Chapter 445 Chapter 445
Noah turned to look and saw a small building on the corner of the property.
“Gage wanted to set it up as a guardhouse, but I told him with the fence you wouldn’t need cameras every two feet like Blair has.” He shrugged, “there are a few men in this clan and there are the boys, they’ll be shifting soon.”
Noah nodded and went toward the house to look inside. Why was Cooper talking to him about all of this when he should be talking it over with Blair? He walked through it, noting it hadn’t been cleaned at all. There were two small bedrooms and a bigger one. The kitchen was basic, but the house was only thirty seconds away. There was a small sitting area. His brain automatically checked the doors, for locks. There weren’t any.
“I guess whoever was going to be running this camp was planning on staying here.”
“What kind of camp was it?” Noah looked in the last door to see it was a bathroom.
“I think Ed said it was supposed to be a reform camp for boys that got into trouble.”
Noah rubbed his hand over his jaw, which would explain the tall fence and the locks on the doors.
Cooper chuckled, “guess they realized if one of them got out, they’d never find them in all this land around it.”
Noah nodded, “yeah if they did survive the animals, they’d be lost in the trees forever.”
Cooper grinned. “That’s for sure.” He looked around. “What do you think?”
Noah looked around again, “I agree, I don’t think a guardhouse is needed.”
Cooper gave him a blank look, “not about that. About this little house is perfect for a young family starting out.” He held his look, “maybe a family that’s been through a lot more than the rest and needs space and quiet.” He nodded.
Noah frowned, “sure,” he shrugged, “it’s only steps from the rest of the house.”
Cooper glared at him, “I meant for you, dummy.” He jerked his chin toward the door, “and your girl in there.” He grinned, “her little one looks like an angel.”
Noah was sure his facial expression changed five times before he could form a word. “I—uh...”
“Blair told me he asked you to oversee this branch of his clan. I think it’s a great idea.” Cooper took off his hat and scratched his head, then put it back on and adjusted it, “these people have been through a lot, and you understand.”
Noah walked to the other side of the room and looked out the window, “I know nothing about clan life, Coop.” He watched a small orange domestic cat move cautiously over to the shrubs heading toward the back. His first thought was every child here would want it as a pet. He’d never had a pet, most shifters didn’t. He smirked and thought of Leah’s Thera, did she count as a pet? She was more of a guardian than anything.
“From what I’ve heard, neither do they. Not a proper clan.”
He heard Cooper moving around but didn’t turn to see what he was doing. “I won’t be around much. The teams are going to be busy.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
He turned and looked to see him sitting on a dusty chair that looked like it might collapse at any moment. “You’re staying here? What about the shop...”
Cooper shrugged, “I’ll still go over and lend a hand when needed, but,” he placed the cane in front of him and leaned on it, “Kelsey’s got Gage now, and the boys are all on the right path,” he lifted one shoulder, “I like to go where I’m needed.” He looked at the door they’d left open, “a lot of young boys over here that will need direction with no father in their life.”
Noah opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. He’d never realized it before. Jake, Gary, and Blair, they’d all been with Ed for most of their life and he’d never thought once about where their families were. Did they have family left? “I, uh think those kids would be lucky to have you around.”
“Of course, they would.” He grinned, “and with you and your girl running the show here, Blair won’t freak out nearly as much.”
He was talking about Emersyn and him being mated and running this part of the clan for Blair. He blinked, trying to sort through all the thoughts rushing into his head. Emersyn couldn’t handle that many bodies around her any more than he could.
“Before you get lost in that empty head of yours, I know it’s not picture-perfect and easy, never said it was.” He stood up, “but things have happened in this clan’s life that isn’t right and it’s gonna take someone that knows where they’re coming from to help them heal.”
Noah gave him a quick look, “heal?” He wanted to laugh, but didn’t, “there are some things that you can’t heal from, Cooper, they’re just always there waiting—” He waved his hand around, “I tried to tell Blair that when he asked me to stay here...”
“Might want to refresh those excuses in your brain, because it looks like time is up.”
Noah looked to see him motioning to the door. He went over and looked out and saw Calum, Blair, and Gage walking toward the house. Panic hit him, he needed to be outside, needed air. He went out and then stood there like his feet had forgotten how to move. Closing his eyes, he forced air into his body for a few breaths and then opened his eyes to see the three men watching him as they approached him. He heard Cooper’s cane on the floor behind him and knew he was flanking him from behind.
Calum stopped a few feet before the others, his eyes assessing him like he knew not to crowd him. “I’ll be heading out in a few minutes.”
Noah nodded, “say hi to Shaelan for me.”
Calum gave him an abrupt nod.
Blair glanced at the house then back to him, “it’s coming together good in there.”
Noah nodded.
Gage gave him a careful once-over. “Blair told me you were considering staying over here and overseeing this branch of the Elden-Sorum clan.” He nodded his head, “it’s a good idea, Noah.”
“I was going to stay for a bit until they get settled.” That part was true, he wanted to make sure they understood they weren’t prisoners now, that they could go outside or go for a run without having to fear for their lives.
“Is Emersyn staying?” Blair pinned him in place with a look.
“Yeah, she uh, Aspyn is really attached to Wren, so she wants to keep them together.” The sweat started to roll down the back of his neck.
“That’s good.” Blair grinned, “Daisie is pretty excited about having girls to play with.”
Noah frowned, realizing it was all young boys over at Blair’s. “I’m sure she’ll take them all under her wing and set them right.” He grinned.
Blair rolled his eyes, “that’s what we need a whole group of Daisie-level energy.” he cleared his throat, “look I’ll lay it out for you.” He motioned to the house, “four of those in there are my blood,” he shook his head, “doesn’t matter that I didn’t know they didn’t exist until this week, but, I’d sleep better at night knowing you’re here to watch out for them.”
Noah’s chest tightened and his throat felt like it was being squeezed, he sucked in a breath and tried to search for the words to explain it to them, again.
“Noah, you’re going to be here while they settle,” Gage looked around, “and there’s a lot of work to do before winter,” he turned back to him, “just try it on, see how it fits.”
He frowned, Gage was talking like he was trying on a shirt, not taking on the responsibility of a clan. A squeal from behind him had him jump and turn, ready to take on whatever was behind him.
“There he is, Mommy.” Aspyn was running toward him. Her little legs were going so fast he was sure she was going to fall forward and land on her face.
He squatted down as she got closer, ready to catch her if she fell. She landed in his arms with such momentum he had to brace so he wouldn’t fall back and land on his ass.
“I got you this.” She held up a little stuffed tiger. “I have this one to sleep with me so I’m not alone.” The stuffed cat she’d been carrying around was shoved close to his face. “I told Mommy you need one too.” With an expectant look filled with excitement, she pushed the tiger against his chest.
Noah kept his arm around her so she wouldn’t fall back and took the stuffed animal from her. “Thank you.” He held it out like he was looking at it, but he wasn’t really seeing it. His throat was so tight with emotion that he wasn’t sure he could speak. “He can stand guard while I sleep.” he managed to whisper.
She grabbed his face, almost taking out his eye with the other stuffed animal, and kissed him in a hard, awkward kiss. Before he could react, she turned and started running back to her mother.
“Sorry if we interrupted,” Emersyn said in a small voice.
Noah stood up and shook his head. “It’s fine.” He looked down at the little girl hugging her mother’s leg. “Calum was just saying goodbye.”
Emersyn looked behind him. “You’re leaving?”
Noah couldn’t look at any of the men right now, he glanced down at the orange-striped tiger in his hand.
“I’ll be back, with Shaelan,” Calum told her. “She will want to check everyone over.”
He turned to see the hesitant look gone from her face.
“That’s a good idea. The kids,” she looked down at her daughter, “just to make sure they’re all fine.” She smiled at him, but Noah noticed it was a carefully guarded smile. “I should get back inside and see about helping with some snacks for the kids.”
He watched her pick up Aspyn and walk away. The little girl watched him over her mother’s shoulder until they went around the corner. He couldn’t look at the men right now. His vision was blurring and for once it wasn’t from the fury he fought to keep inside him. “I’ll stay and see how it goes.” He said and hoped they heard because he wasn’t repeating it.