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Mo felt Alex stiffen and could imagine what it was costing him to stay quiet.

“Alex is one of our permanent residents, and now a very much-loved adopted son,” Riley said. “I’m sure you’re aware that stable peers are instrumental in helping a new child settle in a strange environment.”

Pearson sneered. “That’s what you do here, huh?”

Mo saw Riley tense at whatever insinuation Pearson was going for, but this time Helen interrupted. “Hunter’s Creek has the full backing and trust of Montana Family Services.”

“Fine,” Pearson muttered and stood up. “What do I need to sign?”

Mo didn’t get angry very often. He’d been in many meetings just like this one. As a reading specialist, he often saw a different side of a child because he spent so much one-to-one time with them, and so he was often included in case management meetings. He’d seen parents that didn’t give a damn. He’d seen parents that loved their children but struggled with their own demons. He’d seen parents that were at their wit’s end because of whatever physical, emotional, or psychological problems their child was experiencing. He’d seen those that genuinely loved their kids and just needed help.

And he’d seen entitled assholes like Sean Pearson.

Mo stood and shot a look at Alex, who immediately understood and nudged Noah. “Let’s get out of here before we tackle homework, huh?”

Noah seemed frozen for a few seconds until he turned and followed Alex out. Neither son nor father said goodbye.

Alex led Noah straight to the mudroom and started pulling on boots. He knew Noah had been given a pair and didn’t bother issuing instructions. Noah seemed to wait it out for a very long time, but then sighed and sat, pulling on his own boots. “Where’re we going?”

Alex stood. “Out of here. I need to run, and I’m pretty sure you need to as well.”

“Run?” Noah whispered, a wealth of meaning in his words.

Alex didn’t bother with a useless confirmation. Noah knew exactly what he meant, and he was sick of Noah pretending he didn’t. They both walked outside, and Alex jogged past Daniel’s house and to the open forest. As soon as they were clear from prying eyes, he stopped and turned.

“I just need to know if you’ve shifted before.”

Noah stared at him, but didn’t attempt to pretend like he didn’t understand. “Never properly.”

Alex studied him. “What does that mean?”

“It means I was forced,” Noah bit out.

Alex nodded. “By an alpha?”

Noah shuffled a little. “Yes,” he said quietly.

“I bet that hurt,” Alex said. It would. Your first shift was scary and painful. Having it forced would be tons worse. He knew he was skating on thin ground. But he’d been here nearly seven years. Seen kids come and go. His best day was the one when he realized he was here to stay, and he wanted to give that to Noah.

And more. He needed to talk to Riley, or maybe Christopher, but Christopher wasn’t here. “I hated this place when I first got here.”

Noah stayed silent, even though Alex expected a sarcastic comment.

“In case you didn’t know, I’m a wolf. Dad left the pack after Mom died and took me with him, then decided to leave me at a human police station. He said he’d be back, and that was over six years ago. I hung around in a group foster home until someone scented me and I was immediately transferred here. And I hated every second of it. I was convinced if I moved, Dad wouldn’t be able to find me when he came back.” Alex huffed. “Dumb, huh?”

Noah didn’t respond.

“So, I’m guessing you have a choice, although I think your dad’s a dick, but I understand he’s your only blood relative.”

Noah still didn’t reply. Alex waited. Christopher had taught him patience, and it had been a hard lesson. He knew he was an alpha. He knew he wanted nothing more than to protect Noah. They were both kids in the eyes of most people, even though his eighteenth birthday was in four weeks. Noah certainly was. But Alex knew Noah was also something else that he didn’t know what to do about.

“Let’s run,” he said and stripped, shifting smoothly. He watched Noah gape and knew he was looking at a large wolf, larger than most, large even for an alpha. Soon, when everything was back to normal, he was going to talk to Raschid as well. See what he thought. If he was honest, he was feeling more and more the call forpack. And he didn’t know exactly what that meant. He had no intention of leaving his family, but it was almost as if when Noah had walked through the door, Alex had scented pack.His pack.The urge to protect Noah was nearly overwhelming, but for now, Noah needed to connect with his animal. Alex waited and watched. He could tell the pull from Noah’s animal was strong, but Noah was afraid. In an instant, Alex reverted back to human.

“You don’t have to do anything. I wanted to show you the woods, but we can do that on two legs, not four.”

Noah tried to hide the tremor, but Alex felt it. “We can also walk back,” he said gently.

“I want to,” Noah rasped, “but it hurt so much last time.”