I was so stunned by his question that I could do nothing but stare at him. “What?”
“To your clan.” His face reddened. “Can I come and live there?”
He had to be joking, right? Was this just a funny thing kids did?
“Please,” he whispered, his big blue eyes meeting mine. “Take me with you. Take me away and keep me safe.”
Ah man.He wasn’t joking. I guessed perhaps he wasn’t as comfortable with the others as I’d thought. What the fuck was I supposed to say in this situation? “I think your family would miss you if I did that.”
“I doubt it,” he muttered darkly. “Honestly, they’d probably thank you for it. I’m more trouble than I’m worth.”
I bent so my head was level with his and squeezed his shoulder. “Reid, I can promise ye that yer not. Ye’ve made this week far easier for me to bear. You’re funny, kind, and know everything that’s worth knowing about dinosaurs. Any of those kids back there would be lucky to call you their friend.”
“I’d still rather come with you.”
“I’m sorry, buddy.” I squeezed his shoulder one last time before letting him go. “You’re going to be okay, kid, I promise.”
He sniffed and wiped his sleeve under his nose. “Whatever. Forget I asked.”
I frowned as he spun on his heel and ran off down the corridor. That was…weird.
Had I said the right thing? It wasn’t like I could take him back to my clan even if I wanted to. For a start, it’d be kidnapping. The Clarkson Clan would have every right to declare war on us if I did that.
Imagine trying to explain to Finn that not only had I added to our numbers, but that I’d returned from a diplomatic summit with a declaration of war.
Yeah, there was no way that was happening.
I tried to shake the incident off, but it was itching at the back of my neck. I couldn’t leave here without at least checking in with Clyde. It was probably just normal shit for a kid to do…but I should talk to his parent, right? Out of anyone, they’d know how to deal with it best.
Decision made, I switched directions and made my way to Clyde’s office. The door was open, the big alpha sat behind his desk, frowning down at a sheet of paper.
I rapped on the doorframe. “You got a minute?”
His brows rose. “Aye. I thought ye’d be on yer way already.”
“Almost. I just wanted to speak to you about Reid.”
Clyde sighed, gesturing at the chair opposite him. “Best close the door. What’s the wee shite got himself into this time?”
“Oh, it’s nothing like that,” I said hastily as I shut the door and dropped into the seat. “He’s been good as gold.”
Clyde sat back in his chair, studying me thoughtfully. “Then what’s the issue?”
I ran a hand through my hair. “Something odd just happened and I thought it best to bring it to yer attention.”
His eyes narrowed. “I’m listening.”
I hesitated. Was I somehow betraying Reid by telling his father what he’d asked?
No,I told myself sternly.Reid is a child. His parents know what’s best for him, not you.
I ran through a quick account of what had happened. Clyde tapped his fingers on the desk before sighing once more. “I’m sorry ye were put in that position, Evan. You don’t have kids, right?”
“No.” I shook my head. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure how to respond.”
“What you said was right,” he said. “This kind of behaviour is normal for a kid, especially one of Reid’s age. You’ve probably noticed we’ve got a few of them here.”
“Aye. More than we have, to be sure.”
