Page 33 of Monster

Drake used every ounce of his strength, propelling both of them into the new cage, slamming the door closed.

With him inside.

The beast roared and lunged at him.

His back to the bars, he took in a shaky breath and begged the dragon ancestors to protect him.

The beast stopped inches from him, screaming.

But he didn’t lay one finger on Drake.

His breathing was labored, his body nearly vibrating from the energy roiling through him… but he didn’t make one attempt to harm Drake.

“They want to help you. They want to make you better… you need to be in here until they can make you whole,” Drake said in a voice steadier than he felt.

After a moment, the creature stepped back, giving Drake enough time to slip through the bars once Bull opened them.

The second set was closed, and they could all breathe a sigh of relief.

Slowly, the shifters left the room—until it was only Bull, Jaeger, and Drake left behind.

“Apparently you made an impact on him yesterday,” Bull said. “He called out to you.”

Drake still felt as if he stood on shaky ground.“I don’t think I made much at all.”

“So now’s a good time to try again.”

“No,” Jaeger said.“You can see how much it took out of him yesterday.”

After hearing the beast call his name—he couldn’t walk away without trying again. “I want to.”

Jaeger frowned.“Are you sure this is what you really want to do?”

“I am,” Drake said, turning to his friend. “Stay with me and lend me some strength?”

Jaeger wore a heavy frown, but he nodded and relaxed some.

“I’ll get you somewhere to sit,” Bull said, leaving the room.

Once they were alone, Jaeger turned to him.“What’s your connection to the beast?”

Drake tensed.“I was inside his mind.”

“There’s more to this than that.”

Drake wasn’t ready to admit anything, especially with all the unanswered questions in his own mind.And considering the beast was a madman, at best, there was no way he was adding more to the chaos.

Bull returned with a rolling office chair a moment later.“Here. This should keep you comfortable.”

Drake took the seat and faced the cage. The creature sat as far back and into one corner as possible, as if he wanted to put more distance between them.

He’s hurt. You put him into another cage… he trusted you.

It was for his safety… all their safety. Drake knew that… but it still hurt that he was forced to help cage him.

Fix him… and release him from his prison. Of body.

And of mind.

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