Forever Forbidden
l of wind through the trees, no distant cries of nocturnal animals. Here, the nights were punctuated by the wai
s peace with it or so he told himself. The pull of the wild, the connection to his kind, still gnawed
ion. When he saw the job listing for a night cop, it felt like fate. The idea of patrolling the streets, keeping the c
job proved hard
view. Officers moved with purpose, their radios crackling wi
lue eyes that missed nothing. His salt and pepper hair was cropped close, an
over his application and resume, omitting the parts of his life that couldn't be explained
ity," Kincaid said,
ng private security work for a few years. Fig
s to just anyone, especially not for night patrol. It's the toughest shift vio
Asher sa
arms. "You might have the look, but I need mo
ut nodded. "Thank you fo
l of people looking for work, and he was just another face in the crowd. Still, it fru
s alert. Old habits die hard, and he couldn't ignore the scent of danger
cept for the occasional car passing in the distance. Asher had been
ard a muff
faint but unmistakable, from a nearby warehouse. W
en. Inside, the dim light cast long shadows over stacks of crates and machl and taunting. Her blonde hair was disheveled, and terror filled her wid
sher growled, his vo
sudden appearance. One of them
you don't back off," As
forced. "Get lost, buddy.
beast within him stirred. But he held it back
is fist connecting with the attacker's ribs in a sickening crunch. The second man lunged wit
men were on the gro
o the woman. "
reaming down her face. "Than
name?" he a
said, her voi
ized the name of Comma
her was summoned
stern demeanor softened by gratitude. Annie stood
voice gruff but sincere. "If you hadn't been
head. "I'm just g
"You're not just some guy looking for a
hare of fights,
hat's all I need to know." He extended his hand.
re smile tugging at his li
ll, folded note tucked into hi
one in the city, hybr
aring. Whoever left the note knew what
ust for the humans he swore to p