Page 15

Chapter 15

Daff

“Mandy!”

The blonde bombshell barely hesitated before entering our room.

I’d never been the hugging type, but it felt like everything else had shifted on its axis since coming here, so I leant into the one she offered, so damn grateful that it’d been her that sat next to me when our group waited at the terminal.

She pulled back to give me a thorough once-over.

“Are you still safe and happy in here?”

She didn’t know me well enough to notice the heat in my cheeks, and I didn’t know her well enough to know if she’d tell me off or high-five me for the orgasms we’d shared yesterday or the constant body contact we’d maintained since.

One thing was for sure—Prowl was definitely making up for his lifetime of no physical contact.

“I am.”

I stepped to the side so she could see Prowl in all his bare-chested glory.

He’d put the romance book down and swung his legs off the side of our bed but stayed seated.

“This is Prowl. Prowl, meet Mandy.”

He nodded but stayed put.

It took me a moment to realise he wasn’t being rude; he was staying still and quiet so he didn’t spook her.

“Hi,” she said, her eyes running over him.

“Are you okay with me visiting for a bit?”

“If Daff’s happy, I’m happy.”

Her eyebrows popped up.

“Well, that’s a bit sweet. And not what I was expecting.”

“What are the other hybrids you’ve met been like?” I asked, pointing to the couch under the dark window and plopping down beside her.

“I’ve only got close and personal with the cubs so far. They’re so freaking adorable.”

“How are they?” Prowl asked, surprising me.

“Happy, for the most part. And so dang smart.” She looked back at me.

“We do mostly play-based learning, but they pick up everything we show them way quicker than expected. And their agility and speed is mind-blowing. They’re obsessed with obstacle courses at the moment, and the way they move through them…” The wonder on her face was so genuine I wanted to hug her.

Who knew what those cubs had been exposed to and put through before being freed?

“Are any of them struggling?”

Mandy hesitated, earning a low rumble from Prowl and an answering flinch from her.

I grabbed her hand. “It’s okay. He won’t lash out or go crazy. Will you, Prowl?”

His rumble turned into a purr.

“I’m sorry. I just need to know they’re okay. I haven’t seen them in a long time, and I worry they’ve felt abandoned by me.”

Mandy instantly softened.

“They know you’ve been unwell and doing your best to get better so you can see them again. There are two cubs that seem to struggle the most. King visits most days, and those are the days they do their best.”

Prowl nodded.

“They were always more settled when we were there. I think it soothes their family instinct to feel like a complete pride.”

“I thought prides only had one male, but you and King get along fine. At least from what I’ve seen,” I said, looking at him.

“Is that because of your human DNA?”

Mandy leaned forward a little.

“How are things when you and your brothers are together? It doesn’t cause tension or fights between you?”

“Male lions are occasionally known to form coalitions. Usually between brothers and up to three at a time. That coalition would then lead and protect the pride.”

“Is that what you, King and Rage are?”

“King and I were always together. Rage would come and go, but he was always welcome with us.”

“I’ve been wondering,” Mandy said, her eyes flicking to me before focusing on Prowl, “how Rage would interact with the cubs. If it would speak to his instincts and find their presence soothing. I can’t help but think that if he’s running on instinct, it could ultimately prove beneficial. Lions aren’t meant to be on their own.”

She sat back, waving a hand in the air like she was physically dispersing her voiced thoughts.

“Anyway. I know it’s a moot point, and the higher-ups would never allow it. I just couldn’t help wondering if the calm King brings to the cubs would work in reverse for Rage.”

“I appreciate you thinking of my brother.”

He looked so sad saying it; I had to force my butt to remain on the couch next to Mandy instead of crossing the space between us and hugging him.

“How do you think you’d go visiting them?” I asked instead.

“My next goal?”

“Why not? You’ve been fine with the guards, the med check team, King and now Mandy. If things go well with Sarge, it’s a reasonable ask. Especially since you see them as family.”

“Then that’s what I’ll ask for.”

“What we’ll ask for.”

His lips tipped up.

“You have a fierce friend, Mandy. I’m glad she’s on my side.”

“She’s brave, I’ll give her that. And there’s no denying how much you’ve changed. Just think. Another few weeks doing this well, and you could both be out of here, doing your own thing again.”

My stomach twisted, and Prowl tensed.

She was right. A few more weeks like this, and this thing, this connection between us, could be over and done.

Was his reaction excited at the thought of getting out of here or distressed over us being separated?

Mandy’s gaze landed on the book in Prowl’s hand.

“How did you get a hold of that? Every single romance book has been checked out, and there’s a waiting list a mile long.”

“That would be my fault. When word got out that some of us liked to read smut, particularly paranormal and Sci-Fi smut, the hybrids went a little rabid in their attempt to get hold of some.”

“Why?”

“Because some idiot zoologist convinced them no normal, rational female would ever want to be intimately involved with them because of their split species’ DNA, tortured pasts and unique genital traits. And when they heard that there was, in fact, a whole demographic out there that would be turned on instead of horrified by those differences, hope made them desperate to read it for themselves.”

“God, that’s awful. Did you all really believe no woman would ever want you?”

Prowl nodded, his golden eyes finding mine.

“Daff disabused the med team of that notion.”

“And explains the hybrid anatomy lesson we all got.”

My thighs clenched at the memory of what Prowl’s said anatomy looked like, and this time, Mandy noticed my spreading blush.

“Tip of your nose, hey?”

“I couldn’t tell you,” I said after clearing my throat.

I ignored her answering huff of disbelief.

I hadn’t lied. I didn’t know what his spikes felt like.

So far, I’d only seen them.

“The good news is, we’ve been told the library has ordered a bunch more, so you won’t be waiting forever to get one.”

“Uh-huh.”

The buzzer sounded, startling a jump out of Mandy.

“Dang, that’s loud.”

One of the revolving guards stepped in, followed by the second, positioning themselves on both sides of the door.

“Sarge is here.”

Prowl placed his book beside him and rose to his feet, keeping his movements slow.

I was up and beside him without a second thought.

If he was going to hurt someone, it’d be Sarge, not me, and only if I couldn’t keep him calm.

Mandy was on her feet now, too, looking nervous.

“You should leave,” the second guard said, motioning for her to head for the door.

“We’ll be fine,” I reassured her.

“They’re just doing their job, making sure everyone is safe each time Prowl tries something new.”

She nodded despite still looking unsure.

Which was fair enough since both men had their weapons drawn and aimed at the floor near Prowl’s and, subsequently, my feet.

“Good luck with your visit. I hope you get to see the cubs soon.”

“Me too,” Prowl said, his eyes on the open doorway, his nostrils flaring slightly.

“Thanks, Mandy.”

She nodded and was gone.

“Ready?” the first guard asked.

I slipped my hand into Prowl’s, lacing our fingers.

“Send him in.”

Sarge stepped into view, stopping in the doorway.

He was not what I expected.

A fine, grey fuzz coated his skin, appearing thinner on his face and hands.

It thickened and grew long at his hairline, which sat fairly far back on a forehead.

The ridges above his brown eyes were almost severe in the way they protruded, as was his wide jaw.

Definitely a gorilla.

He wore a black tank, stretched over a huge barrel chest, exposing arms thicker than Prowl’s thighs, and cargo pants encasing legs even wider.

He was an absolute mountain of a hybrid and slightly terrifying to look at until I noticed the tiniest twitch by his hairline.

It was the cutest, daintiest looking, fuzz-covered ears I’d ever seen.

Which seemed to change him from terrifying to adorable in the space of two heartbeats.

“Prowl.”

Warm brown eyes met mine.

“I’m Daff.”

Prowl’s grip tightened.

Sarge nodded. “It’s nice to put a face to the name I’ve heard so much about.”

Prowl’s low growl filled the room, and I spun to him, pulling his face down to mine with my free hand.

“He’s just saying hello.”

His eyes dropped to mine as he leaned forward, inhaling against my skin.

“I’m yours, and I’m not going anywhere. And you really want to see the cubs, remember? We’ve got this.”

His pressed a kiss to my forehead, there and gone again, his warning cutting off as he straightened.

“It’s good to see you, Sarge. I appreciate you coming.” Prowl settled on a dining chair, pulling me onto his lap, his arm securely around my waist.

Marking his territory, like he’d done with King.

Sarge moved as carefully as Prowl usually did, barely hesitating before turning his back to us and taking a seat.

“You can leave,” he said, dismissing the guards.

Surprise rolled through me at the authority in his voice and again when the officers holstered their pieces and stepped out.

When I looked back at the enormous hybrid, he was studying us with an intensity that sent a flutter of nerves through me.

Prowl’s purr, so low and soft it was barely more than a vibration travelling through his chest to my back, relaxed me enough to sink back against him.

A slight twitch of Sarge’s fingers, hanging loosely over his spread knees, was the only sign he felt anything at the sight of Prowl wrapped around me and me being totally okay with it.

“Do you mind if I ask you both a few questions?”

I looked at Prowl, who raised an eyebrow at me.

“We’d be happy to,” I answered, loving that prowl had left the decision up to me.

Sarge nodded, looking thoughtful.

“Everything we’ve heard has been filtered through at least one other person. I trust King and value his word, but I struggled to believe everything he said.”

“You guys have been dealt a crap hand and given even crappier advice on what to expect going forward, especially regarding relationships, both physical and emotional.”

“We’re aware of that now, thanks to you. Though not all of us are ready to believe or hope for it just yet.”

“Do you think seeing how we are with each other will help or make things worse?”

“Both, to be honest. Which is why I’d like you at the meeting. I didn’t think it possible when King suggested it, but now that I’ve seen you for myself?”

“We’ll be there,” Prowl said, the breath from his words tickling the fine hairs on the back of my neck.

“If you’re okay with me being there too,” I quickly added.

If Sarge was the official hybrid representative, the last thing we needed was to step on his toes.

“Of course.” His eyes flicked over my shoulder.

“Be prepared for some unrest. It won’t be aimed at either of you, but it’s best you’re aware and prepared for it. Especially if your grip on this is fragile,” he said, motioning between us.

“We’ll be fine,” I cut in, before Prowl could respond or take offence.

“As long as I’m safe, there shouldn’t be an issue. My safety is the only thing that seems to bother him.”

“Understandable. I’ll make it clear no one is to approach you without being invited first.”

“Thank you.”

His eyes roamed the room, taking in the closed bars of Prowl’s former door and the one bed on this side of it.

“The contact between you. Is it because touch is the most effective, because you’re both curious or because you have feelings for each other?”

I braced myself for Prowl’s response.

His arm tightened, but he didn’t roar or rage at the question.

Lions peed to mark their territory, right?

Because he didn’t do that either, thank god.

“She’s mine.”

Sarge’s curious gaze flashed to me.

“And he’s mine.”

“Even though you both know Daff’s contract has an end date?”

“We’ll deal with it then.”

I nodded, since I couldn’t seem to push aside the emotion clogging my throat.

Because I was totally screwed.

There was no way I was leaving here with my heart intact.

Prowl seemed so sure, so confident, that we’d deal with it when it happened.

But he hadn’t ever witnessed heartbreak before.

How someone could turn into a shell of themself, only breathing and eating because it was expected of you, and it was the minimum requirement to keep your body alive and functioning.

Sure, Dad had been physically broken by his accident.

But emotionally? Mentally?

That didn’t happen until after Mum left us in her rearview mirror.

Maybe Prowl would be fine, though.

He’d survived forms of anguish and grief I could never fully understand.

And he’d have his brothers, the cubs and the other hybrids who could support him through it.

Me? My NDA meant I couldn’t tell a soul.

That my grief, my broken heart, would be my own burden.

Mine, and mine alone.

Prowl’s purr started again, notching up a level in intensity.

Sarge took it as his cue to leave.

“I hope you can make the meeting. There’ll be a lot of questions, and I’d appreciate your thoughts, both of yours, on what we discuss. I’m genuinely glad to see you well again, Prowl. As awful as it’s been for you, it will prove to be that catalyst we needed to bring Daff here and give us bigger, better dreams for ourselves and our future.”

His hands found his pockets as his eyes roamed over us one last time.

Whatever he was thinking made him nod again, before knocking on the door to be let out.