Sam couldn’t help the smile that curved his lips. “Aye, he’s not a good man, and he’s the reason I went to therapy for a long time, to learn that the abuse I suffered wasn’t because of me, but because he was an insecure cunt.”
Hunter bit his lip, fists no longer clenched so tightly. “I think my mum hates me.”
Sam increased his purr. “What makes you say that?” His words were slightly muffled through the vibrations, but clear enough. “Has she told you?”
A hesitant nod. “She isn’t like us.”
“A shifter?”
“A cat,” he said. “She doesn’t like that I’m not a wolf, like her.”
“Does she tell you not to shift?”
Hunter remained silent, nibbling on his bottom lip.
“It hurts, not to shift. To strangle your animal. I know because I was forced to stay a boy rather than let my leopard out.”
“Is that what happened to your eyes?”
“I think so,” Sam said, opening his eyes wider so Hunter could see his permanent amber irises. “I was once told it was a direct result of not allowing my leopard spirit free. Shifters are one with their animal. We’re a single soul, but if you don’t allow the connection between your human nature and animal nature, you can risk a divide. You may lose a part of yourself that you can’t get back.”
“Your eyes are badass.”
Sam chuckled. “Maybe, but they’re a reminder of the abuse I suffered as a kid. I would rather have normal eyes and had a happy childhood.”
Hunter thought for a moment. “I don’t want to shift, are you going to make me?”
“We’ve been over this before, I can’t make you do anything. You have to decide for yourself.”
“And if I never shift again?”
“You risk permanent damage.” Sam clasped his hands together, keeping himself a head lower than Hunter. He sensed the alpha potential in the kid, but he would never grow up to be a strong dominant if he continued strangling his jaguar. “Do you believe Eva would have survived her situation if you hadn’t shifted and protected her?”
“She was still hurt,” he said. “I didn’t do anything.”
“That’s not what Eva says.”
Hunter frowned, fingers playing with the loose thread.
“Your jaguar isn’t the enemy, despite what your ma probably says. You are one and the same. Rather than run from your nature, embrace it.” Sam stood, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You embraced it before, and because of that Eva survived.Yousurvived.”
Hunter leaned forward, and Sam got the hint and pulled him into a hug, allowing touch to centre his animal.
“I’m sorry about my earlier comment about Red,” Hunter mumbled, looking away. “I didn’t mean it.”
“I know. You’ll learn that love is love, regardless of what your partner has between their legs.”
Hunter blushed, face scrunched up, and Sam laughed.
“Sometimes I forget you’re only fourteen. Do you want to keep meeting?”
Hunter hesitated a heartbeat before he nodded, pressing himself against Sam’s chest, replicating the purr. “Please don’t tell Eva I said ‘cunt.’”
Sam smirked. “I won’t tell Eva that you swore, if you promise me you’ll try and shift your hands.”
“My hands?”
“Yep, just your hands.” Sam pulled back, calling his claws. They pierced through the tips of his fingers, and just as quickly they returned to normal. “That’s it.”
