Breeze stalked her, moving on bare feet in a way that made her feel a little fear. She was an intimidating woman and had an odd expression on her face. She paused a few feet away.

“I can’t help you unless you tell me what is wrong.”

Beauty wiped at her tears. “You wouldn’t understand. No one does.”

“Make me. Talk. What does you being Gift have to do with this and what rules?”

She pondered speaking her mind. She didn’t see any anger on Breeze’s face though. “I’m not Halfpint or Tiny. They are terrified of men. I love both of them, they are my friends, but they need those rules to protect them. I don’t.”

Dark eyes widened and Breeze sidestepped to the couch and sat. “Go on.”

“I’m lonely. Do you know what it is like for me?”

“No.” Breeze’s voice softened to almost a whisper. “Tell me.”

“I just want what everyone else has.”

“We’re equal here.”

“No. We aren’t. Have you stayed out all night with a man before?”

“Of course.”

“Did angry security officers take him away? Were you called names and insulted as though you were somehow tricked into being with him? Were you followed to your room to have it invaded by someone who demands answers?”

“Who called you names and insulted you?”

“Kit. She thinks I’m a child and stupid because I wanted to know what it was like to be held by a man. He didn’t try to do anything to me sexually but I wish he had. He never will though. I’m Gift. He won’t even speak to me again and it’s not fair.”

“Oh shit,” Breeze muttered, understanding dawning. “You went in search of a male?”

“No. I wanted to feel free and alive. I don’t here. I ran into the rain to get away from this place and he found me. The hail started and Shadow took me to the small building to protect me from the storm. He tried leave right away to call for assistance but I just wanted to spend time with him.” Hot tears spilled down her cheeks. “Now he’s in trouble because I tricked him into staying with me and everyone seems to be angry at him. He did nothing wrong except believe me when I said I’d be terrified if he left me alone. I just wanted to get to know him.”

Breeze closed her eyes. Beauty didn’t know what the other woman was thinking but she guessed now she would be in trouble for admitting that she’d lied to Shadow. It was a bad trait Species detested, though it was sometimes necessary. Tricking a man into spending the night wasn’t for the good of anyone but Beauty. Brown eyes opened to fix on her face.

“I’m going to make some calls and make sure Shadow isn’t in trouble. Then you and I are going to talk. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”

“I know. I’m restricted to my room. Kit grounded me.”

“She what?” Breeze rose to her feet with a snarl.

“That’s what Gifts are to all of you, right? Children? Why did you bother to save us? It’s a prison without abuse but it’s still captivity. Sunshine, nicer living conditions, and food aren’t enough.” Beauty fled to her bedroom and closed the door.

* * * * *

Shadow paced the room, hating that he’d been denied the opportunity to change into his clothing. The flag secured around his h*ps had made other males laugh when they’d seen him, more than a little amused, until they’d heard why he was being taken to Fury.

The male entered his office with a grim expression. “Shadow.”

“Fury.”

“That’s taking team spirit a bit far.”

Shadow bit back a snarl. “My uniform was soaked from the storm and this was all that was available. It was better than being naked. Book and Jericho refused to allow me to change.”

The corners of Fury’s mouth twitched. “It isn’t every day you see a male wearing a wolf head wrapped around his waist.”

“I didn’t do anything to the Gift Female. I spotted her running in the rain. I believed she was a human at first but quickly determined her origins. I only took her to that building to get her out of the hail but she was too terrified for me to leave her alone to radio for help. I only held her to keep her warm.”

“I’m aware.” All humor fled from Fury. “I just spoke to the males. They didn’t pick up the scent of sex.”

“She’s a Gift Female.”

“You know protocol.”

“She refused to allow me to leave her alone. I had left my radio in the cart.”

The other male raised his hand to his chest. “What is she? This high? Do you expect me to believe she prevented you from doing the right thing?” His palm lowered. “Try again.”

Shadow adjusted his stance and crossed his arms over his chest. He felt ridiculous in the flag. “May I speak freely?”

“Always.”

“Something upset her enough to make her leave the safety of the dorm. I was concerned and she behaved fine until I intended to call a female officer for assistance. Have you ever looked into Beauty’s eyes? I couldn’t say no. She wanted to spend the night away from her home and asked me to stay with her. I hoped she’d tell me what was really going on but she didn’t.”

Fury leaned back against his desk. “Are you implying she’s being abused by someone there? That one of our females is harming her? Do you have proof of that?” Anger glinted in his eyes. “I want to get to the bottom of this immediately.”