“Thanks,” Maia said.“My friend, Bryce, swears by the stretching class he takes.He plays rugby for his local club.”
Henry listened to Maia, Megan, and London discuss training and stretching, a sense of buoyancy filling him.He enjoyed seeing her interaction with his family.His good humor evaporated when he heard the front door open, and seconds later, a blond wolf slunk into the room.
He nudged Jacey.“Levi is home.He needs to stay in two feet.”
Jacey was in motion before Maia noticed the new arrival, and Gerard, seeing the problem, went into diversion mode.
“What are you doing with the land that comes with your house?”he asked.
“Felix Mitchell is grazing it for me.”
Levi must’ve smelled the puppy because he gave a yip of excitement and shot past Jacey, avoiding Henry’s outstretched hand.The boy loved animals and helped Henry to train his security dogs.He was a natural.
“Oh,” Maia said.“Where did he come from?”
“Levi must be home and let out a pup,” Jacey said with admirable calm.He stepped forward, grabbed Levi by the ruff, and exited the kitchen with long strides, Henry on his heels.
Damn, this wasn’t how he’d wanted Maia to learn about his dual identity.They needed more time.He needed more time.
Jacey took Levi to the kennels before he set him down.Juno arrived, and the other dogs let out a friendly chorus of welcoming barks.Henry opened doors to allow them into the exercise area before he returned to Jacey and Levi.
“Shift,” Jacey said in a stern voice.
A tremor went through Levi as if he’d suddenly realized he’d messed up.Henry felt sympathy for the boy because he recalled the energy that had sizzled through him when he’d been younger.His enthusiasm sometimes meant he’d forgotten the rules.
“Levi,” Jacey said, a faint edge to his voice, but when he met Henry’s gaze, he winked.
Levi shifted, the process taking long minutes because he was a child, but finally, he stood pale and naked in front of his father.
“Where are your school clothes and your bag?”Jacey asked.“Your mother will be cross if you’ve lost them again.”
Levi shook his head, his blond curls bobbing while his blue eyes held a trace of pleading.“I left them by Henry’s car.”
“Did you test the air for strange scents before you ran inside?”Jacey asked.
Levi gave a solemn nod.“I smelled family and Henry’s lady and a puppy!Is the puppy for me to play with?Can we run together?”
Jacey’s brows rose, his gaze connecting with Henry’s.Humor lurked in his dad’s eyes.“Henry’s lady, huh?I got that scent, too.Wanna explain, son?Especially the bit about knowing Maia from years ago.”
Henry didn’t bother with evasion, but he did glance at Levi.
“Levi, why don’t you get dressed and take your bag inside?You can say hello to the puppy.Her name is Alba, and she might be frightened because someone was mean to her and she got hurt.She needs you to move slowly and talk softly until she trusts us,” Jacey said.“Can you do that?”
“Yes!”Levi bounced on his toes, his grin broad and his expression one of excitement.
Jacey’s hair might be gray now, but Henry saw the resemblance to Levi.“Go along now and remember to stay in two feet while Henry’s lady is staying with us.She doesn’t understand shifting, and we don’t want to scare her.”
“Okay!”Levi raced away, leaving silence apart from the odd yip or bark from the exercise paddock.
“What’s up?”Jacey asked.
“Maia has trouble.Someone graffitied her house and tried to enter.We think Juno scared them off.They’ve also attacked her, using the puppy to lure her outside.”
“She’s your mate.”
“Yes.”Henry closed his mouth, but he needed to tell Jacey what was happening with him and Maia.“I met Maia when she was a child on a school trip to visit the dogs.”
“Ah!You recognized she was your mate, and it scared you rigid.Now everything makes sense.I thought you were mourning Jenny, and you were, but Maia threw you a curveball.”
