Page 55 of Fallout

“No. You are absolutely wrong.” His eyes flash gold. “How are you supposed to control your powers when you haven’t been taught? And don’t let Will make you feel inferior. My dad had to invite an elemental to the pack to teach him how to control his elemental powers. Even after he learned to control his magic, he still knocked down a bunch of trees one day when he got angry. So Will, of all people, can’t be on your case about learning to control your powers.”

I swallow hard.

I didn’t know that.

As horrible as that must be for Will, it makes me feel better to know that I’m not the only one who lacks control.

I chew on my bottom lip as I consider what Parker is saying. And he’s right. Will shouldn’t be mad at me. Maybe it’s time I forgive myself for not being perfect.

Someday, I will learn to control these powers.

A few hours later, Parker has to leave to do some pack business. I’m pretty sure he’s just patrolling. Since the other supernatural… the other phoenix… is still stalking pack lands, the wolves are being extra vigilant.

Parker instructs me to wait at his house until somebody comes to get me. Now that I know the phoenix is after me, I decide to listen to Parker’s command. We still don’t know how dangerous phoenixes are—they were feared in the past and considered evil, but history is written by the winners. For all we know, phoenixes were just feared because the rest of the supernatural thought they were too powerful.

It’s so strange to think that I come from a supposedly dead race of supernaturals. Where have phoenixes been hiding for the past two thousand years? And just how powerful are they that they can hide from the entire supernatural community?

As I muse over my thoughts, I spot Will’s black sports car pulling up in front of Parker’s house. I wave to Parker’s siblings as I head outside. Will meets me halfway.

His eyes scan me from head to toe. “You look better.”

I smile, hoping to show him that I’m fine. “I’m one hundred percent better.”

“I know that wolf shifters are taught how powerful the mate bond is, but I’ve always thought it was over exaggerated. But seeing you and Parker, I know that’s not the case.” His brown eyes meet mine. “It makes me excited for when I meet my soulmate.”

I want to tell Will how magical it is, but he already knows that. He won’t understand until he meets his soulmate, which likely won’t be until he’s in his twenties. I know that finding your soulmate as a teenager is rare.

“Let’s go to your house.” Will puts his hand on my back as he guides me to the passenger side of his car. “Parker’s house is a little loud for my taste.”

I laugh as Carson screams somewhere behind us. I look over my shoulder and spot Lucy and Dylan chasing him.

“I kind of like the chaos,” I admit.

Will opens the door for me. “That’s good—because alphas always have a lot of children.”

My cheeks grow warm at the mention of Parker and my future children. I dunk inside, not wanting to continue the discussion.

On the drive home, Will is quiet. I look out the window at the familiar surroundings. Once we arrive at my house, we head inside. Will gives me a stack of homework and I sit on the living room floor to get started.

“You could sit on the couch,” Will says with his homework open on his lap.

“I like the floor.” I shoot him a grin.

He shuts his book. “Can we talk?”

My stomach flutters as I look at him and see the serious look on his face.

I know exactly what he wants to talk about and it’s not a conversation that I’m looking forward to having. I push my books away from me and take a seat beside Will on the couch.

“Why didn’t you tell Parker?” Will asks. He doesn’t clarify what he’s talking about, but I know.

I play with the end of my hair, not meeting his gaze. “Because they were your private thoughts. Telling Parker would only cause issues between the two of you. It’s not like you ever physically acted on what you thought.” I pause before adding, “Also, there wasn’t anything wrong with what you thought.”

“Thank you.”

I look up at that. “For what?”

“For not telling Parker. You’re right. I never would’ve acted on anything. I only see you as a friend—I’m not sure if you believe me after what I thought, but it’s the truth,” Will says.