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They were nodding vigorously, but it didn’t stop the sadness.

“We can talk about it tonight… if you’re free?” This hesitant Lennon was making Kodi itch to shift. Only they were driving down a busy street with people on the sidewalk on either side. It was coming up to Christmas, and the shops were decorated to seduce shoppers in, out of the cold.

Being buck naked in the middle of winter wasn’t very appealing when he hadn’t seen anything in the back seat that he could use to cover himself. They nodded again, doing it in an exaggerated move to make sure Lennon didn’t miss it.

Lennon drove them back to the office and then spent a few minutes helping them get back out of the car. Their fur was rubbed the wrong way and their body ached in unusual places as they leapt out of the car onto the sidewalk to shake themselves.

Lennon had left the car idling, and Kodi got the sense that he wasn’t coming into the office with him.

“I need to think, so I’m gonna take a sick day. I’m sorry.” Lennon quickly skirted back around the car and was inside and driving off before Kodi could decide what to do.

Fuck.

He didn’t have the same option. He had never disliked his work, until then. Dad had instilled a solid work ethic in them all. Canceling important meetings for this type of situation, which wasn’t life-or-death, was a big no-no. Only it felt like this was a life-or-death moment for his relationship with Lennon.

Fuck it!

He ran towards the building, mind made up, and barked loudly to get the attention of the security guard who had opened the door for him earlier. It was the same man who had seen Kari in his wolf form before, so he didn’t bat an eyelid.

The guy walked him to the stairs and opened the door to let him through. They nodded their thanks, heading up the stairs.

You better not have ruined all my clothes.

You’ve got plenty.

Not here I don’t.

There’s the stock area with samples isn’t there?

He begrudgingly gave him animal credit for that, but that didn’t excuse the fact it was the one to ruin his clothes.

“Kodi, what the hell dude?” Kari’s voice interrupted his thoughts, and they swung their head to glance in their brother’s direction.

They met Kodi’s gaze, working to convey that they didn’t have time for this, then took off down the corridor to the sample closet. It was a big ass closet, the thing was three times the size of their offices.

“What’s bought this on?” Kari persisted, running to keep up with them.

They stopped outside the door and nudged it with their nose. Kari took the hint and opened it. Inside, he flicked the switch on the wall and flooded the space with light. It had everything in it from shoes, belts, and handbags, to underwear and any piece of clothing imaginable filling rack after rack.

Kodi pushed to shift and stretch out the muscles that had a workout from the fast run they’d had when they’d finally caught Lennon’s scent. He padded to the first rack of men's clothing, unconcerned about his nakedness.

“Tell me what’s going on?” Kari demanded, taking a firm grip of Kodi’s bicep.

He shook him off, taking a navy shirt off a hanger that appeared to be the right size. “Lennon is…”

Oh, fuck! He’d told Jonny he didn’t want anyone knowing.

“Is?” Kari persisted, his brows knotting together.

“He had a doctor’s appointment, and I need to check on him, okay?” He cast a quick glance at Kari. “Can you cover some of my meetings this afternoon?” He buttoned up the shirt that was a little tight but would do. He didn’t want to waste time.

“I can cover anything from two but before that I’ve got two advertising companies presenting the summer collection boards for twenty-twenty-seven.”

Kodi mentally ran through his appointment book and nodded. “That’ll work. I’ll ask Carol to send you the agendas for the meetings and any information you’ll need.”

“I’m sure I can wing it.”

They moved to the suit section. Kodi, forgoing underwear, picking a black suit in his size. “Great.”