“That’s Dakota,” Henry said. “He’s one of the guardians. He’s new.”
“Oh, yeah. He’s yellow eyes, right? Sawyer finally coaxed him out of the woods. Took long enough.”
Henry tried not to blush but failed. He told his family pretty much everything that went on in his life. They all shared the news with each other, just like whoever he talked to kept him up-to-date on what was going on with the rest of his family.
“Get over here… what’d you say his name was? Damn meds have made me a bit loopy.”
“My name is Dakota.”
He’d moved quickly and silently until he stood by Henry’s side. He held out his hand and Grandpa William shook it. “And what’re you?”
“I am a shifter,” Dakota replied.
“I know that, son. I’ve got eyes, don’t I? What kind? I don’t think you’re a wolf like my pack. And not a bear like our Ben. Way too big to be a fox like our Tasha. Probably not a hellhound, either. The eyes are all wrong. I’m guessing some kind of cat. Don’t his eyes make you think cat, Henry?”
“They do,” Henry said.
“I am a lynx.”
“Lynx,” Grandpa William said. “The ones with the funny ears that poke up?”
Dakota lowered the hood which had been covering his hair the entire time. He actually had little tufts of hair that stuck up a bit. They were just a bit darker than the rest of his hair.
“Ya look like that Wolverine guy,” Grandpa William said.
“That’s a compliment,” Henry hastened to add. “Wolverine is Grandpa’s favorite X-men character.”
“Course he is.”
Dakota didn’t seem to know what to say to that.
“You’re mighty quiet.”
Dakota glanced at Henry before looking back to the older man. “Yes.”
“My kind of man. You gonna take care of our Henry?”
Dakota hesitated for one second too long.
“You’re not gonna watch out for our Henry?” Grandpa started to push himself up.
“I will protect your grandson.”
Grandpa huffed and leaned back. “Henry, fluff my pillow. And go get me a snack, would you?”
Henry adjusted his grandpa’s pillow, taking the time to give him a very stern look while he was at it. “Be nice.”
“I’m always nice.”
Henry scoffed. “He’s new. Benice.”
Grandpa scoffed at him so Henry stood and faced Dakota. “Don’t let him con you into agreeing to anything stupid. Don’t help him out of bed. If the words ‘Ollie said’ come out of his mouth, run. Got it?”
Dakota looked incredibly confused, but nodded. “I will stay with you—”
He didn’t even get a chance to argue.
“Sit down.” Grandpa used his serious voice.
