[@BlackPanther]

The sight of the male shirtless would have affected a dead female. And Brenna was most certainly not dead. A surge of desire hit her stomach and she quickly put a stop to that. It was a normal female response to a male, but while natural it was certainly not appropriate. 

The feral growl that came from him at seeing Gracie's fear of strangers affected her in a different way. It was also a natural response: a male response to a child, protective. It was... a very nice feeling it gave her. Neither of them had ever felt the protection of a male before. The simple feeling of knowing they were safe for the first time in a long time overwhelmed her and he eyes stung with tears. 

[i]Mommy? Wrong? Why cry?[/i] Gracie signed.
[i]Fine. No worry. Only tired.[/i] Brenna sighed back before turning to the male and composing herself.
"I cannot thank you enough," she told him, signing as she spoke so as not to leave Gracie out. "We can't take your bed from you. We could stay in another-"
Gracie cut her off, making whimpering sounds and shaking her head, signing fast. She had to repeat herself twice before Brenna got it all.

"She wants me to tell you she doesn't want to leave your room. She is scared, but feels safe with you," Brenna paused and looked at Zavist with wide eyes. She signed to Gracie that she and Zavist were going to have grownup talk and then spoke to him without signing. "Please forgive my shock and know this is nothing against you, but I am genuinely shocked. You don't understand. She [u]never[/u] feels safe with people, not even at the shelter. This is... this is incredible..."