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Knox tugged his beard. “What do you have in mind?”

“The pack has a flag football game in fifteen minutes,” Chaz said. “Keith mentioned he’d be there.”

“Flag football is for chumps,” Knox muttered.

“You don’t have to play if you don’t want to,” I said. “Just watch from the sidelines. Give me your observations afterward.”

“What’s in it for me?”

“Extra desserts this week. Any restaurant you choose.”

His eyes narrowed. “Extra steak for a month, delivered to my door.”

I’d have to clear it with Justine, which would be difficult considering I hadn’t shared my concerns about Keith.

“Done,” I said. Seek forgiveness, not permission.

Chaz gave us both a ride to the beach. Neither of us mentioned the rifle in front of Knox. The fewer Neighbors that knew about the weapons, the better.

Once we parked, Knox said he’d meet us on the sidelines. Ten minutes into the game and it was clear there was an issue. For starters, the game was boring. Flag football in the Neighborhood usually involved snarls and growls, broken bones (that immediately reset), and at least one unauthorized transformation. Today the players were on their best behavior.

I began to worry that Knox had bolted back to his safe space. Then I spotted his plaid green shirt on the horizon. He carried a large soda and a bucket of popcorn. If he expected entertainment, he was going to be disappointed.

Wordlessly, he joined us on the sidelines and offered the bucket. I shook my head. We watched the game in silence.

No punches. No shoves. No one tried to strangle anyone else with the flag.

The only excitement was when a trio of players strayed too far from the designated area into the dunes.

“Wait!” I shouted. “Watch out for the sea turtles!”

The players froze in place.

“What should I do?” Fritz asked, only moving his mouth. “I can’t get back without walking on the dunes.”

“I can help with that.”

I spread my wings and flew to his aid—to everyone’s aid. I carried each offender off the dunes to the safety of the orange cones. The turtles had no idea they’d been under threat. Who could’ve imagined that one day my fury skills would be utilized in defense of loggerhead hatchlings? I wasn’t mad about it.

The game resumed with similar results. Keith didn’t play. He stood on the sidelines like a coach, occasionally nodding or shaking his head. No yelling. No gesticulations.

The final whistle blew. Not even a brawl at the end.

I looked at Knox expectantly.

“I see what you mean,” he said.

“Thought you might.”

“They’re moving like chess pieces on a board.”

Keith struck me as more of a checkers guy. “Maybe you’re right and I’m wrong.”

Knox cranked an eyebrow to the top of his brow. “Meaning?”

“Maybe they’re good soldiers when they have a strong leader.”

Knox spat on the ground. “Bullshit. He’s manipulating them somehow. If Keith is an alpha, then I’m a prima ballerina.”