I sigh and run a hand over my face. “We think it’s for me. Because I’ve…I dunno, corrupted the alpha’s son, disrupted the family line or something.”
“That’s nonsense,” Mom says, turning to Dad for support.
“Absolute horse manure,” Dad says.
My folks are the best, always trying to be supportive, if not a little naive. I shake my head and shrug again, in a way that saysThis is just how the world works.The wolf world especially.
Mom stops looking at Dad and holds me in front of her, studying my face like she’s looking for obvious signs of distress, or physical injuries. Then before I know it she’s hugging me again, holding my head to her chest and stroking my hair.
“I’m so sorry, kiddo. It isn’t fair.”
She’s right, it isn’t fair. For most kids, having their first boyfriend is fun and exciting. For most wolves, finding your mate is something to celebrate, a wonderful gift for the community, the continuation of the species.
For me and Jasper, it’s a political statement—one not everyone is on board with, apparently.
“Thanks,” I mumble.
One of the security dudes pokes his head around the entrance to the living room, disrupting our semi-cozy moment. “We’ve searched the perimeter. You’re all clear. Whoever did this didn’t stick around. They must have just wanted to send a message.”
Message received. Hooray for them!
“Thanks,” Dad says.
“The alpha has requested two wolves be positioned outside for the next forty-eight hours. You’ll be safe.”
“Great,” Mom says, though she doesn’t sound so enthusiastic. I’m with her. I just want to be left alone.
“People are jerks,” Katie says, glancing at me from her lawn chair then turning back toward the garage door and calling out to Todd and Simon, who are in the middle of painting over the graffiti. “Keep up the good work boys!”
The bro-twins look over their shoulders and wave. Katie waves back and I nod my head from my seat. I felt a little weird about dragging these chairs from the back patio to the front lawn just to watch someone else paint over the graffiti that was meant for me, but now that we’re here it’s sort of fun—plus, from the way Todd and Simon are splattering each other with paint and chasing each other around like a couple of regular pups, they seem to be enjoying themselves.
“Thanks for coming,” I say. “And bringing reinforcements.”
“Of course. It’s really shitty of whoever did this. I hope Jericho finds them and excommunicates them.”
“Whoa, extreme much?”
Katie blushes. “Sorry, it just makes me really angry.”
Todd swipes his brush across the top of theT, the red disappearing behind the olive green my parents chose to repaint the door.
“Me too,” I say.
“I bet Jasper was steamed. I’m surprised he didn’t race back when he heard.”
“I had to convince him not to.”
“That’s sweet.” She glares at the garage and leans forward. “You missed the dot above thei!”
Simon looks from the door to Katie, shoots her a little salute with his paintbrush, and reaches up to green-out the dot.
“I’ll be seeing him soon anyway. He’s coming back for his birthday and spring break.”
“Oooh, boyfriend’s first birthday. Do you know what you’re going to get him?”
“No clue. Seriously, I’m more worried about that than whoever did this.”
“Really?” Katie says, skeptically chewing her bottom lip.
