I thought for a moment, then shook my head. What was he trying to say?
He repeated the words. “I need you to change back.”
My eyes widened. “Wait – how did you know? That I was a shifter?”
“Well, for one thing, what would a bear be doing in the middle of the city?” he grumbled. Then, more seriously, he added, “But I know buildings don’t just catch on fire for no reason. And I know there are – ” He paused and let out an exhale, as if to calm himself down. “A lot of people out there who just don’t understand shifters. And what humans don’t understand, they fear. They hate.”
I couldn’t break my gaze.
“Liam,” Victor said. “That man was trying to murder you.”
My lip trembled. A sudden wave of emotion overwhelmed me. I couldn’t choke back a sob this time. Within seconds, Victor’s arms were around me, pulling him closer into his chest.
“I was so scared,” I cried. My tears flowed freely now. I couldn’t hold them back any longer. “I thought I was going to die.”
“It’s okay,” Victor said. He stroked my back with loose circles as I drenched his t-shirt. My hands curled in the space between us, useless and not knowing what to do. “You’re okay, now.”
I hiccupped, burying my face in his chest with shame. Shame that I’d done what I’d done, shame that Victor had to bail me out, shame that he had to see me turn into a mess right now.
“I’m sorry,” I said. My voice came out muffled.
“You don’t have to apologize,” he grunted. His chest rumbled as he spoke, like a tremor shaking the earth.
He kept stroking my back until the worst of my sobs were over. Finally I could breathe normally again, but I didn’t want to move. Being huddled in Victor’s chest with his strong arms around me was the most secure and safe I’d felt in a long time.
“Liam,” he said. His chest rumbled again. For some reason, I really liked it. I didn’t want to lift my head.
“Yeah?”
“Tell me more about yourself.”
I sniffled. Despite being cried out, my nose was still running, to my embarrassment. I decided not to delay the inevitable any longer and lifted my head out of Victor’s chest with a sigh I hoped he didn’t hear.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Just… anything,” he said with a shrug. “About your bear. About your family. Why you were living in an abandoned building.”
A dull nagging pain flared up in my head. I grunted and rubbed my temples. “I don’t know.”
Victor watched me patiently. He wasn’t going to give up until I said something. But that was just it. I couldn’t remember.
“I really can’t say,” I said. “I’m trying to think, but nothing’s coming back to me.
Victor frowned. He thrust the back of his large hand to my forehead, then withdrew it. “You don’t have a fever,” he muttered. “Did you hit your head during the fire?”
“I don’t think so.”
He furrowed his brows. “What do you remember? The furthest back you can go.”
Panic flared inside me. I began to shake again. “I don’t know, okay? I’d tell you if I did.”
Victor put his hands firmly on my shoulders. His dark gaze bore into mine, as if casting a spell. “Liam, calm down. I’m just asking so I know how to help you.”
I exhaled, my breath shaking. “I know, I’m sorry. I’m just… scared.”
I suddenly felt very small, like the world had opened up and was about to swallow me. I shut my eyes, blocking everything out. Then strong warm arms curled around me and I found myself with my face buried in Victor’s chest. I inhaled his comforting scent and sighed.
“Take your time,” Victor mumbled. His chest vibrated like thunder on an open plain.
