Luke's Surprise

Excerpt From: Luke's Surprise

“Luke! Get your butt in here and help me carry these damn boxes!”

Luke put down the book he was reading and rolled his eyes at his brother’s hollerin’. He’d been happy to move home after finishing his senior year in college, but his elder brother Kelan had taken to ridin’ his ass on a daily basis about anything and everything.

As much as he loved the ranch, he was beginning to wonder if he’d be better off finding himself a place in Houston. Sure he couldn’t live for free then like he was now, but the few hundred bucks a month seemed like a small price to pay for his sanity.

“Luke!”

“I’m coming!” Luke shouted back. “Jeez, can’t a man have five minutes peace in this place?”

Luke stormed into the kitchen and glared at his brother. Kelan was piling boxes near the door that looked damn near as heavy as he was. Kelan was shirtless, his muscles rippling as he worked and he was sweating up a storm.

At five foot seven and a hundred and forty pounds, Luke was not a large man especially when stood next to Kelan who came up at six foot four. Luke often wondered if they were from the same stock. But looks could be deceiving. Luke’s wolf genes meant he was stronger than most men his size. Strength aside, he looked at the boxes and groaned.

Kelan raised an eyebrow and his mouth curled up into a smirk.

“What? Too heavy for you, or you afraid you might break a nail?”

“I might be small but I could still take you.” Luke sniffed.

Kelan let out a low, booming roar of laughter.

“I’d like to see the day, little brother. In fact, I’d probably welcome it. Looking out for an entire pack is not all it’s cracked up to be, ya know. Some days I’d gladly hand over the responsibility.”

Luke was surprised by his brother’s response. He knew Kelan loved being alpha of their pack. He’d been born for it. Maybe something had happened that Luke wasn’t aware of. That would sure explain why Kelan had been so riled up lately.

“Is everything alright with the pack?” he inquired.

Kelan looked thoughtful for a moment. He opened his mouth to say something then shook his head and picked up a box.

“Nah, it’s nothing I can’t handle. Now get over here and grab a box, will ya? I need them loaded in the truck.”

Luke didn’t push. If Kelan wanted to tell him, he’d do so in his own time. His brother could be as stubborn as a mule when he wanted to be. Luke crossed the room and lifted the first box. Yep, they were as heavy as they looked. He grunted and made for the kitchen door.

“What the hell is in these things anyway? Lead?”

“Tools I found in the barn. Used to belong to pop. Figured they were no use to us, so I’m giving them to old man Walker. He just bought another hundred acres and took on two new hands so I reckon he could put ‘em to good use.”

Luke hid his grin from Kelan as he lugged the box outside. As obstinate as his brother could be, he had a good heart. He was always looking out for members of the pack. It was one of the things that made him such a good alpha.

When they had finished loading the boxes, Kelan went into the house to get cleaned up and grab his shirt. Luke followed him inside. After a quick shower, he caught up with his brother in the kitchen.

“You want me to come with you to Joe’s? I can help unload the other end.”

Kelan grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and took a long gulp before turning to Luke and offering up a mischievous grin.

“You were going to do that anyway. Nice of you to offer though,” Kelan chuckled.

“No problem. Anything I can do to help, bro.”

Kelan narrowed eyes at his brother’s response. Before he could do anything to prevent it, Luke stole the bottle of water out of his hand and drank it down, finishing it quickly. He handed the empty bottle back to Kelan with a snicker.

“You may be bigger than me, but you’re as slow as molasses in January.”

“That a fact?”

“Yep. I’d say you’re…oof!”

Before Luke could finish the sentence, Kelan had tackled him to the floor and had him flat on his back, arms pinned above his head. He straddled Luke’s stomach and grinned down at him with a devilish glint in his eye.

“Care to say that again?”

“Sure, you’re as slow as…aaarrggh!”

Luke screamed when Kelan began tickling him relentlessly.

“Okay, okay I give.” he panted.

“No sir, that ain’t good enough. What am I now?”

“You’re the biggest, strongest, fastest, brother in the world. Okay?”