Page 95 of Shattered

“It’s Liam,” he said.

She frowned. “Ah.”

“He’s been... Off.”

“Off, how?” She folded her hands on her desk.

“He’s sullen. Angry. He’s withdrawing from us—more than usual,” Mackenzie qualified. “When he came home, he didn’t eat much, and the boy can put away food like it’s nobody’s business.”

“Have you tried talking to him?”

“I have,” Mackenzie answered. “It’s strained. Most of it’s my fault, I think. With this trial going on and the last year of, well, everything, our relationship isn’t the best. Nonetheless, I know you were in charge of the teens during the full moon, so I hoped if anything, you could help me out.”

“If I had to guess?” Maria glanced up at him. “I think he’s found his mate. I mean, I’m no expert in all things shifter related, however I’ve been around them long enough.”

The air rushed from Mackenzie. “Son of a bitch.”

“I don’t know who yet, but I can keep an eye out,” she stated.

“Are you sure?” A mate. At his age? Sure, Liam was almost the same age as Caden when Marjorie raped him and bore his child... But, Liam, finding his mate? It didn’t make sense.

“Call it intuition. He was acting different than the other boys were. He was edgier. He paced. He stared at nothing. He was twitchy, anxious. And, whereas when the other boys would shift before going to bed, shifting made it worse for Liam. I ended up placing him in solitary, so he could try to gather himself.”

Solitary was a sensory deprivation chamber of sorts for shifters. It locked out smells and sounds and allowed the hypersensitive shifter the ability to relax without worry. “Jesus.”

She frowned. “Can I be honest with you?”

Mackenzie laughed. “Have you not been already?”

“Touché,” she answered with a small grin. “I think this has been going on for longer than you realize.”

Again, he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, though it made sense. Mackenzie had been consumed by everything happening around them. He missed all the signs until it was almost too late, and in some instances, was too late. “My God, I can’t even take care of my children properly.”

“Don’t do that to yourself,” Maria said. “Besides, it won’t do any good.”

No, it wouldn’t. “I’ll try to talk to him.”

“Maybe someone his age would be better,” she said.

“I’ve tried. I thought he was working through it with his cousins.”

“Maybe it’s not the right ones.” She gave him a knowing look.

Shit. Had he missed it? Could it be Liam needed to talk to Tate instead? “Thanks for this. I appreciate it.”

“Don’t worry. In five years, it won’t matter.” She had a point. “He’ll be able to express himself the way he desires.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

When he stepped out of the main office, he spotted Hayden exiting the clinic with Emmeline and Asher. The little girl clung to Hayden while Asher napped against her chest. Pride filled him. After all the bullshit, Hayden still persevered. He exited the building and waited for her outside. When she glanced up, he raised his hand in greeting.

“Hey, Uncle Mac, everything okay?”

He crossed the lot and joined her. “Yeah, I needed to talk to you for a moment. I guess, maybe, I should have done this at Thanksgiving.”

“Sure.” She hooked her thumb at the car. “We’re going home for some lunch, care to join us?”

He nodded. “Sure.”

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