Page 60 of The Omega's Bloodlinem: Part Two

Be careful with them,Kendrick’s voice sounded in my head.Predators make them uncomfortable.

I walked with them around the looping hallway so we were relatively out of earshot.

I focused on the one closest to me, a young rabbit shifter.Has Kendrick ever hurt you?

Her eyes widened.Never. Why?

The other Protectors are worried about all of you. We just want to make sure you’re safe.

She nodded.The only time I felt unsafe was when I arrived. Once he claimed me, this place felt more like a sanctuary.

Has he ever forced any of you into his bed? Even a threat of it?

They all shook their heads, looking rather like a pack of flamingoes turning this way in that.

I slept with him, the first one I spoke to said.But I initiated and pursued. He doesn’t touch us once we’re claimed except when our prey instincts get triggered and we need comfort.

A handful of others said something similar.

It wasn’t too far off what I had suspected after talking to him, but having the confirmation straight from the source was useful.

Thank you all for your honesty.

“Why are you asking us?” a songbird shifter asked. “Is this because of the fight with him and Protector Yelena?”

“Related to it, yes. Packs coming together can be messy and complicated. I don’t think the other Protectors have the full story, so they formed their own opinions that don’t put Kendrick in a very favorable light.”

The first rabbit frowned. “We appreciate the other Protectors for the home they’ve given us, but it seems like they do that quite a lot.”

“It’s easy to miss something you don’t know exists,” I said carefully. “You obviously know I’m a panther, so I had no idea how much prey instinct stays with you guys and how difficult that can make navigating this place. A conversation should’ve happened a long time ago to help them understand, but we’re trying to fix what we can now, even if it’s a little late. Yelena thought you all were nervous because Kendrick was hurting you, not because your instincts were screaming at you every time you were around the other Protectors. I’ll make sure they know now.”

A squirrel shifter stepped to the front of the group. “Thank you. He’s not perfect, but he’s trying. I think it’s important people get credit for that. He does have a temper on occasion, but he keeps it to himself, which is miles better than most shifters I’ve had to deal with. If you’re worried about him hurting the witch, I wouldn’t. From the rumors I’ve heard, even if he tried, it sounds like she would be able to turn him into a venison steak pretty fucking fast.”

“Not inaccurate,” I acknowledged.

“Everyone needs an advocate,” she continued. “I don’t love that you’re a cat because honestly I have a running scream inthe back of my head that you’re going to eat me, or him, but I appreciate you trying to get to the truth. And on that note, I need to leave your presence. Good luck.”

Once she broke the seal on leaving, the others followed, a few casting apologetic glances back at me, the last in the group facing backward while they retreated as if she were the lookout and I was about to pounce.

I returned to my spot, equidistant between Yelena and Kendrick. “They all say Kendrick has never hurt them. They’re nervous because they shift into prey animals and we scare the shit out of them without realizing.”

I watched the truth of it sink into Yelena, her expression crumbling, her hands moving up to hide it. “Oh my gods. This whole time? Why didn’t any of them ever say?”

I shrugged. “That’s a conversation you’d have to have with them. I’m just the messenger. The important thing here is that it reaffirms Kendrick isn’t hurting them, so you can’t use that alone to decide he’s going to hurt Logan. If you have another reason, I’m open to hearing it.”

Thank you.

I turned back to Kendrick.You’re welcome.

“Yelena,” Kendrick began, uncertainty marring his features, “I swear on all the gods I don’t want to hurt Logan. I know you want to protect her and I respect that, and I know just as much that we’ve never particularly gotten along, but we’re on the same side.”

She took a deep breath, raising her face to look at both of us. “It’s never felt like we were on the same side.”

“How the hell did you guys form a nest to begin with if you have all these shit opinions about each other?”

“That was a Council decision,” Yelena said. “There was a need, and the five of us were able to fulfill it. I doubt any more consideration than that was taken.”

“And none of this came up since the nest was established?”