Clyde gave me a clipped nod. “Children like to rebel against what they know. And with Reid being what he is…I imagine he thinks it’d be different elsewhere.”
“Have you considered sending him to a human school?”
His lips thinned. “We can’t risk it. The clan’s security comes first.”
Surely there was a way around it? I opened my mouth to say more before remembering my place. I wasn’t a member of this clan, and I wasn’t an alpha. Hell, I wasn’t even part of Finlay’s inner circle.
“Reid is known for telling tall tales,” Clyde said dismissively. “Prone to dramatics, too. I think it’s his way of seeking attention, what with him being…different and all.”
My wolf’s ears pricked. That was the second time he’dused the word ‘different.’ I couldn’t help but wonder if he meant to say something else.
“Try not to worry about it,” Clyde said, coming around the table to pat my shoulder. “Kids will be kids. They’re always pulling shit like this.”
My wolf didn’t like it, but it wasn’t like I had any prior knowledge about how children generally behaved aside from my own experience as one. I couldn’t argue that Clyde was wrong, because I didn’t even know if hewas.
“Thank ye for bringing this to my attention, Evan. Now that I know how Reid is feeling, I can sort it out.”
I rubbed at the back of my neck. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Not at all.” Clyde moved to the door, signalling that our impromptu meeting was over. “Only going back home and letting this be the first step towards peace between our clans.”
Home. Yes. My wolf was yearning to be back among the familiar trees and people. Somewhere where we wouldn’t have to look over our shoulder every thirty seconds.
I nodded my farewell to Clyde and strode out. I was ready to get back to the McCarthys and report on this week.
I’d justslung my bag into the boot of my car when I heard a door open in the distance. I’m not sure what it was that drew my wolf’s attention, but he was sniffing the air suddenly.
I turned my head to see Reid slowly heading towards his father’s office, his shoulders slumped. Clyde stood in the doorway, raising his hand at me and nodding in thanks.
My wolf whined, but I shut it down.Clyde’s dealing with it. Just as he said he would. He’s his dad, he knows better than us.
It was good that Clyde was speaking to him immediately. I’d been right to go to him about it. Hopefully now,Reid would feel happier being here. Where he belonged, with his clan.
Now it was time for me to get back to mine.
REID
I was in so much trouble.
Da closed the door behind me. He didn’t move or say anything. He never did. Not at first.
He knew the waiting was the worst.
I was kinda surprised he hadn’t waited until Evan was long gone. Maybe he wanted me to see him getting into his car without me. To know that Evan had come straight here and told Da what I’d asked before leaving.
I shouldn’t have done it.
I should’ve known better.
Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I tried to make my hands stop shaking. It’d just give Da more ammunition.
He loved to see my fear.
The creak of a floorboard was the only sign he’d moved. I held my breath, waiting for the anger.
Please let him be angry.
But when he spoke, his voice was soft. “Did ye really think ye could escape me, boy?”
