Page 99 of Bear Facts

That was what going feral did to a Shifter—removed their recognizable human side completely. Rolf was all wolf right now, in spite of standing up and wearing clothes—ones Rolf would never think to wear. He’d always been neatly dressed.

The wild strength Freya had glimpsed in her brother over the years, and had sometimes felt in herself, had completely taken over.

This isn’t right. Matt’s distress came to her. You’re supposed to be together, be strong. Not like this.

I know, sweetie. Freya tried to reassure him. I’ll keep you safe. Don’t worry.

She could tell Matt didn’t believe her. He burrowed into her fur, trying to hide himself.

Rolf, with fearsome swiftness, switched his gaze to Freya and stared straight down at Matt. “Cute cub,” he said. “Whose is it?”

He’d know by scent that Matt wasn’t hers, or Shane’s either.

He’s an orphan, Freya said. Like we were.

For one instant, she saw the old Rolf shine through, the scared cub who’d put his arm around her when they’d been left on Graham’s porch and told her they’d be okay.

“It’s lucky you came here, kid,” Rolf said to Matt. “Better than a Shiftertown, any day.”

Matt found his courage and peered out from under Freya. Graham takes care of me. He can kick all your asses. So can Shane.

Rolf froze, his gaze hardening as it went back to Freya. “Graham? You went back to Graham?”

Freya kept her eyes locked on Rolf and sensed Shane step closer to her. The other Shifters moved to keep Shane covered.

Not on purpose, Freya answered swiftly. But yes, I found him again. He took care of us, Rolf, when no one else would. He kept us safe.

“He kept us confined,” Rolf snarled. “Wouldn’t let us discover our potential. Wouldn’t let us be us.”

He made sure no other Shifters killed us or abused us. He helped us get away when we ran, made sure we were taken care of. You think we just happened to find people who were nice to us?

Rolf’s eyes narrowed. “He’d tell you that, of course.”

If you talked to him, you’d understand.

“Sure, sis. And if I walk in front of Shifter Bureau’s weapons with my arms spread, I’d understand what would happen there too.” Rolf went down on one knee, putting his face on Freya’s level. Matt lifted his wolf chin and glared at him. “Graham kept us under his thumb because he knew what we were. He couldn’t afford to let us learn our true nature. We’d overthrow him in a second once we did, and he knew it.”

Freya lost her patience. Okay, bro, I’ve had enough of your crazy talk. The humans gave you some bad drugs, and it’s terrible, and I’ll help you. But don’t condescend to me, because I’m not putting up with that shit.

Shane’s laughter came to her. You are so awesome.

Rolf stared at Freya a moment, then he burst out laughing. “Oh, I have missed you, my pain-in-the-ass sister. Shift and talk to me, and I’ll tell you what I’ve learned about us.”

Nope, Freya said at once. Keeping my fur on. There were too many Shifters around for her to stand as a naked woman in front of them. Shifters didn’t care about nudity usually, but she wasn’t taking a chance with these guys.

Rolf spun to his feet and snapped his fingers at a human guard. “Bring her some coveralls. Hurry up.”

The guard silently exited. Shane, Freya noticed out of the corner of her eye, edged closer to the remaining human guard.

She kept her attention fixed on Rolf. Tell me what you’ve learned, now, she said in her bossy-sister voice.

Rolf shrugged, as if he didn’t mind discussing this in front of his troops. “I’ve always known you and I were different, even when we were cubs. How do you think we’ve survived this long? Sure, Graham took us in, but we thrived. And when we ditched his ass and that loser who tried to mate-claim you, we thrived again. It should have been harder for us, but it wasn’t. Why do you think that’s true?”

Because we worked our butts off and didn’t do anything stupid, Freya growled. Because we looked out for each other.

“Yeah, partly that.”

You’re like me and Kyle. Matt almost shouted it. I told you, Freya. Keira told you too. You’re special. Like us.

---