“That’s good.”

“It is. Even a few of the GarLycans visit their family pack. You should go one day and meet them.” Wen glanced around. “So you want me to stick around for a bit? I have to admit I’m curious as hell about this clan, and I would like to help you and your brother keep it.” He held Lavos’s gaze.

“We’d appreciate it. Thanks.”

Chapter Sixteen

Jadee and Kira sat a few feet apart on a couch in a cozy living room. She’d met the father, Davis, who’d been nice, but he’d gone back outside to pull guard duty. It left them alone.

“I bet you have a million questions.” Kira grinned. “You can relax. Dad can intimidate, but then again, all the men in the clan do.”

“Everyone is so big and in shape. I feel tiny.”

“Me too,” Kira admitted. “I take after my mom. Short. They’re also muscular because they shift into another form, and it’s quite a workout. I used to envy how much food these people can put away and never gain an ounce of flab. I looked at a cake and could feel my stomach bloating.”

Jadee glanced at Kira’s body. “You don’t seem to have that problem anymore.”

“I can’t full-on shift yet but I can grow claws. It speeds up the metabolism. I’ve noticed a difference since my attack.”

“Lavos said you were mostly human, then a Vampire turned you, but now you’re like the others here.”

“Except for changing forms.” Kira lifted her hand but then paused, staring at Jadee. “I was going to show you but I don’t want you to be afraid of me. We’re family now. I’m trying to put myself in your shoes. Are you completely wigged out? Lavos said he told you everything, but he’s a man. They have a different idea of that than we do.”

“I’m not exactly the run-of-the-mill person. I grew up listening to stories about people and things not human. I’d love to see what you can do. I was more worried about my throat.”

“That I’d want to suck your blood?” Kira laughed. “It’s just Lorn’s neck that tempts me. You’re safe. The bloodlust only kicks in when he’s around, and I think it’s only still happening because I associate it with sex.” She winked. “Newly mated.”

“Show me the claws, please?”

Kira straightened her hand and lifted it higher. Her fingernails began to grow longer, the tips curving a bit and growing sharper as Jadee watched.

“That’s so cool.”

“I know.” Excitement laced Kira’s voice. “I never thought I’d be able to do that. Lorn thinks I might be able to full-on shift one day but I’m not so sure. Of course, I’m worried what I’ll look like if ever do transform.” She dropped her hand, the claws sliding in. “Have you seen Lavos shifted?”

“Once.”

“Scary shit, right? VampLycans don’t look like wolves. They’re too humanoid in shape. It’s not so bad for a guy to look terrifying, but a girl?” Kira shook her head. “And what if not all of my body shifts? Like if my breasts remain human?”

Jadee wasn’t sure what to say to that.

Kira leaned forward a little. “Sorry. This is new to me too, only I’ve known about VampLycans all my life, obviously. I was raised in this clan but I’m an expert on knowing how it feels to be an outsider. How are you handling the reality that humans aren’t the only people on the planet?”

“I’m not a fan of Vampires.”

“Me either.” Kira twisted more in her seat, getting comfortable. “Even though I guess I owe one, even if he didn’t mean to do me any favors.”

“I understand. Lavos told me what happened to you. You’re so lucky to be alive. I hate Vampires. They’re pure evil.”

“There’s supposed to be a few good Vampires but I haven’t met any. Most are assholes.”

“I definitely met the asshole kind,” Jadee admitted.

“Lavos is a good man. You can trust him. I had some human friends when I went to college, so I’m trying to imagine what you might be worried about. I felt like an outsider in the human world too, since I always had to keep my guard up and pretend I fit in way better than I actually did. You want the low-down on everything here?”

“That would be appreciated.”

“First off, you won’t have to worry about Lavos being a player or abusive. Mates don’t cheat or beat on you. He’s in this relationship with you one hundred percent, for life. His instincts are strong and he wants you protected from all harm. Period.”

“That’s great to know.”

Kira nodded. “Now the clan… I mean, every race has their freaks and maniacs. I won’t kid you. I’ve met a few fucked-up VampLycans, but most of them are solid. Lavos and Lorn, my dad, and the carefully chosen enforcers of our clan are amazing. You can trust them to never hurt you. But the rest of the people here?” Kira shook her head. “Never trust anyone, okay? Unless Lavos or I tell you they’re good, don’t let your guard down.”

“I’ve been warned already. They don’t like humans.”

“Some of them hate them. Let’s just say I didn’t have any good friends besides Lorn. Some of them tolerated me when I was still mostly human, a few were kind, but I watched my ass so I didn’t have a so-called accident. It was a real concern. It’s going to take time for everyone to adjust to the new way this clan is being run by my mate, and to grow to trust you not to do them any harm.”

That had Jadee snorting. “As if I could.”

“Physically, to be blunt, you’re about as scary as a baby bird to them. Not at all. They’re way faster, stronger, and lethal in a fight. They’ll mostly be worried that you’re going to pull a stunt like film them when they aren’t in human form and load it to the internet to expose them to the world. That makes you a serious threat, Jadee. Swear to me you’ll never do that. It would start a war like you can’t imagine.”

“I would never.” It hurt her feelings that Kira would even suggest it.

“I had to ask. Lorn told me your father and his team were myth busters or something along those lines. I watch shows about people going in search of Bigfoot and to prove the existence of aliens.”