I had spent such a splendid night with Forrest that I had nearly forgotten about my initial goal. The shifters were incredibly kind when I joined them for their evening hunt. It amazed me to watch how they worked together with a common strategy as well as how they didn't waste anything they caught. I still felt bad for harming life, but felt encouraged to see that they had reverence for their prey.

The fangs were very much unlike these primal beasts. And they weren't much of beasts after all. They were much kinder, more intuitive, and not to mention utterly sexy. I found myself feeling something I hadn't felt in a long time while sprinting between Forrest and Zane: freedom.

I spread out my arms as I ran through the trees, hopping over logs and between branches as I kept up with the pack. Leo ran behind me and Forrest ran at my left with Zane at my right. I felt completely protected, as if a treasure that they never wanted to release. Part of me lamented needing to enact our dangerous plan in order to take down Tempest Legion. I didn't want to do that; to risk losing them.

And I didn't want them to risk losing me.

When we arrived at the entrance of the cave, a few shifter women were waiting outside to welcome the boys home. I timidly nodded in their direction. Two of them offered a smile, but one of them remained stern in her appearance. As the boys went inside, I waited behind with my captured food for the evening. The one who was frowning in my direction lingered near me as I tried to walk inside. It was Gracie. We had been introduced previously in the recreation room after a meeting, but she seemed less than enthused to have me around. We bumped shoulders.

“You know, this isn't a free festival for you to pick through before running back to your beloved vampires,” Gracie spat.

“That's not my intention and you know that,” I insisted.

She shrugged and eyed my satchel, watching the fabric move around as the squirrels tittered with unease.

“Well, you'll just have to prove it, won't you?” she inquired with a curious brow.

I didn't look away from her burning eyes. I knew that if I looked away, it would give her statement power. If I let go, I would ultimately lose when it came to earning her trust. The other women appeared to be fine with me, but this one was hardened by experience. I could smell the jaded years piled on to her age. As I stared, she nodded towards the entrance.

“Well, are you coming in?” she asked.

I nodded.

We were the last to walk into the recreation room where the shifters were talking among themselves. It was getting close to their dinner time which I always looked forward to because it provided me time with the three men I enjoyed most: Leo, Forrest, and Zane. In truth, I had become rather soft around Zane. Originally, I had held my guard well, but he was quickly peeling those layers away the more we encountered each other. While I stood near a candelabra, Gracie rejoined the pack and spoke with a smirk to Wyatt. I could tell she fancied him.

I wasn't sure how their romantic bonds worked so well considering that most of them slept with each other. It confused me, but on some deeper, primal level also enticed me. This was new territory, both physically and mentally. Still, I was willing to learn and adapt. After all, it had earned me attention from the finest beasts I'd ever met. Why would I ever try to monopolize that?

“What's on your mind?”

The question prompted an image of Adrian. It caused me to grimace and I looked at the ground to avoid the inquirer, allowing my hair to fall over my eyes.

“Riley, don't hide.”

I raised my eyes and peered through the veil of dark hair to find Zane. He offered me a small smile and stroked my hand, nudging me to respond.

“I was just thinking about our mission,” I whispered.

A strong, but gentle hand rose and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. Though the group wasn't watching, I was sure they were aware of what Zane was doing. I flushed.

“It's more than that,” he continued. “Why don't you visit me after supper in my quarters? You can unburden yourself completely.”

I smiled shyly and curled my fingers around his hand, finding comfort in such a simple gesture.

“I would like that,” I whispered.

After giving my hand a consoling squeeze, he walked over to the group of chattering werewolves and announced that it was time for dinner. Leo immediately appeared at my side and took my hand as we walked through a door opposite the entrance that would lead to the dining hall. Also unlike the fangs, the shifters all sat at a long table occupying most of the dining hall. There was plenty of space between each shifter, but it felt intensely intimate.

I found this setup more satisfying than where I had come from because it provided me the ability to see everyone all at the same time. Even though Gracie didn't like me, it made me feel better to know where she was located at the table. Just like the days before, she was seated right next to Wyatt. I secretly thanked the universe for not causing a heated desire to spark between Wyatt and myself, lest I incite the jealous rage of a female werewolf.

I sat quietly in my corner of the table as Zane entered the room. The shifters immediately fell silent out of respect. I'd never seen such allegiance, not even towards Sirus. And Sirus was a fearsome leader. Perhaps it spoke volumes more that Zane could cause a room to fall silent with a mere smile instead of a growl.

“My friends, family, I'd like to thank you for being receptive to our guest, Riley.” He gestured towards me from across the table and I blushed, sinking down into my chair. “This is no easy task for a shifting creature. We've been taught from a young age that fangs do not have our best interests in mind. We never forget the war of 1912, and now we must never forget that they are still committing atrocities even though they are no longer invading our territory.”

Gracie scoffed and rolled her eyes. As I eyed her, Zane continued as if he didn't hear her scoff. Or perhaps he was ignoring it.

“I would also like us to prepare ourselves for the fight that is coming. Arm your thoughts. Practice your skills. Put any fears you have to rest. In just a few days, we'll face our enemies confidently in their castle,” he continued. “And please, let me know if you have any concerns. I am happy to discuss them with you.”

A light applause erupted from the table as Zane took his seat and waved his arms over the feast waiting for them to eat. Awkwardly, I watched the shifters dig into their meaty meals, cupping my goblet in my hand nervously. I traced the edge of the goblet with a finger as I watched them eat. I could hear them chewing, hear their laughter, and even hear their stomachs settling over the white noise of chatter.

A hand rustled me from my little moment of hyper awareness.

“Are you not hungry?” Leo asked, a piece of bird sticking out from his lips. He slurped it back into his mouth and smiled.

I smirked.

“No, it's fine.”

“Do you want me to warm it for you?” he offered.

I shook my head.

“You're kind, but it's fine, Leo,” I insisted.

“Let me know.”

Something had shifted in me. I glanced around the table at the animals of who I was quickly growing fond. They were oblivious to my eyes, to the thoughts that churned like gears in my head. I watched them smile and watched how it lit up their eyes, slowly making jokes or making jabs or tossing food. There was such a loving chemistry in this room. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced, even in my days as a human.

Oh, humanity.

I frowned at my own lack thereof. Having grown sick of my thoughts, I stood abruptly from the table and left the dining hall. I heard Leo and Forrest call after me, but I continued to walk away. If I turned, I might fall prey to their arms. I wasn't in the best emotional state and I didn't want to bring down their jovial mood, so I contained myself to my bedroom where I could collect myself.

I stared at my reflection. How tattered I felt even though my features had smoothed from a healthy diet of squirrel and rabbit blood. I rubbed at my cheeks. Leo had been right about my pink hue. It was uncharacteristic of a fang. But then again, I wasn't much of a fang if I didn't drink from humans, was I?

I sighed heavily and met my gaze once more.

Hang in there, Riley. It's almost over.