Chapter Eleven

I felt better than I had in I didn't even know how long, and it was partly because my body healed. I still needed to get checked out by the healer to make sure there was nothing stitched back in place incorrectly, but I could move my hand freely for the first time. I used that newfound freedom to grab my mate's hand. He intertwined our fingers, and we headed to Tyrus' meeting after a pit stop to check in with the others.

My mate was the other reason I was feeling so much better. Just being around him made my day brighter. There was so much left to figure out, but, with him by my side, everything was going to be okay.

I hated the collar and what it represented, but I'd had no true understanding of how much it impacted my body. The pain from my injuries masked so much of its power. Having that collar off had made such a difference, not only in my physical body but in my ability to sense my mate. As intense as things had been getting with him before, now that I could sense him fully, it was...wow. People who talked about their mate and how all-encompassing the emotions were hadn't been exaggerating.

After a quick check on the kids, who were having a blast with a craft activity that had far more glitter than I'd ever seen in one place, we settled in a room with all my mate's coworkers. I still didn't fully understand what they did, but, from the bits and pieces I'd picked up, they had thought they were working for the good guys only to find out maybe they weren't so good after all. I understood that feeling all too well. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It came with such a blanket of guilt.

I sat down, both nervous and ready. It was time to figure out what was going to happen next. I wasn't worried about me. I had my mate, and all the details could and would be worked out. But the kids? They were counting on us, and I refused to let them down.

"Can I start this meeting off?" I wasn't trying to cause waves, but there were so many things bubbling up inside me, and I had to get them out.

They looked at me, a few nodding, and I took it as a sign to continue. "I just wanted to thank you for coming and helping us, for giving the children a safe place, and for being welcoming."

I closed my eyes, needing them to know this next part but unsure if they would all believe me. My mate took my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"I started working at Shifter House because I thought I was doing right by them. It sounded like a great job, helping kids who didn't have anyone until they could find their forever homes. What could be better? I loved them and gave them my all. And maybe I wasn't seeing the signs, or maybe there was a change when the guys who hurt me came over, but…" I sucked in a breath. "What I'm saying is, I need to be sure these kids have the best life possible. There are no other options."

"Well, that's one of the reasons we wanted to have this meeting," Hammer said. I was starting to figure out who was who and what their jobs were and paying attention when someone called them by their name. We'd probably already been introduced, but that collar did a number on me.

"We're trying to figure out exactly what all you know because it didn't take much scratching the internet's surface to figure out Shifter House isn't the only one. And we don't really know where to go from there." Mav grabbed the back of his neck.

"There are more schools?" My stomach threatened to revolt.

"Yeah, and anything you can tell us will help."

I told them about how I got connected to the job, why I took it, the things I saw while there, even the little things that at the time didn't seem important, but, in this new light, might be. Then I went on to describe when I felt a change, and ended with the day they rescued us. I really didn't have a ton of information. A couple of first names, but no last, the types of beasts, and a timeline. Not much more.

Then they shared what they knew with me. In the end, it turned out, they knew more than I did. They assured me my information was valuable, that I was able to give them some fresh leads.

"Obviously, we need to do something," Hammer said.

"I hate to be the one to say it, but there are so many children here," Mav said. "We're doing the best we can, but if we're going to get more, we're going to need to figure something different out. And honestly, at this point in time, I don't think there's anybody left I trust. This is all on us."

"Gods. I hate how true that is." Pop-Tart pressed the heel of his hand into his forehead.

We all hated it. How could anyone not? At the end of the day, the kids needed us to step up. They deserved better than they'd been given. They deserved a normal, happy, healthy life, and we needed to be the ones to give it to them because everyone else had failed them in the most epic of ways.