“Chase,” he said softly and felt the presence of the grim reaper appear behind him. “When he wakes up, get him some clothes.”
“Yes, Lord Anubis.”
Anubis walked over to the bed and sat beside the sleeping cat. He had to go but didn't want to leave for some odd reason. He went to brush a hand along the soft fur but froze when the pretty kitten started to shift. Anubis had a split second to think about whether to leave, but his curiosity won out. The first sign of red hair appeared. Anubis's shock turned to relief. He had hoped that the man in his arms had been his Star Reborn the entire night, and it seemed the Fates knew his heart.
Anubis watched as the beautiful boy stretched like the cat shifter he was, and his long red lashes fluttered open, revealing orange-red eyes. He had a gorgeous smile on his face that was soon erased when he noticed he wasn't alone. His gaze widened in surprise or maybe fear when he saw Anubis, who wasn't prepared for the kick to his chest.
“Dammit,” Anubis coughed, rubbing his chest and keeping his eyes on Star, who was scurrying away from him.
“Wh...what are you doing here?” Star asked, grabbing the sheets and covering his body.
Anubis sighed. “It's a little too late to cover up now after everything we did last night, don't you think, Red?”
“Last night?” Star's brows furrowed, and then he touched his face and hair, realizing his mask and wig were gone. “You took them off. Why did you do that?”
“Actually, that happened when you shifted,” Anubis explained. “You're a very cute kitten, by the way.”
“You saw that?” he shouted, sitting up on his knees, seeming a bit freaked out that Anubis had seen his cat form. But just as it started, it stopped, and he sat back down, staring intently at Anubis. “Wait, why aren't you freaked out? You saw me go from a cat to a human, and you're talking to me as if it's an everyday thing.”
“That's because it is.” Anubis shrugged his shoulders. “We all have magic within us.”
“I'm so confused,” Star whispered, looking away from Anubis.
“Talk to me.” Anubis moved to sit next to Star but did not touch him.
“You wouldn't believe me if I told you. I can't believe you aren't fazed by me turning into a cat.”
“You talk as if you're the only shifter living in the world. Wait, didn't you know you were a shifter?”
“It's kind of a new thing,” Star said softly. “One day I di...ah...went to bed and woke up as a house cat. Not only that, my whole life changed.”
Ah, so, someone turned him into a cat and didn't explain things to him. What an asshole.
“But you are such an adorable kitty.” Anubis smiled, hoping to ease his worries. “If you need some help, tell me. I know a thing or two about shifters.”
“You wouldn't say that if it happened to you.”
“I was born the way I am, so I can't understand your distress. But I will say you have nothing to feel ashamed about. You're among friends in Valleywood.”
Star faced him, and there was a look in his eyes that said he wanted to tell Anubis everything but didn't know if he could trust him. Anubis understood, even after everything they did last night. Their night together was shrouded in mystery, and they could hide behind the masks they wore, but now it was a different story.
A spark of something flashed before his eyes but was gone before Anubis could figure out what it was. There was also a familiarity with what he saw that had him wanting to be close to Star, but he held himself back from digging too deeply into things. Everyone had their secrets, including him. However, he still wanted to help Star, for whatever reason.
“I tell you what. How about you tell me when you're ready and...”
“Will sleeping with you affect my part in the cast?” Star asked, cutting him off.
“No,” Anubis answered without thinking. “What happened in this room will remain between us.”
Star sighed and scooted away from him, getting off the bed and wrapping the sheet around himself. “Thank you, Director Ahket.”
Anubis chuckled as he got up and moved to stand in front of the other man. “It's Director now, when last night you kept shouting a different name. What was it?” He pretended to think, then snapped his fingers. “Oh yes, it wasMaster.”
Star blushed. “That was last night; it's a new day. Besides, last night was a one-time thing. It can't happen again. From now on, we have to pretend we never met each other. We were strangers before this, so let's keep it that way. I don't want any complications fucking with my career. And I'm sure you feel the same way.”
He looked at Anubis with serious but pleading eyes that made Anubis want to give in to him. But he had a point that Anubis couldn't argue with. He had something at stake as well.
“I'll agree under one condition.”
