Free A Prideless Man by Amber Kell

hall. How dare they hurt what was his? When he was done, not a single person screamed any more.
    “Hey, James.” A familiar voice had him turning. Lou stood beside him covered with blood but in human form.
    James purred.
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    His mate was well.
    “That’s right. We need to get out of here. Shift back.” James tilted his head at the man. Shift back into what? He was a lion.
    The man needed some clothes though. He headed into the cell his mate had come out of and grabbed some. Trotting back out, he dropped them at Lou’s feet.
    “Um, thanks. Where is your clothing?”
    Why would he need clothing? He was a cat. Everyone knew cats didn’t wear clothes.
    He pushed at the clothes with his nose.
    “Fine, I’ll get dressed.”
    Lou kept an eye on the white lion as he put on clothes. Without a way to clean up he covered the blood splattering his skin with the clothing. James didn’t look inclined to change back, which might be a problem when he tried to travel with him.
    The lion appeared to recognise him so he wasn’t completely lost to his wild side.
    A quick glance showed the people on the ground were most definitely dead. He snatched up a Taser and the master key clipped to one man’s belt—the guard wasn’t going to need it anymore and they might need it to get out. With James staying in his lion form, he didn’t want to shift into his bear unless necessary. Two wild animals out of control wasn’t necessarily a good thing.
    “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
    The lion padded after him like a friendly housecat, except with deadly claws and impressive fangs. James made a truly beautiful lion.
    Walking down the hall, Lou glanced into the rooms from time to time. He was disturbed by the silence. With all the cameras he expected people to flood the halls of the facility to contain the escaped creatures. He wondered how James got out. His own stall had opened and he’d encountered a group as they walked down the hall. He got the impression they hadn’t expected to see him.
    A slim blond man ran down the hall towards them, freezing when he saw the lion. He smelt like a shifter. The man held up his palms in surrender.
    “Don’t kill me.” His hands shook.
    “We’re not going to kill you. We just want out of this place.” A PRIDELESS MAN
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    “Good luck. I’ve been here for a month and still haven’t figured it out. I don’t know why they left the doors unlocked but I’m not going to miss the opportunity.”
    “What are you?”
    “Puma. My name’s Cameron.”
    “I’m Lou, and this is James.”
    “Hi, James.” He gave the lion a nervous smile. “I don’t know where the others are.
    Have you seen anyone else?”
    Lou shook his head. “Only you. How many others are there?”
    “About a dozen of us right now. They rotate us out periodically.”
    “What do they do with the other shifters?”
    “We’re all volunteers. Lately, though, I’ve wondered if they are really letting the shifters free. I think that cow Melinda is selling us to the highest bidder. I can’t prove anything but I’ve heard a few suspicious conversations lately.” He looked at James. “It would probably be easier to escape without the giant lion following us.” Lou shrugged. “He has control issues. This is only the second time he’s shifted.”
    “Really.” Surprise lit the Puma’s face. “Why?”
    “His father suppressed it.”
    The puma gave James a distasteful look as if he’d accidentally stepped in something slimy. “He’s Dr Everett’s son, isn’t he?”
    Lou stepped protectively in front of the lion. He didn’t like the look in the other man’s eyes. “Why do you ask?”
    “They talk about him a lot. He’s trying to perfect a formula to prevent shifting. Why would anyone not want to shift? I only came here because they said they’d pay me for my blood for scientific experiments.”
    “James is a half-breed. His father was worried he’d tear himself