With Caution

in Jake’s lap. Jake’s hand rubbed over his shoulder and the soothing tones of his deep voice tried to lull Remi back to sleep, but something kept pulling at him, telling him to wake up.
    “I left while he was arguing with her. I’m not sure what happened after that. I just knew I had to get help,” Sterling said.
    Sterling? Sterling was awake. Blinking his eyes open, Remi sat up.
    Jake gripped his shoulder. “Slow down, pup, he’s fine.”
    Sterling came and squatted in front of him, touching his face. “Are you okay? Jake said you wrecked.”
    Ignoring the brief growl coming from Rhys’ direction, Remi grabbed his brother and hugged him. “I’m okay. Just worried about you. You almost died.”
    “Yeah, I know, I could tell.” Sterling drew back with a strange expression on his face and looked down at himself. He lifted his shirt, showing off a tanned, flawless stomach.
    “How am I not dead? I don’t even hurt.” Dropping his shirt, he cocked his head. “He beat me with the baton he carries when he’s at work.”

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    J.L. Langley
    Oh God. Remi felt like someone had dumped ice water down his back.
    “How am I okay? I was badly hurt. I was coughing up blood.” Sterling frowned and turned so he could see Rhys. “I called you and you were coming to find me…”
    Glancing at Jake, Rhys raised a brow.
    Sterling spun around, his forehead furrowed at Jake.
    “Rhys turned you into a werewolf.” Jake rolled his eyes. “Chay is right. There just isn’t an easy way to tell someone that.”
    Remi couldn’t help himself, he burst into laughter. It really wasn’t funny. His life was totally shit right now. His brother had been beaten to the brink of death then changed into a werewolf, his father was still out there somewhere, his mom was missing, his only transportation was now gone, yet here he was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes.
    Sterling, however, wasn’t at all impressed. He glared. “Y’all are freaking me out.”
    Patting Remi’s back, Jake grinned. “You gonna make it?”
    Remi nodded, wiping the tears from his eyes. His mind had snapped, that was his only excuse.
    “Well, who’s going to show him?” Jake asked.
    Rhys growled and got up from the couch. Walking over to Sterling, he put his hands on Sterling’s shoulders and peered over his head at Remi and Jake.
    Remi resisted the urge to tell Rhys to get his hands off Sterling, since Rhys hadn’t done anything wrong. He’d been absolutely wonderful at looking out for Sterling. In fact, Remi couldn’t have asked for a better guard, but somehow the sudden protectiveness made Remi’s hackles rise. He was supposed to take care of Sterling. Sterling was his responsibility, not Rhys’. “I’ll show him.”
    Standing, Remi stripped his shirt off and started to work on his jeans.
    Sterling looked at Rhys. “What’s he doing?”
    “Shh… It’s okay, kiddo, watch.” Rhys’ voice was so gentle, it made Remi pause. He hadn’t heard that particular tone come from Rhys.
    Apparently, neither had Jake. He was staring at Rhys like he’d never seen him before.
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    With Caution
    Remi shook himself out of his daze and finished undressing. He’d worry about the change in Rhys later, with all the other things on his list to worry about. First, he had to put his baby brother at ease. Rolling his shoulders back and stretching his neck out a few times, Remi began shifting.
    His eyes changed first. Instead of blinking through it like he normally did, Remi just closed them and let the change overtake him. His teeth lengthened, poking out from under his lip. Then the goose bump sensation that came with growing fur hit him in a wave, rushing up and down his arms and legs.
    He heard Sterling scream, like he was in a well. It sounded hollow and distant. Remi resisted the urge to stop and comfort him, knowing Jake and Rhys would take care of him. This was something Sterling had to see.
    Remi’s joints popped as his legs and arms reformed. It happened so quickly he was standing one moment and on all fours the next. The pulling sensation of his snout almost tickled as it lengthened. Last, the prickle along his spine that signaled his tail forming occurred and he was completely transformed.
    The sound of rapid breathing breached Remi’s senses, along with the occasionally whispered, “Oh my God.” Slowly, Remi opened his eyes.
    Sterling leaned back against Rhys, his face pale and