Chapter 14 - Miles
I looked across the yard and had to admit I was impressed. Laura really outdid herself with everything she had set up for the fundraiser. We had a couple of bouncy castles set up to the left of the fire station entrance that led towards the back, where we had game stations set up, all themed after firefighters.
There was a little house that was fake on fire, and kids were trying to shoot the hose with fire. Another station was another building, and kids were running up and down stairs, trying to save people from a burning building. They were carrying toy dummies over their shoulders.
We had some fire trucks out for kids and parents to walk through. We had food set out and drinks being served.
I could see Cayden and Weslie next to one station, with Poppy trying to pull on the kids' fire gear. She had a helmet on and was laughing with them about something.
Ayden and Owen were at the front, greeting everyone who came in. I could see Wendy and Ashley standing at one of the bouncing castles, chatting as they munched on some popcorn.
I walked further past the row of cars and hurried towards the guys. Ayden and Owen both looked at me as I walked towards them.
"We look busy. Looks like everyone in town is here."
The place was packed with kids and parents moving around in waves. Music was playing, but I wasn't sure where it was coming from. I'm sure there was a band somewhere.
"Right," Owen said, nodding his head. "Laura really outdid herself. I can't wait to tell her when she gets here."
"She's not here?" I asked. I figured I was the last to show up since I had my last doctor's appointment before work.
"She went to pick up Michael."
My ears perked up. I had yet to see her son, let alone meet him. I'd been respecting her wishes and not pushing the issue. Every time I dropped her off, I hoped to see him, but I hadn't been lucky.
"We have Lucas sitting at the table around the building collecting money. Do you want to go help him for a while?"
"Sure can," I said, moving past them.
I headed around the building, and the smell of popcorn was in the air. I was tempted to buy a bag but figured I could later.
I spotted Lucas at a table with a large box next to him that read: fundraiser. Lucas caught me and raised an eyebrow. "You here with me for a while?"
I nodded. "Yeah, how's it going?"
He shrugged. "Not bad, actually. People have been stopping by and putting money in. I think we're going to beat our numbers from last year."
I looked across the yard, taking everything in. We had around two acres of land for the fire station, and it was packed with people and various activities.
"Looks like Laura is here."
I turned, spotting her. She was walking down a pathway wearing a deep navy blue dress. Her hair was down, and next to her was her son. My heart clenched, and I felt a tug toward the child.
He stood a little past her hips, his brown hair a little shaggy. His brown eyes looked eagerly around, giddily.
I swallowed, mesmerized as I stared at the boy. My wolf tensed up inside, suddenly on high alert, and I was confused because I was getting a feeling that her son wasn't human.
"You're staring," Lucas said, elbowing me.
I quickly tried to shake it off. Maybe it was just because Laura was my mate and Michael was her son. Of course, it was natural to feel something.
Laura walked towards us and smiled nervously. "How is it going over here?"
"Swell," Lucas said.
Laura smiled and looked down at Michael, who wasn't paying attention. His eyes were on the firetruck. He tugged on his mom's arm. "Come on, Mom! There is a line. You promise we would go there."
"Okay, okay," she said, chuckling. She looked back at us. "Are you both staying here the entire time?"
"No, we're in shifts. Owen is coming in an hour."
Laura nodded, walking away with Michael. Lucas turned to me. "Dude, you're staring still."
"I can't help it." I looked at Michael. "Her son…I just…I feel a connection to him."
Lucas made a face. "It’s probably because he’s a shifter and Laura’s son.
That could be it, but my wolf was feeling off. There was a tightening in my chest as if there was more to it. And my wolf senses something else. I felt a strong connection. I’d seen Michael a few times from a distance but never like this.
I looked at his eyes and the way he stood next to Laura. There was no way he was my kind, , but something still felt off.
The hour went by quickly, and as soon as Owen came over, I was looking for Laura and Michael. I found them by the bouncy houses. Ashley stood next to her, bouncing her daughter in her arms.
Ashley spotted me, waving me over.
"Miles, tell her. She did a good job."
I looked at Laura and nodded. "You did. This is outstanding."
She blushed. "I just was trying to boost our profit."
"Owen told me that we had some pretty big investments from a business you called. They absolutely love you."
Laura blushed some more and waved her hand. "Okay, enough about me now."
Ashley smirked and then scowled. She looked down at her daughter and frowned. "Shit, I need to find a restroom." She then looked at me. "Tell her, Miles. She deserves a raise after this."
Ashley walked away, and Laura raised an eyebrow at me. I smiled. "You do. For your first fundraiser, you did outstanding."
She rolled her eyes. She waved as Michael moved around the bouncy castle, yelling at her.
I felt that tug once more, and I ground my teeth together. I wanted to ask her more about Michael, but now wasn't the time. She looked too happy.
Michael ran over, yelling excitedly, "Mom, can we go try some of the games next?"
"Sure," she said, waving the shoes she was holding. "But put these back on."
As Michael pulled his shoes on, Laura looked at me. "You joining us?"
I was a little shocked to be asked and quickly nodded my head. "I'd love to."
We ended up wandering all around the area. We played a few games, sat down at a picnic table, and ate hotdogs. Michael told us about school and how he was the fastest kid.
There was a race later he was looking forward to being in just to prove how fast he was. And the more Michael talked, the more I felt that tug. I couldn't put my finger on it, and it was driving me crazy.
We watched Michael go back into the bouncy castle for another half hour before they started the race. Michael stood next to Poppy, who looked as cute as a button in a pair of shorts and a purple shirt with a unicorn on it. Ayden and Wendy stopped next to us, smiling at Poppy.
"She looks cute," Laura said, looking at Wendy.
Wendy chuckled, rubbing at her stomach.
"Thank you, Michael. It looks like he's having a good time."
Laura nodded. "I'm pretty sure today is the best day of his life right now."
There was a loud whistle, and then our eyes went to the kids. Everything went quiet before a large flag went down, and all the kids took off. In front were Poppy and Michael.
"Go, Michael!" Laura and I yelled in unison.
"Go Poppy!" Wendy yelled next to me.
I could hear Ayden laughing, and the kids grew closer to the finish line. I felt my heart pounding watching Poppy and Michael go head-to-head. They both crossed the finish line at the same time.
"Wow," Wendy said, chuckling. "I'm a little shocked."
Poppy and Michael both turned, waving at us and jumping up and down. Cayden and Weslie were the ones running the race, and they grabbed both the kids and hoisted them up. The kids screamed in joy, laughing.
The fundraiser ended soon after, and we all stood around the mess that was left. Laura scowled. "Maybe I should have ordered more trash cans. I didn't think about all the mess that would be left."
"It's fine," Ashley said. "We can all help clean."
Everyone spread out, which gave me a moment to speak with Laura. I had been waiting, but I had to ask now. I stopped next to Laura. "Laura, can I ask you something?"
She paused, looking at me. I looked over at Michael, who was sitting at one of the picnics with Poppy, staring at their metals. I felt the tug once more.
"Sure? What's your question?" she said, tilting her head.
"I know you don't like me asking personal things, but is Michael a shifter?"
Her face dropped, and she swallowed.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because…I feel something for him, and I'd like to know why. So…who is his dad?"
All day, I'd been wondering, unable to calm my mind. I needed an honest answer.
"Michael, go put your stuff in the car and get ready to head home."
Shit.
"Laura, don't run. I'm asking just because…. I'm not trying to get into your business. But...." I ran a hand through my hair. I just needed her to tell me so I could get the thought out of my mind. There was no way that he could be mine. He was too young, and any time Laura and I had unprotected sex, she took plan b. And she said he was someone she dated from work. But what other explanation was there? Why else was I feeling such a strong connection to him?
She turned, crossing her arms. "I'm not running. I'm having him get in the car because…" She paused and took a slow breath in. "He's yours."
I felt my heart stop beating, and my head snapped towards Michael. It suddenly clicked into place: the connection, the urge to be around him, the sense of knowing him. And then I remembered our last night and how we didn't use protection.
“You said he wasn’t six yet. You said his birthday was in May..”
She swallowed. “I lied, kinda. He’s birthday is in February.. He will be six then.”
I shook my head. “You said you picked up plan b. And his father was someone from your old job.”
She bit her lip and shook her head.
And then the anger set it. "Why the hell didn't you tell me?"
"You left me," she snapped back.
"That is not an excuse to keep a kid from me!" I yelled back. "You had a child, my child, and you didn't tell me!"
Her face went red. "How was I supposed to tell you, Miles? You left. You moved away, and I had no way to contact you!"
"You know damn well there were options!"
"You didn't give me many!"
"Don't put this on me!" I growled, and I watched fear fill her face. She took a step back, and I frowned. I quickly realized I'd never growled at her before. I ran a hand over my face, but as much as I was trying to remain calm, I couldn't.
"All this time, I could have known. You should have told me! When you moved here, you should have told me!"
She shook her head. "No. Michael has lived six years without you, and I'm not just going to suddenly throw you into the mix! Especially if you aren’t mature enough."
"I have a right! He's my son!"
Someone cleared their throat, and we both turned to see Ayden and Owen standing a few feet away.
She took a deep breath. "I hate to do this, but I need to get Michael home." I could feel her voice crack as she walked past them.
"Laura!" I yelled after her, but she practically ran away as fast as she could.
My heart was pounding in my chest, and I ground my teeth together.
Ayden and Owen looked like they didn't have words, but I knew they had heard everything. "He's mine," I practically yelled, throwing my hands up. "He's my son, and she didn't even tell me!"
I turned, hurrying off, needing to go and release my anger somehow.