Page 34 of Mike's Assistant

“How would you know? I just saw…” I shook my head. “We need to get out of here. There’s….” I couldn’t say the words. My heart was pounding in my chest.

“I know what you saw, Jake. I’m human like you. The first time I saw Hayden shift, I passed out. Had I not known Brian here for years, I probably would’ve run like you,” Owen said, pointing to the blond.

“Human? You say that like there should be anything but. He changed into a lion. A monster,” I replied.

“We’re not monsters,” Vanessa protested. “We’re called shifters.”

My eyes widened, and I took a step back. “You—you’re a lion, too?”

“Yes, she’s a lion, but she won’t hurt you, just like Mike won’t hurt you,” Owen said.

“Yeah, they’re just big kitties,” Brian chimed in.

I jerked my focus to Brian. “Are you one, too?”

“Pft…as if,” Brian scoffed.

“Brian’s a bunny,” Owen said at the same time.

“Rabbit,” Brian retorted.

“There’s different… You’re really?” I stared at Brian. I couldn’t even put together a coherent sentence.

Owen chuckled. “Yes, he really is a rabbit, a big, fully bunny rabbit.”

“Owen, I’m a giant Flemish rabbit, and I’m just as badass as any lion.”

“Sure, B. Sure,” Owen said gently. He reached out and gently touched my hand. “To answer your question, yes, there are many kinds of paranormals.” My eyes widened at his words, but he continued on. “I know this is wild, but trust me, they won’t hurt you. Yes, there are some bad eggs out there, but there are plenty of human bad eggs, too.”

“Mike will never hurt you. None of us will,” Vanessa said gently.

I looked back at her, “Mike was… he was saying crazy stuff, calling me his mate, and he just changed.”

Vanessa nodded in understanding, but it was Owen that spoke up. “Mates are very special to shifters. It’s something Mike can explain to you, but the main thing is, he will never hurt you.”

“How can you be sure? Why can’t you tell me?”

His lips turned up, and softness shone in his tired-looking eyes. “Jake, ask yourself, deep down, if you believe Mike will hurt you or not, truly?”

That gave me pause. Deep down, even when I was crying in the bathroom, I knew the truth. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. But the enormity of seeing a real live lion with massive teeth and claws, and not to mention seeing a man, a man who I… I’m falling for, turning into said lion was almost too much.

“I—”

I stopped speaking as the office door swung open. Mike stepped in. Instinctively, I retreated a step, causing him to halt mid-stride. For a brief moment, his eyes darted away, a shadow of vulnerability passing over his face. As he met my gaze again, there was a rawness in his eyes, now reddened and swollen. The streaks on his cheeks were unmistakable signs of tears.

“Mike, what are you…” Vanessa began, but he held up his hand.

“I know. I’ll leave. It’s just your phone hasn’t stopped ringing.” He held out my phone, and as if on cue, it started buzzing wildly.

Oh shit, the boys. In all this craziness, I’d forgotten about my brothers. Forgetting about my fear, I surged forward and snatched the phone from Mike’s hand, quickly answering it.

“Hello,” I said hurriedly.

“Jake,” Sam’s small voice echoed through the line.

“Sam, I’m so sorry.”

“Are you coming to get us?” I heard sniffling and muffled shouts in the background.

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