[She had no way of knowing how complicated (not to mention uncomfortable) that answer was. No way of knowing that the only clues he'd been able to glean about his origins pointed to shadowy possibilities straight out of a horror novel. He couldn't stop the complicated tangle of anger and regret that flashed across his features, but he could cover it up quickly with a smile that looked almost normal.]

Genetics. I've been this way...as long as I can remember. You know how every once in a while two regular tigers will produce a cub with white stripes?