Feral Northern Shifters 2

the phrase. “I thought Trey was a cat killer.”
“Jesus, Bram, don’t get hysterical on me.” Losing his pretense at patience, Doug glowered. “What is the matter with you? Of course it’s not Trey. He’s gone to ground. No one even knows where he is these days.”
Bram blinked. Why Doug thought Bram should know this fact about Trey, he couldn’t fathom, given that Doug played his cards close to his chest and rarely told him anything. In fact the amount of information thus far in the conversation seemed excessive. Perhaps a side benefit of yesterday’s sex with Doug. The alpha tended to feel guilty afterwards and offer Bram compensation. Usually not information, but Bram would sure take this.
“Gone to ground?” Bram ventured. “What does that mean?”
“He disappeared.” The alpha’s lips thinned, as if thinking he’d said enough. “That’s all you need to know.”
“It would be helpful if I understood the endgame, Doug, so I knew what I’m preparing Ethan for. Don’t you think?” Bram added, because Doug liked questions that implied he was being asked for guidance.
“We’re handing him over to people who know how to look after Ethan’s kind. They have no interest in killing him, believe me. A cat is very valuable in their eyes. They are incredibly keen to understand a cougar shifter.”
This was news to Bram. To date, Doug had talked like just he and Bram were going to be involved in rehabilitating a feral cougar. Bram swallowed. “Government?”
“Not exactly.” At Bram’s doubtful expression, Doug said, “What? You think it’s a good idea to keep him here , among the wolves who tormented him before he went feral? Or, you think we should have left him alone, to stay feral and go insane so he had to be euthanized by someone like Trey? I understand you find some of this unpalatable, Bram, but there are worse fates. Your stupid reproachful glances piss me off.”
“Sorry.” Doug wanted to be appeased, so Bram added, “I didn’t understand but what you say makes sense. I’m sorry I have so many questions, but I didn’t know more people were going to be involved. I’m just concerned about him, because I’ve spent the last few days with him.”
Doug nodded. “Do you need me to spend the afternoon with Ethan? Is he getting to you?”
“I’m okay.”
“Well, get back in then. I don’t think he’s falling asleep and he shouldn’t be alone. I sure as hell don’t want him turning cat now.”
Hiding his relief, because Bram did not want Doug with Ethan, Bram obeyed his alpha. He opened the first door, closed it and took a deep breath while facing the second door. If he were claustrophobic he’d have problems in this closet, but instead it was a fifteen-second reprieve while he locked that first door, unlocked the second and stepped into Ethan’s room.
At Bram’s entry, Ethan sat up on the bed, looking fairly fragile, truth be told. He was wiry, despite his malnourishment, and almost reached Bram’s height. Half the time his face gave nothing away. Other times, there were lightning-quick expressions of anger, fear and desperation.
Bram hated being partially responsible for that. His heart turned over and he didn’t know what to do with these emotions that were intensifying with alarming speed. He knew he longed for companionship, he knew Ethan’s attempts to draw Bram closer were based on expediency, not any real kind of friendship. And yet to Bram something felt dangerously real.
But there was more at stake than Bram’s emotions. He feared for Ethan’s well-being, given that Doug’s contacts were going to view Ethan as valuable. Which made the cat sound like an asset, not a person.
“Come here.” Ethan sat on the bed, cross-legged, and leaned forward, intent on Bram.
“I am here.” Bram firmly closed the door behind him. Not locked from this side, but Ethan couldn’t escape through the second door because its keyless lock required a number be punched in.
Appearing faintly amused, Ethan said, “What? Not budging from that door? It’s almost as if you don’t want to be here.”
“I want to be here.”
“Could have fooled me. You look like you’re ready to bolt.” At this moment, Ethan’s face gave nothing away, and Bram didn’t see it as a good sign.
“I can’t leave, actually.”
“ Can’t? ” A bright anger sat in Ethan’s eyes. “I dunno, Bram. I am forced to stay in this room, because you people won’t let me out. But I’d hazard you have a bit