"Uh, yeah . . ."
"No, I mean, you're a kid. You shouldn't already smell like a werewolf."
"I'm special. Now, since you obviously know who I am--"
"You're the boy," he said.
"Pretty sure I don't look like a girl."
"No, the boy. Their boy."
"Three for three. Not exactly genius, considering where you are. You do know where you are, right? Trespassing? On the Alpha's territory."
"Your dad, you mean."
Logan rolled his eyes. "And there's your first strike. My mother is the Alpha, moron."
The mutt's lips twitched. "Sorry, kid, no one buys that story. The Pack would never make a woman Alpha. It's really your dad--they just don't want to scare people by saying that."
"Fine. You're about to meet both of them. You can pick your challenge. Either way, you'll get your ass kicked. That's why you're here, right? To challenge the Alpha."
"No, I'm not stupid."
"Um, yeah. The fact you're here says you are. Now, should I call them over? Or do you want to rethink this particular course of action?"
The mutt's gaze darted to the forest. "They're out here?"
"Duh. You think they'd let their nine-year-old wander around at two in the morning? Now, I'm giving you a chance to leave. It's Christmas time, don't you have someplace to be?"
"Um . . ."
"Never mind. Just go. Head off that way." He pointed. "Don't step on the property or my parents will track you down and make an example of you. If you leave now, I won't tell them you were here. They thought they smelled a mutt earlier, but they weren't sure. Don't make them sure."
The mutt peered at him. "How old are you again?"
"Nine."
"You don't talk like it."
"I take after my parents--both of them--who are very smart as well as very good fighters. It's a lethal combination, and I wouldn't suggest you stick around long enough to find out for yourself."
"Is it true what they say? About your dad? What he did to the last wolf who trespassed here?"
"Whatever they say, it's true. Now just--"
"Do you know what they say? What he did? You must not. Otherwise, you wouldn't be nearly so proud of him. He's a psycho. You know that, right?"
"He is whatever he needs to be to keep us safe. Now get--"
"No, really. He's crazy. You obviously don't know what he did, so let me give you a little present, kid. An early Christmas gift."
"Not interested."
The mutt smirked. "Oh, but I am. Let me tell you what your daddy did. Him and his buddy, Nick, they found two wolves here, come to issue a challenge. Your daddy was younger than me, and he took those wolves--"
A crash sounded in the undergrowth, and a figure barreled out so fast both Logan and the mutt fell back. Before the mutt could recover, Dad had him by the shirtfront. He threw him onto the road and planted a foot on his stomach.
"Logan?" he said. "Get back to the house."