Page 20 of Enter the Lair

He immediately had Hunter’s attention.“She seemed to know who Cyril is.Had she met him?At Kallan Corp by chance?”

Devon nodded.“Cyril attacked her.She put him down.He was arrested by Kallan’s security.She was told he had escaped a psychiatric facility.”

Talen huffed.“Kallan is the one who should be in a mental hospital.”

“Agreed,” Luca said.The rest of the Cascades nodded in agreement.

Hunter cleared his throat.“What are Sarah’s thoughts on our species?Is she going to report Daniel?...Us?”

Devon shook his head.“No.I had no choice, but to tell her about the experiments.She has agreed to help find out who is attacking us before she makes a report.”

“You sure you can trust her?”Talen asked.

Devon was unable to keep the growl from his voice.“Yes.”

Hunter looked hard at Devon.“How did you get Sarah to turn on her father?”

Devon considered his words.There was more to the complicated relationship Sarah had with her father, and until he knew why, he didn’t want to share too much with his brothers.

Devon’s answer was evasive, but it was also the truth, even he couldn’t lie to his family.“Sarah takes her job seriously.I don’t believe she would hesitate to arrest her father if she suspected him of wrongdoing.”

Hunter rubbed his finger over his chin.“She’s going to question her own father?I mean, I might have to respect her if she did that.”

Devon knew what was coming.“She’s questioning him right now.”

“She’s calling him?”Hunter asked.

“He’s at the lodge right now.”Devon waited for Galen to calm his brothers.They were all talking at once.Their emotions running so hot it made it difficult for Devon to remain calm.He’d always struggled around his emotionally animated species.While they appeared calm to the average human, they ran with fire in their blood and their emotions were just as volatile.Unfortunately, he was the only cougar with his particular affliction, and he had never shared his secret with anyone.

Galen raised his hands.“Boys!”When they settled back into their chairs, he turned to Devon.“You didn’t think that Brian Marksmen on our land was pertinent information?Something you should tell your parents?”

Devon turned his head in disgust.He couldn’t look at Galen.

“I know you lost faith in your family for not finding you after your abduction.Your mother cried every day you were gone.I…”

Devon jerked his head back and snapped.“Don’t pretend to give a fuck about me, Galen.I know you’re not my father.I commend your attempt to raise another man’s offspring as your own and I admit if I hadn’t been abducted by my biological father I wouldn’t have known, but I’m tired of the charade.”

Devon expected his brothers to attack.He didn’t expect the absolute silence.He had been so enraged he hadn’t noticed his mother at the entrance of the dining room.He turned to see a tear run down her face.She walked forward, laying her face on her mate’s chest.“I never considered he would think he wasn’t your son.I’m sorry.”

Galen hugged his wife.“This isn’t your fault, Marie.It’s mine.I failed you.I failed him.”

Devon had felt his brother’s emotions for years, but this was the first time he had experienced their confusion and fear.He hadn’t wanted to ruin their faith in their father.His brothers didn’t deserve this.He regretted his outburst.

Galen turned back to Devon “May I ask why you believe I’m not your father.”

There was no way around the truth, now.“Razel was the coyote who took me.He told me that he’d raped Marie.I was born nine months later.He didn’t lie.”

Galen rubbed Marie’s back as a sob racked her.“No, he didn’t lie,” he said.

Luca jumped up.His face mirrored the anger of the Cascade brothers.“Fucking.Shit.God Damn!”

Galen hugged his weeping wife.“Sit down Luca.”Liam put a reassuring hand on his twin’s arm.

As Luca sat back down Galen looked at Devon.“You’re a cougar.Why would you think Razel is your father?Despite, what he told you?”

“You know that coyotes feel the emotions of those around them.I think they feed off their prey’s fear.I am like them, despite the fact that I take after my mother.”He couldn’t keep the contempt from his voice.He hoped his mother knew it was aimed at himself.He didn’t blame her.Her mate should have protected her.

“I wish you had told me about that side-effect, earlier.”