ChapterFive
Scott
When I'd decided to unwind by letting my wolf run before bed, it hadn't even occurred to me that I might run into Harley. Still, when I watched him stumble into the blackberry bushes and get caught on the thorns, I had to step in and offer him a hand. Or a paw, as it was.
Just like it never occurred to me to not to lead him to the creek he'd been looking for and sit with him in the morning silence.
Then, when I heard the panicked voices calling for him, I remembered an offhand comment that Zade had made about Harley needing constant supervision. Fighting back a wave of guilt at having enabled the Omega in his disappearance, I'd raised my voice and alerted them that he was with me before leading him back to the clearing where the search party was congregated.
When they crowded around Harley, anxiously trying to assure themselves that he was uninjured, I'd backed into the woods with the intention of returning to the road where I'd left my van and then driving up the main road in human form. That plan was shot squarely in the ass when I caught the fear and self-doubt in Harley's voice as he began to question whether he had imagined me. Unable to bear the thought of causing Harley unnecessary pain, I'd stepped back into the late afternoon light and trotted to his side. When he dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around me, drying his tears in my fur, I knew without a doubt that I had made the right decision, even as the shifters around him gave the appearance of everything from amusement to annoyance at my appearance.
I stayed by Harley's side as we walked, noticing that he never took his hand off my back, almost as if he was afraid I'd fade away if he wasn't touching me. Then, when we reached the dining hall, he refused to leave me outside. Instead, asking Levi to bring him food outside so I wouldn't be left alone.
"That's not necessary, kid," Rafael assured him with a cough that I assumed was covering a laugh. "There's no rule about pets," he grinned when I narrowed my eyes at him, "in the dining hall. Bring him in and we'll find the mutt some scraps."
Asshole.
Rafael's grin widened, leaving me no doubt that he'd caught my telepathic message.
"Thanks, Rafael," Harley sigh, appearing relieved. He looked down into my eyes and smiled. "Are you hungry, pup?"
I nudged my head against his hand enthusiastically and he laughed.
"Okay." He led me to a corner table. "Um, do you know sit?"
I promptly dropped to my haunches, making him smile again. He ruffled the fur between my ears.
"Good boy. Stay here and I'll be right back."
I was watching Harley fill a plate at the long serving table when a shadow fell over me and a stainless-steel bowl of water appeared at my feet. Looking over, I groaned when I met the eyes of the Blood Valley Omega.
He raised a brow over narrowed eyes, leaving me no doubt that he was suspicious of my motives, but Harley reappeared before he could speak.
"You brought him water?" Harley asked. "Thank you so much."
"Yeah, well, Rafael and Zade want to be sure that he doesn't get too thirsty and lose control."
"Okay." Harley placed a plate of food in front of me, completely missing the intent of Colby's words. I, on the other hand, did not.
I waited until Harley was momentarily distracted and rolled my eyes. Colby shrugged. It seemed we were both sticking to our positions. Then Colby got a gleam in his eyes that made me suspicious.
"Hey, Harley? You know, I think I know this mutt."
"Really?" Harley sounded concerned. "He has a home?"
"Naw, not anymore," Colby assured him. I was about to decide I liked the Blood Valley Omega for reassuring Harley when he spoke again. "If it's the animal I'm thinking of, he's actually not a dog."
Oh, hell.
"He's not?"
Colby shook his head. "No, he's a tamed wolf."
I eyed Colby, wondering where he was going with this.
"Seriously?" Rather than being afraid, Harley sounded awed. He stroked my head again. "Does he have a name?"
That gleam in Colby's eyes sparkled and he smirked. "Well, it's not like he's AKC registered, of course, but the people who tamed him named him Admiral Scotland Fuzzybutt."
