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It reminded me of another early morning. Clayton had knocked on my dad’s door the morning after his first shift. He’d been a scrawny ten-year-old who wanted to join the patrol wolves. My dad had laughed and suggested he find another way to support the pack.
I remembered that day like it was yesterday. The disappointment in his eyes had reminded me of all the times I’d let my father down. Clayton was smaller than all the other wolves who’d had their first shift that summer. He was small in human form, too, but he was determined.
Despite the fact that I’d been barely an adult myself, and thought that I was decades away from taking over as alpha, I’d taken him under my wing. He showed up at the gym daily, never missing a workout. He showed up any time the pack needed a volunteer.
He’d lost his parents when he was a baby and was raised by his aunt. When she died a few years ago, I stepped up. Made sure I was at award ceremonies, took him to the movies, showed up at his football games. Basically, he became the brother I never had.
Despite his difficult life, he continued his studies and graduated top of his class at the high school last spring. I’d encouraged college, but he was determined to help the pack for a year first, as was tradition. He deserved a chance. But that wasn’t the only reason I’d brought him today. He was here because I trusted him.
We finished the loop, and I didn’t see any signs of intruders or obvious concerns. There was another group of six shifters who’d continue to patrol in pairs until nightfall, when a new crew would replace them.
Hoping they’d find something to explain the weirdness, I headed back to town, Clayton at my heels.
Once we were back in human form and clothed, I started the coffeepot. It was early, and I had hoped the patrol would help ease some of my restless energy. Instead, it made me question things more. First my dad’s death, then the human hikers with the addled minds. Something big was at play. I had to figure it out, and I was going to need help.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the invite to go on patrol,” Clayton leaned against the kitchen counter, “but you’ve got a whole team out there. What did you need me for?”
“You’ve been begging to join patrols forever,” I reminded him.
“Yeah, and your dad said it was never going to happen.” He winced. “Sorry. I’m sure that still hurts.”
“It’s fine. I’m more focused on the pack,” I admitted.
“That’s what I’m wondering about. What’s up with the pack? If you’ve got me out there, something’s not right,” he said.
I poured coffee into two mugs and passed one to him. “You’ve always been too smart for your own good.”
“I’m not a kid anymore,” he said.
I chuckled. “You finish high school and suddenly you’re ready for everything, huh?”
“Don’t do that,” he said. “Just tell me what’s up.”
I took a sip of the coffee, then set the mug down. “Okay, I did bring you out there for a reason.”
“Spill, Luke,” he said.
“Something’s wrong in the woods,” I said.
He lifted an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“That’s the part I need your help with. I’m not sure, but it’s different than it should be,” I said.
“The lack of animals…” he looked somewhere far away as if contemplating the strangeness.
It was reassuring to know it wasn’t just me who’d noticed. “That’s part of it. A major part. They’ve always thrived in those woods. Some of them didn’t even flee from us in wolf form, they were so comfortable. There’s still water and food, so where did they go?”
“You think it’s connected to your dad?” he asked.
“I’m not sure,” I said. “But I need you and Zoe to look into it.”
He tensed, and his eyes widened. “You want me to work with Zoe.”
“She won’t bite,” I said, covering my grin with my coffee cup. He’d never admit it, but like most of the residents here, Clayton was terrified of the witch.
“She hates me,” Clayton said.
“She doesn’t hate you,” I assured him. “She just doesn’t like shifters in general.”
