Page 35 of Fight
"Tell me what?"Ethan asked.
"I thought the whole pack knew by now.I was a non-shifter."He said simply."I've only been able to shift for a few weeks."
"So you learned to fight as a human?"
"Yes, sir."
"How did you manage to finally shift?"
"Let's just say that since I moved home, I've been lucky in a lot of ways."He smiled at Ethan, not once glancing in my direction.
"You certainly have.You learned to fight well, and you've translated it into your new strength with surprising adaptability.I could have let the fight continue, but you all would have been hurt, and I don't see any reason for that.You'll be able to act as your mate's enforcer when she travels, and I'll be able to call on you when I need a little extra help.I think it works out well all the way around."
"I agree.Thank you, sir."Devon shook Ethan's hand, then turned to shake Bill's as well."Thank you for setting this up for me, sir."
"No problem.After what we saw earlier, I think it's a good idea that you travel with her.I didn't realize things were that advanced."
"I hadn't either, until I was growling," Devon admitted wryly."but we'll deal with it."
"That I have no doubt of.Though I will advise that you don't push this one," Bill nodded his head in my direction."into anything she doesn't want to do."
Devon laughed, and reached out to take my hand.He tugged me closer to his side."Have you ever known her to allow herself to be pushed into anything she didn't want to do, to begin with?"
"A couple times, when she was a kid.And man, did she make them pay for that."Bill laughed in response.
"Laugh it up, you two."I scowled at them."Would you really rather I was easily manipulated?"
"No.No, not at all."Bill assured me.
Devon pulled me close, and kissed me on the forehead."Never."
"I'm going to go talk to Gabriel."I told Devon."No growling."I poked him playfully in the chest before turning away.
"Just don't let him touch you."He said to my back."I'm never gonna live that down.Am I?He asked Bill and Ethan
"Nope."Ethan agreed.
"She'll be reminding you of that one for years, trust me."Their chuckles faded as I approached Gabriel.
"Hey," I said, stopping a short distance from him."How've you been?"
"Good."He glanced from me to Devon, still standing near Bill."You sure you should be over here?"
"Why shouldn't I?"I challenged."Don't worry," I softened my tone."I told him I was gonna talk to you this time.Besides, he thought we'd been dating, and he was jealous, it's kinda cute."
"Yeah, let's see if your story's the same when you're the one he's growling at."
I laughed."Growling at me would get him nowhere, and he knows it."
Gabriel laughed."You seem to be settling into life among the kindred very well.Those closest to you know how dominant you are, and treat you accordingly.Those who don't know you yet, will find out soon enough."He changed the subject."Any more difficulties?"
"Not with adjusting or the culture, but other things haven't gone so smoothly."
"Oh?Is it something I can help with?"Gabriel asked, still glancing past me to look at Devon occasionally.I suspected that Devon was glaring at him behind my back, but I ignored it.
"I don't know."I was reluctant to ask for help from anyone but Bill, but I wanted another perspective on it."You remember how you told me that there are elitist groups?The kind that think humans and non-shifters are less than we are?"
"Of course.Are you saying you've encountered someone like that?"He scowled at the thought.
