Page 28 of Fallout

“But they’re not all bad.” My throat feels so dry, probably from nerves. “If you don’t meet Parker and his father, you can’t stay here. It’s illegal.”

He snorts. “They’d have to catch me first. Which they can’t. Wolf shifters may have the strength, but our magic is far superior.”

Superior? This guy is arrogant.

But… this guy did say wolf shifters killed his parents. It’s understandable that he wouldn’t trust Parker and his pack. He doesn’t know them like I do.

“Just meet the pack. You’ll see that not all wolf shifters are bad,” I say, trying to reason with him. “The pack has let me join, so I know they’d welcome you too.”

He huffs. “Absolutely not.” His entire body stiffens. “Somebody is coming. I have to go. Just think about what I said. And try to get away from your bodyguards. I’ll find you.”

Before I can say anything else, the guy goes up in a puff of smoke—literally.

Well, if I wanted proof that he and I are the same, there it is. Though I’m not sure that I want to be anything like him.

A moment later, I hear the rustling in the leaves. I turn just in time to see wolves run into the path. The wolf in the front vibrates and a moment later, Parker steps in front of me.

“Henley, what are you doing here?” He puts his hands on my arms and looks me up and down like he’s looking for any sign of injury. He relaxes slightly. “Where is Will?”

“Will had to go home.” I chew on my bottom lip, hoping Will won’t get in trouble. It’s my fault he wanted to run away.

“HE WHAT?” Parker shouts.

I wince. “Sorry. I, uh, made him upset. So he left. He told me to stay home, but I wanted to talk a walk.”

“The other supernatural,” Parker growls. “I smell him. He was right here.”

I nod. “He approached me.”

Parker’s eyes glow amber and his skin vibrates. I can tell he’s just barely holding back his shift.

“Where did he go?” Parker’s voice is low and growly.

“He… teleported… away,” I say slowly as if I’m unable to believe it myself. “In fire.”

Parker’s eyes instantly fade back to blue. “He’s like you.”

Not knowing how to speak, I simply nod my head.

He is like me. There are others like me.

Are they going to send me away now so I can learn how to control my powers?

Parker rubs a hand down his face. “You said he approached you. Did he say anything?”

“Yes.” I lick my lips. “He, uh, said he’s like me.”

“Obviously,” Parker comments.

“And that wolf shifters hunted and killed his parents,” I continue. “He heard about your dad asking other supernaturals about me and he said he had to come meet me. He knows what we are, but we didn’t get that far. You came before he could explain anything to me.”

“You can’t go near him,” Parker demands. I can feel his alpha powers in the words, even if his alpha commands don’t work on me.

“I won’t. I told him that if he wants to talk to me, he has to approach you. I tried to tell him that the pack is good, but he wouldn’t believe me.” I shake my head, still not able to believe what’s happening. “He’s scared of wolf shifters because of what happened to his parents.”

“It doesn’t matter. If he wants to talk to you, he has to do it when I’m around.” Parker huffs and turns around to face the wolves behind him. “Continue the patrols. I want Henley’s house surrounded. We know what he wants now and she will never be alone again.”

The wolves take off, as he commanded.