His Apprehensive Mate - Brea Alepou Page 0,6

worthless. He was worthless. Ava’s trembling fingers gripped his shirt tighter.

“That should be the case, Dillan, but some shifters believe that runts are meant to die,” Kash supplied.

God, how Morgan had wished for death plenty of times and was never granted it.

“Yeah, and they are idiotic with their ignorant ways,” Logan said.

“But I don’t want Morgan to die,” Dillan said on what sounded like a cry.

Warmth blossomed throughout Morgan’s chest. That was the first time he’d ever heard someone say that after finding out he was a runt.

A growl pierced the air. “And he won’t.”

Morgan turned, locking eyes with Kenny. The conviction he saw sent a shiver down his spine. He could easily get lost in the silver pools that were Kenny’s eyes.

“But how do you become a runt?” Dillan asked.

Morgan chewed on his bottom lip. “The earlier you shift, the stronger you are, and the better your connection with your animal side. At least, that has been the facts passed down for generation after generation. Most shifters shift at the age of eleven,with the earliest being eight; the oldest recorded age was eighteen. It was said that the younger you shift, the more likely you are to become a shifter meant for leading, pretty much an alpha of your own pack, and the older you are, well, all you’re good for is the pack punching bag or death.”

“That’s horrible,” Dillan said.

He had no idea.

“The practice was supposed to be banned shifter-wide long ago, just like the hunting of prey shifters,” Kash said angrily.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t mean it stopped happening,” Logan said.

“You’re telling me they nearly killed Morgan because he shifted at an older age?” Dezi asked.

“No—I mean yes, but that wasn’t the only reason this time,” Morgan said.

Ava was still holding on to him, so he made himself comfortable on the floor. He wished Kenny was next to him, but his niece needed him at the moment.

“It’s because I—” Morgan took in a deep breath. “I asked to officially leave the pack.”

“You didn’t have to do that. You can leave—”

“Not the case with my old pack,” Morgan said through gritted teeth.

“My dad isn’t going to let Un-ncle Morgan go,” Ava said.

Gasps echoed around the room. Ava wiped her face, red splotches coloring her cheeks.

“Why?” Kenny growled.

“I have no clue,” Morgan said honestly. He avoided all eyes. “I ran away only two years ago. Ended up here after a few packs refused to give me asylum. I would have kept moving if I would have known this was feline shifter territory.” Morgan shrugged. “Unlike wolf shifter territories, you didn’t have a feline posted throughout the town.”

“We don’t own the town, we just happen to live here. As long as the shifters aren’t here to hurt my pride, I don’t see a reason to kick them out of town,” Dezi said.

“Wish everyone ran their territories like you,” Morgan said.

“But if Rhy had never found you and invited you, then you might be dead right now,” Cole said.

The bitter truth settled in Morgan’s chest; he’d been unprotected. At any time, his old pack could have grabbed him, and no one would have done anything to save him. That’s what it meant to be a lone shifter.

“No,” Kenny growled. He was up from the couch. He looked as if he wanted to move toward Morgan, but his silver eyes glanced over to Ava, and he sighed before he sat back down, calming himself with measured breaths.

Dezi cleared his throat. “Morgan.”

Kash and Dezi stood before him. “We will protect you and Ava regardless of your decision,” Kash said.

There was a resounding agreement that floored Morgan.

“You don’t have to be a lone shifter. When you’re ready, our pride is open to you and Ava,” Dezi said.

Morgan wanted to jump up and declare his loyalty to Bliss Pride, but he had his niece to think of and couldn’t decide just yet.

“Thank you, Dezi and Kash,” Morgan said. He pushed back the overwhelming emotions that nearly choked him. “Bu—t I—I need so—time.”

“Take all the time you both need. We are here for you,” Kash said.

Morgan nodded, unable to speak any further in fear he might actually cry. Kash smiled at Morgan before clapping his hands. “How about some lunch?” Kash looked to Ava. “Would you like to help?”

Ava nodded. Before getting up, she glanced over her shoulder at Morgan, and he grinned at her. Morgan got up from the floor and moved over to Kenny. He was drawn to the other man like a piece of metal