Deepa shook her head.
"How about you stay with us until you find somewhere. We have a ton of empty rooms that are just gathering dust."
"You're not afraid that I'll tell Infection Control about your secret werewolf compound?"
Ryan shook his head. "No. They wouldn't believe you anyway. They still think we're all rabid monsters who live in the sewers."
"I dunno," Deepa murmured. Axel had made it clear that he didn't want her there. She didn't want to run into him when she went to use the bathroom.
Ryan rested a hand on her shoulder. "If you're worried about the others, don't. I won't let anyone hurt you. I promise."
Deepa glanced out the window, at the endless woods surrounding them.
"I know that the transformation is a lot to take in," Ryan continued. "Werewolves aren't what you expected, right?"
"Not really," Deepa replied. "You're so..."
"Civilized?"
"Yeah."
Ryan shrugged. "Well, we're not all like Axel. Some of us actually learnt manners."
Deepa raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"My mother was like you. She had to cope with being transformed into a werewolf. But she adjusted after a while, and I'm sure you can too."
"Your mother was human?"
Ryan nodded. “She was a lot like you. Beautiful, stubborn, and full of fight."
"I see." Deepa clasped her hands in her lap. "Axel never mentioned anything about his family."
"Axel and I are only half brothers. We have the same father but different mothers."
"Oh, that sounds...complicated."
"Yeah, it’s a touchy subject for him. He blames my mother for his parents splitting up. That's just one of the many reasons why he's so bitter towards me."
"That makes sense. He was kind of a dick back there."
"That's nothing new. He's always been an angry little shit."
Deepa let out a laugh.
"I'm sorry that he bit you,” said Ryan. “I saw how much my mother suffered, so I want to try and make it up to you.”
Deepa nodded, feeling calmer than before. Perhaps it was his resemblance to Parker which made her feel at ease.
"I want to help you adjust,” said Ryan. “And if you don't like it, you're free to leave at any time."
Deepa smiled, her chest easing. It was the first time she'd felt hopeful in days. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it." He pulled up to the gates of the compound. "Welcome home."
Chapter Six
Axel's claws ripped through the human security guard with ease, tearing his flesh and organs apart, blood spraying against the office desks and walls.
