Chapter 1

 

The man shifted in his chair before leaning back and rubbing wearily at his temples. The glow of the computer screen illuminated the deep lines around his mouth and eyes, and he sat silently for a few moments.

The headache pulsed through him and without opening his eyes he reached into the top drawer of his desk and pulled out the bottle of pills. He took four, chewing them rapidly and ignoring the bitter taste they left in his mouth, before returning the bottle to the drawer.

He sat forward and clicked the computer mouse. A new screen popped up and he stared intently at the creature pacing restlessly back and forth in the massive steel cage. He sighed. She had torn up the bed again, stuffing and fabric littered the floor of the cage, and he made a mental note to order another one. It would be the fourth one this month but he needed her to be comfortable.

He reached out and traced the creature’s face on the screen as it lifted its head and stared at the camera. Saliva dripped from its oversized fangs as it stood on its hind feet and snarled.

“Je t’aime, ma chérie,” he whispered.

There was a knock on the door and he minimized the video feed before giving a curt, “come in”.

The door opened and the dark-haired man, he was wearing a grey suit with a dark green tie, entered the room.

“Good evening, Wyatt.”

“Hello, Clay.” He motioned for the man to sit down.

Clay sat in the chair and studied him silently for a moment.

“What is it?” The man asked.

“You look unwell.”

“I’m fine.”

“Are you? Did you sleep last night?”

“What is it that you want?”

“Perhaps I’m here just to inquire on the health of my friend.”

Wyatt gave him a dry look. “It has been many months since you considered me a friend, Clay.”

“Just because I do not agree with how you’re handling the situation doesn’t mean I’m not your friend, Wyatt. I will always be your friend.”

“Your solution is not the way!” Wyatt suddenly snapped.

“Yours isn’t either,” Clay replied gently.

“It is! I know it is! If you would find the bird, I would make it work.”

“You had him, remember? An entire month and you couldn’t make it work.”

“I needed more time.”

“A month, Wyatt,” Clay reminded him. “He volunteered to help and when his tears didn’t cure her, you took him prisoner and injected him with the virus repeatedly. It didn’t work.”

“I need more time,” Wyatt repeated. “I need to study the way his body works. I’ll take more samples of his blood, perhaps his internal organs or – “

“You mean dissect him.”

“I will do whatever it takes to save her, Clay.”

“I know. But if you kill the bird to save her, how is that any different from what I want to do?”

“I’m not going to kill him! I can’t kill him, remember?” Wyatt said.

“I remember. But torturing him, locking him in a cage, and injecting him repeatedly with the virus while you take his blood and samples of his flesh, isn’t the answer, Wyatt. You would keep him a prisoner, make his life a living hell, to save her?”

“I would. I will discover the cure.”

“And then what? You release the bird with a ‘sorry about that’ and hope like hell he doesn’t go to the press?” Clay asked.

“He’ll be well compensated for his time.”

“What happens if he isn’t the key, Wyatt? Will you torture him, keep him prisoner, forever?”

“He is the key!” Wyatt slammed his fists on the desk and growled loudly. Dark hair was sprouting on his face but the dark-haired man showed no fear.

“You can’t contain it, Wyatt. The virus is spreading,” Clay said.

“What are you talking about? You killed Millie, remember?” There was a note of bitterness in his voice.

“It was necessary. She had already killed three of my men and bitten five others.”

“Yes, and you showed all five of your own men no mercy. Did you feel any remorse when you put bullets in their brain, Clay?”

“No,” Clay said.

“Of course you didn’t. I had no idea there existed such darkness in you.”

“You knew,” Clay said. “It’s why you brought me here. You need someone more than ever to clean up your mess, to do your dirty work for you, Wyatt. You need me.”

“I need you to find Ronin!” Wyatt snarled.

“We think he’s in the city. It’s going to take time to find him.”

“Then maybe you should leave and do the job I’m paying you to do,” Wyatt said.

“There was an incident at a coffee shop in the city last week,” Clay said.

Wyatt gripped the edge of his desk and stared at him. “What do you mean?”

“A coyote shifter went insane and shifted into a monster. At least, that’s what they’re saying on the news.”

“Fuck!” Wyatt slammed his fist on the desk again as Clay scrolled through his cell phone.

“There were numerous witnesses, human and shifter.”

“Was anyone killed?”

Clay shook his head. “No, there was a bear shifter and a jaguar shifter in the coffee shop. They held him off until an off-duty cop shot him in the head.”

“Thank God. Were they bitten?”

“I don’t know.”

“Fucking find out, Clay! You know what will happen if they were!”

“Yes, Wyatt, I do,” Clay said icily. “Five of my men, remember?”

“Do we know for sure that he was infected with the virus?”

“Yes. Saul went down to the morgue and examined the body. There’s no doubt he was infected.”

“But how?” Wyatt whispered.

“Obviously Millie came in contact with more people than we thought before we contained her.”

Wyatt leaned back in his chair. “Find out if the jaguar and the bear were bitten. If they were, bring them to me. Do you hear me, Clay? Don’t kill them.”

“I hear you, Wyatt.” Clay stood and walked toward the door.

“And bring me Ronin!” Wyatt shouted as Clay shut the door behind him.

He clicked on the video feed and stared at the creature as it paced relentlessly in its cage.

“Soon, ma chérie. We will be together again, soon,” he whispered.

 

* * *

 

“Willow? I need more packing paper in the kitchen.”

There was no reply and Kat stuck her head into the hallway. “Willow? Are you here?”

The apartment door opened and Willow, balancing a tray of coffees and a bag of donuts, slammed the door shut with her foot.

“What’s this?” Kat asked.

“I thought we deserved a break,” Willow puffed. She joined Kat in the kitchen and collapsed on one of the chairs with a soft sigh. “Moving sucks.”

“It does,” Kat agreed as she chose a donut from the bag. “But think about how much worse it would have been if Mal wasn’t organizing it.”

“God, you’re so right.” Willow rubbed at her lower back. “Do you know he created a spreadsheet for the move? It’s colour coded and everything. I have matching coloured stickers that I have to put on each box for each room. It’s crazy and I – “

She stopped, her eyes widening. “Oh crap! I didn’t tell you what colour the kitchen was!”

Kat laughed and took a sip of coffee. “Mal emailed me with detailed instructions, don’t worry.”

“Thank God,” Willow said before biting into a donut. “Thanks again, Kat. I really appreciate you giving up your weekend to help me pack. Ava was here last night but she’s got a shift at the hospital today and tomorrow. Plus, she isn’t feeling all that great. She was even paler than normal last night.”

“You’re welcome, Willow,” Kat replied. She sat in one of the kitchen chairs and studied the half-empty cupboards. “Are you excited about moving in with Mal?”

Willow nodded. “I am. I spend most of my time at his place anyway and when I’m not there I’m wishing I was so it makes sense.”

“Are you going to marry him, Will?”

“Yes. I love him to death and can’t imagine being with anyone else. Even if he does drive me crazy with his organized pantry. The other night I moved all the cans in the pantry around and by the time I got up in the morning he had reorganized them. Who does that, Kat?”

Kat laughed. “Mal, I guess.”

“I guess. I just never imagined that I would fall in love with someone who was so straight-laced. I always assumed I’d fall for a hippie with questionable hygienic habits.”

Kat laughed so hard that coffee spurted out from the top of her cup to land on the table. Willow wiped it up with a paper towel before grinning at her. “It’s true. But it’s Mal I love so I guess I’ll just have to live with the fact that he showers every day. Now I just have to get him to ask me to marry him.”

“Um, I think he already has.” Kat pointed to the bite mark on the back of Willow’s shoulder.

Willow shrugged. “True, but I want the actual proposal you know? The ‘down on one knee, baby will you marry me’ deal.”

Kat grinned at her as Willow stood and began to wrap glasses in paper before shoving them into a box.

“Speaking of love, how are things with you and Ronin?”

Kat sighed. It had been nearly two months since the night Ava was kidnapped by a dragon and Ronin had barely spoken two words to her. “It’s not love, Willow. Outside of work-related stuff, Ronin doesn’t even speak to me now.”

Willow gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry.”

“Why? One night of sex doesn’t mean that I want to marry the guy. Besides, I only slept with him because it was my heat cycle, remember?”

“I remember.”

Kat stood and started loading a cardboard box with plastic containers. “It was a mistake to sleep with him and I would never have done it if I hadn’t been in the middle of my heat cycle. It drives me crazy that I can’t control it anymore.”

“Could you control it before?” Willow asked. “According to my research, it’s extremely difficult to control.”

“Your research?” Kat paused in her packing.

Willow shrugged. “I’m naturally curious about shifters, what can I say?”

Kat smiled a little. “Well, when I was younger I did have better control of it, I think. Now, not so much. Last month was a nightmare. I almost picked up a random cheetah shifter at the bar.”

“Why didn’t you?” Willow asked curiously. “I mean, what’s the big deal?”

Because it’s Ronin you want.

Kat ignored her inner voice. “I don’t know. I guess I feel cheap when I do something like that, you know? Or weak, maybe.”

She closed the box and Willow taped it shut before placing a bright red sticker on the top of it. “Is your friend Mark still unavailable?”

She nodded. “Yeah. My next heat cycle is in a couple of weeks and I’m actually, uh, meeting with a few shifters tonight over at Bud’s. They all have potential.”

At Willow’s curious look, she flushed slightly. “There’s a website that can line female cat shifters up with other shifters who are willing to help them out once a month. I’ve never used it before but, frankly, I’m getting a little desperate.”

“You should ask Ronin to help you,” Willow said. “We both know he’d be more than willing to have crazy hot sex with you once a month, no strings attached.”

“I told you, Will, that’s not a good idea. One – he’s an employee and two – he’s a bird.”

“Didn’t you and Fenton used to date?” Willow asked.

Fenton was a cheetah shifter who worked for their security firm and Kat nodded. “Yes, but it was before he started working for the company.”

“Ah. Back to the bird thing – who cares?” Willow said cheerfully.

“Cats and birds do not mate, Willow.”

“I feel like we’ve had this conversation before,” Willow said teasingly.

“I just can’t, okay?” Kat said heatedly.

“Okay. So, tell me about the guys you’re meeting tonight. Are they all cat shifters?”

Kat nodded. “There’s a tiger, a jaguar and a cheetah.”

“Which one has the most potential?”

“The tiger I think. He’s done this before and can provide references.”

Willow laughed. “It’s like he’s applying for a job.”

“He kind of is.”

“Yeah, but, don’t you want passion, Kat? Excitement?”

“What I want is help to not feel like I’m losing my damn mind once a month,” Kat said firmly. “I’m not looking for a relationship right now. I have a lot on my plate with trying to grow our client base and succeeding at my career is very important to me.”

“You have succeeded,” Willow said. “The company would be lost without you. And if you were in a relationship, your mom would stop trying to set you up with random shifters.”

Kat grinned. “True, but then she’d be harassing me non-stop for grandkittens.”

“I would think she would be harassing your sister,” Willow said. “She’s the one who just got married.”

She stared curiously at Kat when the jaguar shifter grimaced. “What?”

“My sister and her husband separated.”

Willow’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding me. They’ve been married less than six months – they’re still newlyweds.”

“Yeah, but when you come home to find your husband in bed with the maid it kind of puts a damper on the newlywed bliss.”

“Holy shitballs!” Willow said. “What an asshole.”

“You’re telling me,” Kat said. “She kicked the asshole out and apparently he’s already shacked up with the maid.”

“Is that why you flew out to your sister’s last month for a few days?”

Kat nodded. “I helped her burn all of his stuff and file the divorce papers.”

“You burned his stuff?” Willow said.

“Yep. Jaguars can be mean when we want to, Will,” Kat said with a grin.

“Yikes, remind me never to piss off a jaguar,” Willow said softly.

“I tried to convince Emerson to move back to the city but she’s decided to stay where she is for now. She likes her job and she has a pretty solid network of friends. But now that her marriage is over, my mother is positive that I’m her only hope for grandkittens. Emerson obviously isn’t going to be in a relationship anytime soon and mom’s given up completely on my brother.”

She picked up another box and Willow helped her load the paper-wrapped glasses into it before grinning at her. “Maybe I should come with you tonight and help you pick out your new boy toy.”

Kat laughed. “Not a chance, Willow.”

“C’mon, Kat,” Willow wheedled. “I’ll be super helpful. You know I will.”

Before Kat could reply, the door to her apartment opened and they heard the low rumble of Bishop’s voice. “I don’t know, Mal. She’s been throwing up every day for the past two weeks but won’t go to the doctor. She said she talked to one of the doctors at work and he said there’s a bug going around but I’m worried about her.”

Willow stuck her head into the hallway. “Hey, guys. How did that go?”

“Good. We dropped off your bed and the other furniture at the Goodwill and took the boxes to my place,” Mal said before dropping a kiss on her forehead. “How’s the packing going?”

“Good. Kat’s almost finished the kitchen – she’s been an absolute dream.”

She smiled at Fenton and Bishop who were standing behind Mal. “There are donuts in the kitchen. Come have some.”

“Hey, guys,” Kat said as they joined her in the kitchen. She smiled at Fenton when he placed an affectionate kiss on her cheek.

Willow glanced at her watch. “Damn, I need to run over to Ginger’s and pick her up. She said she would help do some packing tonight.”

“Ginger’s coming over?” Fenton said casually.

Willow nodded. “Yes. But I need to pick her up. Her car’s completely wrecked.”

“What?” Fenton gave her a look of alarm. “She wrecked her car?”

“Not exactly,” Willow said. “It’s a long story but I need to go or I’ll be late. I told her I’d pick her up by three.”

“Why doesn’t her idiot boyfriend do something useful for once and drop her off?” Fenton asked

“Didn’t I tell you?” Willow said. “She and Robbie broke up.”

“What? When?” Fenton asked.

“Last week,” Willow said before glancing again at her watch. “Gosh, I really wanted to get the bathroom packed up before I picked up Ginger but I’ve run out of time. Unless, there’s someone who could pick her up for me?”

She smiled sweetly at Fenton as Mal rolled his eyes and grabbed a water from the fridge.

Fenton, a dull flush covering his cheeks, said, “Uh, I could run over to Ginger’s house and pick her up if that, uh, is helpful.”

“It would be so helpful, Fenton. Thank you!” Willow said brightly. “You’re such a sweetheart. I’ll text her and tell her you’re on your way.”

She kissed his cheek and winked at Mal as Fenton left the room. As soon as the front door closed, Mal said, “So now you’re trying to set up Fenton and Ginger?”

“I don’t have to try to do anything,” Willow said. “Those two are so hot for each other, smoke is practically coming out of their ears.”

Kat laughed. “They’ll make a cute couple and Fenton’s a good guy. He deserves to be happy.”

“Bishop, have a donut,” Willow urged as he checked his cell phone.

“I’m not hungry,” he mumbled.

Willow gave Mal an alarmed look. “You’re not hungry?” She reached up and pressed her hand against Bishop’s forehead. “Maybe you’re getting the flu as well?”

He shook his head. “Nah, just worried about Ava. Mal, I know I said I would help with this last load but do you mind if I head out? Ava will be home now and I want to check on her.”

“Of course,” Mal said. “Now that he knows Ginger will be here, Fenton will stay to help. Go home to Ava.”

“Thanks.” Bishop left the apartment and Mal glanced at Willow.

“Do you think Ava’s okay?”

Willow looked away evasively. “Yes, I’m sure it’s just the flu.”

“Willow?” Mal said as Kat gathered her coat and purse.

“She’s fine, honey.” Willow wouldn’t look him in the eye and she quickly hugged Kat. “Thanks again, Kat. Good luck tonight.”

“Good luck with what?” Mal asked curiously.

“Nothing,” Kat said quickly. “Call me tomorrow if you need some more help okay, Will?”

“I will. Thanks again, honey.”

“What’s going on with Kat?” Mal asked once Kat left.

“Nothing,” Willow said innocently.

“Why do I get the feeling you’re lying?” Mal grinned at her as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

Willow gave him another innocent look. “I don’t know what you mean, honey.”

“Sure you don’t,” Mal said before kissing her firmly on the mouth. “Willow, are you sure you want to move in with me?”

She gave him a look of surprise. “Of course I do. Why? Are you having second thoughts?”

“No. Although after the canned goods debacle last night, I’m considering putting a lock on the pantry door.”

Willow laughed before squeezing him tightly. “I was just testing your observation skills.”

Mal tugged lightly on her ponytail. “I love you, Willow.”

“I love you too, Mal.”