Page 36 of Held By a Monster

“As for navigating the normal world, that’s best learned through observation and time. Since you clearly won’t be walking around the town square at noon, it’ll take longer, but you’ll get there. Google is your friend. The internet isn’t just for porn.”

Her dark hair swung forward as she hopped off the table. She gave the man still typing furiously at his laptop a nod. “Bull.”

He replied, “Bacon,” without sparing her a glance.

“Right, I’m out. Zeus, thanks for the invite. It was worth the drive to get to see them.” She turned toward us and grinned. “I can’t wait for the council to get a load of you.”

Then she and her chicken disappeared through the door.

twenty-four

My head was spinning.They sheltered us from so much while in captivity, and the influx of people and talking chickens was too much to take in. I knew my brothers were also struggling. They’d moved in closer, crowding me, Kendal and Kragen where we sat at the table.

As kids, we piled together for comfort, and as adults, the instinct was still there. Huddle up, protect our pack.

Kendal sensed it. I noticed her muscles tense and her shoulders raise. “Um, Zeus?”

“Yes, Kendal?”

It bothered me he addressed her so informally, but I learned that most normals didn’t require the formality that ourcaptors did.

“I think this is a little overwhelming. Maybe we should adjourn, let the boys read over what Bacon brought, and then get together again later?”

“Of course. I apologize. This situation is so novel, I find myself a little out of my depth. I’ll try to be more mindful in the future.”

“They’reoverwhelmed?”

The one Zeus called Ghost mumbled from behind Behemoth, who I recognized from our first meeting. Behemoth’s elbow shot back, causing Ghost to bend and grunt.

“Dude, I just meant they look cool as cucumbers. I wish I had a fraction of their control.”

“Shut up, Ghost.”

I nodded my thanks to the bear shifter, who nodded back.

Kragen stood, and Kendal and I followed suit. “Thank you for your assistance. We are grateful.”

I gathered the binders and we turned to leave, but Kragen was still.

“You said at our last meeting that the council may provide a refuge for us?” His voice trailed off, leaving the question in the air.

“Yes. It’s my understanding they are still deciding how to proceed, but I want you to know that no matter what you decide, Supe Sec will take care of you.”

“Bull?”

The man at the laptop paused typing and looked up at Zeus, who tilted his head in our direction. “Oh, right. Yeah, we have tagged a few nearby properties that will work for a wyrfang compound. We’re just waiting on the council to declare their intentions, and of course, you’ll want to look before we put an offer on anything. All three are at least one hundred acres and most have a house already on site.”

Kendal grabbed my forearm and I almost dropped the binders.

“Did you say one hundred acres?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And you’re going to buy it for them?”

Zeus chuckled. “Kendal, Society takes care of our own. Don’t worry about the cost. Actually, I had Bull set up bank accounts for each of you. I deposited a bit of seed money, but the council will likely add a significant amount.”

Bull slid a stack of envelopes from his bag and laid them on top of the binders. “Identities, bank cards, and cellphones, plus all the paperwork that goes with all of it. All the usual stuff. Each identity is new, but has a digital trail so you shouldn’t have any trouble. Most people do everything online these days anyway, so it won’t be suspicious that you aren’t seen in person anywhere.

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