Chapter 353
Chapter 353
Avery’s POV
“Bjorn, stop p>
I ran across the lawn just in time for Bjorn to shift back into pup form and start rolling around in the grass, covering his coat with morning dew.
“You shift back right this instant p>
Bjorn whined, but obeyed. The boy sat in front of me again, his hair sticking up in all directions. His face fell when he saw the look on mine.
“Mooom,” he groaned. “What did I do this time p>
“I told you no shifting.” I planted my free hand, the one that wasn’t holding my coffee, on my hip. “You’re still sick p>
Sebastian jogged up to me with confusion written clearly across his face. He looked between the two of us. “I was keeping an eye on him,” he said. “He’s not too sick today. In fact, his form is clean and he shifts more easily than most kids with such young pups. Even faster than some adults I’ve seen p>
I shot Sebastian a look. “I know he shifts fast. That’s the problem p>
“Moooom.” Bjorn’s face reddened, and he flopped back into the grass, covering his face with his hands.
1 turned to Sebastian. “Look, Sebastian, I know you’re trying to help, but… His pup emerged too young p>
“How young?” Sebastian asked.
“Seven years old p>
“Mom.” Bjorn sat up, still blushing. “Do we have to talk about this p>
“Yes, Bjorn, He needs to know.” I looked at Sebastian again. “It was at the birthday party of one of his classmates. He shifted for the first time in the middle of the backyard, in front of about fifteen kids and four adults, all human. He went after the family’s cat, knocked over the refreshments table, and bit a kid p>
“Jimmy turned out fine!” Bjorn protested. “He even said he thought his scar was cool p>
I ignored him. “I couldn’t even communicate with Bjorn the entire time,” I went on. “His wolf took over. It was unruly and wild. Ever since then, Bjorn’s shifting episodes can be all over the place; some are normal, others are like the first time. He can be very dangerous without even realizing it. And he’s allergic to angelica flowers p>
Sebastian blinked. I didn’t mention the Demonblood, but I didn’t need to. He knew Bjorn was Gideon’s kid, and every high-profile wolf in the packs knew about that curse. (1)
“Well. I understand your concern,” Sebastian said, “but Avery, that’s exactly why he needs to be here. Control isn’t something that just develops on its own. It needs to be taught, and it needs other wolves
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around to teach it. In the human lands, his wolf had no concept of pack hierarchy. He was always the strongest kid in a room, being a werewolf. Here, he might not be. And he needs these experiences to get better at knowing how to control himself p>
I pressed my lips together. I knew he was right, of course, but it didn’t make it easier. I’d spent ten years not just protecting my son, but everyone around us.
Just then, the sound of yips and howls caught our attention. Bjorn perked up, turning toward the noise. I looked too, and sighed softly.
Three other pups were bounding across the grass, tongues lolling. One at the front of the group stopped, tilting his head to one side so that his ears flopped, then lowered into a playful stance and barked.
Bjorn looked at them. Then at me. He pushed his lower lip out.
I huffed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. “Bjorn, I don’t know p>
Sebastian placed a hand on my shoulder. “This is good for him, Avery p>
I hesitated again, gnawing on my lower lip. Bjorn kept looking at the other pups, who were still waiting for him to come over. One of them was rolling on his back, exposing his belly. They were curious, but they also wanted to play.
This was something Bjorn had never gotten to have before. Maybe I was being too much of a helicopter parent by standing in the way.
“Fine,” I finally said, stepping back. “But don’t stay out too long p>
Bjorn grinned, launching himself to his feet. He shifted mid-stride and raced over to the other pups. They all circled each other, sniffing, then ran off across the field in a tangle of limbs, teeth, and fur.
I watched him go with a strange feeling in my chest-uncertainty and relief wrapped up into one.
He looked happier like this. His coat caught the morning light and it was shinier than I’d ever seen it. He was fast and loud and more rambunctious than he’d ever been before, and it almost made me cry.
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