Chapter 11

The next three days passed surprisingly quietly. My uneasiness grew as the pack continued to ignore me, and I wondered what it meant. Brock and I planned on our walks to and from school, and Nikki and I met in the alley and went to the swap meet grounds at night with what seemed like most of the student body. We didn’t run into Mr. Sathing, the security guard, and I wondered what had happened to him.

Mom didn’t bring up going to Aunt Samantha’s house until Monday night.

“You have to go, Mom. They need you or Aunt Sam wouldn’t have asked,” I pushed mercilessly.

“I don’t want to leave you here alone. This is a new state, a new city, and you’ve not even been at that school a week yet.”

“But Aunt Sam needs you. Besides, things here are fine.”

Mom’s resolve faltered slightly, then she shook her head. “I worry, Jaze. Maybe you should come with me.”

“We both know I can’t afford to skip school. I’ll be lucky to pass the eleventh grade as it is. Don’t worry,” I reassured her. “There hasn’t been any pack trouble, I’m doing fine in my classes, and I’ve made some friends. It’s not like I’ll be alone.” I forced my face to remain expressionless on the last part.

Mom sighed and her tone softened. She looked at me across the fried chicken and mashed potatoes she had picked up on her way home. “I don’t want to leave until after Wednesday.”

“Why Wednesday?” I asked, though we both knew. My bones ached, longing to phase and run.

“I don’t want you to be alone for your first phase in a new city.”

I didn’t point out that I had already phased in order to save Brock. Reminding her that there were hostile werewolves in the area would only make matters worse. “It’ll be okay, Mom. I have a plan.”

“You do?” she asked skeptically.

I nodded. “I’m going to lock myself in the basement. That way when I phase I can’t get out anyway. There’s no way I can get into trouble.”

She looked me over carefully, then finally said, “Sam bought me a ticket for tomorrow before she even spoke to me. I don’t know why she does that.”

“She must really need you,” I replied; I inwardly thanked Aunt Sam for her foresight.

Mom sighed. “I guess so. I can’t really turn her down now, can I?”

I shook my head. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be fine. You can call me whenever you want.”

She rose from the table and started packing away the remaining pieces of uneaten chicken. I scooped the mashed potatoes back into their Styrofoam container and poured the gravy on top.

“I’ll leave you some money for food, and you’ll have the car. If there’s an emergency or you get bored you can go to Brock’s,” she said, her eyebrows pulled together in worry.

I smiled at her. “I’ll be fine.”

She shook her head. “It’s just bad timing. And after what happened to your father, I don’t like to leave you alone.” She fidgeted with the chicken bucket.

I grabbed her hand and held it until she looked at me. “Mom, I’ll be okay,” I said, softer now. “You need a break, too, you know.”

She gave me a small smile. “Maybe you’re right. It’s been so hard with the new job and everything. I’m lucky they’ll let me work long distance for a week or so. My boss’ brother has the same condition Brody does, so he’s sympathetic.” Her voice wavered, “A break would be nice.”

“Go, Mom. You deserve it. And you’d have a good time with Sam and the kids.”

She nodded in agreement and smiled at me. “You’re a good son, you know?”

I grinned. “I know.”

We finished cleaning up the table in amiable silence. A tremendous sense of relief washed over me at the thought that at least Mom would be somewhere safe if Mason tried anything.

‘Let him,’ I muttered under my breath. Mom glanced at me and I threw her another grin.