I wasn't quite keen on talking at the moment and I didn't trust my human self to defend Coda, so, when I finally stepped out of the room with my son's puppy form in tow, I was in my own canine form. Being much more forward than I ever will, Coda bounded down the short hall and right after the other puppy that had woken me up and nearly stepped on Coda while we were in bed. The two stopped abruptly when they got close, sniffing each other nose to nose, then butt to butt. All eyes, that is mine, Wolf's, and two other people's, were on them.

Coda slowly began to wag his tail while the other one, I believe who was called Flip, gave a quiet yipping growl. When my son glanced back at me, a hopeful look in his eyes, I tilted my head slightly and nodded. That was all he needed. Coda pounced on Flip, sending the pup falling head over tail backwards. I thought it might make the pup or his caretakers mad, but when Flip just shook off the hit and began running around trying to tackle Coda, I knew they would be okay. 

That just left me... and three people I didn't know or want to trust. They looked harmless enough, and as I sniffed the air, I could tell that only one was a predator, and that was Wolf.

"Hey there, Wolf told us he had a visitor. My name's Grayson, I'm a mouse cross-shifter by the way, and this is my fiance, Erin." He gestured towards the taller man standing beside him. "He's an elephant."

That's... interesting.

"And that's our son, Flip."

Okay. Now I'm seriously confused.

"We adopted him after finding him on the road three years ago."

I nodded, not really sure what they wanted me to say as a dog.

"This guy's name is Sam. He's a cross-shifter like you, Gray. His son is Coda."

I wasn't very happy about Wolf giving away what I was, but if the smaller man was a cross-shifter also, then I suppose he wouldn't try to do something to me. His fiance also seemed not to care about the information and instead knelt down to catch Coda as he ran by, only to flop him down on his back for a good belly scratch. The sight had my heart suddenly clenching as the images of the moment where Richard had rubbed my belly while we were sitting on the couch flashed through my mind. While the memory was only there briefly before I refocused on the pups, I could still somehow feel the ghosts of his fingers running through my fur, rubbing playfully over my belly.

"Hey Sam."

Blinking, I hopped back, baring my teeth for a second before realizing that Grayson wasn't squatting in front of me to attack, but because he was worried. I couldn't stop myself from panting but I did lower my hackles and made sure to look at my paws for a moment to silently apologize.

"It's okay. I didn't mean to surprise you, you just looked... I don't know. Sad?"

His fiance walked over, kneeling next to him with a smile. "I've seen you on the news, but don't worry. We won't let your parents take your baby."

His smile grew and he looked at Grayson, then back at me. "In fact, we actually know someone who might be more than happy to lend you a spare room and safety."

I quirked my brow, confused but also interested. If I could find a safe place for myself and, more importantly, my baby, then I would listen to any offer. Even from a stranger.

"Looks like we've got your attention. Well, we know a guy that runs the local lion pride here, and while he is a carnivore, he's really an awesome guy. Also, he's got a huge house that always has spare rooms open."

He waited a moment, probably wanting to see a reaction of some sort from me. I sat down, lifting my ears just enough to seem like a decent response, because he continued afterwards. "If you'd like, I can call him to come over and meet you and your son. He has his own kids but they're all in school so they won't be around during the day and know better than to bother guests."

The prospect of having a lion near Coda wasn't very settling, but if a mouse, elephant, and wolf could trust him, surely he wasn't that bad. So, I gave a hesitant nod.

"Cool, I'll go give him a call. Till then, we brought over some breakfast and since Wolf already ate, you and your son can eat as much as you want."

My nose twitched, sniffing the air. Surprisingly, I hadn't smelled the food until just now.

Man, I must be stressed to not notice food after starving for nearly a year.

I gave a quiet woof in response, then strode past the two to find the container sitting on the glass coffee table by the sofa. It was easy for me to get it to the floor, then open with a few swipes of my paw, allowing me access to the delicious eggs, hashbrowns, and bacon. I doubted the two, or at least Erin, would touch bacon, so I figured it had been added for Wolf.

Well, I gladly snapped up the bacon, then some of the eggs and potatoes before turning my attention to Coda. I barked a few times, making him suddenly stop playing and bound over. As soon as he saw the food and sniffed, I stepped aside and let him dig in. He had a bit of trouble with the crispy potatoes but had no trouble with the mushy eggs. While it wasn't intentional, I did end up guarding the food from Flip rather aggressively when he came over to investigate. Thankfully Grayson understood and quickly scooped up their boy.

When Coda finished eating his fill I finished the remaining food, then settled in as he decided to curl against me for a nap. He was soon joined by Flip after Grayson set the pup down, but I didn't mind. I was completely awake and paying attention to the three as they conversed about random things, leaving me out of the talk, likely because I wasn't exactly going to talk back.

It wasn't until about an hour later, when a knock wrapped at the door, did the conversation stop and the air get a bit tense as Wolf got up to answer it. The person that walked through it was every bit a lion that I've ever seen. His hair was a dark gold mixed with a fine layer of black and just a hint of silver. It wrapped around his face, meshing with his mussy head of hair just like an actual mane. Besides the hair, the rest of him definitely stacked up just as strongly. The man was a wall of muscle and intimidation was literally written with invisible ink across his chest. 

My reaction was immediate when he walked closer, his eyes only flickering to Coda for a split second. But it was enough. I moved overtop my boy, ignoring Flip as he ran over to be scooped up by the huge man for a hug.

Well you're not getting near my son, lion!

I bared my teeth, hackles raising in defense. Instead of laughing or growling back like I expected, the large man just smiled and set Flip down, then sat beside the pup on the floor.

Huh?

It caught me off guard and after only a few minutes, I settled down.

"I'd really like to talk with you, Sam. My friend Erin asked me for a favor, which I have no issue fulfilling, but I do need to be mindful of my own family and frequent guests."

What he was saying was completely understandable and while I was still a little tense, as long as he stayed where he was, I figured I could manage. So, I carefully shifted, tucking Coda into my arms as soon as I had changed completely. When I looked up from my son, I noticed the man staring calmly, likely waiting. It was awkward, but I guessed I had to start off our weird conversation. "H-Hello..."

His smile turned up in wattage, his hands randomly playing with Flip, though mostly just allowing the pup to nibble at his fingers. "Hello, Sam. It's nice to meet you."

I nodded, not really sure what else to do.

"I've seen you on the news, but I know from experience that reporters can change their story based on money. So, tell me the truth."

Lying wasn't an option. I knew right away that he would realize if I even tried, but that was okay. I had nothing to lie about, so I sat up straight and held my shoulders back. Before I started speaking I briefly realized the others had disappeared, likely into one of the bedrooms down the hall.

"My name is Sam and this is my son, Coda. I was not aware of what I was in high school and my phermomones got me raped. When my parents found out I was pregnants, they kicked me out. They are very high societing people and in their perfect life, cross-shifters are disgusting, worthless things."

I pursed my lips, licking them as I pulled myself back together, having realized I was getting stressed and messing up some of my words.

"I lived on the streets until I had my pups... but Coda was the only one who survived thanks to a restaurant owner who fed me for a little while. We were later caught by animal control and I was about to be put to sleep for aggression when." My words froze on my tongue and tears stung my eyes. Leaning over, I got busy grooming Coda, licking at his fur even as he squirmed in my arms.

"You got adopted, didn't you?"

My eyes widened and I looked up at the man. His smile had softened and he was scratching behind Flip's ears gently.

"On the news. They noted that someone had adopted you named Richard to help you reacclimate to normal life."

His words had me fingering my collar, the feel of it bringing back memories.

"He bought you that, didn't he?"

I nodded solemnly.

"You miss him?"

Another nod, followed by several unwanted tears.

"Well, I don't see you as a threat and you definitely weren't lying. I can assume quite a few reasons as to why your parents suddenly want your son, but we can discuss that at a later date and time. However, while I do believe you and think you would be fine to stay in my home until you are able to care for both yourself and your son, are you actually ready to do that?"

Licking my lips, I felt my nerves begin to numb my fingertips and toes.

"How about this, Sam. What if Richard brought you there and could visit whenever I was home?"

I couldn't help it, I yipped quietly, my head jerking up with excitement. The gesture and sound got the man rumbling out a deep laugh, but I didn't care. I missed Richard, and I even missed his daughter. Part of it was probably the dog inside of me, but whatever.

"How about this. I'll go meet him tonight, as this town's shifter population is mostly lions, I tend to have eyes and ears just about everywhere. Thus, I can figure out where he lives pretty quickly. I'll speak with him and see about him coming to get you, then bring you over. Of course, it will likely be later at night so that any of the paparazzi idiots stalking him hoping that you'd come back wouldn't follow."

I nodded fervently and he chuckled, then pushed himself to his feet.

"Well then, I'll give Wolf a call tomorrow and we'll see how things go."

He started turning when I didn't answer, likely planning to leave, but right as he got to the door I stumbled to my feet, Coda still in my arms, and tried to project my voice to him without shouting loudly. "Thank you!"

He stopped abruptly and turned to smile back at me. "You are very welcome, Sam. I hope things will work out well for you and your son."

With that he ducked out, shutting the door behind him.