Page 30 of The Night Wolf
He was telling the truth, at least as far as he knew it. “We had some wolves outside the house. Did you notice them?”
“No, I—I—I….” His mouth tightened and his brow furrowed. “I was sleeping.”
“Your mom was out there.”
Caleb shook his head harshly. “That can’t be.”
“I saw her myself.” He pulled out his phone and brushed the screen with his thumb, then turned it toward Caleb. “Recognize anyone?”
“That’s….” His head snapped up. “That’s not possible. I was in bed.”
“And yet, here you and your mom are, on the front lawn, staring up at Sean’s window. You and every other member of the pack.”
Caleb wrung his hands together. “I didn’t do that, Alpha. I swear, I was sleeping.”
It wasn’t that Gareth didn’t believe what Caleb was saying. Yes, he probably was sleeping, but there was proof that he and the rest of the pack were in the yard all night. Gareth wasn’t a fool. There were wolves who possessed unique abilities, like Caleb and his precognition. Could Sean have some kind of gift?
“I believe you, but I don’t want you to talk about this with anyone. Do you understand?”
“But—”
Gareth glared at him, and Caleb tilted his head.
“Yes, Alpha. I won’t talk to anyone about it.”
“Good. Get off to school. And enjoy your bounty of pizza.”
Caleb’s easy smile was gone, and in its place was fear and doubt. Gareth got up and crossed to the other side of the desk, where he reached out and slid a hand over Caleb’s.
“We’re going to figure this out, I promise. Don’t worry. You’re not in any trouble, okay?”
A quick nod, but when Caleb looked up, there was a sheen in his big brown eyes. “I was asleep.”
Unable to let him suffer, Gareth pulled Caleb into a hug and held him while he let the panic pass.
“I promise you, I’m going to figure this out.”
Caleb drew back. “I should go to school.”
“If it would make you feel better, you can stay home today.”
He shook his head. “I need to go do something.”
“All right, but if you think you need to come home, do it.” Gareth fished through the desk drawer for the keys to one of the vehicles and tossed them to Caleb. “Straight home after school. No joyriding this time.”
The smile was back as Caleb snatched the keys from the air and stared at them. “Wow. You’re going to let me drive the Hummer?” He frowned. “Wait. You’re not setting me up for one of those big-car, small-penis things again, are you?”
“Get out of here before I change my mind.” Gareth winked. “And no, I think your friends will take care of those jokes for me this time.”
Caleb stuck out his tongue, then laughed as he headed toward the garage.
Gareth sat back at his desk, trying to understand what was happening in his pack. He was sure that Sean was at the center of it, but was it something he was doing intentionally, or was it something someone else was doing to him?
Could it be Ryker? There were too many things that Gareth didn’t have the answers to, and he hated not having all the details. He could talk to Sean, but if Sean wasn’t aware of what was happening, it could frighten him, too, and that was the last thing Gareth wanted. His wolf demanded that Sean be nearby, and with someone after him, Gareth wanted that too.
He slumped in his chair. “What the hell do I do?”
“Talking to yourself, Alpha?”
