“We have to go home to feed the puppies.” Eli said.

“I can send someone over for it,” Mathew said from the driver’s seat.

“They bite.”

“They do not,” Noah corrected. “Come on Eli,” he nudged him with his elbow. “It’s okay.”

Eli wondered if Cameron had realised something had happened yet. He probably had. When Eli didn’t answer his texts, Cameron would call. When Eli didn’t answer his call, Cameron would probably wonder if something was up. Eli leaned against the door of the car, facing the window as if he could still see out of it. Of course, recently Eli had been falling asleep so early that he’d been missing a lot of those calls. Rather than worry, Cameron was more likely used to Eli not answering him.

So… even if Eli didn’t answer last night, or this morning, maybe by lunch, Cameron would notice something was wrong? And then what? If Eli didn’t at least tell him he was okay he’d probably go to Eli’s place and find an empty house. Or run into one of Matthew’s men.

And this was if his instincts hadn’t already told him something was wrong.

He at least wanted to tell Cameron that he was okay. Eli considered the fact that Noah was now next to him, and spoke up, “I need to text my boyfriend. He’ll worry when he swings by the house and sees we’re all gone.”

“Are you expecting him today?” Matthew asked, calm.

“Yeah.” Eli lied. Noah didn’t call him out on it, but then again, Noah could very well think that was the case.

“I can’t have you giving away your location,” Matthew explained. “Not to anyone.”

“I don’t have to tell him where I’m going.” Eli said. It wasn’t even a lie. Cameron would probably want to come see him, and if Eli was going to an anti-werewolf facility, that was a disaster waiting to happen. His mind finally settled. He’d contact Cameron, and let Matthew do his job. At the very least, he seemed like he was interested in catching the rogue that had attacked Eli. Plus, his dad would wake up in the next few days, which meant Eli wouldn’t be stuck wherever it was they were going for very long. He relaxed. “But I want to let him know that I’m okay.”

Matthews fingers drummed on the steering wheel. Eli bet he was trying to figure out how to say no with Noah there; how to make it seem justified.

“Cameron will probably kick up a fuss if he can’t find Eli,” Noah said. “He’s protective.”

Matthew’s answer was an amused, “I bet.” Louder, he said, “Fine. You can text him when we get there, but I have to see and read the message first and approve it. Deal?”

“Deal.”

Eli debated saying thank you and decided against it, for no other reason than he didn’t want to. “Noah can write out the text for me,” He said. “Cause of my eyes.”

“Sure.” Matthew agreed. Eli didn’t think he imagined the edge in his voice.

Eli pretended to watch the landscape out the window—though he couldn’t see it—but his eyes were fighting closed, and he was having a hard time keeping awake. Eventually, he slipped out from the top part of the belt and lay his head on Noah’s lap. It felt safer sleeping when Noah had a hand on his shoulder.

“You’d think after yesterday you’d know the value of wearing your seatbelt the right way.” Noah remarked. But his voice was all soft, and there was no bite or reproach.

Eli slept a few hours. Noah woke him, telling him they’d arrived. Eli could only make out three big buildings, but Noah told him they’d passed a large stone wall and a gate that opened with Matthew’s ID.

“When you said secure, I didn’t think you meant prison.” Eli said dryly.

The building they parked in front of was a large square box against the bright sky. Eli only saw shapes and vague impressions as they moved, and he tripped on the steps. Matthew caught him around the waist before he tumbled. “Sorry, I forgot to warn you.”

“It’s fine.” Eli moved out of his grip immediately.

Matthew’s hand followed, planting firm against Eli’s back, “We’ll take it slow.”

Noah was a few steps ahead, apparently looking around. “From the outside I thought the building was going to be old.”

“The owner is rather meticulous about appearances. The grounds used to be a manor house, and even though it’s been repurposed for years she wants to keep the old-world vibe.” Matthew said. “The bottom floor has a kitchen and a dining room, there’s the laundry room, a storeroom with odds and ends, and a lounge next to stairs there. We’re at the stairs, Eli.”

Eli could see that much. He paused, finding the banister and the first step before following Noah’s ascending footsteps. The entire building, from the front door to the top of the stairs, smelled strongly of coffee beans.

“There are ten twin rooms, with showers and bathrooms at the end of the hall. You’ll be sharing number six.” Matthew let go of Eli to unlock a door.

“Are all the rooms filled?” Noah asked.

“They were until a month ago. We had a large number of students reassigned elsewhere, so there’s only three students here at the moment. You’ll get to meet them later.”

Students? Eli frowned. That was an odd word choice for people at a training facility. “Would they not be cadets?”

Matthew let out a breath of amusement. “I suppose they would, but they still have regular classes too, so technically they’re still students.”

“How old are they?”

“The ones still here are between sixteen and eighteen.”

“You said every person on-site has extensive combat training, and that’s why this was chosen as a safe house.” Eli couldn’t keep the accusation out of his voice. Noah had moved into the dorm room already, and Eli wasn’t sure if he heard him or not.

“They do have combat training.” Matthew said. “Most have been taking classes since they were fourteen, the youngest is twelve. I can personally guarantee that they’re capable of dealing with a lone rogue.”

Okay. Noah couldn’t hear them.

“You can’t leave us with a bunch of teenagers for protection.” Eli dropped his voice. “I’d be safer with the pack than staying here if this is your solution.”

“Like I said, they have extensive training already. And, you aren’t being left to their protection, but rather the protection of the men and women who are training them, and have trained every agent currently in my line of work. At least, all the decent ones.” Matthew told him. “They’ve been informed of the situation, and they’ve already drawn up their plans. Two specialists are also being relocated to live on-site while you’re here.”

Eli wondered what kind of students stayed here, that had been training since they were twelve. Had they always known about werewolves? They had to feel pretty strongly about it one way or another to dedicate even their childhood to learning to fight them.

“Everything okay?” Noah asked from the doorway.

“Everything’s good,” Matthew said. “Just answering a few questions.” He ushered Eli into the room. All Eli could tell was that it was compact, and the beds were singles. Great.

It was Noah’s turn to ask questions, and his were more open and curious, rather than suspicious. Eli wondered over to one of the beds and sat down. There was nothing wrong with the bed, except that the mattress was harder than his own at home, and the sheets smelled like fragrant detergent. Unease was tight in his chest.

“It’s late,” said Matthew, “I’ll leave you both to get some—”

“I still need to text Cameron,” Eli said. “We haven’t done that yet.”

Eli felt the thin-lipped smile Matthew directed at him. Slowly, with careful enunciation, he repeated the sentence Eli had interrupted, “I’ll leave you both to get some sleep. But yes, you can send the text.”

Matthew handed a mobile to Noah, who came and sat next to Eli. “What will I say?”

Eli was aware of Matthew leaning against the door. Aware that he’d be checking what Noah wrote. Noah’s awareness of what was written was just as limiting. “It’s Eli, the creep from before came back. Dad hired some bodyguards and we’re in protective custody. I’m okay. Will call you soon. Ex. Ex. Ex. Smiley face—”

“Really?” Noah snorted.

“Ex. Ex. Ex. Don’t reply to this number, I won’t have the phone on me. Love you. Ex. Ex.—”

“I know you don’t text him like this normally.” Noah said.

“You don’t know that actually,” Eli said. “Add some hearts too.”

“You’re tone deaf, Eli.” Noah grumbled. Eli assumed he’d written it. “Okay, I just need the number.”

Eli hesitated. He didn’t think a werewolf hunter having his werewolf boyfriend’s number was a good idea.

“You can’t remember it?” Matthew asked him.

“I can,” Eli said, heart rate picking up. He called out the number to Noah. Matthew read the text, and nodded. Noah sent it. Neither asked why he looked so fidgety.

“There. I’ll let you know if he texts back.” Matthew told him. “The cadets have been told to help you out if you need it, but feel free to explore around yourself. The kitchen is fully stocked, and you’re welcome to anything in it. Just across the hall there’s a rec room, plenty to entertain you there.”

“What if something happens and we need to contact you?” Noah asked.

“The cadets have my number. I should be back in the evening, and I can fill you in on what’s going on. Sound good?”

Matthew left them, pulling the door shut behind him. Noah wondered around the room, leaning against the windowsill to look out at their surroundings. Eli kicked off his shoes and shuffled back onto the bed, laying out on his back.

“Are you hungry?” Noah asked.

“We just ate.”

“There might be biscuits downstairs. Or maybe cake.”

Right. Because that’s what werewolf hunters in training ate. Cake. “I’m good.”

“They probably have tea.”

“Noah, if you want to look around, go ahead. I’m sore and can’t see, so being unconscious seems like the next best option.”

“Oh. Right.” There was the definite edge of hurt in Noah’s voice.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap that.” Eli turned his head toward Noah. “I’m sure you can appreciate that this royally sucks.”

“Yeah. It does.” Noah sat next to him on the bed. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Eli said. What else was he meant to say? “Are you okay?”

“About as much as you are.”

Eli snorted.

“I’m going to take a look around, see what I can scavenge from the kitchen. I won’t be long.”

The steps creaked as Noah went down them. Eli traced a circle against his breastbone, where he felt the warmth of the soul lodged in his chest. “How about,” he said to it, “you show me something useful this time? Show me who that rogue is.”