“Understandable. Plus, healing probably took a lot out of you.” So, extra food needed after shifting. Duly noted.
Noah fell on his meal like a starving… well, wolf, polishing off his burger and fries in record time, then diving into the bag, a hopeful expression on his face.
Slade pushed his tray across the table. “Here. I can’t eat the rest of my fries.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. Gotta save room for dessert, don’t I?”
“Dessert?” Noah's eyes brightened, a smile forming on his lips.
“Sure, I got one each, apple pie or pecan pie. You pick.”
“Paul used to make the best pies.” Such sadness in those words.
Something twisted in Slade’s insides. What? A sudden stab of jealousy? Why? “Who is Paul?”
Noah dropped his gaze. “The man who raised me.”
“Uncle? Adoptive father?”
Noah shook his head, shaggy blond waves brushing his shoulders. “Nah, but he’s the only father figure I knew, so I guess he was my adoptive father.”
Slade phrased his questions thoughtfully. He’d no right to ask Noah to reveal all his secrets unless the secrets put them at risk. “What happened to him?”
Whatever invisible object lay on the table must sure be interesting to hold Noah’s undivided attention, even distracting him from food. His words came out in a low mumble. “He left one day to go look for family and never came back.”
Be too forceful, Noah might run. Or worse, shift and eliminate the threat. Slade took a chance, keeping his Glock within reach. “Tell me. Do you think people like the ones hunting you got him?”
Noah shot his gaze upward. “What? No! I don’t know.” He ran a hand up the back of his neck.
Which Slade took for a yes. “Can I ask you another question?”
“Yes. I might not answer.” Noah’s chest rose and fell a bit more rapidly.
“Understood. What’s the medallion you wear around your neck?”
Noah stared for a moment, released a relieved sigh, and lifted the charm. Slade made out the woman’s face on the moon. The moon controlled shifts, right? Did werewolves pray to the moon?
“I was wearing this when he found me, so Paul said maybe my parents gave it to me. If he’s right, this is my only reminder of them.”
Slade’s folks weren’t about to win any parent of the year honors, but at least they’d been there. Somewhat. Until Mom left.
“What’s around your neck?” Noah asked.
Slade pulled the charm from the collar of his shirt. “A wolf. A wise woman gave this to me. It’s supposed to help me on my journey or something.”
A wolf. Judith gave Slade a wolf.
Now he sat across from one. His phone chimed, and he checked the screen.
A text from Judith saidThe tea leaves have spoken. Take care of your wolf. He’s important.
Chapter Fifteen
Despitehavingtherightto be curious, Slade didn’t ask too many questions, nor did he volunteer information. Why would he help Noah, a total stranger? They slept, then Slade went out, returning with something called a continental breakfast of muffins and coffee. He turned on the TV and settled back on the bed.
Paul discouraged unnecessary contact with the outside world, so no TV growing up, though Noah knew about TV and movies from magazines. He’d like to try video games one day, but for now, he didn’t dare ask Slade how the TV controls worked.