t like.
    “May I help you?” Maverick feigned ignorance at who the man was. He wanted to see his egotism firsthand.
    “Who are you? I’ve already talked to one muscle head. I want my brother Johnny brought to me now.” Yeah, he was still a jerk. Maverick pulled himself up to his full six foot nine inches. He would not tolerate a male, and a human male at that, coming into his home and making demands.
    Wasn’t happening.
    He towered over the idiot who was too dumb to realize the death threat standing right in front of him. Maverick began to wonder what Johnny’s home life was like living with this prick. Storm clouds gathered around him as he wondered if this man ever put his hands on Johnny.
    The brother must have noticed the menacing aura around Maverick because he finally took a step back.
    “He has made it quite clear that he wishes to remain in my home…under my protection. I suggest you leave.” Maverick felt the Sentries slowly coming toward him, feeling the static storm in the air. They crept closer, watchful.
    The brother must have noticed them as well. His hand reached behind him for the door handle, “My brother isn’t smart enough to make his own decisions. I have legal custody of him, and I will have him returned to me.” The man turned the knob, hustling out of the front door, leaving it wide open. Maverick watched as he climbed in his car and spit gravel from his tires as he sped off.
    With the insult the guy just gave Johnny, Maverick would make sure he never got his grubby hands on his brother.
    “Who was that?” Remi asked standing behind Maverick.
    “Some human wanting his life expectancy cut real short.”
    When Maverick headed back to his mate, he found Cecil sneaking down the hall, heading in Johnny’s direction.
    “What do you think you are doing?” Cecil jumped at Maverick’s booming voice. He spun around and pasted a big smile on his face.
    “Just stretching the old limbs.” He pulled his arms over his head, twining his fingers together, and stretched in an over exaggerated pull. “That’s good enough for now. Guess I’ll head back to bed.” Cecil walked at a brisk pace back toward their room.
    Maverick chuckled and swung Cecil into his arms. “Is my mate storytelling me?” He tickled Cecil’s belly lightly, carefully, knowing it was still