Page 37 of Monster

“Are you alright? Is he alright?” Bull asked.

“Luca,” Drake murmured. “His name is Luca. And I think he’s dying in there. We need to get him out.”

Bull’s face turned white, and he backed away.

Drake took a second to scrub his face and settle his nerves. “You told Jaeger that Bull was a nickname… does your father know this nickname?”

Bull shook his head.“I don’t think so.My mother was pregnant with me when he was taken.We’ve never technically met.”

“Which is why he said his son wasn’t here yet,” Drake murmured.“At first he said he had no son… and didn’t react to your name… but he did react to me saying you were a rhino shifter.” Drake leaned forward in the chair and placed his elbows on his knees.“What’s your given name?”

Bull snarled.“Umberto… but I get really upset when people use it.”

Jaeger chuckled under his breath.

“Can it,” Drake said to his friend. If Bull stopped offering details, it could make it harder to help Luca. He needed the information if he was going to save his mate.

His mate.

He sucked in another breath, nearly floored by the thought.

Yet, there was no denying it now.

Not after what he just experienced.“I need to rest… so I can get back.I sense there’s little time left.He was unwell… in bed.”

“Unwell?” Bull asked.

“I cared for him… made him a fire… gave him something to eat, gave him water. He seemed better afterwards.”

“It wasn’t real,” Jaeger said. “There was no food, no water.”

“But to him, it is,” Drake snapped.“He’s made a safe space within his mind… somewhere the shifters can’t get to him. To him, it’s just as real as this world.”

“And he’s unwilling to leave,” Bull said.

“Yes… and now he’s trapped within it. I have to tempt him to come out… and to come home.” Drake rose from the chair and felt his legs nearly give out. He dropped back down into the seat and got his bearings.

“This is too much for you,” Jaeger said, sending some of his strength in a touch. “You need to heal yourself.”

“There isn’t time.”

“So you kill yourself to save him?”

Drake bit the inside of his cheek. He couldn’t voice the truth he knew soul deep.He’d give his life if it meant his mate was saved from that hell… “I have to help him.”

“I can’t ask you to sacrifice yourself for him,” Bull said.“I won’t ask you to do that.This project is done.”

“No!” Drake roared. He jumped to his feet and eyed the rhino.“Give me another chance… I think I might know a way to tempt him out.”

Bull stared silently a moment before sighing.“Once more.”

Drake moved to the bars on the cell.Inside, the beast still sat in the corner looking wounded and angry.

I’m coming to save you. Be ready.

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