(Cole’s POV)

    It’s a shock to say the least to see Lucase out to the porch let alone to see what appears to be a forced apology from him. I have a hard time believing what he has to say. I have never heard of Wolfington Academy and the only hint he gave was that he would go away. Not something I would ever want to happen to a newly shifted teen but I certainly wouldn’t want him to continue being a danger to the preshifts either.

    It’s been easy enough thest few months for me to avoid interacting with him even though I have sincerely missed the twins. Thesest two months, while they have been terribly hard and mentally painful for me, have also been the best for showing me the support I will have when I’m not myself.

    Alpha and luna both have gone out of their way to help me through my own decision to return. Every night luna and the twins woulde to my room after dinner with a te of food wrapped in cling wrap and several drinks. They would put the food and drinks in the fridge so I could eat something whenever my anxiety died down enough for me to keep it down.

    The girls always took turns choosing and bringing a game to y. They got super excited when they found out that I had never yed children’s games like Candnd and Chutes and Ladders. I think their goal was to teach me all the games they knew before I left as they never let me get bored and they never let me win.

    I hold Jessa close to me as Lucas’s yelps and screams bring me back to the situation. Damian is standing just a few feet in front of me, ready to intercept his brother should the need arise and alpha is standing a good fifteen feet from him, actively encouraging Lucas to run off. I can’t help but whine as I watch him endure a painfully hard shift that his wolf seemed to force upon

    him.

    I watch him closely, wondering if my opinion of the situation is wrong. Could his apology be sincere? Outside of injuries, shifting is supposed to be natural. Only the first and sometimes second shift is supposed to be painful enough that a strong pain medication after they shift back to human is used. After about six months of shifting regrly it may be ufortable but should not be overly painful. Yet shifts that ur when both parties don’t agree to the shift are known to be exceptionally painful and he certainly sounds like he’s suffering.

    “Into the woods! That’s an order!”

    I’m shocked again, struggling toprehend the situation unfolding in front of me. Alpha has

    bChapter /b482

    removed bhis /bshirt and his thumbs are tucked into his waistband as if bhe’s /bbpreparing /bbto /bbshift /bbin /bresponse to his own son’s straggle.

    After several minutes of struggling with his wolf, Lucas finally turns and runs for the trees. Alpha finally lets out a hard sigh as he picks his shirt up off the ground and walks back bover /bto ollius. /li/ol

    “I’m sorry Cole. I know that was thest thing you needed before setting off from hereb./bb” /bI nod my head slowly as things start to calm down.

    “Is he going to be okay, alpha?”

    “It’s another reason I’m taking an eighteen month break and will start smaller, less time consuming runs after that time. He needs help, we’re just struggling right now to figure out the exact help that he needs.”

    “You heard what he said. You need to talk to him about Kristoph.”

    He nods sadly as he picks Madisyn up. She snuggles into his neck whimpering quietly as she quickly wraps her arms around him. They are both fearful and confused about their brother’s behavior but luna was only able to pick Madilyn up when she started crying.

    “Damian?”

    He calls his attention to him, making eye contact when he turns towards him.

    “Do you remember anything from six years ago? When Kristoph Redmen was here?”

    I’m shocked by his direct question but even more surprised by Alpha Damian’s answer.

    “No,” he shakes his head.

    “I don’t remember much, I’d have to think about that.”

    Alpha nods his head in understanding.

    “You don’t think…”

    “I don’t know what to think.” Alpha interrupts his son’s question.