Page 20 of Shattered Fears

“What’s your idea?” Ciaran inquired.

“Humans are vile creatures. They want to capture us and treat us as their pets.”

Nuka felt Lily freeze at the word pet. Her whole body clenching and then shuddering in fear of the terrible memories that plagued her daily.

“They want to put us on leads and parade us around in front of other humans. Make us perform tricks for them, like actors on a stage, for all to see.”

Ciaran had obviously realized why he was speaking this way because the druid placed his book back on the table and dropped to the floor in front of them. Ciaran put his hand on Lily’s leg, and the bear wrapped her fingers tightly around it.

“My brother’s pack thinks we should be friends with them. That they won’t hurt us. I think we need to show them differently, don’t you? Show them how the humans will hurt, trap, and degrade us if we give them half a chance. I think the only way we can do that is if his pack is exposed to some. What do you think, Ciaran?”

“What do you mean?” The druid smirked.

Nuka looked at the TV, which was paused on Senator Ross.

“He’s looking for a shifter; I say we show him one.”

“But wouldn’t it be dangerous? I mean what if they capture the person who is exposed?”

Nuka chuckled.

“Silly, Ciaran. I wouldn’t put one of us in danger. No, I protect my pack. No, there’s a dangerous shifter out there now. Her pregnancy means she’s volatile. We just need someone to help bring the volatility out. I wonder who would do it. I couldn’t. They know me too well. I wouldn’t be able to get close enough.”

Ciaran feigned a gasp.

“Nor I. Maybe, Jackson?”

Nuka shook his head. Out of the corner of his eye, he was watching Lily. He didn’t know the full details of the bear shifter’s past because, frankly, as long as she allowed him to fuck her, he wasn’t interested. But he did know that the word ‘pet’ was significant in relation to whatever torment she’d suffered, and in the shifter world as a whole, it was a word of a derogatory nature.

“I’ll do it,” Lily spoke up.

“What?” Nuka pretended to be shocked.

“No human will treat any shifter again as a pet. If we need to be exposed to get the Glacial Blood pack to help us, then I’ll do it. They can’t be allowed to hurt us anymore.

“It’ll be dangerous.” Ciaran was playing his part superbly.

“I can do it. I promise.” Lily sat up.

“You know I won’t be able to protect you while you do?”

Lily nodded. “I know. I’m going into this to help others. If something happens, I understand.”

Nuka leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. He put a bit of affection into it this time, just to keep her happy.

“Go upstairs. I think you deserve a big reward for your sacrifice.”

Lily got up and left them.

Ciaran shook his head and smirked.

“Like a lamb to the slaughter.”

“Did you doubt me?”

“Never.”

Nuka sat back in the chair. He’d go upstairs in a moment. He picked up the remote and allowed the frozen Senator Ross to speak again. The drivel coming out of his mouth was mundane, for the most part, except for the fact shifters were real. That was true, and very soon, the senator would have the proof.

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