Page 34 of Miles's Pact
After we'd stuffed ourselves with pizza, fries, and ice cream, the three of us took our leave, and since we could barely move with how much we'd eaten—I may have overdone it alittle—Miles and Mateo decided to take me on a walking tour of Mistvale before we returned home.
The sun dipped below the horizon as we walked down the residential street that had five trees for every house. The houses all looked similar on the outside, with lush green lawns lined with tall, leafy trees, their barks covered in moss. The air smelled like rain, like it always did in this town, and I breathed it in, humming as the scent of wet grass, wildflowers, and something musky tickled my nose.
Mateo pointed out the homes of quite a few clan members. After a while, the names started running into each other in my mind, and I wondered if I'd ever be able to remember them all.
"It's okay. I know it can get a little overwhelming," Miles said, noticing I was starting to lose it.
"Hey, wasn't Cam working on a list of clan members and how we're all connected? Do you think he finished it?" Mateo asked as he turned to face us and started walking backward.
"I'm not sure. We'll ask him later. It could be helpful," Miles said, and I nodded wholeheartedly.
"I'll text him when we get—oomph!"
One moment, Mateo was talking as he walked backward, and the next he was flat on his ass, his palms sinking into the mud he'd slipped on.
"Are you okay?" I demanded as I leaned forward, and he grinned.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. I tripped."
Miles grabbed him by the arm and pulled him up, scanning his brother from head to toe. His concern was sweet, and Mateo thought so too judging by the fond look on his face.
"That'll teach you to walk without watching," Miles grumbled, and Mateo chuckled as he tried and failed to wipe off the mud now covering the ass of his pants.
"Sorry. What did I trip on anyway?"
All three of us looked down to find the mound of mud he'd tripped over just as it... twitched. I blinked, unsure if I was seeing things, but before I could act, Miles was down on his knees and wiping the mud off a small, trembling body.
"What is it?" Mateo demanded as we both leaned closer to get a better look.
"It's a puppy," Miles murmured as he tried to wipe some of the mud off the dog.
"Fuck. Poor baby. Let's take him home and get him cleaned up," Mateo suggested, and Miles nodded as he shrugged out of his jacket and wrapped it around the shaking puppy without a second of hesitation.
How had I gotten lucky enough to end up with mates as sweet as these two?
