Chapter Twenty-One
Sebastian didn’t take a breath till he was in the house and staring down at Aeslyn’s unconscious body. He would have preferred she be awake but he’d accept her sleeping quietly for now.
Connor was sitting in a chair in the corner, his gun in one hand and a beer in the other. “She’s shifted a few more times but the bullet holes are closing. She lost a lot of blood, it’s going to take her a bit longer to heal herself.” Sebastian and Jackson stood staring at him waiting for him to continue on. “I guess it’s time for that chat now, let’s go get another drink, she’s going to be out for a while.”
Sebastian grabbed three beers from the fridge and sat at the kitchen table. For a minute no one spoke, no one really knew what to say next.
“Fine, I’ll say it first, Connor we’re your best friends and will always support you. Do you have something you want to tell us?” Jackson sat forward staring intently at Connor.
“Don’t make it sound so detrimental, I am still the same guy you served overseas with but yes I am also a shifter.” He stared back and forth between them, Sebastian could tell he was daring them to react badly.
“Why didn’t you tell us? I can see in the beginning keeping it to yourself but we’re a unit, we would die for one another, why did you think you needed to hide part of yourself?” Sebastian couldn’t hide the pain in his voice, he couldn’t fathom his best friend keeping such a huge secret from him.
“The military is one giant family as long as everyone turns a blind eye to anyone who is different. They’ve gone after gays in the military, then transgender soldiers, there is nothing to say shifters won’t be ousted next. I wasn’t willing to take that chance, I decided to live by the don’t ask, don’t tell policy.”
His words brought a new perspective to Sebastian, he personally had no issue with gay people or transgender people serving in the military but the policies never really affected him so he didn’t put too much thought into the consequences. Now seeing it through Connor’s eyes he understood why his friend kept his secret. “I get it, I do, I just wish you had trusted us enough to come out to us.”
“You don’t know how many times I started to tell you, it’s exhausting and sometimes polarizing to keep such an integral part of yourself a secret from your closest friends but I did what I thought I had to.” Connor took a large gulp of beer, Sebastian could see he was struggling to keep his emotions in check.
“I think you being a shifter is cool, I’m actually a little jealous and I can appreciate the gravity of the moment but come on, you have to tell us what kind of shifter you are.” Sebastian shook his head at Jackson, he was always trying to keep situations light, maybe that was a good thing.
Connor pursed his lips, indecision clear in his eyes. “Fine, I’ll tell you but remember I have a gun and I’m not afraid to use it if you give me shit.” He stared them both down, glaring at Jackson longer than Sebastian. Once both men nodded he took another swig of beer to get his courage up. “I’m a chimpanzee.”
Sebastian’s mind was spinning with the announcement, he had so many thoughts and was trying to process the words. He could see Jackson was groping for the right response, he shouldn’t have been surprised at his friend for failing, “Dude, why would you think we would not support you. Cheeta from Tarzan was my favorite growing up, he was so freaking cute.”
Sebastian kicked him under the table.
“I’m not cute, I promise you I could kick your ass in a fight as a human or as a chimp.”
Jackson held his hands up defensively. “Really I think it’s cool, I was not trying to insult you. You know I’m an idiot and don’t properly filter my thoughts.”
“Did you know Aeslyn was a shifter when you met her earlier tonight?” Sebastian gave his friend a level stare, he wasn’t sure yet if he wanted to be pissed at him for keeping it a secret if so.
“Shifters have heightened senses, we always recognize another shifter. You’d be shocked to know how many are walking among you every day. Do you want to know why I make such a great wingman? I can smell lust, I can sense when a person is turned on. It makes it really easy to pick out the women who are into you.”
Sebastian could see the awe on Jackson’s face, “That is such a cool superpower to have. We need a name for you, you could hire yourself out as a wingman and help guys find the one. You know how much we hate walking up to random women hoping they won’t shoot us down. You can virtually guarantee success.”
“Maybe when I’m ready to retire from the Air Force I’ll consider it as a part-time gig.” Sebastian was relieved to see Connor smiling again.
“Don’t get mad when I ask this but I have to know, is it safe for the boys to be around Aeslyn when she is in her animal form? Are you guys aware of your human side?” Sebastian’s gut clenched waiting for the answer. As much as he was attracted to Aeslyn he would always put his kid's safety first. He just wasn’t sure he would be fun to be around if he had to walk away from her.
“I know you are new to all of this so no I’m not mad at your question. When we are in animal form we still think like a person, she is one hundred percent in control the entire time. If I thought you or the boys were in danger from her I would have said something back at the bar.” He stifled a yawn behind his hand. “Man, it has been a long, emotional night for all of us and I am ready for bed. Do you want us to stay here tonight in case your shooter comes back or you need help with Aeslyn again?”
“You guys have already done enough, honestly, I’m not sure what would have happened if you hadn’t come over. You guys are tired so feel free to stay here or you can head home. Between the alarm system, my gun, and the giant cat in the other room I think we’re safe.” Sebastian grabbed the empty beer bottles and set them in the recycle bin.
“I don’t mind crashing on the couch…ouch.” Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Connor kick Jackson under the table. “You know what, that thing is lumpy and bothers my sciatica.”
Connor rolled his eyes, “Come on Tarzan, if you leave quietly I’ll shift for you.”
Jackson’s face lit up like a five-year-old on Christmas morning, “Really?”
“No, not really, now get your ass moving.”
Like Connor did before Sebastian stood guard with his gun in hand while the other two got into their cars and left. As he locked up and set the alarm he racked his brain to figure out why someone would want to hurt him. He really didn’t have a clue and that alarmed him even more, it’s tough to face an adversary when you don’t know who they are.