Reeve held his breath, waiting to see what Danny would do.
Danny circled Tristan, sniffing him before stopping in front of his outstretched hand.
Looking down at his cousin, Tristan felt Danny’s Alpha Power radiating over him, but his own wolf didn’t react. Hiding his surprise at that, he remained still, waiting for the powerful pup’s next move. Growing up as an only child without a pack, he didn’t know if it was normal for an Alpha pup to be able to command a full-grown wolf, but by the quick intake of Steel’s breath, he had to assume it wasn’t. Refusing to submit to the little Dire Wolf pup, Tristan kept his face friendly and his hand out.
Chuffing, Danny made another circle around Tristan. This time, when he stopped, he sniffed and then licked Tristan’s hand before giving a series of sharp, friendly barks. Responding to Danny’s approval of Tristan, the other pups and young warlocks resumed their antics as if nothing had happened.
Clapping his hands, Steel said, “Danny, time to shift.”
Reeve’s jaw dropped as the Dire Wolf pup shifted into a beautiful child and ran over to his father. Sensing someone next to him, Reeve turned his head and found it was Maximus.
“He’s something, isn’t he?” Maximus murmured to Reeve, keeping his eyes on Danny.
“Does he do that because he’s a Dire Wolf?” asked Reeve.
“What do you mean?”
“What we just saw,” Reeve said. “He challenged me the first time we met, and now, he just did it to Tristan…I’ve never seen a pup do that.”
“Ahh…yes…Danny’s a very powerful Alpha and his wolf is protecting those who belong to him.”
“His power is only going to grow as he gets bigger,” Reeve said. “Maybe even powerful enough to challenge Jackson.”
“That won’t happen.”
“How can you be so sure?” Reeve asked, his curiosity rising.
“The Fates have a different plan for Danny,” Maximus murmured.
Before Reeve could ask what it was, Maximus was gone, leaving him alone without giving him the opportunity to get answers to his questions. Sighing in frustration, he turned his attention back to Steel and to Danny who was grinning up at his father. Changing directions, he headed over to them, hoping to find out what Maximus’ cryptic comment meant.
“Did you have fun?” asked Steel.
Nodding vigorously, Danny said, “Hiz wuf wazn’t afaid.”
“Who’s wolf?” asked Steel.
Twisting his upper body, Danny pointed at Tristan. “Hiz wuf.”
“I see,” Steel murmured. “What about your wolf? Was he afraid?”
Looking very serious, Danny slowly shook his head. “My wuf likes hiz.”
“Well, that’s good because he’s your cousin.”
Nodding, Danny replied, “I know…my wuf told me.”
“Is that why your wolf licked him?” asked Steel.
“Yup…iz that awright?”
“Definitively,” Steel replied. “He’s family. Now you better go get dressed before Daddy sees you running around without any clothes.”
“Okie dokie, papa.” Pushing against Steel’s chest, Danny wiggled until he was free and then, ignoring Reeve, ran out of the room.
After the pups and warlocks followed Danny, Tristan walked over to Heath and took his hand. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah…but what about your fan club?” Heath asked, grinning.
