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Serena!

Serena's fingers dig into my fur, and I know it should be painful. I should shake her off, but I barely register it, not with Lyle right there.

Seeing him the night he changed was one thing, but this...

I can't remember a time before the guys. Every memory I have, they are there, just like my own siblings, like my twin. Having him missing has been hard, but I'd convinced myself it wasn't permanent, as if he was simply away on vacation. That isn't what this is at all, and now there's no denying that.

Lyle stands atop a home, and by some miracle the roof holds. One of his giant claws holds a man who kicks and thrashes, trying to escape. We'd never make it in time; even if the sight of him hadn't frozen me in my tracks, Lyle's claws are quite literally dug deep in the man’s back. It's only a matter of time before he chokes on his own blood or he punctures a lung.

It’s a terrible way to die.

I feel the others, even though I can't bring myself to look away from Lyle. We all knew it was possible to see him here, but this, we weren't ready for this.

For the monster that stands in the place of our friend, our brother.

Lyle's my best friend, but this isn't him. That might be his beast, but he's not in control. He might be an asshole, but he could never harm someone like that. He's always cared about people, even if he liked to pretend he didn't. His feelings for Serena are what made them fight so often. He's overbearing and overprotective; it's just who he is.

Unable to look away, I watch as Lyle rips the man in two as if he's nothing, drops him off the roof, and continues on his way, leaving bloody footprints in his wake.

"Lyle." The heartbreak in Serena's voice hits me hard, the bond pulling tight as we all mourn our friend. Even Garrett, who was constantly at odds with him, feels the weight of this change.

Lyle doesn’t so much as look our way, no sign that he knows us, and somehow that stings just as much.

One second Lyle fills my vision, and the next I’m walking face first into a set of legs that I know for a fact weren’t there before. I didn’t even realize I was following him until I stopped. That wasn’t a great idea.

I’ve only ever seen one person who can do that. His scent is that of the woods itself, but with a bitter note that I can only describe as sour. It’s strange but also kind of fitting with him.

Taking a step back, I look up to find him staring down at me like I did something wrong.

“Why the hell did you bring her here?” Ryker hisses, looking back over his shoulder as if he’s worried we might be attacked.

For the most part we should be safe, between the others and the fact that Serena’s taken out most of the chimeras we’ve come across so far, but you wouldn’t guess that with the way he’s reacting.

Without another word, he moves to my side. I feel Serena’s weight as she leaves my back, but it’s not until I turn to look at them that I see she didn’t get down on her own.

Ryker’s hand is wrapped around her biceps as he drags her back the way we just came. Serena doesn’t fight against him, instead staring at where we last saw Lyle, despite him no longer being there. I’m honestly not even sure she’s aware of what’s going on around her.

Serena doesn’t need protecting; she’s strong, maybe even stronger than the rest of us combined, but seeing his hands on her like that pisses me off, and my beast is moving without me even having to say anything.

I’m behind them one second and in front of them the next, skidding to a stop, making Ryker stagger to a halt as well.

“Get out of my way, Storm,” he growls, his voice low and menacing, and for the first time I get a glimpse of the monster Garrett says he is.

Wait, he knows my name?

It’s not that crazy. I suppose I just didn’t expect it. I’ve been to a few of his and Rena’s training sessions now, but he never really talks to or even acknowledges us.

Shaking off the shock, I crouch low to the ground and let him know what I think about his demand.

I don’t care who the fuck he is. Nobody put hands on Serena.

We stand locked in a staring contest that neither of us intends to lose as I feel the others move in around us, their growls and rumbles a clear indication that they’re on my side.

Ryker caves first, looking around for some kind of help that he doesn’t find. “Serena isn’t safe here!” he snaps, throwing his free hand in the air as he once again turns to face me.

That seems to be enough to pull Serena from her daze as she yanks her arm from Ryker and takes a step away from him.

“I’m more than capable of handling myself. You of all people should know that.” Ryker opens his mouth, but Serena doesn’t stick around to hear his excuse, leaving him to scramble after her as she once again heads back toward where we last saw Lyle.