Page 17

Chapter 17

Daff

If I didn’t need every ounce of my attention on Prowl, I’d have turned my face up to the sun and basked in its glorious warmth, soaking into my skin.

Who knew you could miss something so mundane, so incredibly much?

Prowl’s movements were smooth and loose, but I could feel the tension in him through our joined hands.

Could they sense it, too?

Nobody was watching me, which was fair enough.

Jean wore a frown, his fingers giving the occasional twitch, like he was ready to pull one of the guns strapped to his belt.

Lara looked hopeful and a little proud.

Like a mama bear believing in her cub.

And Doctor Helliot?

The bastard looked like he had a bad taste in his mouth.

He really needed a dick punch.

We were halfway there when Doctor Helliot started forward.

A roar ripped from Prowl’s throat, the deadly sound raining goosebumps as he cut me off, manoeuvring me behind him and keeping me there with his forearm, pressing me to his back.

“Shoot him!” Helliot yelled.

“No!”

“Freeze!”

Prowl’s roar rang louder.

“Don’t shoot him! I’m fine! He’s protecting me!”

“He’s too reactive! Take him down and remove her!” Helliot yelled over the top of me.

“Everyone hold!” Lara’s voice cut through, loud and clear.

“Daff, are you okay?”

“I’m fine! Prowl’s protecting me, not hurting me.”

“What are you protecting her from, Prowl?”

I’d pressed my hand to his back, rubbing slow circles in the small space between our bodies.

His voice was rough and low.

“Helliot.”

The prick had the audacity to look insulted.

“He’s seeing threats where there are none. He’s proven he’s not stable.”

“You provoked him by coming towards us!”

“I did no such thing.”

“We were told you would wait for our approach. You changed the plan!”

“If he can’t handle the unexpected, he shouldn’t be allowed out.”

Prowl was still braced in front of me, his body a rigid wall of protective muscle, waiting for the volley of words between us to stop.

I slipped my arms around him, plastering myself against him, hugging him from behind.

“She’s right, Lucus. You started forward when the plan was to wait.” This, from Jean.

“Again. If he can’t handle unexpected?—”

“Enough! Prowl, I apologise,” Lara said, cutting Helliot off.

“Doctor Helliot shouldn’t have moved towards you. You have my word that both you and Daff are safe.”

“She stays with me.”

“As long as it’s her choice to stay, no one will take her from you.”

“Agreed,” Jean said after her.

“My choice is to stay with you,” I said, squeezing his waist. “Always. So, we’re good, big guy. Let’s get this done so we can see the cubs.”

He slowly straightened, his hands finding my arms, still locked around his waist. I pressed a quick kiss to his spine and stepped to his side, letting my arms fall and our fingers tangle.

I watched him lock eyes with each of them before squeezing my hand and starting forward again.

He stopped in front of King.

“It’s good to see you outside, brother.”

Prowl took another step and embraced him with his free arm, propelling me forward with the other.

King blinked back obvious emotion when they separated, his eyes settling on me with his nod.

“Little sister.”

Dang it.

Now it was me blinking back tears, because coming from him, that endearment hit all the feels.

He was acknowledging me as family.

His family.

I had a pretty strong suspicion that counted as a hell of a lot when coming from a hybrid.

“Hi, King.”

Prowl turned to the others.

“Jean. Lara.”

He ignored Lucus.

“How’re you feeling?” Lara asked.

Prowl hesitated, seeming to take stock of his body and our surroundings.

“I’m good. Heightened awareness.” He squeezed my hand.

“Otherwise, I’m unbothered by the extra noise and scents.

“I’m happy to hear that.

Do you need to retreat, or are you feeling up to visiting the cubs?

”

His shoulders dropped, relaxing with the offer.

“I’d love to see them.”

King slapped his shoulder, his air of seriousness dropping with his smile.

“They’ll be thrilled to see you.”

“Do they know we’re coming?”

“We didn’t want to disappoint them, so it will be a surprise.”

Prowl nodded, the insinuation clear.

“If everyone’s ready?” Lara asked.

Nods answered her.

“We’ll walk to the care centre. That way, you can stretch your legs and see how you handle the increase in scents and noise.” She tilted her head towards the four officers.

“Your guards will take a diamond formation around you both. They’ll keep your path clear and stop any approaches before you’re ready to deal with them. We’ll follow behind you.”

“Sounds good,” I said, squeezing Prowl’s hand.

The way to the care centre was paved, with low gardens on one side and a road on the other.

Two golf buggies passed us, a few hybrids waved, while others stopped, their eyes finding and staying on our linked hands.

Proof that there were females out there happy and willing to touch them.

Prowl’s thumb brushed mine, the repetitive motion accompanying his low purr.

Damn that man. Hybrid.

I should be focused on soothing him, not the other way around.

A ten-foot-high fence opened with King’s thumb.

The two extra guards remained on the footpath while the rest of us entered, only opening the glass door that was covered in small, painted handprints once the outside gate had closed.

Mandy greeted us, bouncing on her toes at the sight of us.

“You’re here! The cubs are waiting on the carpeted area for?—”

“Prowl!”

“It’s Prowl!”

“Prooooooowl!”

His name in a dozen high-pitched voices cut her off, making her grin wider.

Three steps, and we rounded a corner into a large, carpeted area.

Prowl fell to his knees, his hand sliding from mine just in time to catch a swarm of little girls barreling into him.

A million questions peppered him, battling for first place amid coos of adoration and not-so-subtle demands that he never, ever, stay away that long, ever again.

He shuffled them forward, herding them into the middle of the room before settling on his backside and encouraging them to sit with him.

It only took a little coaxing to sit, but instead of finding a spot in front of him, they settled on him, the few missing out on direct contact, squishing in as close as they could.

His purr filled the room, drawing happy sighs and even a few higher-pitched purrs in response.

It was so freaking adorable, my ovaries hurt.

My giant hybrid was the centre of a snuggle pile made of small, ridiculously cute, squished-nose cubs.

Prowl looked up from them, his smile blinding.

It was that moment, that exact moment, I knew I was in love with him.

“Have you ever seen anything so hot in your life?” Mandy asked.

I snorted as I side-eyed her.

“I got dibs the moment he responded to me.”

She waved her hand.

“Doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the view.”

“It’s heartwarming, isn’t it?” Lara said, startling me and Mandy

“Absolutely,” Mandy answered, smirking at me before giving her attention back to Lara.

“They’re only ever this happy when King is here.”

“As human as they are, the need for their pride supersedes everything else.”

“Even Immy and Lulu are happy.”

Lara nodded.

“Those two worry me the most.” She pointed to the two cubs with arms wrapped around Prowl’s neck, taking up the most physical space against him.

“All the cubs have issues, but Immy and Lu struggle the most. Anxiety, symptoms of depression, restlessness. King’s had it hard, splitting his time between Prowl and the cubs.

“Without regular contact, the cubs start declining in mood and energy levels.

Immy and Lulu are affected the most and can rapidly spiral.

But time with their big brothers always has them bouncing back to their brightest.”

“Did Rage ever interact with the cubs?” Mandy asked.

Lara’s raised eyebrows in Mandy’s direction.

“No. The cubs were fragile when they were rescued, physically and mentally, and we’ve never felt him stable enough to expose them to him.”

“But if he’s lost to his instincts, those instincts would theoretically drive him to keep the cubs safe. His need to care and protect would override everything else.”

“Theoretically, yes. But?—”

“And if the cubs are soothed by King and Prowl, isn’t there a decent chance that the cubs could soothe him in return? And potentially, if his instincts are soothed enough to not overwhelm him, his rational, human side might have more of a chance to operate, helping him to function in a much more normal capacity.”

Holy smokes.

Did Mandy hear how passionate she sounded right now?

“I’m impressed. You’ve thought a lot about this.”

Mandy shrugged, a blush, the lightest of pinks, staining her cheeks.

“I’ve spent a lot of time with people who face physical and mental challenges. Many are overlooked and never given the chance to reach their full potential because those who can help them haven’t, or worse, won’t dedicate the time and patience needed.

“I guess I just see so much potential for Rage, with so many untried avenues.

And after everything Rage and all the hybrids have been through, I want to help any way I can.

”

“It’s admirable. And no doubt one of the reasons you made it here. But as much as I’d love to help Rage and the potential I see in your suggestions, we ultimately can’t risk the safety of the cubs.”

Mandy’s shoulders fell.

“I understand. I do. I’d never want any harm to come to them.”

All three of us looked at the cubs, still draped over a grinning Prowl.

He lifted his chin in my direction.

“I think you’re being summoned.”

“What? Why?”

“You’re about to find out,” Mandy said, her hand on my back nudging me forward.

I crossed the space between us with what felt like hundreds of wide, little brown eyes following me.

“Ladies, this is Daff. She’s mine,” he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me down beside them.

Somehow, all those little eyes widened.

“Did she teach you how to purr?”

“She did.”

Three blonde heads leaned towards me, sniffing.

“She kinda smells like you.”

His smile widened.

“That’s because he’s always touching me,” I whispered.

“That’s because he likes hugs. Don’t you, Prowl?”

“Absolutely. And Daff’s hugs are the best.”

“Really?

“Are you sure?

”

“Even better than King’s?”

“Even better than King’s,” he answered, shooting a smirk at the other lion, who was holding the wall up with his shoulder.

One of them scooted over to me on her knees.

“Do you like hugs?”

“I like Prowl’s hugs.”

“And Kings?”

“I haven’t hugged King yet, so I don’t know.”

“And she never will,” he said, shooting me a look that made me roll my eyes.

“Do you like hugs from cubs?”

I tapped my chin, pretending to think about it, though my insides were melting at their cuteness.

“You know, I haven’t tried cub hugs before. Do you think you could give me one so I could know for sure?”

The little girl side-eyed Prowl.

“Is she allowed to hug cubs?”

“I suppose I can share some of Daff’s hugs with you.”

She squealed as she leapt into my arms, wriggling until she was smooshed against my chest, her nose pressed into my neck, arms looped around me.

She inhaled against my skin, then snuggled closer.

“You smell nice.”

“Thank you, sweetheart. You smell nice, too.”

“Prowl was right. You do give nice hugs.”

Another three bodies appeared, all vying for space on my lap.

“Hey! Those are meant for me!” King said, joining us with a smile on his face.

Another two left Prowl to leap up into his arms. He pulled them close before smirking at Prowl.

“Unlike you, I need to get them wherever I can,”

“Puh-lease. The whole group of women I arrived with are into… those same specific books I like,” I said, trying to make my words cub friendly.

“They’d be crazy not to jump on you.”

His eyes focused behind us, his smile dimming.

“We’ll see.”

Right.

That wasn’t awkward or a little bit sad at all.

“Alright cubs, time to let them up!” Mandy said, clapping her hands for attention.

“Head outside, and we’ll have another go at this morning’s obstacle course.”

The cubs moaned and groaned and they dragged their cute bodies off us and filed outside; the pouting faces and sad waves ditched for shrieks and laughter the moment the sunlight hit their skin.

“I’ll see you guys later,” Mandy said, waving before heading out after them.

Prowl stood and offered me his hand, keeping hold of it once we were up.

I smiled up at him. “That went well.”

“Really well.”

Lara joined our small bubble of happy.

“I know you’re keen to attend the hybrid meeting tomorrow. Sarge has asked you be there, with an invitation extended to Daff. I feel confident you’re capable of attending. Jean?”

He studied both our faces.

“Prowl’s made it clear his primary concern is keeping Daff safe. I’m happy to clear Daff to attend.”

I braced myself for whatever the idiot doctor had to say.

Except… his opinion never came.

“Where’s Doctor Helliot?”

“He didn’t come in.”

Rightio then.

Lucky us.

We followed Lara and Jean back outside, as Jean laid out my security plan for attending the hybrid meeting.

“Two officers will escort you to and from the meeting. King and Drill will take point on safety once you’re inside.” He looked at Prowl “At the first hint of unrest, I want Daff out of there, whether that unrest is from you or any other hybrid.”

“Absolutely.”

“Of course,” King echoed.

“Great. With that sorted, Jean and I will head off.” She pointed to the gate ahead of us, where only two of the four guards remained.

“The other two have been dismissed, so it’s just the four of you and King, if he wants, heading back.”

Lara looked between the three of us.

“Good luck tomorrow. I hope… I hope you all figure out what you need to feel seen and heard. I’ll do whatever I can to help implement it.”

“Thank you,” King said, his voice a touch rougher than normal.

I don’t know how the higher-ups could do such an amazing job finding Lara as a champion for the hybrids, and so utterly craptastic with employing Doctor Helliot.

Jean offered his hand to Prowl, the action surprising me.

Prowl shook it, a nod passing between them.

Had Jean just given Prowl his approval?