“It was, but—”
“Why the fuck would I want to join a team with an asshole mentor who everyone hates?” Even as he said the words he knew why, and his heart thudded against his rib cage.
Because at the end of the day, your feelings don’t matter. You have no choice but to do what they say.
“I’m sorry, Cole.” Logan did at least look like he meant it, but what the fuck difference did that make? “I did listen to everything you said on Tuesday, and I tried to get you into a different team, but it’s out of my hands.”
The words took a moment to sink in, but when they did, Cole tried to remember what he’d said to Logan that day. Oh no. “What does Paul’s team do?”
Silence.
“What do they fucking do, Logan?”
Logan sat back in his chair, bottom lip between his teeth, looking nothing like the big bad shifter Cole knew he was.
“Paul’s team is the HRU: The Human Reconnaissance Unit.” He paused and met Cole’s eyes. “Their job is to monitor the unaffiliated humans for any signs of rebellion or subterfuge. They cover the whole of London, coordinating with the other packs and also with the packs countrywide.”
The room fell silent.
Cole couldn’t look at his parents, didn’t want to see the same shock and horror he felt mirrored back at him. “You want me to spy on my own people?” he hissed, not even bothering to keep the anger out of his voice.
Keeping eye contact, Logan said softly, “Once you join our pack, you won’t be one of them anymore.”
Fuck.
Cole snapped his mouth shut. Logan was right. He’d be affiliated with a pack, probably forced to take the bite. He wouldn’t even be human.
“What else do they do?”
Cole’s head snapped up at his mum’s voice. She sounded way calmer than he felt. Her expression held a steely determination as she looked at Logan.
“I know what the HRU are capable of,” she continued. “They were formed when all the troubles started, weren’t they?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“Theyhelpedget us humans back under control.By whatever means necessary.”
“They did, but things have changed since then, Mrs Moreton. Rules and regulations have been put in place to prevent things going that far again. The shifter in charge during that time is no longer with us.”
Cole wondered if that meant he was dead, imprisoned, or banished. His mum didn’t seem to care either way.
“By the sounds of it, the one in charge now isn’t much better.”
“Paul is a bit of an arsehole, yes, but Alpha McKillan helped put the new regulations together concerning HRU conduct. He’d never go against his alpha.”
“We read your new rules and regulations when they were put into force. As long as you have evidence, you virtually have free rein to do as you please.”
“That’s not strictly true—”
“Don’t give me that bollocks!” his mum yelled, fist slamming down on the table. “This is my son’s future we’re talking about.”
Cole and his dad froze, gazes darting between Logan and his mum. Despite all his training, Cole was no match for a shifter, but he’d damn well have a go if Logan went for her.
But Logan sat there, muscles relaxed, as though he’d expected all of this.
His mum’s voice had dropped to barely more than a whisper. “We’re not stupid, Logan.” She gestured at Cole and his dad. “Cole has two black belts and he came in the top five per cent of his year in weapons training and hand-to-hand combat. You don’t want him to join the HRU just to monitor people, do you?”
“No.”
