Page 12 of Who Let The Wolves Out?

Nolan blinks. “Really?”

“Dead serious. My mom thought I was sick. Gave me herbal tea and put on Mozart.”

That gets a small laugh. Barely there. But it’s something.

I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Your body knows what it’s doing, Nolan. It’s not a race. You’re not broken.”

“They all think I am.”

“Well,” Jason says, leaning forward, “how ‘bout we prove ‘em wrong?”

Nolan looks at him. Hopeful. Scared. “How?”

“We show ‘em what youcando. Even if you’re not shifting yet. Doesn’t matter if you got wings or not—your strength’s still in there. We just gotta bring it out another way.”

Jason grins. And it’s arealgrin. Not the smug, alpha one he throws around like candy. This one’s soft. Honest.

“I got an idea,” he says, turning to me. “You game for a little obstacle course?”

I blink. “Like... now?”

“No. Tomorrow. Let’s build it tonight. Secret mission. Just for Group C. Nolan’s gonna be our coach. Show the others how to get through it.”

Nolan sits up straighter. “Me?”

“You,” Jason says. “’Cause I saw you today. You’ve got eyes like a scout. You watched the whole Capture the Flag game without flinching. Knew where everyone was.”

“I did,” Nolan whispers. “I even saw Miss Alice slip.”

I groan. “Of course you did.”

“But you didn’t cry,” he adds quickly. “You just got up.”

That makes me smile. “Thank you.”

Jason stands and offers Nolan his hand. “What do you say, champ? Want to show those punks what a real dragon does?”

Nolan hesitates.

Then takes it.

I blink hard. Blink fast. Because if I don’t, I’m going to cry.

Later that evening, while the kids are finishing dinner, Jason and I are dragging logs and rope into the woods like some weird bootcamp duo.

“Think this is gonna work?” I ask, brushing pine needles off my jeans.

“With you planning and me yelling?” he shrugs. “Yeah. We’re golden.”

We pause, both of us panting.

Jason leans on the log and glances at me. “You’re good with him. With all of them.”

I flush. “I just... I remember what it’s like. To feel wrong. Like everyone else has the manual and you’re just faking it.”

He nods. “Same.”

We’re quiet a moment.

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