Prologue - Evan #3
Ah man. He wasn’t joking. I guessed perhaps he wasn’t as comfortable with the others as I’d thought. What the fuck was I supposed to say in this situation? “I think your family would miss you if I did that.”
“I doubt it,” he muttered darkly. “Honestly, they’d probably thank you for it. I’m more trouble than I’m worth.”
I bent so my head was level with his and squeezed his shoulder. “Reid, I can promise ye that yer not. Ye’ve made this week far easier for me to bear. You’re funny, kind, and know everything that’s worth knowing about dinosaurs. Any of those kids back there would be lucky to call you their friend.”
“I’d still rather come with you.”
“I’m sorry, buddy.” I squeezed his shoulder one last time before letting him go. “You’re going to be okay, kid, I promise.”
He sniffed and wiped his sleeve under his nose. “Whatever. Forget I asked.”
I frowned as he spun on his heel and ran off down the corridor. That was…weird.
Had I said the right thing? It wasn’t like I could take him back to my clan even if I wanted to. For a start, it’d be kidnapping. The Clarkson Clan would have every right to declare war on us if I did that.
Imagine trying to explain to Finn that not only had I added to our numbers, but that I’d returned from a diplomatic summit with a declaration of war.
Yeah, there was no way that was happening.
I tried to shake the incident off, but it was itching at the back of my neck. I couldn’t leave here without at least checking in with Clyde. It was probably just normal shit for a kid to do…but I should talk to his parent, right? Out of anyone, they’d know how to deal with it best.
Decision made, I switched directions and made my way to Clyde’s office. The door was open, the big alpha sat behind his desk, frowning down at a sheet of paper.
I rapped on the doorframe. “You got a minute?”
His brows rose. “Aye. I thought ye’d be on yer way already.”
“Almost. I just wanted to speak to you about Reid.”
Clyde sighed, gesturing at the chair opposite him. “Best close the door. What’s the wee shite got himself into this time?”
“Oh, it’s nothing like that,” I said hastily as I shut the door and dropped into the seat. “He’s been good as gold.”
Clyde sat back in his chair, studying me thoughtfully. “Then what’s the issue?”
I ran a hand through my hair. “Something odd just happened and I thought it best to bring it to yer attention.”
His eyes narrowed. “I’m listening.”
I hesitated. Was I somehow betraying Reid by telling his father what he’d asked?
No, I told myself sternly. Reid is a child. His parents know what’s best for him, not you.
I ran through a quick account of what had happened. Clyde tapped his fingers on the desk before sighing once more. “I’m sorry ye were put in that position, Evan. You don’t have kids, right?”
“No.” I shook my head. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure how to respond.”
“What you said was right,” he said. “This kind of behaviour is normal for a kid, especially one of Reid’s age. You’ve probably noticed we’ve got a few of them here.”
“Aye. More than we have, to be sure.”
Clyde gave me a clipped nod. “Children like to rebel against what they know. And with Reid being what he is…I imagine he thinks it’d be different elsewhere.”
“Have you considered sending him to a human school?”
His lips thinned. “We can’t risk it. The clan’s security comes first.”
Surely there was a way around it? I opened my mouth to say more before remembering my place. I wasn’t a member of this clan, and I wasn’t an alpha. Hell, I wasn’t even part of Finlay’s inner circle.
“Reid is known for telling tall tales,” Clyde said dismissively. “Prone to dramatics, too. I think it’s his way of seeking attention, what with him being…different and all.”
My wolf’s ears pricked. That was the second time he’d used the word ‘different.’ I couldn’t help but wonder if he meant to say something else.
“Try not to worry about it,” Clyde said, coming around the table to pat my shoulder. “Kids will be kids. They’re always pulling shit like this.”
My wolf didn’t like it, but it wasn’t like I had any prior knowledge about how children generally behaved aside from my own experience as one. I couldn’t argue that Clyde was wrong, because I didn’t even know if he was.
“Thank ye for bringing this to my attention, Evan. Now that I know how Reid is feeling, I can sort it out.”
I rubbed at the back of my neck. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Not at all.” Clyde moved to the door, signalling that our impromptu meeting was over. “Only going back home and letting this be the first step towards peace between our clans.”
Home. Yes. My wolf was yearning to be back among the familiar trees and people. Somewhere where we wouldn’t have to look over our shoulder every thirty seconds.
I nodded my farewell to Clyde and strode out. I was ready to get back to the McCarthys and report on this week.
I’d just slung my bag into the boot of my car when I heard a door open in the distance. I’m not sure what it was that drew my wolf’s attention, but he was sniffing the air suddenly.
I turned my head to see Reid slowly heading towards his father’s office, his shoulders slumped. Clyde stood in the doorway, raising his hand at me and nodding in thanks.
My wolf whined, but I shut it down. Clyde’s dealing with it. Just as he said he would. He’s his dad, he knows better than us.
It was good that Clyde was speaking to him immediately. I’d been right to go to him about it. Hopefully now, Reid would feel happier being here. Where he belonged, with his clan.
Now it was time for me to get back to mine.
REID
I was in so much trouble.
Da closed the door behind me. He didn’t move or say anything. He never did. Not at first.
He knew the waiting was the worst.
I was kinda surprised he hadn’t waited until Evan was long gone. Maybe he wanted me to see him getting into his car without me. To know that Evan had come straight here and told Da what I’d asked before leaving.
I shouldn’t have done it.
I should’ve known better.
Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I tried to make my hands stop shaking. It’d just give Da more ammunition.
He loved to see my fear.
The creak of a floorboard was the only sign he’d moved. I held my breath, waiting for the anger.
Please let him be angry.
But when he spoke, his voice was soft. “Did ye really think ye could escape me, boy?”
My heart plummeted through the floor. Oh, this was going to be bad. So, so bad.
What were you thinking, Reid?
Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes. I’d been thinking that Ev was kind. That wolf shifters were meant to be protective.
That maybe he’d be my one shot at freedom.
I’d been so wrong.
Hot fingers gripped the back of my neck, bruisingly tight. Pain ricocheted through me, but I knew not to make a sound.
I’d learned that the hard way.
“You shouldn’t have dragged a stranger into our business.” Da’s voice was still soft. “I thought you knew better than that.”
I should have. I should have.
“Looks like I’m going to have to teach you a better lesson this time. No one is coming to save you, Reid. They never will.”
He was right. I’d been a fool to think otherwise. For a split second, I’d thought Evan McCarthy would be my saviour.
Instead, he’d condemned me.