Chapter 2

Nix’s POV      

After getting home, I made myself a birthday cake to celebrate my birthday. I think more tears went into it than anything else. I plan on eating it after I have finished my chores. ‘The farm won’t tend to itself’ was the phrase mom would use.      

I sat there and reminisced about my past birthday’s, what we would have done this evening. It was not very exciting compared to what other kids my age do. But I was grateful and happy. I don’t need flashy items or fancy clothes. She always said I deserved more than she could give. But all I wanted was her love. I got that in abundance.      

She was my everything and I was hers. She would make a tremendous effort every year on my birthday to tell me that I was the best thing that ever happened to her. Her life wasn’t complete until I came into it.      

All I could do was sit there, tears streaming down my face, thinking of her expression, her smile and her comforting embraces. I missed her so much. I haven’t even been in her bedroom since that day. I can’t bring myself to go in. At least I can imagine she is there sleeping. Which is better than my reality, which depresses me.      

I was washing the dishes, when I thought I heard a knock at the door. But no one ever comes here, even the mail carriers don’t come this far. So, I think I imagined it. That is until I heard it again. Someone actually was actually knocking at the door. I dried my hands and eyes before answering.      

“Hi,” I said to the coach standing on my porch. Extremely confused by what he was doing here.       

“Hi Nix, I came to check on you. The principal went a bit overboard today, so I wanted to check your mom wasn’t giving you such a hard time. Is she home?” He says, trying to peer over my shoulder.      

I closed the door behind me. “She is resting at the moment. It’s hard work managing the farm on our own.” I nodded, gesturing to the farmland outside.      

“That’s a shame. I was quite interested in what happened today. I am curious as to where you are both from?”      

“We have lived here my entire life. I am not disturbing her for rest, to ask her that.”      

“No problem, Nix. I was just interested. My name is Reed. By the way, I work with the Council. I usually work within the pack schools. Check if they are teaching the kids properly.”        

“The council? Like the town council?” I asked him. I know which council he is on about, but I am not letting on.      

He smirks, “No, the Wolf Council.”      

I looked at him skeptically. “What are you doing here, then?” I asked him.      

“There have been reports of rogues near these parts.” I sucked in a breath. “The Wolf Council wanted me to check that they weren’t interfering with the human town. I am only here for a few weeks, probably less.” He replies.      

“Do you have a number? I will give it to my mom and if she wants to contact you, she will.”      

He hands over a card. I assume his number is on it. “That was some show of power you showed today. How old are you?”      

“They should have left me alone. I rarely lose my temper like that, but today was not a good day. I am seventeen, just.” He doesn’t need to know I am seventeen today.    

“Only seventeen and have an aura that strong. Interesting.”      

“No idea what you are talking about. I have never come across a male wolf before. Maybe you’re just weak?”      

“Maybe. Ask your mom to call me.”      

“Will do, but don’t hold your breath. We are kind of private people.”      

“Right, well, you have my number if either she or you want to talk.” He walked away. But for some reason, I don’t think I have seen the last of him. That was very easy.      

      

Reed’s POV      

I don’t know what happened. One second, I was going to deal with an altercation during one of my classes, the next I was on my knees, baring my neck to a boy who I didn’t even know. Don’t get me wrong. I am not an Alpha, but I have Alpha blood in me. How could a teenager in the human world do that to me?      

They sent me here to monitor the rogue situation, but right now I have a bigger concern. Who is this kid?      

I phoned my cousin Ethan at the Wolf Council and told him what happened today. He encourages me to see what else I can find out about him. He could be a potential threat if we are not careful.      

I was going to charm the principal’s secretary, convince her to let me have a look at Nix’s file. But I saw her storm out of the principal’s office. I knocked and went in, under the pretense that I would be leaving in a few weeks. “Just what I need is more bad news today,” the principal said.      

“Why? What happened today?” He picked a file off his desk. “I have had to suspend two children today. One of them has an influential family, the other doesn’t have anyone other than his mom.” I said nothing, hoping he would continue talking. “He is such a good kid as well, works hard, gets reasonable grades. Not been in any trouble for a long time. But his life chances are not that great. He will probably work his entire life on that farm he lives on.”      

“He seemed pretty stressed today. It was a shame to suspend him for a one off.” I said, trying to defend him.      

“I agree, but the rules are the rules. Charlie had to be suspended as well. It wouldn’t have gone down well if I hadn’t suspended Nix as well. Charlie’s family would have thrown it in my face.” He sighs. “I still need to contact Nix’s mom. She didn’t answer her phone when I called her earlier.”       

“Have you met her?” I asked casually.      

“Oh yes, she comes to every school event with Nix. She supports him with anything he wants to do. They don’t have much, but she gives him all the time in the world. Unlike lots of parents these days that just buy their kid’s stuff. She is beautiful too, extremely easy on the eye as well. No one else in town compares to her. I bet she could have any man in town she wanted, but she only has eyes for Nix.”      

“What about his father?”       

He ruffled through the file. “Where the father’s name should be, it says unknown.”      

“Interesting. Can I have a quick look at his grades? I may know of a scholarship available for an underprivileged child, but they have to fit certain criteria.” I told him, trying to get Nix’s file.      

His head picked up. “Seriously, what’s the criteria? I may have other kids who may be eligible?”      

I doubt that. But if I want the information in that file, I have to look at his file. “Sure,” I said with a smile. I am then forced to look at file after file, but it will serve no end. I have got what I wanted.