by LynnLorenz
“We want you.” Scott grinned and ruffled Charles’s hair. “Even if you’re a pain in the rear.”
“I’m not a pain—”
“Yes, you are!” Timothy laughed. “But the sheriff likes you, don’t you, Sheriff?”
“I sure do. I think you’re a great kid.”
Charles’s eyes filled, and a single drop fell. “You like me?”
“Yep. I’d like one day for you to call me Dad, or Pop, instead of Scott or Sheriff.”
Charles flung himself into Scott’s body, wrapping his arms around Scott’s waist and burying his head in Scott’s belly as the waterworks began.
That sent the signal for Timothy to launch into Ted, who scooped him up and spun him around as the little boy laughed.
“So, it’s settled. We’ll be a family!” Scott hugged Charles back as tight as he dared, and Charles squeezed him even tighter. “I’ll call a pack meeting next week, and we’ll tell them what we’ve decided to do.”
Ted grinned at Scott as he put Timothy down with a gentle forehead bump. Then the two men shared a quick, tender kiss.
“Great! The Freemans might be disappointed, but I’m sure they’ll understand.”
“Sure.” Ted rolled his eyes.
Chapter Twenty
“Okay. I’m going to shift. There’s nothing to be afraid of, Charles. Just watch and see the transformation.” The sheriff, no…Scott stood outside the house next to the woods, in the middle of the afternoon. Calling him Pop until things were legal seemed weird.
Charles sat a few steps above the bottom of the stairs, his chin in his hands, elbows on knees. He wasn’t so sure about the “nothing to be afraid of” part at all.
“Okay, if you say so.” He squinted at Scott. But just in case, he had one foot on the first step, ready to run up them.
Scott closed his eyes, and the air around him seemed to shimmer, like waves rising off hot asphalt in the heat. Scott’s face twisted in pain for a moment, and then poof! There was a wolf where Scott used to be.
“Cool!” Charles wasn’t scared at all. Maybe because it had happened so fast. Not like in the Harry Potter movie. That professor’s change had looked hard and painful, bones snapping and skin stretching. And his wolf was ug-ly. More like a monster.
A beautiful wolf, almost exactly like his painting, sat and panted, and then it scratched behind its ear with its rear paw.
Charles laughed and pointed to it. “You got fleas! You need a flea collar!”
Scott changed back to human. “Hey! Do not! It’s just sort of a thing wolves do.” He laughed. “So, not scary, huh?”
“Nope.”
“Well, any questions?”
“Did it hurt much?”
“Not really. I mean, it does, but only for a second or two. And it’s not like the kind of pain where it hurts afterward.” Scott had explained more about shifting than his real dad and without all the yelling and hitting. With Scott, Charles could talk normal, like they were just hanging out shooting the bull.
“Can you do it again?”
“Sure. Okay, here goes.”
Scott shifted.
The wolf appeared. It really was awesome. A butterfly of excitement danced in Charles’s belly. Soon he’d be able to do that. Be a wolf.
Scott’s wolf was huge, powerful, but friendly looking with its tongue hanging out the side of its mouth.
“Can I pet you?”
The wolf got up, trotted over to Charles, and sat. Charles ran his hand through the thick soft pelt. He patted the wolf on the head and laughed.
“Good dog.”
Scott shifted back. “Who are you calling a dog?” He growled at Charles. Charles yelled, “You!” jumped up, and ran up the stairs with Scott chasing after him.
They made it to the porch and fell into the chairs, laughing and out of breath.
“Next time, want to try it together? Or do you need to see it a few more times?”
“Can I?” Charles couldn’t believe it. He’d get to change into his wolf!
“Sure. We can give it a try and see if you’re ready.”
“I’ll bet I am. I’m almost eleven. How old were you when you changed?”
Scott leaned back in the chair. “I must have been about twelve. Mike, my best friend, had just had his birthday party, so he had turned twelve too.”
“That’s just a little older than me. What if I can’t change now?” Charles would just die if he had to wait that long.
“Everyone matures at different times. But you’re a big kid, and I think you’ll be ready to shift soon.” He inhaled deeply. “There’s a certain scent a wolf sends out once they’ve matured. You’ve got it.” He winked at Charles, and Charles couldn’t have been more proud. He’d shift younger than the alpha. That had to mean something, right?
“Hey, let’s get a snack. Shifting is hard work.” Scott stood and opened the door.
“Okay.” Charles followed his pack alpha inside.
He couldn’t wait to tell the other pack guys at school that he’d shifted before them. And that his new dad was not only the sheriff but the pack alpha.
No one would mess with him then.
Since the monthly pack meeting was just a week away, Scott added the boys to the agenda, along with the regular meeting items and sent out the reminder. Everything was going fine until he got a call at the sheriff’s station from Ginnie the morning of the meeting.
“Hi, Scott. It’s Ginnie.”
“Good to hear from you. What’s up?” Scott leaned back in his desk chair and twirled a pen in his fingers.
“Well, I was wondering if you could give me a hint about what you’ve decided about the boys?”
“Sure, but between you and me. We’ve spoken to the boys about it, and we’ve discussed it, and they came to a decision.”
“They came to a decision?” Ginnie’s voice rose a little, setting off a warning bell in Scott’s head.
“Yes. This affects them. Ted and I thought their ideas about where they live should be included. Is that a problem?”
Silence.
“Ginnie? Is that a problem? Don’t you agree the boys should have some say in their lives, since most of it so far has been out of their control?”
She cleared her throat. “Not exactly.”
“Not exactly like not a problem or not exactly like the boys shouldn’t have any say?” Scott’s temper flared a bit, but mostly he didn’t want to fight about this. The kids, he, and Ted had settled into a routine, and it was good, comfortable.
“Depends on what you…or the boys decided.” This time she definitely snapped at him. Whoa.
“We’re keeping the boys.” Scott didn’t want to argue. As far as he was concerned, it was a done deal.
“Oh.” Ginnie exhaled. “I didn’t expect that, Scott.”
“Ginnie, you said you thought we were a good solution to the problem of the boys. We agree. I thought you’d be happy. Has something changed your mind?”
“What about the Freemans? They really want Timothy.”
“But they don’t want Charles, and the boys don’t want to be split up. And frankly, neither do I, nor Ted. Charles’s self-esteem would be devastated. To Timothy, it would be like his parents dying again and being left alone. I’m not going to let that happen.”
“But you could keep Charles. They could see each other whenever they wanted to. It’s perfect.”
“Not for the boys. And I hate how you’re treating Charles like he’s the…consolation prize. Like he’s less than his brother.”
“No, that’s not it at all. He’s just a better fit with you guys.”
“What?” Scott couldn’t follow her reasoning at all. “Why is he a fit but not Timothy?” If she’d seen Timothy the other day, she might be singing another tune. The boy had insisted on wearing nail polish, and his love of all things pretty?
“Well…Charles has got issues, we all know that. Timothy is more normal.”
Scott sat in stunned silence.
Many replies spun in his head, but none of them was fit for polite company. He knew what she was saying but couldn’t believe it came out of her mouth.
“So you think we’re not good enough to raise a ‘normal’ boy, just a boy with ‘issues’?” Scott lowered his voice to a near growl as his hackles rose. Dangerously close to the surface, his wolf howled.
“That’s not what I said.”
“That’s what it sounded like. Like because we’re gay, maybe we should be happy we got a kid with problems. Like we should be happy to split the boys up so Timothy can be with ‘normal’ parents. I’m shocked, Ginnie. I thought we were friends.”
Ginnie swallowed, and Scott heard it over the line.
“Maybe we should discuss it at the meeting tonight?” Her voice trembled.
“I’m thinking there isn’t much to discuss. My plan was to let everyone know what we’ve decided.” Scott struggled to keep it civil. No need to get into a big fight over the phone, where you couldn’t see someone’s face. Maybe he was just being sensitive.
“See you tonight.” And Ginnie rang off.
Scott rubbed his belly. Merde. Had he hit it on the head or gotten it all wrong?
Either way, he’d find out tonight.
“I can’t believe she meant that, Scott.” Ted rubbed Scott’s shoulders. Underneath his fingers, his mate’s muscles bunched and knotted. “Ginnie’s a nice lady.”
“I think she might not have realized it was what she meant, and when it came out, she heard herself for the first time. It was ugly.” Scott rocked his head back and forth, side to side to work out the kinks.
“What do you think she’ll do about the meeting?”
“Not much she can do.”
Ted raised an eyebrow. “If you think that, you’re ignoring facts. The women in this pack run it, not you. They decided you and I could be together, remember? They put the pressure on the men. They carried the vote. If Ginnie wants to cause us trouble, she can.” Ted didn’t want Scott blindsided, but to go into the meeting aware and ready for a possible confrontation.
“Maybe. Look, the reality is no one will take Charles but us. The boys are a package. So we get them. End of story.” Scott clapped his hands together as if he were calling the meeting to order.
“Right, boss.” Ted rolled his eyes. “I’m just saying be prepared.” He thought for a second. “I know we’d talked about dropping the boys at your mom’s house tonight, but I think we need her there. Call Bobby and Billy and make sure they and their mates are coming too. If I’m right, we’re going to need every friend we can scrounge up. And if you can’t think of a good reason not to, let’s bring the boys.”
Scott stood and turned to Ted. “You think it’ll come down to a fight?”
“I think something is up and we should be prepared. If not, then it’s all good. But it won’t hurt to be prepared.”
“Let’s take the kids to the fast-food burger joint and then get to the meeting early.” Scott and Ted left their bedroom and went to the living room.
“I’m hungry!” Timothy sat at the counter. “I want to eat up here!”
Charles popped up from inspecting the fridge. “What’s for dinner?”
Ted laughed. “Good news. It’s fast-food burger night tonight.”
Both boys cheered, and Scott joined in as they fist pumped and danced around the room.
“And afterward, we’re going to the pack meeting.”
The boys stopped. Charles frowned. “The pack meeting? Why?”
“Well, we’re going to let everyone know you are both staying with us. It might not be pleasant. You might hear some people say some ugly things about Ted and me, or about you boys. Is that okay?”
Timothy looked at Charles. “Is that okay, Charles?”
“Yeah. I don’t care what they say.”
Charles nodded, trying to fight the smile on his face from growing bigger. Which just made Scott feel ten feet tall.
They bundled down the stairs and then into the car. Scott drove them to town in his cruiser.
When they pulled up to the restaurant, they had about an hour before meeting time at seven thirty. They parked, and the boys raced ahead to the doors, flung them open, and went in as Scott and Ted jogged to keep up.
The boys hung on the counter scanning the selections as Scott and Ted walked in.
“What will it be, Sheriff?” A teenage daughter of one of the pack members stood at the register.
“Whatever they want. I want a Dusty BBQ burger, fries, and a chocolate shake. Ted?” Scott turned to his mate.
“Same for me, please. Boys?” Ted looked down at them.
“I want a Happy Camper meal, with the little horse toy.” Timothy pointed to one on display. It was white with a blue mane and tail with blue stars across its rump.
The girl laughed. “Don’t you want the soldier? He has a sword.”
“Nope. I want the horse. She’s prettier than the old soldier.”
She looked to Scott. “The pony, please.” She nodded and rang it up.
“Do I have to have a Camper meal? I’m old enough for adult food.” Charles jutted out his chin.
“Sure, just don’t go overboard with the hot sauce.” Scott winked at him.
“A Dusty BBQ burger, fries, and a soda, please.”
Ted and Scott exchanged glances about the “please” on the end of the sentence.
Maybe being around them had paid off for Charles. Scott hoped so.
They found a table and sat. Timothy bounced in his chair. “I wanted the horse from last week. She had gold stars and golden hair. So pretty.”
Charles rolled his eyes. “Why does everything have to be pretty with you?”
“Because I like pretty things.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that, Timothy. I love pretty things too, like Scott.” Ted winked.
“Ewwww!” Both boys made faces.
Scott noticed a few heads turned to watch them.
“No, really, I’m an artist, and it’s my job to paint pretty things.”
“I’m an artist, and I don’t paint pretty things.” Charles puffed up.
“No, but you show a gritty reality with your work, Charles. And that’s not just pretty, it’s beautiful. Understand?” Ted reached across and patted the boy on the shoulder.
Scott’s wolf hearing picked up a soft gasp, and he turned to see where it came from. Several diners stared at them. Mostly pack with the same idea to eat before the meeting. He gave them a nod and smiled, showing perhaps too much tooth.
They ducked their heads and went back to their meals.
A strange feeling ran down his spine. Sort of worry mixed with fear mixed with anger. He pushed his half-eaten burger away and sat back. He put his arm on the seat where Charles sat, then glanced over to the people.
They had their heads together, whispering. Scott fought the urge to move his arm. This was fucking ridiculous. He left it there, just because to move it would mean he was guilty of something.
Ted had been right. Something was up, and it wasn’t good.
Scott got out his cell phone and texted Bobby first.
You coming?
We’ll be there.
He settled back in his seat. Now to round up the rest of their support, because Scott knew for sure he and Ted were going to need it. He’d never agree to splitting them up.
If the pack wanted to fight over the boys, he would give them a fight. He’d fought before for his life, his role as alpha, and to claim his mate, and if they thought he wouldn’t fight for these boys, they had another thing coming.
Chapter Twenty-One
Scott, Ted and the boys got to the Rougaroux Social Club early. Ted put the boys to work setting up chairs for the meeting, keeping them busy while he and Scott discussed Scott’s growing feeling of disaster.
“I think coming in prepared is the best we can do.” Ted smiled.
“I don’t know what else to do. I just hate that this might turn ugly. This is about
what’s good for both kids and the pack.”
“I’m not going to tell you not to worry, because a little worry in this situation is smart, but don’t stress out over it.” Ted bumped Scott’s shoulder. “Dressed for success too.”
Scott had decided not to change out of his sheriff’s uniform, to add a bit of dominance and respect. He stood at the podium waiting for the other members to arrive. Ted had a chair to the left of him, and Mike, Scott’s beta, would take the seat to his right. Scott had asked their friends and supporters to sit among the pack members, not together, hoping they might sway others around them. And he didn’t want it to look confrontational from the beginning.
Politics sucked, but it was part of the game of being pack alpha.
People started arriving. Out of respect for him as their alpha, everyone gave Scott a nod, wave, or salute. Many of his deputies were pack, so he hoped if it came to it, they’d side with him. But Ted was right; it was the women he had to have on his side. The men would follow them, if they knew what was good for them at home.
The boys finished with the chairs and rushed to the front to sit near Ted and Scott. They fidgeted in their seats and glanced all round. Scott remembered his first pack meeting, after he’d changed. They’d had a ceremony, nothing big, just announcing the new members of the pack. He’d been so proud.
Scott’s chest filled, thinking of how proud he’d be when Charles stood in front of the pack and became a member. Over the last weeks, Scott had fallen for Charles. The kid has issues, sure, but he also had talent, and if given the right surroundings and encouragement, there was no telling how the boy would blossom and grow. He might even be a future alpha.
And Scott wanted to be there for it all. Good and bad.
And Timothy? Scott glanced over at the little boy. He’d taken out the plastic toy horse and was playing with it. Who wouldn’t love him? Despite what Ginnie said about normal, Ted had been quick to point out to Scott, of the two boys, Timothy was perhaps not so normal and might even be gay.
Would the Freemans want him if he were gay? How would they handle that? Would they still love and accept him? Throw him out, like Peter’s family? It hurt Scott’s heart to think of Timothy in a family who might deny who he was inside and make his life unbearable. He thought of a teenaged Timmy being pushed into running away—or worse—because Scott hadn’t fought for him, and that just killed Scott.