Kierra

Hell, enemies don't need to worry about killing me, I'll end up doing that myself from saying something aloud to the wrong person. My eyes flick over, he looks curious instead of horrified, so that's a start I guess.

"Uhh, yeah. Dirk didn't tell you? Scared the crap out of him."

Gabriel's grin forms again, but flicking my eyes down his body really doesn't help any. The wide shoulders lead down to a tapered waist and thick thighs full of muscle encased in snug jeans. The dark-colored t-shirt hides nothing in its form-fitted hugging. Toned, muscled, defined, whatever you want to call it, he has it. Is it. Long legs help his six-foot-five frame tower over most people and knowing the animal underneath, he’s more than likely all muscle.

Kani is going to die when he sees him.

"He mentioned it, but was unsure of what happened."

I hold my hands out in front of me, looking a bit lost.

"Since becoming a Werewolf, my natural empathy has strengthened dramatically. I'm also telepathic when in human form, not just animal, and it includes the ability to slip into another's head and read or share thoughts and images. Some can feel me reading them, as Dirk obviously did, but others can't. I think it just depends on either how aware they are or how obvious I'm being, not sure."

There's more, always is it seems, but I really don't want to elaborate that much. The look of concentration on his face is better than fear, horror, or distrust.

"I can control it. Unless really needed, I hate using it. Well, the straight telepathic talking thing is fine, but the rest feels too much like an intrusion to me. Everyone has the right to privacy and secrets."

He looks at me with a raised brow, a little disbelieving.

"Not even tempted to read those around you? What they think of you or find out who an enemy is?"

I shake my head, frowning.

"Definitely those around me, I know enough just from my empathy, I really don't want any more than that, as that's bad enough. As for enemies, same goes for them, if they're close I'll more than likely feel them; their intent to harm or desire to kill."

Another nod, looking interested. We're so far off-topic right here. Before he can ask anything else, I go on with my original listing.

"Right, so Bastion and Maii, human and Shifter boys who have no backgrounds or families to speak of. So now they're mine, I'm adopting them both. Ava's helping me get the papers through friends of hers."

Already know he knows about 'those friends' since that's part of the 'service' she gives him access to.

"The two others I just got today, they're ones my sister had saved from a very abusive whore house. They're both way too young to stay where she is, so she wished them to come to me. They don't have anywhere else to go. Chandrika and Diego, a Were-Hyena and Shifter fox. Maii is a Shifter coyote."

Movement catches my eye to the door behind the Alpha, a wolf coming in that I don't recognize. Gabriel turns calmly, so I'm guessing it's one of his. It stops in the doorway, clearly a Were by its size.

Looking like the usual timber wolf with shades of gray, black, and white all over its body, green eyes look at me before going to the man. Some whispering is going on, so I turn away to give what privacy I can. Wolf isn't projecting and I'm not snooping.

Don't turn back till I hear the animal run off.

"Everything alright?"

Gabriel nods, motioning me to continue as he walks around.

"The next youngest would be Kani. He was on the streets as well before a friend caught him on my land. Was literally chased into my arms and is now a friend as well. He's a WereFox."

He looks over to me, knowing I'm not done. Not if he has his spies everywhere.

"There's a pair of brothers from up north, a couple loner Arctic Werewolves. They helped keep others from trying to kill me, so I opened my home to them."

I stop, but he looks at me expectantly. Rolling my eyes with a sniff, I tell him of the last one.

"The other is a WereManed wolf. He's a friend, that's all. That's what they all are. Xavier has also helped me on several occasions."

The Gray Alpha nods, looking away and thinking as he wanders.

"Lot of people for just a few rooms."

I just blink at him, wondering if he's a little slow in the head. My household can't be the only one to sleep the way we do. Hell, even the Reds do it.

"The rooms are nice yes, they'll hold everyone's things nicely. At home we all sleep in the basement in animal form."

His eyes flicker in surprise, but he blinks it away.

"You let the others join? The human, foxes, coyote, hyena?"

Frowning, I look at him.

"Why wouldn't I? Oh, wait, the different animal group thing. Yeah, that whole thing is bullshit. Just because they aren't wolves doesn't mean they aren't welcome in my home, let alone the comfort given when sleeping close to the others."

He smirks at me, so I know whatever's about to come from him is going to be irksome.

"And the lovers?"

A look of disgust is given.

"If they have lovers, they go elsewhere that is not my home."

His eyebrow lifts, but he lets it go. Seemingly anyway.

"Dirk had mentioned seeing you play with the others, the tall one."

Oh my God, really?

"So? Since becoming an animal my 'battle drive' seems to have kicked into high gear. When you factor in how many want to kill me, the 'playing' we do is training for me. What Dirk had seen was my roughhousing that turned into what it did because I scared Xavier. He thought he actually hurt me, and in trying to detach from me, a...ticklish spot was engaged. Nothing dirty, was just honest fun. Can see how someone who doesn't know us can see it, but there's nothing romantic about any of my relationships with any of them. They're ones I protect. I won't turn away from someone who needs my help if I'm able to give it."

He gives me a look saying I'm naive, but so be it.

"That's everyone that lives with me, including my cat. Do you need to interview him, too?"

"I don't think that will be necessary, no."

We both smile, mutual amusement abounds. Glancing up and around the room, I get back to why I'm here.