CHAPTER 9

Ryley

I don't remember falling asleep. My mind had been racing through too many scenarios all night. I needed to take back some of the control some normalcy for the both of us while we're stuck here. Channing could find a summer job in the city, or start a couple of online classes.

I forced myself up. The only way back to any kind of routine was our morning run. We hadn't made it to a movie the night before, but maybe he'd want to go this afternoon. If not, I'd spend the day reading. It had been a long time since I'd had a day to myself.

I pulled on shorts, a sports bra, and a tank top, and stepped out of my room just as Channing came out of his, already dressed for the run.

"Was just coming to get you," he said.

"Morning, sweetie. Sleep okay?" I asked as we headed downstairs.

"Really good, actually. I think this could be good for us, Mom." Chipper as ever. He'll always be my boy with the glass half full.

I grabbed my phone and the house key and followed him out onto the porch. After locking up, we started our usual warm-up. The crisp morning air cleared my head. We were here. I needed to make the best of it.

"Have you thought about what you want to do this summer?" I asked as we jogged toward the path behind the house.

"I think I might ask the alpha if I can train."

I stopped in my tracks, grabbing his arm.

"Mom, it'll only make me stronger," he said, already defensive.

"Channing, you don't even have your wolf yet." I was terrified of him being unprotected. Against humans, he'd always have the advantage. Against a fully shifted wolf even with alpha blood in his veins he could get hurt. Or worse. I couldn't lose him.

"Sweetie, I—" The words caught in my throat.

"Mom, please don't say no. Can I at least talk to the alpha first? I want to figure out a schedule before deciding between a job and online classes," he said, and I sighed.

"Fine. But we both go talk to him. I won't have him treating you differently just because you're not pack." I huffed, and we started jogging again.

"Mom, you can't always be the one protecting me." I felt Lily growl low in my chest.

"I can, and I always will. You not having your wolf yet just makes me more protective. I know I can be a lot sometimes, but if anything happened to you, I'd never forgive myself." I breathed the words out, shaking the thought from my head before it could turn into something worse. I didn't need to cry, not out here, not over something that hadn't even happened.

"I know you worry. But have I ever actually given you a reason to?" he asked, chuckling. Channing had always been the perfect son a calm baby, a quiet toddler, an easy, good-hearted teenager now. I won the son lottery with him.

"How about we swing by the training grounds first, then find Mr. Blake?" I said, giving in. He gave me a side hug and a whoop of victory, and just like that, we were jogging toward the training grounds instead of around the lake.

Channing all but sprinted the second the field and the warriors training on it came into view. Fearless, my boy. I used to be that way too, before I had something left to lose.

I tried to ignore the stares as I jogged up beside him. He watched from the sidelines as Beta Luca barked orders at the group. I was grateful Mr. Blake wasn't in sight I needed a stiff drink before dealing with him again.

"He could be our stiff drink," Lily purred, leaning hard on the word. I ignored her as Luca noticed us and jogged over.

"Morning," he greeted.

"Beta Luca, do you think I could train?" Channing asked, practically vibrating.

"You don't have your wolf yet, but I could put you with the alpha's son, Aspen his group could use another body. Any prior training?"

"My mom trained me," Channing said proudly, and my heart warmed despite myself.

"And who trained you?" Luca asked, turning to me.

"My father."

"And your father is?"

"Not up for discussion."

"Fair enough. Then you'll have to show me what you've got," he said, smirking.

"Excuse me mine?"

"Need to know what I'm working with." The smirk didn't budge as he looked me over.

"Oh, this is going to be good," Channing sang.

"Fine. But you asked for this." I patted his chest and walked to an open spot on the field.

"Let's take this bitch down," Lily howled.

"Let's.”