Page 25 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Sam

After Travis dropped him off at his house, Sam hurried and gathered a small suitcase worth of clothes. He grabbed the rest of the papers he needed to grade, his electronics, and then was out the door. In all, it had taken him about twenty minutes to get everything he needed for the next few days.

He called his dad from the car and explained that he wouldn’t be able to make it for lunch, but promised he’d stop by after the school day ended the next day. Thankfully, his dad understood the end of school rush because of his mom’s days as a teacher, and Sam was able to use the excuse to his advantage.

Travis had offered to wait and drive him back, but Sam wanted to have his own car to get to school the next morning. Why they had the last day of school on a Monday was beyond him, but they did and he had to be there. At least then he’d be free for the summer.

When he pulled up in front of Vaughn’s, he saw Meshaq sitting on the front porch. Sam swallowed down the little knot of fear that formed at the sight of the hellhound and grabbed his bag before heading toward him.

“Hey,” Sam said once he was close.

Meshaq nodded. “Ollie will be happy to see you.”

“They inside?” Sam asked.

“Still down at the clinic. You made it back fast. I’m waiting for Alpha Jerrick to finish with the cubs before I update him.”

Sam dropped his bag on the porch steps and sat down beside Meshaq. “Vaughn said you’d want to talk to me.”

Meshaq nodded again as he stared out over the expanse of Vaughn’s yard. “How much do you know about us? I’m not certain what Vaughn has been able to explain.”

“Well, not as much as I’d like,” Sam replied. “But enough to know that I can’t talk about this with anyone. You have my word. I’m… well, I might need some help figuring out what to explain to my dad, but I’m sure we can come up with something.”

Meshaq waved his hand like Sam was a bother. “I had no doubt our secret would be safe with you. I saw how you stepped between me and the cubs last night. That kind of bravery tells me a lot about a man.”

Sam wasn’t sure he agreed, but he was happy to have reassurances that his knowing wouldn’t be a problem.

“I’m troubled by this situation, Sam. More troubled than I can express.”

“I can imagine,” Sam said. “Anyone who’d abuse kids, well, they’re the worst of the bunch.”

“The amount of magic used in that house…” Meshaq stared into the distance then turned to Sam. “Well, I know you don’t know what that means, but I’ll be speaking to Alpha Jerrick about having some wards of our own put up around the property.”

Sam looked around at the long stretch of fencing that marked Vaughn’s property. It wasn’t small, by any means. “I’m sure you and Vaughn will do what is best.”

“I’ve spoken to my goddess about this,” Meshaq continued. “She’s troubled as well. Something is wrong, and we were both unaware. For me, that is unlikely, but there is a glimmer of possibility things can be hidden from me with enough magic. But hidden from her?”

“Why are you telling me this?” Sam asked.

Meshaq turned to Sam, his eyes blazing with flames. “You need to understand what you’re getting into and decide if you really want to stay. As hard as it will be, the cubs will have the support of their pack. But for magic to be manipulated to keep a goddess in the dark? There is power there, Sam. Malicious power. And it will not be safe for you, or the cubs, until I find out what is going on.”

Sam sighed, and then glanced over at the clinic doors which had opened to reveal Vaughn, the kids, and Nana Jerrick exiting. The thought of leaving them made his stomach twist into a painful knot. “I think they need me, and as long as they do, I’ll be here.”

Meshaq grabbed his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Good.”

The kids ran his way when they saw him sitting on the porch. Sam was swarmed by them moments later, everyone pressing against him while Ollie practically strangled him in a hug.

“Okay! Let me breathe!” Sam laughed and pulled Ollie back. “I told you I’d be back soon.”

Ollie beamed and pressed his forehead into Sam’s. “We got to go to the clinic and old Dr. Jerrick made us breathe and then he listened to our heart and Alpha hit my knee real careful with this thing and my leg just jumped up! I didn’t even move it! Alpha, do Sam’s flexes!”

Vaughn grinned and tousled Ollie’s hair. “I left the equipment down at the clinic, but we’ll check Sam’s reflexes another time, okay?”

“Okay.”

“And everyone’s healthy?” Sam asked.

Vaughn nodded, although Sam could tell there was more he wanted to say.