Chapter 11: New Protector

Thea’s POV

My shoulder awkwardly supported the phone while I attempted to clean one-handed. “How’s your day, baby?” I asked, trying to sound cheerful as I set aside the duster.

“It’s amazing!” Leo’s excited shout nearly burst my eardrums. “We just went snorkeling and saw real sea turtles! And Grandpa says we’re going parasailing later!”

His enthusiasm made me smile despite myself. As long as he was safe and happy, that was all that mattered. Even though missing him felt like a physical ache in my chest.

“That’s great, baby… see? I told you you’d have lots of fun.” I gave up on cleaning and sank onto the couch. Better to focus on him while I had him.

“What about you, Mommy? How’s your weekend?”

What could I say? That his six-year-old life was more exciting than mine? That without him, the house felt like a tomb?

My colleagues at the neutral territory school used to invite me to events out of politeness, but they’d stopped after I’d declined enough times. But I knew those invitations were just formalities—no one really wanted to befriend the wolfless outcast.

“Oh, just doing some cleaning,” I murmured vaguely.

“Mom.” His tone turned surprisingly stern. “You need to go out and have fun like I am. I don’t want you staying home alone all the time.”

Being lectured by my six-year-old should have been amusing, but his words hit closer to home than I liked to admit. I’d built my entire world around him, and now that he was gone…

“I will, baby. Just need to finish my chores first.” In reality, I’d probably spend another night with takeout and Netflix for company.

“Okay… Grandpa’s calling me to build the sandcastle! He says it’s going to be bigger than our house! Bye Mommy!”

“Nana says hi,” I heard Margaret’s voice in the background.

“Don’t forget sunscreen,” I replied, deliberately ignoring my mother’s greeting. Thankfully, Leo was too excited about his adventure to notice.

After hanging up, I managed to finish most of the cleaning before settling in to grade papers from my Werewolves History class. Teaching had become my sanctuary.

My phone’s sudden ring startled me. Kane’s name on the screen made my heart skip.

“Hello?”

“Are you at the PD training grounds?” His voice held that quiet confidence I was starting to associate with him.

“What training grounds?”

“The combat facility at the police station. Your family’s there. The Alpha of Ashworth worked out a deal with our department. We’re providing specialized training facilities and security monitoring for both packs during this investigation.” He paused. “I’m just a regular officer, but I can get you in.”

This was news to me, though it made sense given what happened to Dad. The Moon Bay Police Department was special. They recruited the best wolves from neutral territories, training them until their combat skills matched any pack’s elite warriors—they needed that level of strength to maintain order between packs.

“Can I pick you up?” His tone was warm and inviting.

I hesitated. There was something reassuring about Kane, none of the overwhelming dominance most male werewolves projected. And honestly… being alone in this empty house was starting to drive me crazy.

“Sure.”

“Ten minutes.”

I scrambled to change into something suitable for training, though I doubted what I could actually do there besides watch. Not being able to shift meant most combat training would be useless for me.

The car ride was surprisingly comfortable, none of the awkward silence I’d grown used to with Sebastian.

“So what made you join the Moon Bay PD?” I turned to study his profile.

“One of their officers executed my father.” He shrugged at my startled look. “He wasn’t a good man. Seeing them take down someone who thought he was untouchable made me want to do the same for this city.”

His answer clearly left out a lot, but I didn’t want to push.

“What about you?” He redirected smoothly. “Why teach Werewolf History?”

I usually guarded my past carefully, but something about Kane made me want to share. “I had an amazing teacher when I was young. She gave me everything my mother never did—kindness, encouragement, love. When I grew up, I wanted to be that person for others. And maybe… teaching history makes me feel like I’m part of pack culture, even without a wolf.”

The training facility took up the entire floor. Through reinforced glass walls, I saw several massive brown wolves sparring in one room, their claws leaving deep grooves in the steel floor. In another, two grey wolves were practicing takedowns; their bodies hitting walls echoed down the hallway, followed by the distinct sound of concrete cracking.

Sebastian, Aurora, Roman, and Damien were already there, but they hadn’t shifted. Sebastian was guiding Aurora through an attack move. His expression darkened the moment he saw Kane and me.

“Who invited you?”

“Obviously not you.” I rolled my eyes.

“I tried calling to let you know.” Irritation colored his tone. “But you never answer my calls.”

“Guess you didn’t try hard enough.” I lifted my chin and met his glare head-on.

A sudden snarl ripped through the air. One of the training wolves had broken protocol, charging straight at the observation area. Before anyone could react, Kane smoothly inserted himself between me and the threat.

“Stand down, Matthews,” he commanded. The wolf skidded to a halt, ears flattening.

“Control your officer,” Sebastian stepped forward. His face was calm, but a flash of hostility I couldn’t understand flickered in his eyes. When he saw my confused expression, his attention shifted to me instead.

“Interesting,” his voice turned cold. “You ignore my calls for days, but jump at the chance when another male invites you.”

Kane’s eyes narrowed. “I wasn’t aware I needed your permission to invite someone to a public facility.”

“Public?” Sebastian snapped. “Last I checked, you’re just a regular officer here. Not exactly in a position to be making invitations.”

I stood there awkwardly, not sure if I should say something. Why were they suddenly at each other’s throats?

“Come on,” Kane touched my elbow lightly, pointedly ignoring Sebastian’s low growl. “Let’s find you some basic defensive moves. Everyone should know how to protect themselves.”

I caught Aurora’s venomous glare as Kane led me away. She clung to Sebastian’s arm like a trophy. If looks could kill, I’d have died a hundred deaths.

I sighed deeply. This afternoon was going to be a headache.