Chapter 17 - Laura
I'm nervous as I sit at the coffee table sipping my coffee. My mind is a mess going over Miles’s words. My folks wouldn’t have accepted you. Was that why he ended things? I didn’t know whether to feel bad or be even more angry about it.
I looked at my phone, checked the time, and swallowed, shaking my head. I couldn’t think of last night. I needed to focus. I'm waiting for Michael to come down the stairs. I let him sleep in, knowing neither of us got much sleep last night. I was tempted to call in again, but I’d already missed two days and knew I would have work I needed to complete.
I took another sip of my coffee when I heard the footsteps coming down the stairs. I perked up, and Michael rounded the corner and smiled at me. "Morning, Mom."
My eyebrows went up as I looked him over. He looked like his normal self, like he hadn't been in any pain the previous night. "How are you feeling?"
"I feel great," he said, walking towards the pantry by the fridge. "What's the plan today? Am I going over to the neighbors?"
I shook my head. "No, I thought you might like the idea of coming with me to work today."
I had already got the okay from Ayden earlier. I wanted to keep a close eye on him. Everyone told me if he was shifting, it would be today with the full moon, and I needed to be around for that.
He grabbed a pop-tart, kicking the pantry door shut as he turned to me. "Really? Are the guys going to be there?"
I could see the sparkle in his eyes. He loved hanging with the guys when he got a chance.
I nodded. "Yeah, but you need to remember it's work. So, if those bells go, you have to come into my office and let them do what they need to."
He nodded his head eagerly. "Okay!" He then paused. "Does that mean I can ask them questions about shifters?"
I nodded my head. "Yeah, you can ask them as many as you want."
He beamed and then hurried up the stairs to his room. I looked back at my coffee and took another sip. I felt my shoulders relax a little and hoped the day went smoothly.
Twenty minutes later, we were leaving.
When we arrived at the fire station, everyone was having breakfast and coffee around the kitchen. Owen was cooking pancakes while the guys stood around. Michael stopped in front of me with wide eyes.
"Morning," I said, breaking the silence.
Everyone turned, looking at me before their eyes dropped to Michael. Owen smiled. "Morning, little man. We all hear you're hanging with us today."
He nodded his head, clutching his bag closer. He shifted on his feet, unsure of himself. "Mom said I could ask you guys questions," he said.
Miles patted a chair next to him, and Michael looked at me.
"Go ahead."
He moved quickly, rushing towards the chair and hopping on. Miles looked at me, and I gave him a small smile in response. I knew that they would be more helpful with Michael's questions than I ever could be.
"So, my mom said you guys are all shifters."
Owen looked at me for a moment before he looked back at Michael. "We are. What do you want to know?"
I turned and headed into my office. I found my phone had a couple of voicemails, and a small stack of paperwork was on my desk. I sighed when I heard footsteps behind me.
I turned, and Miles froze in the doorway, holding a cup of coffee. "You look like you could use a cup."
"Thanks," I said, reaching for it. "I had a cup, but I don't think it's going to be enough."
"Are you feeling better today?"
I wasn't. I was tired to the bone, and a headache was forming. I was anxious about what was going to happen since this was all new to me.
"I'll be fine," I said as I sat in my chair. "Is that all?"
Miles looked like he wanted to say more, but he didn't. I knew we still had a lot to discuss, but not today—not when I was a mess.
"No," he said, shaking his head. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
I gave him a smile. "Thanks. If you don't mind, I have a lot of work to catch up on."
Miles gave me a nod before turning and slipping out of my office.
I focused on work and managed to catch up on the calls I'd missed. I slipped into the kitchen to check on everyone and found Miles, Owen, Lucas, and Wesley on the couch playing video games.
Michael sat next to Miles, laughing about something. They looked so similar as they leaned over, clicking away at the controls. My heart clenched, wondering how he would react if he knew he was sitting next to his dad and not a stranger.
"He's a good kid."
I jumped, finding Ayden standing a few feet away from me. He was pouring himself another cup of coffee, a soft smile on his face.
"Thank you for letting me bring him."
He nodded his head. "We all know the signs. The break of the pain before it comes back. It's best you keep an eye on him anyway."
I swallowed, looking back at Michael. I chewed on my lip.
"What is your plan when he does shift?" Ayden asked, stopping next to me.
I looked back at Ayden. "What do you mean?"
"It's his first shift, which means he will be able to have his first run. It's a pretty important night. I'm sure Miles is nervous. Normally, the father takes them out."
I looked at Miles, suddenly understanding his look in my office. He was wondering what my plan was as well.
"Do the parents always go?"
Ayden nodded his head. "Yeah, it's safer that way. The first time you shift, they have a lot that goes on their mind, and they need someone to guide them. The mind is mysterious, and our other half…well…sometimes they don't make the smartest decisions."
I wasn't sure what that meant, but I probably never would. I wasn't a shifter, after all.
I chewed on my cheek.
"I'm not saying this to make you feel bad, Laura."
"I know that," I said, giving him a weak smile.
"I'm just warning you because his pain and fever are going to come back. It's the lull before the storm."
Ayden was right. An hour later, Michael was running a fever again. I came out of my office, and Owen spoke up. "Michael, are you okay, bud?"
I turned, finding him putting his controller down. He turned and walked towards me. I could see he was pale and starting to run a fever. "I want to go home."
I reached out, pulling him close and placing my hand on his forehead. Sure enough, he was hot.
I chewed on my lip. "Okay, let's get you home."
I grabbed my purse, and we were leaving the building. I drove home, my knuckles white on the steering wheel. I kept looking up in the rearview mirror, glancing at Michael.
Once home, he laid down on the couch in a ball. I paced, putting a wet rag over his forehead, but it did little.
"Mom, I'm hot."
"I know, sweetie," I said, running my hands over his hair.
I thought about Ayden's words. I'm sure Miles is nervous. This was just as important to him. He hadn't pushed me or demanded time with Michael. He'd been nothing but patient.
I grabbed my phone, calling him. He answered on the third ring.
"Can you come over?" I asked softly.
"I'll be there in five."
The line ended before I could say anything. I turned back to pacing. The time seemed to freeze as I listened to Michael start to cry.
I felt defeated. I couldn't help him. Nothing I was doing was making him feel better. I just patted his head, praying that Miles could.
Miles came in without knocking and spotted us quickly. He slid his shoes off and made his way towards us.
"Is he hot?"
"That's all he's ever been," I whisper, my voice cracking on the verge of tears again.
Miles reached over, squeezing my shoulder before Michael's eyes opened. But his eyes didn't look the same.
Miles pulled me back just as Michael pushed himself up, letting out a loud howl. I quickly covered my ears, feeling like the entire house was shaking.
I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling the vibration deep in my bones.
After a moment, it was silent, and I peeled my eyes open. But instead of my little boy, there was a small brown wolf standing in front of me.
My mouth dropped, and I stared. Its tail wagged like he was saying something. His brown eyes were the same eyes of my son and they sparkled like they did when he was excited.
Miles smiled. "He's cheering."
"He is?" I said, looking at Miles.
He nodded, and I could see the happiness in his eyes. "Yeah, he's explaining how cool it is. And he thinks it's even cooler that I can hear him."
Of course, because he was a shifter.
"He wants to go outside…" Miles looked at me nervously. "And you should let him."
I took a deep breath in.
"Do you mind…if I go with him?" he asked, and I could see that's what he wanted to ask me earlier. He waited, and I could see the desperation in his eyes.
I nodded. If anyone should take him, it was Miles.
Miles lit up, and Michael moved, already rushing towards the door. Miles opened it, and Michael went running forward.
"Michael, wait up!" I yelled, looking at Miles. "You watch him," I said.
Miles nodded. "I will."
Miles turned and shifted into his wolf form. I was blown away and shocked to see it for the first time. Miles was the same shade of brown as Michael with the same brown eyes. It was pretty clear they were family and it twisted me up.
But as quickly as he was there, he ran after Michael, and they were going into the woods behind the house.
I rounded the house and sat on the backyard bench, waiting. I looked up, taking in the full moon and the gentle breeze of the night.
I wonder if things would be different if I'd told him. Instead of suffering through this alone, maybe Michael would have a parent who knew what they were doing.
I took a deep breath, knowing that when they got back, I needed to tell Michael the truth. He needed to know, and Miles deserved to have a chance.