“I wish I was doing it on you,” Archie muttered from inside the cubicle.
At least that meant Archie was using the toilet for its intended purpose. He hoped.
“You’re trying to protect your sister. I’d do the same thing in your shoes. Or socks.” In fact, at Archie’s age, he would likely have done far worse. “You think I’m an arrogant, uptight, sarcastic jerk.”
A defiant flush. “Youarea jerk.”
“I don’t blame you for disliking me. Especially not after I attempted to deceive you. I’m sorry for that, not that I expect you to accept my apology. And I understand why you think I wouldn’t be a good mate for your sister.” God knew he hadn’t provided much evidence to the contrary. “But no matter your opinion of me, we do have one thing in common. We both care about Paige.”
“Icare about her,” Archie shot back. “You only care that she’s your mate.”
“Being someone’s mate doesn’t mean wanting to possess someone. It means giving your mate what they need, even if they don’t know what that is.Beingwhat they need. And right now, perhaps what your sister needs is an arrogant jerk. One who’ll insist on helping her with her problems, whether she likes it or not. Archie, why does Paige want you to learn to control your bear this summer?”
“What?” From Archie’s startled tone, he hadn’t expected the abrupt topic change. “What do you mean?”
“It’s something she let slip after she found out I was her mate. She’s gone to great lengths to make sure you could come to camp, and she’s clearly determined that nothing should distract you while you’re here. Why is that?”
“Because she hates my bear,” Archie said sulkily. “She’s always nagging me about my shifting. Even at home.”
“She doesn’t hate your animal.” Conleth was certain Paige loved her little brother without reservation, even when he was driving her up the wall. “But that’s not my point. Paige didn’t just tell me that you had to learn not to shift so often. She saidthis summer. Specifically.”
This time, the silence stretched out even longer.
Just as he was wondering if the boy would reply at all, the cubicle door opened a crack. Archie peered through the gap;mouth still set in that stubborn scowl, but a new worry lurking about his eyes.
“Paige said that?” Archie asked.
“In those exact words,” Conleth confirmed. “She’s deeply worried about something, Archie. So what happens at the end of summer?”
“I dunno.” From the way Archie’s eyebrows knotted, he really didn’t. “I mean, Paige and I go back home. And school starts, I guess.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think that can be it.”
“Why not?”
“Because that’s the reason Paige told me.” He gave Archie a considering look. “Areyou having trouble at school?”
Archie’s shoulders hunched a little. “I’m always in trouble at school.”
That was no surprise. Conleth couldn’t imagine that a typical educational establishment would be the right environment for someone as energetic and impulsive as Archie—even without the added complication of his shifting.
“A lot of shifters have trouble with school.” He nearly addedI did, but he doubted Archie would appreciate the comparison. “It must be hard, trying to stop yourself from shifting for that long.”
“Yeah.” Archie went over to a sink, starting to wash his hands. “I was nearly caught a few times. But that was last year. I don’t see why Paige would still be worrying about it.”
Conleth could, though he also didn’t think it could explain all of Paige’s agitation. “How do you manage your bear at school? You don’t seem to have much control over it here at camp.”
“I don’thaveto control it here,” Archie said, reasonably enough. “I don’t get why Paige is so stressed about my shifting. I’m not stupid. I’m real careful not to get caught in public. But she acts like I should stay human all the time, even at home. She doesn’t understand what it’s like.”
“I’m sure Paige tries to understand,” Conleth said. “And I’m also certain she wouldn’t be this concerned about your bear without very good reason. Is there something else going on at home? Anything at all, even if it seems unrelated to your shifting?”
He instantly knew that there was. Over the past few minutes, Archie had been relaxing little by little, as if forgetting he was talking to his worst enemy. Now, however, all his former hostility came roaring back.
“No.” Archie pushed past him, going over to dry his hands. “And it’s none of your business, anyway.”
“I’m your sister’s mate.” He finally felt that he was on the right track, though he still had no idea where it could be leading. “Any problem she has is my business. And it’s clear from your reaction that thereissomething wrong.”
“We’re fine,” Archie said curtly. “At least we were untilyoushowed up.”
