Page 38 (1/2)

Gwen nodded, getting it "Do the security cameras work?"

"Yes They’re relatively new, courtesy of the Mercury Alphas, and each of the cameras provides live feed to the monitors in my office The Mercury pack also installed software on ives me a panic button If there’s a problem and I press it, both the Phoenix and Mercury Packs will be alerted"

Andie seemed to relax a little at that, Gwen noticedas if the cougar realized that Zander had been telling the truth when he told her about their acceptance of loners

"Why don’t you wait in the coested to Gwen

Yeah, right, like that would happen, especially since Andie didn’t appear fond of the idea Gwen s to look around, if that’s okay with you" She thought that sounded a lot better than, "I don’t trust Andie’s safety with you yet" But Dawn’s eyes narrowed, as if she’d easily read between the lines Still, she didn’t see

Zander sidled up to Gwen, his arht," said Dawn "We can--"

Bracken suddenly shuddered "Whoa, just got a horrible chill down rave," both Gwen and Makenna said in unison Then the two fe

Zander frowned He’d expect that from Makenna, since she was incredibly superstitious, but not Gwen

Bracken held up a hand "Wait, you really think rave?"

Makenna snorted "Obviously Jeez Co to love this place"

Gwen listened avidly as Dawn told them about the shelter while they walked Apparently when her o, it had been just a day center--a place loners went to simply sit, drink coffee, eat a decent , Dawn’s radually expanded it It was certainly expansive

Dawn guided them around each of the floors, except for the attic, since that here Dawn lived The first floor had a common room, cafeteria, communal toilets, and private rooms for those with children Females slept on the second floor, and males slept on the third--both floors were dormitories All supplies were kept in the basement

Gwen had been surprised to learn that many slept in the dome-shaped tents that were scattered around the land at the rear of the building near the children’s play area Dawn sure made use of every inch of space, both inside and outside the shelter

"How long are people allowed to stay here?" Gwen asked

"There’s no tih Makenna can atteet them a place so to adopt or foster loners, many prefer to remain loners We do e can to help them find an apartment and blend into the hu tere, they work here--there are always plenty of things that need doing at a shelter, like cleaning, cooking, and laundry It’s understandable that they ht wish to stay You’re a human, so youthe loner lifestyle can be Shifters aren’t built to live alone So the shelter as they’d find in belonging to a pack or pride, for instance"

Dawn turned to Andie "I want you to know that you’re not the only person here who’s had proble without a pack, pride, or whatever it may be means that loners are vulnerable to other shifters and humans People often assume that a shifter would only be a loner if they were cast out by their Alphas Not always So, and many are simply lost after the death of their mate Many loners here will be able to relate to your situation"

Makenna tilted her head at Andie "How did you beco?"

Andie cleared her throat "I was adopted by humans as a baby My parents didn’t knohat I was When they realized, they kept me"

A bell suddenly chimed, and Dawn smiled "Time for lunch You should eat with us"

Minutes later, they claimed one of the plastic tables in the school-like cafeteria Gas surprised to find that the food wasn’t bad Thankfully, Andie seemed to enjoy it When they headed to the water fountain after they’d eaten, Gwen asked her quietly, "Well, what do you think?"