Page 52 of Monster. Me.

For a while longer, I fight to hold onto that fragment of the past like something precious, clutching it inside me, shielding it, a valuable jewel of my lost innocence.

Because after that, they came… they killed him, took us… took everything.

I avenged you, Dad. Rest in peace, I whisper.

He cried and begged as I ate him. It took time, I started from his feet.

I dry myself roughly with the towel, trying to push the memories back down. They usually come up when I’m in pain, never on their own. It’s the hurt that drags them out of me against my will. And even if the memories can be pleasant, they never show up in pleasant moments.

What I need now is to focus on the present, on surviving the day.

Ehhh.

I step out of the shower, pull on my pants, and head back to my room.

And then I freeze. A big auburn cat is sitting on my bed. Right in the center of it, of course. He looks at me challengingly.

My mood instantly shoots up.

"Chunky boy! You’re back!"

My face breaks into a wide grin. The cat greets me with a loud meow. I jump onto the bed right away and start petting him, ruffling his fur. "Good boy, what a good boy!" I roll him onto his back and scratch his belly. He takes it with obvious appreciation, purring like crazy.

"Aren’t you the perfect kitty, gorgeous gentleman!"

When he’s apparently had enough, he suddenly jumps off the bed, slipping away from my touch.

"Hey, don’t run off yet… I promised you ham, but—"

And then the strangest thing I’ve ever seen happens.

The cat starts to grow.

It begins to change.

As it stares at me, its minty green-silver eyes stay the same color, but the pupils round out. The ears shift down and to the sides of the head. The muzzle reshapes, the nose elongates, and the fur seems to sink into the skin.

A moment later, a naked young alpha is kneeling in front of me.

Marlow.

"Oh. My. Fucking. Fate."

The words slip out in shock, but my mind works fast. I’m well aware of how important those first words can be when someone reveals their secret form. I know all too well how people reacted to mine.

But here all I feel is immense joy because, wow, he’s a shifter like me! I even clap my hands spontaneously.

"Well. I’m not a fan of ham. I prefer delicacies like pâté," he says, narrowing his eyes.

"Oh! Sorry! I’ll remember!"

Marlow studies me carefully.

"You’re not… shocked? I always heard that when a shapeshifter reveals themselves, people freak out."

I shrug. "Maybe. But not from a cute cat!"

Marlow tilts his head.