Chapter 447 Chapter 447
Noah didn’t understand the ranks in a clan, aside from Alpha and second, that was it. “Before all this happened, who,” he frowned, “which families worked with the Elden’s?”
“Judah’s family were the second family.” He turned back to look into the yard, “there’s just her and McKenna left now.”
Noah drew in a deep breath, and exhaled it slowly, “if it weren’t for McKenna, we wouldn’t have found you.”
“We all figured as much. She may not have been raised with the clan functioning as it should be, but she got this strength built-in, the kind you can’t teach.” Harrison blew out a breath. “I’m going to go grab some coffee and see if I can work up the balls to go for a run.”
Noah nodded and stepped back from the door. He frowned, “uh, are any of the younger ones shifting yet?”
“You mean the ones your age or younger?” He grinned at him.
Noah opened his mouth, then smirked, “okay, who doesn’t shift?” He was surprised that he looked his age to this man, most couldn’t see past the weight of his life that he carried on his back.
“Other than the little ones, Liam and Everett haven’t yet.” He thought for a minute, “Julian has only once.”
Noah nodded, “thanks. We’ll have to let everyone know about taking a partner with them when they go for a run.”
Harrison looked at him for a moment, an unreadable expression on his face. “I hope you’re sticking around for a while.” He shrugged, “Blair seems likable and nothing like his brother, but you’re a better fit for us.”
Before Noah could say anything, he went back inside. He stared at the door for a moment and then turned away and took another drink. He should have talked to him about helping keep things in order around here. He opened the door and went in before he could change his mind. Yes, he’d said he would stay for now, but he had to go help the teams. That wasn’t optional for him.
He made it to the kitchen and then Aspyn came around the corner. Putting the cup on the counter, he picked her up. “You shouldn’t be up wandering around by yourself.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. He should ask Beth about gates or something for the doors with the kids in them. Then the door could still be open, but the children wouldn’t be running around alone.
Harrison stood by the counter smirking at him.
“I have to pee, but I don’t remember where the bathroom is.” She leaned back and looked at him, her blue eyes wide.
“Oh. Okay. I’ll show you.” He moved down along the tables and headed down the hall, trying to remember where the closest bathroom was. He almost walked by it. The door was closed. Tapping on the door lightly, he listened and then opened the door. Setting her back on her feet, he nodded down at her. “There you go.” He hesitated and then stepped back, hoping she didn’t need help. He knew nothing about any of that.
“Noah?”
He spun around to see a sleepy but concerned Emersyn standing in the hall.
“Is Aspyn with you?”
He nodded and pointed to the door.
Her shoulders sagged, then she started toward him. “I almost had a heart attack.” She put her hand on her chest and huffed out a breath.
Her hair was a mess, her eyes barely open and the clothes she was wearing were wrinkled and skewed on her body, but she was absolutely gorgeous. When he realized she was standing there looking at him, he spurred his brain to work. “We should, uh, find some kind of gates for the door with little ones.” He shrugged, “so the door can be open, but the kids can’t wander around alone.”
She smiled and then nodded, “that’s a good idea.” Her voice was soft and rasping with sleep.
Noah inhaled a deep breath, and his cat was right there as his system filled with her scent. The toilet flushed and the door was opened wider.
“Mommy.” Aspyn went over and hugged her.
“Hi, baby.” She touched her head and smiled down at her, “think you can sleep a bit longer?”
As if the word cued the reaction, Aspyn yawned and nodded against her mother’s hip. “Okay.” Emersyn leaned down and picked up. “Thank you.” She gave him a soft look and he once again forgot how to speak and instead nodded his head like he was one of those bobble things that Jake had on the dash of his truck.
He waited until they went back into the room before he stepped back a few steps and then spun around to go back to his coffee. He wanted to go for a run now. Needed to. Unfortunately, he’d just finished telling Harrison that no one ran alone. He kept his eyes on the floor in front of him as he went. Pulling his phone out he looked at the time. If he called Jake at this time of the morning, he’d be incoherent and useless. Reaching the counter, he picked up his cup and then spotted some boxes stacked in the corner. He had no idea what was in them, but it would give him something to do until he could do what he wanted. As soon as Cooper was up, they’d have to go over when was the best time to go for a run. Did any of the others have the same issue that Harrison did? He set the cup down and went over and opened the first box. His gut told them all of them had the same fears as he did about running freely. He pulled out a smaller box and looked in it. Glasses. He shrugged; he could do this quietly. Turning around he saw Harrison open the dishwasher and look at him.
“They washed everything.” He said quietly.
“Even if it’s new?”
Harrison nodded.
“Okay.” Setting the box back in the larger one, he picked the whole thing up and took it to the counter. He was missing the shop already. At least over there he could go beat on something to give his head something to do other than replay that same old loop.