I nod because I get it. There’s a palpable sense of anxiety in my gut that I’m sure is in my mom’s and dad’s as well. With the alpha out of action, I’m sure everyone in the pack is feeling it.
“Jasper, has to ... He has to take his dad’s place, while he’s unconscious.”
Dad shakes his head gently. “That’s a serious burden.”
“Yeah, so, I’ll probably go back into the city tomorrow.”
“You’ve got school, kiddo.” I shoot Mom a look that causes her to flinch. From the way she said it, sort of quiet, half-assed, I don’t think she actually thought for one second I’d be heading off to class in the morning.
“I’ve got all the credits I need to graduate,” I say. “This is more important now.”
“Of course,” she says. “You’re right.”
“Why don’t you get some sleep, buddy?” Dad gestures to the stairs with his head, letting me off the hook.
“Yeah, I will.”
I turn to go but Mom stops me as I reach the arching entry to the hall.
“Maxie, one more thing,” she says. “Of course I don’t pretend to understand how it all works but have you thought about how you could use your abilities to help people right now? You know, the whole blood-wolf thing. Maybe you could help lift everyone’s spirits?”
She means well. So I force the little ball of anger that’s risen hot and spluttering into my throat back down.
“Yeah,” I say. “I’ve thought about it.”
Katie comes by in the morning with iced coffees and donuts from our favorite local café. She knocks on my door before I’ve gotten up. Bleary-eyed and stiff, I sit up in bed.
“Come in.”
“Hey,” she says, stepping in and leaving the door open so some light can penetrate my cave. “How are you?”
“I’m okay.” That’s all I seem to be able to say. “Didn’t really sleep much, so, this is very needed.”
She hands me a coffee. “I got the kind you like.” She drops a white bag on my knees, grease turning the paper translucent. “The one with the grape jelly.”
“You’re an angel.”
Without needing to ask she crawls over me, her legs draping across mine, and leans on the wall.
“You mind if I open this?” she asks, already reaching to draw back the curtains. Sunlight floods the room, blinding me momentarily.
For a time we sit quietly. I sip my coffee but can’t quite muster the appetite for a donut.
“That was pretty scary the other night,” she says finally. “How is—do you know what’s going on? Is the alpha—?”
“He’s unconscious,” I say. “They said because of blunt force trauma and a mix of other things. I don’t know what that means for him but ... nothing good.” I lift my head and catch Katie staring back at me, this sort of desperate hope on her face. “They don’t know if he’ll wake up.”
She lifts a hand to her lips, holding it there, trembling slightly.
“And that means, Jasper ...” She doesn’t finish the sentence.
“Yep.”
“Oh Max.” Her eyes are full of sympathy as she shakes her head. “I’m sorry. And what about you, how are you holding up?”
A shrug is all I can muster.
“That’s not important right now. Apparently, Walter Bridgers has been amassing some sort of conglomerate of packs to unite against us. He wants to take us down.”
