Page 23 of Monster

Drake frowned.“Do you know why?”

“Our doctors are working on blood and DNA tests to figure out just what he is, they should be back soon,” Bull said. “We think he might be a wereshifter, not a full shifter.Deacon has suggested that if that’s the case—he might not have the strength to control himself, even with the serum.That’s where you come in.” Bull turned to him, one brow rising. “You up for the job?”

Drake looked to the creature and back to the rhino shifter.“Why is this beast so important to you and Deacon?”

Bull frowned.“We’re running an operation that works to save men like these from Project Zed.They’re all important.”

Drake narrowed his eyes a moment, thoughtful.Deacon had left a prison full of confined shifters … but this one he’d saved.The fact that Bull’s scent was close to the creature’s hadn’t escaped him, either. There was a connection, Drake was sure of it.Knowing what that connection was could make his job easier. “If he’s your kin, I need to know.”

Bull glared. “Who said anything about him being my kin?”

Drake smiled at the rhino.“Information will help make this easier.It will allow me to find the core mind within.”

Bull looked away, sighing.“We think he might be my father. Who is… a wererhino.”

“But you’re a full shifter,” Drake said, drawing in the man’s scent again, sure he was right.“Are you not?”

“My mother was a wererhino, too.Two weres can have a full shifter child,” Bull answered.

Mother? The creature had a wife? Did that mean the beast was heterosexual? Almost all shifters were homosexual—it was just the way they were built.But then, he didn’t have much experience with weres, and given the fact weres were once humans, it made sense they could be hetero.

If the creature was attracted to females… that could be another sign he was wrong in his first impression of the creature.He released a sigh, relief suddenly filling him.

Drake turned and eyed the cage and the snarling beast.“This is usually easier with a subject who’s calmer… but I’ll try my best.”

He approached the cage and the creature within calmed slightly, watching him close. The scent thickened the closer Drake moved. His body tightened with every step he took.

Drake held the creature’s stare as he took a seat a chair placed before the cage.

Prodding, he sought to enter the beast’s mind. Slowly, he pushed until he felt himself slipping into a swirling tide.

Drake fell to his knees, the tumult whipping too strong.

And when he stood up, he was in a clearing in an unknown wood.

Above him, the sky was orangey-pink, the sun setting somewhere in the distance—yet it had been morning just moments before. Huge evergreens rose thirty feet into the air all around them. Within the trees, he saw the glowing of many eyes—and heard their growls and roars. It was loud. Too loud.He lifted his hands to his ears to block out some of the sound.

In the center of the clearing was a small wooden shack. A thin plume of smoke rose from the stacked stone chimney.

He took a step closer, curious as to who resided there.

After only three steps, he came to a halt.A large black panther prowled around the shack.He paused before turning to Drake.Lowering his hands, he noted the other roars had quieted some.

The animal eyed him… and growled. The sound vibrated through Drake, even though there was some distance between them.

Goose bumps tickled over Drake’s forearms…

He stood stock still, weighing if the animal was a threat or not.

A swirl of light shone in the panther’s eyes… and it lowered its head slightly.

Drake took one measured step, watching close. He took another once he was sure the animal wasn’t preparing to pounce.

Closing the gap, he neared the panther, holding his breath.

When he stopped before it, he heard a light purring sound. Drake let out a shuddered breath, surprised the animal let him come so close. He eyed the door.It was only a few feet from where he now rested—but he worried the beast wouldn’t let him pass any farther.

Another step was allowed.The panther turned, ever watchful—but as he neared the door, the sounds of the other creatures nearby rose in volume.Again, he put his hands against his aching ears.With a few more steps, he forced the door open and raced inside. As soon as he closed the door behind him, the sound faded substantially.

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