Page 21 of Enter the Lair

“Side-effect?My mother’s rape was not a side-effect.I take after my biological FATHER.”Devon yelled.

Galen’s eyes blazed fire.Devon saw actual flames inside the pupils.He’d never seen this side of Galen.

“Don’t you fucking dare call that spineless puke your father!I failed your mother, and I failed you, but that piece of shit is nothing to you.He got his gang to outnumber me.He raped your mother, but she was already pregnant with you.If you feel emotions it is likely that the coyote enzyme effected you, when he bit her.But she ensured that my enzyme was quickly replaced by his,” he spat.

Devon couldn’t think through the haze of anger vibrating in the room.“You bit her immediately after her rape?”He couldn’t believe Galen would do it.He may not respect Galen, but he never doubted his loyalty to his mate.

His mother turned to him.The fire in her eyes matched her mates.“Don’t judge your father.He fought seven of them.His cougar was ripped to shreds.My cougar couldn’t stand another’s scent on her.She attacked him.Galen didn’t want to do it.Not at that moment, but my cat wouldn’t allow him to back down.She would have killed him.She forced him to assert his dominance.”Marie opened the front of Galen’s shirt, exposing the scars his sons believed had come from his battle with the coyotes.“I did this,” she said.“I don’t know if I was mad about the constant confinement of the lair or if it was pregnancy hormones, but I decided to run on my own.I just wanted a little break from my five children.I am to blame for this, not him.”

Before he’d even entered the house, he’d felt his fathers’ unease.He’d always hated family gatherings: his mother’s hopefulness, his brothers love, his father’s disgust had always blended together in an emotional tsunami.Now with the truth behind those emotions revealed, he was choking.He rose to leave.

“Devon, please stay,” his mother pleaded.“Tell us what happened in the coyote camp.I’m begging you.”

He had never been able to deny his mother anything, even when he’d believed Razel’s lies.His love for his mother was absolute.

Devon sat, feeling the difference in the room: his brothers understanding of his standoffish behavior, his father’s relief of him knowing the truth, and his mother’s shame.He couldn’t stand the thought of her believing she was to blame.“Mom this is not your fault,” he said.“I should have questioned sooner.I’ve had my ability for twenty years.That’s on me.I can feel emotions, and with animals those feelings are straightforward.To hunt.To feed.To mate.Everything is about survival.Shifters are complicated by the trappings of human ambition.Also, our human selves can be tricked emotionally where our animal counterpart isn’t.”

Talen shook his head.“Yeah, I know all about that one.”

Hunter looked at Talen.“Been there done that.”

Devon addressed Hunter.“I didn’t have my abilities when you went through your ordeal at Woodstock, but your sense of betrayal can only come from one thing.”

Luca growled.“Jesus fuck Devon...”

Hunter shook his head.“He’s right.I betrayed my mate.”

Devon shook his head.“No, you didn’t.Although the man believes that.Your cat is content now that you put that woman behind you.It waits for its true mate.Just don’t make the mistake of hesitating when you find her.”

Hunter huffed.“I’m not Talen, I won’t give my mate the chance to get away.”

Talen punched Hunter in the arm.“Prick.”

Hunter laughed, but Devon wasn’t fooled by his smile.

Devon felt the mood lighten.Even his mother was amused by her boisterous boys.He didn’t want to ruin the moment by telling them Sarah Marksmen was his mate.

Galen cleared his throat, and the boys settled down.“Go on Devon.”

Devon spoke.“Razel and his pack mates captured me.I was on neutral territory, but I had a feeling I needed to be there.I couldn’t explain it at the time, but now I know Razel was purposely trying to get my attention.I guess this ability doesn’t develop until maturity even in young coyotes, but I was over eighty years old when it started,”

“Longevity and agility are our gifts.You’re a cougar, not a coyote, so it makes sense that your natural abilities would all be fully formed first,” Galen mused.

“I’m truly sorry, I didn’t tell you sooner,” Devon said.“I...”

Marie interrupted.“I asked your father not to tell you what happened until you were older.We worried until the day you shifted.You made me so happy that day.In fact, Nicolas was conceived that night.”

Luca turned to his quieter twin.“Does this mean we will have to start celebrating his first shift again?”Liam shrugged, smiling.Hunter rolled his eyes.“No way.We’re all too old to start that again.”

Nicolas smirked.“Since I’m here because of him, maybe we should.”

Hunter groaned.“Mom and dad are like rabbits.You’d be here anyway.”

Marie openly laughed with her boys.

Devon felt nothing, but love and acceptance from his family.

Nicolas smiled.“Thankfully, we’ll be celebrating the first shift soon enough.When Talen’s cub is born.”