“Yes,” Garon grumbled.
“You’re right that Cade doesn’t tellmewhat to do. However, he is one of my trusted friends and advisors, and you need to learn to listen to those you trust. Understood?”
“Yes,” Garon said again, this time wiping angrily at the tears in his eyes.
“Now, asyouare also one of the people I trust, tell me why you think I can give Simon some of my magic.”
His son’s head jerked up in surprise, and he had a happy smile on his face. “Well, since Simon gave me all his magic, it’s only right thatwe replace it, Dad. I mean, when he got hurt after that demon thing hit him with that spell, the other kids and I helped him get better.”
Gray absorbed that little detail for the first time and fought back a scowl. “And how did you do that?”
Garon tilted his head to the side. “What do you mean? We just did it. Like if one of us got hurt and we helped them shift to wolf form to heal. Like that.”
Like that.
It seemed easy when Garon explained it, but it altered Gray’s thinking completely. Cade’s as well, apparently. “But Garon, your dad calls our wolf. Simon doesn’t have a wolf.”
Garon rolled his eyes in annoyance. “No. Dad calls to ourmagic. ‘The pack alpha controls the energy of the pack,’” he quoted.
Cade and Gray stared at each other before turning their attention back to Garon. Gray’s head swam with the new way of thinking, but Cade was full of questions. “So, Gray can call on Simon’s energy, like he’s a wolf?”
“Sheesh, didn’t your teacher make you read the book?” Garon bit his lip and looked sheepishly at his dad. “Sorry. That was rude. I know.”
Gray couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yes, son, it was pretty rude. And yes, I clearly remember being forced to read the pack history when I was your age.”
“Yeah, we all have to read it, even though it’s old and boring sometimes. It says it in there though. Well, it says energy and not magic, but it’s the same thing, isn’t it?”
Gray supposed to a ten-year-old mind it would seem like the same thing. His mind, however, didn’t think of it that way. “I can see why you’d think that. I’ve never been taught that they were the same.”
“Oh, they are, Dad. I know it. ’Cause when Simon got hurt, I just knew all I had to do was give him a little energy to help. The other kids knew it too, and they aren’t even as old as I am.”
Kneeling next to Simon on the floor, Gray realized he was willing to put his faith in his son’s beliefs and try to pass some magic on to Simon. He glanced at Cade, who looked as confused as ever, but in the end, Gray trusted his son. “Let’s give it a try.”
Gray focused his energy on Simon and concentrated in the same way he would as an alpha to any wounded member of his pack. Garon’s hand slipped into his. They each grabbed one of Simon’s hands, forming a circle with the three of them as Cade watched from behind Gray.
“I can feel his magic, Dad. Can you?”
“Yes.”
“Can you help him?”
Gray didn’t know, but he wanted to try. He gave a little push with the energy of his wolf—not as hard as he would to a member of the pack but enough to make sure Simon didn’t react negatively. Simon’s energy connected with his own, but it didn’t feel bad or hurt.
Instead, it seemed they completed a circuit. Gray’s energy was a power cord; Simon’s was the outlet. When plugged in, energy could flow freely between them.
It was a strange sensation, different from healing a pack member but only slightly.
Gray thought about how he helped another wolf heal itself and sent that specific message through their connection. Simon gasped, his body trembling slightly. After a moment, he relaxed with a sigh. Gray disconnected, pulling them back, and let Simon’s magic do the rest.
Garon squeezed his hand, and Gray looked over at him. “You did it. His magic isn’t hurting as much now.”
Before Gray could respond, he heard the front door open and running steps coming up the stairs. He tensed a moment until he recognized Aunt Maggie’s scent. She burst into the room, ready to fight whatever was hurting her family.
Her eyes passed over them all quickly, taking in the scene with a glance. “Gray?”
He knew she was asking for an explanation. He gave her a quick rundown. She leaned down next to Garon and ran her hand over his head. Garon turned into her and nuzzled his face into her familiar touch.
She pulled him into her arms and hugged him tightly. “Sounds like you had an exciting night, young man.”
