Page 47 of Starting a New Life

He nodded rapidly. “I can scent him close by. Is he okay?”

“He’s in the room next door. He was shot, but he got help and should be fine in a few days. Would you be more comfortable if we joined him?”

The young wolf—hell, he could probably still be considered a pup—nodded. “Yes, please. If that’s okay?”

“I offered,” I said and nodded to the door. “Come on, let’s head over. Can you walk?”

The pup nodded as he pushed back his blanket, revealing his rather thin, gangly form. He was wearing pack clothes, simple sweatpants and a hoodie, but the clothes were clean and would keep him warm. If they wanted to stay, we’d see about getting them new stuff.

But first things first.

He put on a brave face as he got up, but couldn’t hide the wince when he put weight on his leg. He’ll have to shift later, I thought, thinking about Jasper’s instructions. But breakfast first.

Fortunately, his friend Nick was staying right next door, so it wasn’t a long way for this pup to walk. Well, stumble-hop.

If I thought he’d like help, I’d offer it, but pups that age were stubbornly independent, so I just gave him time to get to his friend’s door on his own. The kid didn’t even wait to knock; he opened the door and hobbled inside as fast as he could go, throwing himself onto the bed of his friend, a sob breaking free as he did.

“I’m so sorry, Nick,” he whispered, hugging his friend. “It’s all my fault.”

His friend snorted, a hand finding its way into the pup’s hair. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t shoot me. And see, everything’s okay. I feel fine. The mage did a good job healing me. I didn’t know mages could do that.”

I perked up. He didn’t know mages could do that? But he knew about mages and what they could do?

I gave them a couple of seconds to check in with each other, then cleared my throat. They both flinched as if I’d fired a shot, their heads swivelling to me, eyes wide.

Great. More people who were afraid of me.

At least with shifters, I knew what to do.

“Hi,” I said, approaching them with slow, deliberate motions, and set down the tray of food on the bedside table, then took a couple of steps back and sat on the desk opposite the bed. Sitting down usually calmed nervous wolves, and it worked with them too. “I’m Gray,” I introduced myself. “I’m the Alpha of the Cedarwood Pack.”

They gasped, their eyes turning wide. I was used to that reaction; I got it a lot with newcomers. They never expected the Alpha to be the one bringing them breakfast.

Which was one of the reasons I always did. It set a precedent. I was there to serve them, just as they served me.

“Alpha,” they both mumbled respectfully, their voices laced with fear.

“If it’s okay, I’d like to ask you a couple of questions, starting with your names.”

They looked at each other, a silent conversation taking place until the one with the chest wound nodded and opened his mouth.

“I’m Nick, Alpha. Nicholas Spencer. I was a member of Green Creek Bay.”

I had to give it to him, his voice was firm, his body still, even though he was exuding fear.

“And I’m Connie, Alpha. Err, I mean Conrad. Conrad Mayfield.”

I raised my brows. “Conrad or Connie, which one do you prefer?”

The pup shrank back a bit, his eyes searching for his friend. Nick grabbed his hand, intertwining their fingers, and I had to hide a smile. Maybe not just friends?

“Connie, Alpha?” he asked, his voice pitched high.

“Connie it is. And you can call me Gray, there’s no need for honorifics here. I know I’m the Alpha; I don’t need everyone constantly reminding me.”

They nodded rapidly, but I knew it’d take a while for the words to settle in. Unfortunately, I’d seen it all before.

“Yes, Alpha.” See, right there. “We want to thank you for sending your mage to help us,” Nick said. “I was surprised to see him alone, without a guard, but… he came just at the right moment.”