“What’s going on?” asked Jason. “What’s with the ultra-serious mood?”
His father narrowed his eyes. “Because I spoke with your Uncle Stone in Seattle.”
“Oh, did you?” asked Jason. “And let me guess—he gave me a glowing review.”
“Hardly,” said Jared. “He said you were busy chasing human women and screwing around.”
“Jared,” said Amy. “Please don’t use that kind of language at the table.”
Jared waved his hand through the air.
“My son went off to Seattle to do the important, necessary work of bringing money in for the pack. And instead of doing that, he spent his time trying to get laid.”
“Now,” said Jason, “that’s only partially true. I spend some of the time trying to get laid. The rest of the time, I busted my ass for Uncle Stone. Are you really telling me he said I was worthless?”
Jared narrowed his eyes, and Jason could sense that there was more to the story.
“Come on,” said Jason. “What did he really say?”
“That doesn’t matter,” said Jared. “I heard about you screwing around, and that canceled out all the rest.”
“Wait, are you serious?” asked Jason. “You heard how I was far and away the most profitable member of the holding firm, how I made so much money for the pack that we’re not going to have to worry about finances for the next two years, and you’re telling me that all doesn’t matter because I had some fun on the weekends?”
“You’re not going to take a tone like that with me in my house,” said Jared.
Eric snickered.
“I’m not taking a tone; I’m sticking up for myself.”
“And I don’t want to hear it. When you’re out in the world, you’re expected to conduct yourself like a respectable member of this pack. If the other clans, the city clans, see you acting like some shithead playboy out there, they’re going to think we’re soft, that we’re an easy target. And when you’ve got three packs coming down on you, wanting nothing more than to wipe you off the face of the Earth, you tell me how far money gets you.”
“We’re not going to be attacked by anyone,” said Jason. “Dad, we’re the strongest pack in the region by far. And with Rick as the alpha, we’re in an even better position.”
Jared shook his head. “Spoken like a kid who’s never seen war. I didn’t send you to the city to get soft, kid. I sent you there to get a new appreciation for what we have here, and how important it is to defend it. I wanted you to see that the world’s a dangerous place and that you can’t let your guard down for a second. Instead, looks like the only thing you learned was that human women are easy when you’re a shifter. Stupid fucking move on my part.”
“Jared,” said Amy, gently chiding him.
“The boy needs to hear it. He’s one of the alphas of the pack, and there might come a time when he’s going to have to lead. Not to mention he’s getting married in a month.”
Jason couldn’t help but scoff. “Are you serious? There’s Rick, and Rick’s got a son. And I bet when it comes to alpha succession, I’m not anywhere near the top. I’ll never be in charge—not like I even want to be.”
“And there you go again,” said Jared. “Always avoiding responsibility.”
“Or,” said Jason. “Or, I’m being realistic. We’re strong, and no one’s going to beat us. And when you’re in our position, you need to go out into the world and see what’s out there. That’s why...”
Jason took a deep breath, knowing what he had to say next wasn’t going to be easy. But it was what he wanted.
“That’s why I want to leave again.”
“What?” asked Jared.
“I want to leave again. But this time, I don’t want to just go to Seattle. I want to go to LA to be a part of the shifter world there.”
“And do what?” asked Jared. “Screw around, but in better weather?”
“No—I want to make money, make a name for myself. What’s the point of having a strong clan if we’re just...stuck out here in the middle of the woods? The world needs to know about the Thundertooth pack, and I’m going to be the one to spread our name.”
Jared laughed derisively. “Bullshit. You want to sleep around and avoid doing the hard work it takes to be a member of a pack. I see right through this shit, kid. And no, you’re not going to fucking LA. It’s