The new kid smirked. “If I get to knock you on your ass again? Sure.” He glanced over at Aaron and winked.
Holy cow! Who was this kid? And how did Aaron grow up to be just like him? He was totally the coolest person that Aaron had ever seen. Behind him, Leo’s fingers dug into Aaron’s shoulder, grounding him.
“Mind your own fucking business,” the instructor muttered, but he turned away to stomp from the gym.
He walked away! Without hitting Aaron again. Or punishing Leo or this other kid.
“Who are you?” Leo asked as he grasped Aaron’s shoulder tighter.
Aaron was thankful for Leo’s support since his knees were still wobbly. The instructor had been on Aaron’s ass all week. It was exhausting not only having to watch out for the other kids but now the instructors as well.
“Bas,” the kid replied. “Leo and Aaron, right?”
Aaron nodded his head. This kid knew who they were?
“Yeah?” Leo said. “So?”
Bas grinned. “I just got my room assignment. Looks like we’re roomies.”
Cool! Maybe this time Aaron wouldn’t have to worry about someone attacking him in the middle of the night. Leo tried to protect Aaron, but Leo couldn’t be everywhere Aaron was or stay awake all night to watch their backs.
Bas popped his knuckles one at a time as he darted his eyes from Aaron to Leo. “I heard there might have been some trouble in the room. Just tell me who gives you shit. I’ll take care of them.”
Leo snorted. “Why would you do that?”
“I have disciplinary issues,” Bas said proudly.
That was the moment that Aaron’s life had changed. Instead of just having Leo on his side, Bas had quickly become their best friend. Bas hadn’t been afraid of anyone, student or instructor. Slowly, and with Leo and Bas’s help, Aaron had realized while he was different than the other kids, that didn’t mean there was something wrong with him.
Aaron had often been grouped with mages or undefined paranormal. They didn’t receive the same training as the shifters. Instead of hand-to-hand combat and obstacle courses, Aaron had been expected to use his brain. It helped balance out the team that Leo, Aaron, and Bas would later be a part of. He learned computers as his two best friends had been taught to use their fists.
Making the change from council member to a private investigator had been an easy transition for him. Aaron liked sitting at a desk and diving deep into mystery. It meant he wasn’t much of a fighter, but then Aaron never had been.
Aaron would much rather fight the forces of evil, whether it was human or paranormal, by using his smarts. It was an amazing feeling when the big and loud bully was taken down by something that Aaron found to use against him.
He might not be a talented and genius hacker like Stryker but Aaron was like a dog with a bone when he was determined. Aaron chuckled when the pup under his chin gave another body-shuddering sigh.
“I thought you’d fallen asleep on me.”
Forcing his eyes open, Aaron had to jerk back at the closeness of Carter’s face to his. He shook his head. “No, sorry, just thinking.”
“Dinner is ready. Let me get the hellion off you,” Carter said as he lifted the little pup from Aaron’s chest.
Aaron almost stopped him. He’d enjoyed the wet breath of the little one against his skin. A reminder that for once his power hadn’t let him down. He smelt the amazing aroma drifting in from the kitchen and quickly changed his mind. Aaron was starving.
“I can hear your stomach from here,” Carter teased. He lowered the pup into the crate, receiving a soft whine before the boy fell back asleep.
“I didn’t realize how hungry I was,” Aaron admitted. Placing his hand on the floor, he tried to get up.
“Stay,” Carter ordered. He patted Aaron’s shoulder as he passed. “I’ll bring your plate to you.”
“We can eat at the table,” Aaron offered even as he sank back down onto the plush carpet.
“Nah. It’s not a big deal. Plus, we better stay where we can see the terrible trio,” he joked.
“We’re really going to have to come up with names for them,” Aaron pointed out.
“Yeah, I know.” Carter disappeared into the kitchen before quickly returning with two plates.
