Chapter 27

Zain put his jacket on and then stepped around the tree to see Webb stretched up against it, dragging his claws down it. “Really? Felt the need to mark your territory?” He grinned. The run with his teammates had been what he needed. Pure fun—a little competition, and he felt like the weight of the world was off his back. For now.

Webb dropped down, and Zain felt the tremor in the ground.

“How much do you weigh?” He laughed.

Webb made a grumbling sound and started walking back in the direction of the fencing. Zain figured he wanted to stay in animal form as long as he could. Being the size of a black bear meant he couldn’t shift and go for a quick run anywhere. Bears tended to be noticed more than a wolf or fox. He watched him pause and rub his side against a tree. He was fairly certain Webb was larger than most of his clan. He was one big bear.

Webb stopped and stared into the trees to their left.

Zain paused and inhaled slowly. There was someone there.

“Sorry.” A young woman stepped out from behind the tree. Zain had never seen her before. She had black hair and wasn’t a tiny girl. “Cassius said I was allowed to wander just as long as I stayed in this area.” She clasped her hands in front of her.

“You’re with Cassius?”

She nodded. “I only just got here a few days ago and wanted to see the area.”

Zain nodded and then looked at Webb. He hadn’t moved. “I’m Zain, this is Webb.”

She smiled slowly and then looked at the bear that looked like a statue. “I’ve never seen a bear shifter up close.” She glanced back at Zain briefly. “One of my parents was from a bear clan.” Her forehead creased.

One of her parents? What was her other parent? Had she not known them?

“I’m Rhogue.” The angst was gone from her expression. “Actually, my real name is Marie, but I prefer Rhogue.”

Zain’s mouth wanted to smile, but he fought it. “A rogue named Rhogue.”

She laughed softly. “I like to be original.”

“You succeeded.” He looked at Webb. He was still standing there. “We should get back. Enjoy your walk.”

She nodded. “Thank you. Have a nice day.” She smiled and then looked at Webb again and turned around.

Zain walked over to Webb. “You okay?” He gave him a half-smile. “You looked like a statue.”

Webb turned his head and looked at him and then shook his whole body and took off in the direction of the factory.

Zain watched him go. He was actually running. “A little weird, but okay.” Slinging his run pack over his shoulder, he followed him. He needed to talk to Oaklyn. They hadn’t talked since Devin sprung this trip to Chicago on them. He didn’t think it was a good idea for her to put herself out there like that. Of course, he also knew enough not to tell her that. After dealing with Calla and Amari over the last few years, he knew what one should say to a woman and what would get you injured.

He also wanted to talk to Devin or Calum about Oaklyn’s clan. See what was going on there.

If he could get Illias’ face off of a screen or multiple screens, he’d like to catch up with him too. People finally knew their life-altering secret. Zain may have felt better about it, if he weren’t being sent to Chicago to rub elbows with the very people they were trying to get to.

Once this was over, he might never leave his office again.