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 mach

l 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