Page 55

"No, we wouldn't now. We wouldn't hunt anyone, either."

"Why?"

"The beast doesn't control us anymore and he doesn't feel like he has to protect us."

"It can be reasoned with?"

I grumbled under my breath when the strange human interrupted. I preferred Lain's questions to any of the others.

"He is not a dumb animal. We can both think clearly now that we're somewhat safe."

"But all we have is your word about that?" Donovan pressed. I didn't even have to look at him to know he didn't believe me. Why would he, after everything?

"You have my word, too," Quinn said, catching everyone by surprise. He immediately paled when everyone's attention turned to him, his anxiety scent spiking.

His hand rested on my uninjured shoulder, making the angle awkward, but I reached up and rested my hand on his, returning the comfort he'd given me. The smile it got me in return was timid and weak, but there was no fear anymore, and that meant everything to us in that moment.

"Me too," Lain chimed in. "I've treated plenty of animals in my time, and even domestic pets freak out when they're injured because they're in pain and scared. Typhon was in total control and let me do what I needed, even when it hurt. And seriously, look at that." He gestured to me, or more specifically, to Athos and Aramis. One kitten had fallen asleep in the crook of my arm, resting half inside my sling, while the other was flat on his back in my lap, snoring quietly. "No offense, Typhon, but even kittens don't think you're dangerous."

I knew it.

This is a good thing.

My reminder did nothing to soothe the beast's ego, but he settled back down without complaint.

"I trust you and Quinn want to believe the best," the strange human said. "That still leaves us in the same position as before, though. What do we do about the soldiers? They're obviously hunting Typhon." They hesitated just a moment before saying the name Quinn had given us, but they'd acknowledged it. That had to be a good sign?

"Exactly. They're hunting their monster," Quinn blurted out. "I-I mean… no offense, Typhon. You're not a monster. Well, kind of, but not. I don't think⁠—"

"It's okay," I murmured, cutting him off before his nerves overwhelmed him.

"Did you have an idea?" Alex asked, far gentler with Quinn than his mate had been with me. I liked this human the most of the three strangers. He was more like Quinn and Lain.

"I just thought…" Quinn looked down at me and I nodded, still holding his hand. He took a breath to steady himself and kept going, this time without stammering over his words. "They're looking for a monster, right? Not a human."

"Are you suggesting we hide him in plain sight?" the strange human asked slowly, their eyes cutting back to me. "I can't begin to understand what was done to create the chimera, but my best guess is that you're a shifter of some kind and they somehow changed your other side. There's a good chance they'd know what your human half looked like."

Hearing myself referred to as a shifter shouldn't have shocked me as much as it did. After all, I'd skin-changed just like those we'd been made to hunt. If I'd had a moment to really think about it, I would have realized the implications, but this was all happening so fast.

"Oh shit," Lain breathed. "If you're a shifter, that means you have a pack or clan or something somewhere."

"It's a tight-knit community, so that would mean somebody has to know who you are. I haven't heard about any missing shifters, so you're probably not local, but…"

"But you probably have a family out there looking for you," Quinn whispered, finishing the strange human's thought.

A family? Could that be possible?

The beast was quiet as I searched the few memories we had for any hint of a family, but couldn't find anything.

"I don't know. I can't remember them, if they exist."

"If you don't mind, I'll take a few pictures before I leave and reach out to some friends who might be able to help," the strange human offered.

"That's a good idea, Ori," Lain agreed. "I could do the same, actually. My network is more well-connected than most, so I'm sure I can find someone who knows him."

"Maybe first we can make sure he's safe?" Quinn interrupted, but he said it so quietly that no one seemed to hear him.

"I don't think what I can do would be much help here," Alex went on. "I mean, he's kind of lost, but not in a way I can help."