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“I won’t say anything to the others. But…” I hesitated. “He’s not a monster.”

“He’s not now. But he’s also not the same person he was when I found him. He was, for all intents and purposes… feral.”

“Feral?”

“Wild. Untamed. Before he met me, I don’t think he had true, positive human interaction in years.”

“How did you know?”

He smiled. “That’s a story for another day.”

He opened the door and paused. “We have some time before dinner if you want to wash up.”

“Is that your subtle way of saying I stink?”

He smiled and walked downstairs.

I stared after him for a while before I moved, with Gage consuming all my thoughts. It made more sense why he thought he was a bad person. I could see the anger in his eyes before he shifted like he was being forced to shift and then after, when he looked at me… the sadness and the pain.

Who was the other wolf and what did it want?

It seemed as if they knew each other, perhaps a friend from his past life? Although, based on the conversation I just had with Barrett, I wouldn’t think Gage had friends during that time.

My heart broke for him.

I couldn’t help but wonder where he went and for how long he’d be gone.

I wanted to see him and wrap my arms around him and let him know I didn’t see him any differently. He wasn’t a monster.

But no matter how many times I said it, he wouldn’t believe me… that much was clear.

I grabbed a change of clothes and headed to the showers. I toyed with using Gage’s since I figured he wouldn’t be back for a while, but decided against it… and used Enzo’s instead.

I walked downstairs a little while later and Enzo called out, “The Queen has arrived! We may start our feast!”

I panicked, scanning the room for Barrett, and he shook his head.

I breathed a sigh of relief and kept walking down the stairs.

“Barrett, did Scarlet tell you what she did with Gage?” Enzo asked.

“I-” I started, but Enzo cut me off.

Barrett laughed. “She did nothing. I needed him to run an errand for me.”

Enzo flopped in the seat. “I thought badass Scarlet offed him for being such a dick all the time.”

“I tried.” I laughed. “But there’s always next time.”

Barrett looked at me and nodded, smiling.

I walked into the kitchen and stood next to Calix. “What can I help with?”

He gently rested his head on mine. “I’ve missed you. You’re the only one who wants to help around here.” He said the last part loud enough for everyone to hear.

“We just know how much you enjoy it.” Enzo shouted, rocking back in his chair.

Gideon reached his foot under the table and pushed Enzo’s chair, causing him to lose balance and fall backwards.