“Oh, honey.” Helena moved to Caidrik’s side, her voice gentle, her hand light on his arm. “You did far worse things in high school. Kids will be kids.”
Nadia stepped in on his other side, solid and calm. “My father’s out of town. We don’t really have an Alpha, Coach.”
“You two are the best we’ve got right now,” Coach said, frustration sharp in every word. “Someone has to make decisions. We can’t be in limbo forever.”
That was one part of being an Alpha Caidrik hadn’t considered. His first instinct was physical, direct, and probably wrong. He’d just beat the shit out of both of them. That would probably cause too many problems with their mothers. The porch was crowded now, the weight of expectation heavy, eyes locked on him to see what kind of authority he’d claim.
“Did they leave any damage?” he asked.
Coach gave him a look. “They had an indoor fire. Of course they left damage.”
“Well, good,” Caidrik said evenly. “They’re going to clean it up. All of it. I want it perfect. If they have to retile, they retile. If they have to redo Sheetrock, they learn how and do it themselves.”
Both boys groaned.
Nadia nodded sharply beside him. Oh good. He was on the right track.
“What else?” he muttered.
She smiled. “I want a new garden.”
Kyle frowned. “A garden? It’s snowing. The ground’s frozen.”
“Yes, but I’ve ordered three massive greenhouses,” she said, far too cheerful. “And you two are going to put them together.”
Coach watched them carefully and then gave a short nod. “That’s fair. You think that’s fair, boys?”
They glowered, silent.
“What about the cheerleaders?” Nadia asked.
Coach shrugged. “Sent them home.”
“They’re going to help,” Nadia said instantly. “They’re not off the hook just because they’re females.”
The coach slowly nodded, his posture easing as the plan settled in. “Okay. So you want all the kids to clean up the school and then build your greenhouses?”
“Yep. They should arrive any day.” Nadia leaned closer to Caidrik, lowering her voice. “This was excellent,” she whispered.
Helena smiled. “What an excellent plan, but you know, it would probably be a good idea if the new Alpha helped the kids and got to know them better?”
“No,” Caidrik growled. He wasn’t the Alpha yet, anyway. “Not right now. I’ll check on their progress, but I have plenty to do, including finding my brother.” The cold seemed to creep in closer at that, the weight of everything pressing down on him again. He didn’t need dead shifters or bodies left on Nadia’s porch.
“You’re so grumpy,” his mother muttered.
The coach stepped forward, clearing his throat. “I do apologize for my lack of manners. I am Coach Jack Lawrence. We haven’t met.”
“How delightful. I’m Helena McGregor.” She swept down the porch steps and held out her hand, all grace and confidence. “It’s such an honor to meet you. I do love coaches. What a difficult job. Kids are wild, aren’t they?”
“Yes, they are,” he said, patting her hand. “You’re just lovely. You must be Caidrik’s sister?”
“Actually,” she chuckled, “I’m his mother. I had him young, I assure you.” She tilted her head. “Apparently my son is too busy to escort me to brunch today. Coach, are you free?”
“I surely am,” he said quickly. He guided her toward the vehicle, opening the passenger side door for her. “Why don’t we go right now?”
“That would be perfect.” She glanced over the door. “It was nice to see you, Caidrik. Please get matters taken care of so we can move on with our lives.” Her gaze slid to Nadia. “I wasn’t joking about helping you plan the farmland. I’d very much like to do that. I’m quite organized. You have to be, to survive in my line of business.”
The coach paused. “What is your line of business?”
