Gabriel didn’t speak right away. His eyes moved over me like he was memorizing every line, every shift of fur, every curve of claw. It wasn’t fear — not even close. If anything, the way he looked at me was closer to reverence.
“You’ve been hiding this for how long?” he asked finally, voice low.
“Since long before I could drive,” I said.
He stepped closer, close enough that the heat from him brushed my fur. His gaze kept drifting to my hands, the curve of each claw catching the desk lamp’s light. “I thought your reflexes were freakish before,” he said, almost to himself. “Now I get it.”
“You only think you do,” I replied.
His attention dropped lower, following the shape of my legs. Then he crouched, tilting his head. “And the feet?”
I gave him a slow, amused grin. “Curious?”
“Extremely.”
I shifted my weight and stepped forward, planting one foot flat on the floorboards where the light could hit it. Claws long, dark, and sharp hooked forward from each toe, catching just enough glint to make them look dangerous. The pads beneath muted every sound when I moved, even as the claws clicked faintly when I flexed them.
“Holy hell…” he murmured, reaching out — but he stopped just short, like he was checking for permission.
I gave a small nod, and his hand closed gently around my ankle. His thumb brushed the thick fur along the top, fingertips trailing over the pads before skimming along the side of a claw.
“They’re heavier than I thought,” he said.
I smirked. “Good for digging in. Or out.”
His laugh was quick and quiet, but there was a little awe in it still. “No wonder people get out of your way.”
“They don’t know why,” I said. “They just… do.”
He looked up at me from his crouch, head tilted. “You’ve been hiding all of this because of what happened back then.”
“Because people see a monster before they see me,” I corrected. “Because I learned what happens when you give them a reason to be afraid.”
Gabriel rose slowly, still holding my gaze. “Well… I’m not afraid. And you can’t exactly un-show me now.”
“Guess you’re stuck with it,” I said.
His mouth curved into a grin. “Good.”
We stood there for another long moment, both of us grinning now, the air still buzzing with that shared secret — something that belonged to us alone.