Page 17 of The Bull's Head

“Can I tell you something?” Teddy stepped closer. “I’d like to take you out to dinner one night, if you want. We could have pizza and root beer, and after, we can go get some ice cream.” He stroked a hand over Callum’s ear. “I know we haven’t been able to talk yet, but you say more words with your eyes than most people do with their mouths. And I’m certain you’re telling me the truth.” He stroked a thumb over Callum’s jaw. “I can see you want to shift. To come sit and eat with me, to watch the sun set and rise. You want us to be friends.”

Callum’s heart thumped a bit harder. He nudged Teddy’s hand, grateful when those amazing fingers of his went back to scratching the skin through the fur. Before he was taken, Callum had fully acknowledged being gay. When he’d told his parents, they’d seemed relieved, then said it was because he’d never pass their genes on to others. They’d always told him that Cooper was the only one who should have kids, because…. Well, it didn’t matter. His parents weren’t awful people, but they weren’t doting either.

Except for when it came to Cooper. Anything he wanted, they’d make happen. And that was fine. Callum much preferred to keep his head down and fly under the radar. Especially once he decided on the course his life would take.

That didn’t go so well.

Nope, not at all. Still, he kept his eyes on the prize, and with Mrs. Haskins in his corner, he was poised to break free from his family and forge a life of his own.

Then came Hyde and his people.

Gone were the nights that Callum could sit in the woods near their house and stare up at the stars. Gone too was the opportunity to learn more from his teacher about baking. The few friends he’d had probably wondered—briefly—what happened to him, then went on with their lives.

“Everyone decent?”

“We are. Come in, Alp.”

From around the corner, a tiny man appeared. He smiled at Callum, who nodded at him. It was when he turned that Callum noticed his missing hand. He didn’t even have to ask, because he knew what happened.

“Callum, I would like you to meet Alp. He’s the First mate of the Wald pack.”

Knowing propriety, Callum dipped his head.

Alp came closer. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Callum. I wish I had been able to do it earlier, but Dr. Hamilton said we should give you some space for a bit. Teddy tells us you’re doing well. I’m glad to hear it.”

Callum sniffed Alp’s arm, then pulled away.

“Yeah, I know. Sucks, don’t it? It was a present from Hyde, who swore that if he cut it off, it would regrow. Newsflash, it didn’t.” He turned and took a seat on the bench. “So, listen. I wanted to come down and let you know that if—when—you shift back, you are welcome to stay with us as long as you want. We don’t know about your life outside this place, but we do know a lot of our people who’ve tried to go out into the world again had ended up coming back, because it was too weird out there for them. They couldn’t take the stares and whispers, so they returned to the place they felt safe. We want that for you, if you think you need it.”

All Callum wanted was to see Cooper. He wished he could tell them what he needed.

“Anyway, that’s all I had to say.” He stood, then cocked his head. “Would you be okay if…. I mean, would you mind….” He grinned. “You’re just the most beautiful bull I’ve ever seen. I was hoping you wouldn’t mind if I felt your hair.”

Callum snorted. This guy was funny. He leaned in, and a shudder ran through him when Alp stroked his hand over Callum’s head.

“You’re magnificent, you know. I’ve only seen Highland bulls in pictures. Close up, you’re way more incredible. I like the red hair. Are you a redhead in your human form?”

More like a plethora of shades, with copper and mahogany being the most prevalent, but strands of strawberry and crimson also easily seen. Either way, Callum nodded.

“I’m jealous. Always wanted to have red hair. They say blonds have more fun, but I think it’s redheads.” He stepped away. “Okay, I have to go. Almost story time. And we have a surprise for you, Callum. Thanks to Teddy, we have the pen you’re in wired for sound. If you want to hear the story when I read it to the kids, you’ll be able to listen in. Plus, we’ve got it so you can call out if you need someone. Teddy will show you how to do that.”

And then, in a frenetic dash of energy, he was gone.

“And that’s our bunny,” Teddy said with a chuckle. “I think you’ll like him. He’s very caring about his people, just like his mate is.”

He also offered Callum something he wasn’t sure he ever truly had.

A home.

“How’s it going?” Mal poked his head into Teddy’s makeshift office.

“About as well as one can expect. These people were absolute freaks with their need to keep every single scrap of paper.”

“They are… were… scientists. I still wonder where it all went wrong for them. Some of them seemed brilliant, but then they went off the rails and descended into crackpot theories and the like.”

“They definitely were nuts. I’m going through each file, then scanning it and sorting them into folders. They had really screwed-up notions about what shifters are.”

“Yeah, tell me about it.” He sighed. “I have to go. Damon’s arriving, and we’re going to tour the place while his kids do their thing. If you need me, give a shout.”

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