Jazz stood at her bedroom window and surveyed the landscape. Gray clouds hung over them, and fogged had rolled in, giving the woods surrounding her home a sinister feel. It matched the dark mood that had settled over her household.
For two days, they’d been inundated with drenching downpours. It was great for the dry spell the area suffered from. The weatherman claimed they were no longer under a drought warning. He’d delivered the week’s weather forecast with a smile while every single person staying under her roof—shifter and human alike—grumbled.
Her place was too small for the number of people in it. Josh’s parents were sleeping on an air mattress in the dining room because Josh’s mother couldn’t climb the steps. Mira and Megan were bunking with the boys. Josh and surprisingly, Devin, had the spare bedroom Megan had used on the first night. And the tiny room smack-dab in the middle was shared between Kade and Xander when they weren’t out in the rain patrolling the grounds.
Zach and Evan had the worst sleeping conditions—the chair in Mr. Wilkins’ hospital room. They’d decided not to take any chances with his life and had pulled strings to guarantee twenty-four hour surveillance. Well, they’d lied. She wasn’t about to sugarcoat their actions. They’d provided some documentation claiming they were related to him, then gifted the hospital with a large donation as long as they could stay with him.
Jazz was certain it was the sorely needed money for the funds-strapped hospital, along with the phone call from some colonel, that swayed them to break their rules more than the lame story Zach and Evan had come up with. No matter, the end result was the same.
All the people Jazz loved were safe. Sure, there were friends in town and some distant cousins scattered throughout the state but her seclusion had cut most of them out of her life. A few phone calls, here and there, were the extent of her interactions with them. Rafe didn’t believe Jon would target them. Jazz agreed.
Everyone in danger was here. Safe. That was a good thing but going into the third day since Jon had last struck—killing Cindy—nothing had happened. The waiting was driving her nuts. Jazz wanted the threat to them eliminated, once and for all. Any more catastrophes, and she’d scream.
The place was constantly messy, and tempers were flying. So many fistfights had broken out that even Josh’s mom didn’t bat an eye anymore.
Everyone was miserable—except for her and Rafe. Their days were spent talking and playing with the kids, while their nights were filled with passionate, hot, and sweaty sex. Throw in a good dose of oral stimulation and a little “punishment” and she was sated and happier than she’d thought possible.
She loved him. No doubt. No questions. After only a few days, she shouldn’t feel so sure, so confident in her choice, but she was. Rafe was the man she wanted to spend her life with…her immortal life.
Her decision was made. She was mating Rafe, but the conversation she’d overheard earlier in the day had made her doubts flare. Rafe was hiding something from her. Not about his love for her. He hadn’t come out and said the words, I love you. Neither had she, though. It was something else. Something big. She just didn’t know what.
Xander had asked Rafe if he thought she was strong enough to be a shifter’s mate, and Rafe had only grunted. Not the enthusiastic response she’d expected. He’d only ever told her how grateful he was to have found her. It had annoyed Jazz that Rafe wouldn’t proclaim the same to his friend, but she could understand not wanting to talk about emotional things with another guy. It was Xander’s parting words that sent Jazz running to her room and left her questioning Rafe.
“Well, I hope she makes it through the mating. You look good together.”
Just what was Rafe hiding about the mating? And if he was keeping details from her that involved tying her soul to his, what else was he failing to tell her about?
The bedroom door clicked, announcing Rafe’s presence, but she didn’t hear his approach. He shared many of the same traits his animal spirits did. Stealth and stubbornness being the biggest ones. Both had helped him capture her. He hadn’t given up until he’d gotten exactly what he wanted. Not that she minded. It was his evasiveness she didn’t like.
He linked his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck, pressing kisses to her skin. She relaxed into his arms, a reaction she couldn’t stop. It felt right being with him, despite the uneasiness of her thoughts. She let her head rest against his chest.
“I missed you.”
She laughed softly. “How did you ever survive? You haven’t seen me for what…ten minutes?”
“Fifteen. That’s too long.” He nipped her shoulder, then licked the sting away. “My cats were beginning to whine. They don’t like going so long without hearing your voice. They worry because they’re not close enough to protect you.”
Jazz stroked the arms holding her and savored his words, but they didn’t snuff out the doubt that had taken root within her. “The minute I met you, I knew you were a sweet-talker. You always know exactly what to say to make me feel special.”
“You are special. No other female can take your place, and no one will ever take you from me.”
He’d said the same thing many times, but the growl to his words suggested there was another reason behind them beyond his possessiveness.
“What has Jon done?” She’d bet money that was the source of his anger.
“Devin found evidence of where we think Jon has been staying.”
She turned in his arms and took in the careful mask he wore. “That’s good. Isn’t it?”
“Yes. This might be our best chance to grab him. I’ve called Zach back to help watch the house, and I’m going to meet Devin. We’ll wait for Jon to return, then I’ll take him out once and for all.”
“But why do you have to go? Send Kade or let Devin handle it.”
Rafe leaned closer until his full feline eyes filled her vision. “I wasn’t there to save you from those bear shifters. I didn’t rescue you from Jon when he had his filthy hands on you. And I wasn’t the one who chased off Jon’s lion form. Three times I failed you. It won’t happen again.”
She sighed. It was the response she’d expected. It didn’t ease her disappointment. Rafe was using those instances as an excuse for revenge. Yes, she understood that Jon needed to be taken out. Everything that had happened since he’d groped her had proven that. She just couldn’t see why Rafe had to do it.
“You didn’t even know me five years ago. That doesn’t count and—”
“Yes. It does.” He snapped his teeth together. “You are my true mate, and you were mine five years ago. You were mine the minute you took your first breath. Every bad thing that has ever happened to you is ultimately my fault. I wasn’t there to protect you.”
Rafe kicked off his shoes and tossed his shirt. He picked up the syringe from the nightstand, the one filled with the chemical to mask his scent, and jabbed it into his arm, depressing the plunger. He put the cap back on and tossed it in the wastebasket.
“And you’re not going to be here for me now!”
He stopped with his hand on the button of his jeans and glanced at her.
She rushed forward. “You’re leaving your brothers and your friend to guard me while you go off hunting Jon. How is that protecting me?”
Rafe cupped her face in his hands and brushed his lips over hers. “It is protecting you. I know you don’t understand. You’re only human.”
“Only human.” Jazz shoved away from him. “Seriously. Is that what you’re going to drop on me? Only human? I thought I was strong, beautiful, brave. I did manage to protect your nephews for five years on my own. Even Kade respects me for that.”
“And so do I. You are the best female a male could ask for.”
“But I’m only human. Not quite strong enough to make it as your mate.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but what I meant by you’re only human is that you aren’t driven by your instincts. Do you remember when Devin attacked Josh?”
“Yes.”
“His cats urged him to do that. They viewed him as a threat to Mira. And do you know how animals deal with people who they think will hurt their loved ones?” He crouched so he was eye-level with her. “They kill them. If their enemies stop breathing, they won’t hurt anyone.”
Rafe tapped his head. “That’s what I’ve been dealing with since the night Jon and I argued. My cats were wary of him, but I let him go. I just let him walk away. You know what he did then?” He narrowed his eyes but continued before she could answer. “He cut off my dad’s head, and my mom died too since they were soul-bonded. She dropped over dead, right as I was talking to her.”
Jazz reached for him, but Rafe jumped back and shoved roughly at the strands of his hair that had fallen into his face. “Jon destroyed my family because I let him walk away. I won’t let him take our family. That’s what this comes down to.”
“No matter how you choose to rationalize it, you’re still acting on your need for revenge. Stay here and—”
“You will be protected. My brothers and Xander would give their lives for you.” He kicked off his jeans and walked naked to their bedroom door.
She wasn’t going to win the argument. In his mind—a shifter’s mind that was influenced by his cats—he was doing the right thing. She even understood where he was coming from. It didn’t mean she agreed with him. He was still placing his misconstrued beliefs before her.
Time for a different approach. “What if it’s a trap?”
He shrugged. “It probably is, but if he wants to play, I’m game.”
“I know you’re immortal, but—”
Rafe glanced over his shoulder and leveled her with a hard look. “This is not up for discussion. I’m going, and you will stay here where Kade and Xander can keep an eye on you.”
She stared at him wide-eyed. “Excuse me?”
He parted his mouth slightly on an inhale.
She stormed closer to him. “You don’t need to scent my emotions. I’m angry. That shouldn’t be too hard to figure out.”
“Why? Because Jon is likely baiting me?” He nodded as if he’d pinpointed the trigger for her bad mood. “I told you—”
“Exactly. You told me.” Her skin warmed. Her pulse sped. She fisted her hands to hide the slight tremble in them. “Don’t my concerns matter? I thought you said nothing was more important than me? Well, I have a problem with you running off on a vigilante hunt!”
“Of course your opinion matters.” He opened his arms to her. “I’m sorry.”
She stepped into his embrace. “Then listen to me when I tell you that you’re letting your cats’ primitive drives influence you.”
“Now you’re telling me.” Rafe raised a brow. “Are you sure you’re not the one looking for reasons to get what you want?”
Jazz glanced away. That was exactly what she was doing, but she had a good reason.
Didn’t she?
She worried her lip. Maybe Rafe had a point, but it didn’t change anything. He was being stubborn. He too was safer staying at the house. What if something horrible happened? What if he lost his head?
“Mate me now,” she blurted.
He blinked at her but didn’t say anything.
“Do you think Jazz is strong enough to be a shifter’s mate?” Xander’s question echoed within her.
She grasped Rafe’s hand. “Or did you change your mind?”
“I didn’t change my mind. You’re my true mate. I want to spend my eternity with you. This world and the next.”
“And that’s how I feel. If the unthinkable happens and you’re killed, I don’t want to lose my chance to be with you, even if it means I have to spend it with you in heaven.”
He kissed her hard, and they explored each other—give and take. She poured her feelings into the raw kiss, showing him how much she loved him. He finally pulled back, leaving her panting and hungry for more.
“You are amazing, my Jasmine, but you’re worrying over nothing. I’m a Royal. Strong. Jon is nothing to me. He can’t hurt me.”
“And I’m strong too. Strong enough to be a shifter’s mate. And I will make it through the mating. I can handle a little pain if it means getting to love you for eternity, even if you are the most stubborn man I’ve ever known.” She tugged at her shirt, exposing her shoulder. “Just do it quick. Bite me, then go after Jon.”
He studied her for a long moment, then sighed. “I can’t. I won’t be able to leave your side while your body recovers from death. You’ll need my strength and my comfort to deal with the pain. It’ll be days until the bond is complete and you’re healthy again.”
Her chest squeezed tight. “Death? What are you talking about?”
“I had planned to sit you down after this situation with Jon was over and explain everything to you.” Rafe rubbed at his eyes. “But it’s obvious that was the wrong choice. You overheard Xander talking to me, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” The word came out as a squeak.
“I didn’t think you were close enough.”
“Well, I was.” She raised her chin. “Now explain it to me.”
“In order for me to share my immortality with you, we must soul-bond. That means after I tie our souls, I’ll need to tie my cats’ souls to you. The only way to do that is to join us while your body is at its weakest so you are less likely to fight me.”
“Why would I fight you? If I’m committing to you, I’ll welcome your claim.”
“No matter how much you love me or want to stay with me, you’ll instinctively resist. Your trust in me is what will ensure our bond is successful. The process is”—he cracked his jaw—“painful. It’s also frightening for humans. I will be taking a piece of your soul and so will my animals. I will know you. Every intimate detail. Your memories. Your weaknesses. Your fears. I will experience it all. So will my cats.”
“And if you don’t like what you see?”
“I will. You are a beautiful, loving person. Strong and brave. Worthy. I’m lucky to have found you.” His words rushed out.
She narrowed her eyes. She wasn’t letting this go. “And if your cats don’t like what they see?”
He stared at her for a long moment, then rolled his shoulders. “They will. They—”
“And if your cats don’t like what they see?”
He grabbed a handful of his hair and tugged it hard. “Don’t make me say it.”
“Don’t make me ask again.”
“Any one of them can refuse you. They are individual entities with free will. I can’t force them to accept you, but they will. You’re our true mate. I don’t doubt them. If I did, I wouldn’t have even brought up the subject of mating.”
“And if one of them refuses me, I die. For good. That’s what you’re telling me.”
“Yes. If I had been born a single shifter, it wouldn’t be so traumatic. I wouldn’t have to…” He balled his fists. “I wouldn’t have to inflict a death wound in order to mate you.”
When he said it like that, the idea of mating lost its romantic appeal. She reached for the wall to brace her suddenly shaky legs. Rafe got to her first. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and hugged her close. “This isn’t how I planned our conversation about mating to go.”
“And when exactly were you going to share that little detail?”
“After I knew for certain that you not only love me but would trust me with your life. Why do you think I’m so anxious to get rid of Jon? Yes, it’s because I want him to pay for his crimes, but I also want him out of the picture so that I can earn your trust. I guess I also want”—he sighed, and his warm breath stirred her hair—“to prove to myself that I can protect you. Knowing first Josh and then Devin protected you instead of me makes me doubt myself.”
He chuckled, the sound bitter and raw. “That’s not something many dominant males would admit, but for you, I will. I doubt that I’m worthy of you, and if I fail you when we mate, I—”
“Shh, don’t say it. You won’t fail me. I trust you.”
He tightened his arms around her and simply held her. “My father cautioned each of his sons not to be in a rush to pick a mate. A breeding partner only warmed a male’s bed, not his heart. You do both.”
With that, Rafe eased back. “I must do this. I need to prove to myself that I can be the mate you deserve.”
Love rushed up. She nodded quickly. “Okay, but hurry home.”
His smile turned her heart over. “I will. Promise.”
She followed his retreating back with her gaze, then stood there until she heard the front door bang shut, before she rushed down the stairs.
Kade met her gaze. Going by the sympathetic expression he wore, he’d heard the fight she’d had with Rafe. She studied Rafe’s twin, then crossed her arms over her chest. “How did you get stuck with inside babysitting duty? I thought it was Xander’s turn.”
Kade shoved his hands in his front pockets. “It was. Xander’s pulling double duty patrolling because Rafe ord—” He smirked. “Because Rafe asked me very nicely if I would stay inside.”
Ordered him, then. She shook her head. “And you agreed because?”
“Because Rafe is my twin, and if anything happened to you, he’d kill himself.” Kade leveled a hard look at her. “I don’t ever want to lose him. It’s why I’m in this role to begin with.”
“He didn’t want to lead your family?”
“Yes and no. I didn’t want to be alpha. Rafe convinced me to accept the spirit. Now I know why.” Kade motioned toward her with a jerk of his chin. “You.”
“Me?”
“Subconsciously, he must’ve known his mate would be a human. If he’d been leader, he wouldn’t have been able to claim you, even if he’d wanted to.”
“Because I can’t have his babies, and he’d need a son to pass on the spirit of your family if he died.”
Kade grinned. “Exactly, sure in desperate times, any male feline shifter can accept the spirit, but it wants to remain with a direct bloodline.”
“How long have you held the spirit? Aren’t you getting the urge to mate?”
“Not mate, breed. My cats could care less who I choose as long as she’ll birth us strong kids.” Kade glanced at her. “But I don’t want to be that male who only touches his mate when he wants sex. My parents were true mates. I saw the difference. I see it with you and Rafe. Unless I’m in a position where I must mate a female in order to produce an heir, I’ll fight my stubborn cats until I meet my true mate.”
Josh walked into the room, stopping Jazz from asking Kade more questions. Josh leaned against the wall a few feet from Kade. “I saw Rafe leave. If you’re in here, who else is patrolling with Xander?”
“Nobody.”
Josh straightened. “What do you mean? We’ve always had two of you in the woods. One patrolling. One sitting and watching the house.”
“Zach’s on his way over. He’ll be here in a few minutes.”
“And that’s a few minutes too long.” Josh moved toward the door. “I’ll go sit outside and keep an eye on the woods.”
Kade grabbed his arm. “No, you won’t.”
“Why? Because I’m human?”
“Yes. I’m sorry if that hurts your pride, but it’s a fact you can’t change. You will never be faster or stronger than a shifter. Jon might be old by shifter standards, but he’d still gut you with one swipe of his claw.”
“I held my own against Devin.”
“You held your own against a male who was fighting the influence of his cats. If he’d given in to them immediately, you wouldn’t have even landed the first punch.”
“Fine. I won’t leave the front porch, and I’ll yell if I see something. I won’t move an inch off my seat.”
Kade crossed his arms over his chest. “No.”
“Son of a bi—” Josh clamped his mouth shut and glanced at the hallway.
Josh’s parents, Mira, and the kids shuffled in from the kitchen with bags of chips.
Jazz laid her hand on Josh’s arm. “Come on. Help me pick a movie for the kids.”
“Sure. Might as well. Doesn’t look like I’m good for anything else.”
Josh picked the first one. With nothing else to do but worry, she sat on the arm of the sofa to watch an animated flick she’d seen dozens of times. The opening scene played. Singing filled the room, but her gaze kept straying to the door.
Kade motioned her over.
“Rafe loves you. That is why he’s so desperate to take out Jon. He doesn’t want to risk losing you to him. Nor does he want to spend the next several decades looking over his shoulder, waiting for Jon to die of old age.”
“Rafe told you he loves me?”
A lopsided smile spread on Kade’s face. “No, but I know my twin.” He rested his hand over his heart. “We’re connected. I feel his devotion to you. It’s a first for him.”
Jazz glanced over her shoulder at where Josh sat. “Hasn’t Rafe ever been in love?”
“There are many types of love. Once you’ve lived a few centuries, you’ll realize that. Rafe has been infatuated with women. Lusted after them. Cared for them. Never has he loved. It wasn’t for lack of available women.” Kade shook his head. “Many single shifter fathers have paraded their daughters before him, hoping to entice my twin into choosing one of them as his mate. Rafe refused to even kiss any of them, let alone mate them.”
She was glad but couldn’t help asking, “Why?”
“There aren’t that many Royals. We just don’t reproduce well. It takes four conceptions to occur at once in order for a Royal to be born. So the female who snags one of us is prized and gets the social boost mating into royalty brings. And if the single shifter female can convince her Royal mate to soul-bond with her, she’ll have immortality.”
Kade’s annoyed tone suggested he didn’t like the constant female attention either. Honestly, if she had men interested in her only for what they could gain by being with her, she’d be irritated too.
“And that’s what the single shifters ultimately want. Immortality?”
He shook his head. “Not all. Many are content with their fate. They live several centuries, die, and are then reborn to do it over again. For those who screw up the first time around, the promise of another try isn’t so bad. I wouldn’t mind a do-over.”
“A do-over?” She smiled. “I think I like you Kade.”
Kade squeezed her hand. “And I like you, Jazz.” He released her. “I’m going to go sit on the porch. I think I’ve watched this movie five times already. Besides, Josh is right. Somebody should be outside until Zach gets here. You’re safe with Mira. Devin might be protective of her, but she’s more vicious than many males I know.”
Josh jumped from the couch as Kade reached the front door. “Wait for me.”
Kade peered over his shoulder. “You’re coming too?”
“Yeah, unless it’s not safe for me sitting mere feet from the Alexander pride leader.”
Kade flung the door open. “Let’s go.”
She grinned at Josh’s eagerness to escape the musical torture session. Josh might love her boys, but he’d never been a big fan of television or cute kid shows. It’d be fun watching him adjust to living with Megan.
Jazz made her way back to the couch, but Seth hopped from his spot on the floor and headed toward the kitchen.
“Hey, kiddo, where you going?”
“Need a soda,” he called out.
Her heart skipped a beat. She ran after him and grabbed his arm before he opened the fridge door.
“You know the rules, Seth. If you’re not in your room, you stay with an adult.”
He groaned and rolled his eyes. “But Mom, I’m only getting a soda.”
She swept her arm dramatically to encompass the room. “And where is the adult in here to watch you?”
He dropped his gaze. “I’m sorry.”
She gave him a quick hug. “I know this is hard. We only have to do this a little while longer. Just until the bad guy is caught.”
He glanced at her through strands of brown hair that had fallen over one eye. “I’m tired of being in the house. I want to go outside and play.”
She hated keeping them cooped up too. Kids needed to run, to burn off energy. “I know. Soon. Okay?”
“Okay, Mom.”
She ruffled his hair, then opened the fridge. “Orange or cola?”
He didn’t answer.
“Seth?”
He stood at the patio door with his hands cupped to the glass.
“What do you see?”
Seth slid the door open and stepped onto the deck without responding. Her throat squeezed tight. She ran after him. Mist was falling. She slid across the wet boards but made it down the steps and grabbed him.
“Seth, where do you think you’re going?” She hated raising her voice but fear drove her temper. Instead of waiting for an answer, she tugged him to the steps. “Back inside, young man. It’s too dangerous out here.”
Seth pointed with a trembling hand. “Peggy Sue.”
Jazz looked in the direction he indicated. Peggy Sue, who was supposed to be with another neighbor, was limping toward them through the woods. The older dog stumbled, and Jazz gasped.
“Peggy Sue.” Seth wiggled out of her arms and took off.
“Seth, no!”
She followed and slipped on the wet leaves. Her knees hit the ground. Something sharp pressed into her skin. She yelped. Jazz pushed to her feet. Pain radiated through her leg. She ignored it and ran forward, following Seth into the shaded area but skidded to a stop after only a few feet.
Jon held Seth flush to his chest with a hand wrapped around Seth’s neck. Seth’s wide-eyed gaze was locked on to her, while Jon’s leering one perused her body.
She curled her fingers, wishing she could unleash claws. She wanted to rip Jon’s neck out for daring to put his hands on Seth.
“Hey there, sweet thing. I’ve been waiting for my chance to get you alone.”
“Let him go,” she ordered.
Jon tightened his grip on Seth’s throat, and Seth whimpered.
Jazz stepped forward. “Don’t do it, Jon. It’s me you want, not the boy.”
Snarls came from behind her. She risked a quick peek and found an enraged lion crouched, huge fangs bared. Kade, she assumed, but it didn’t matter which shifter stood behind her. He was one of the good guys. A wolf approached behind Jon. She’d never felt so relieved in her life to be surrounded by predators.
“See? Did you really think we’d be without protection? Let the child go, and you can have me.”
“No. He’s my brat. I’ll do anything I want with the kid, including selling his ass.” Jon gave Seth a little shake. “Or kill him. That’ll anger his mom good. She’ll regret leaving me then.”
That was what this was about? He wanted to punish Nina for escaping?
Rafe, where are you? I don’t know how to stop Jon. Her hands shook, and her eyes burned. She was going to fail her son.
“Trust your instincts.” Nina’s words repeated in Jazz’s head.
Yes, she’d do that, but it wasn’t her gut feelings she was going to put her faith in. It was Rafe’s. He’d save them. She had to believe that. He just needed time to get here.
“You came looking for Nina, is that it?” Jazz asked to keep Jon talking.
“No. Seeing these little shits at the old human’s place was an unexpected find. Maybe the goddesses haven’t forsaken me. Now I can get my female back, along with the girl.”
“What girl? Megan?”
Jon shook his head. “Molly.”
But he hadn’t known how to find her. That was why he didn’t go after Megan following the fire and why he’d strung Cindy along. Jon had wanted information. Jazz’s thoughts felt right. Why else play games with them?
“Why Molly?”
“She’s our only success. The doctors want to study her. Repeat their experiment with others.”
Jazz stepped forward at the same time as Xander, in his wolf form, crouched, readying for an attack. “She’s a child. You can’t—”
Jon looked over his shoulder at Xander. “You move, the kid dies. I’ll rip his head off.” Jon tightened his grip on Seth’s neck as if to prove his point. Blood dripped down Seth’s throat.
Xander froze.
Jon faced Jazz. “Enough games. Tell me where Nina is, and when I get to my car, I’ll let the boy go.”
“Don’t you want to know how to find Molly?”
“Nope. Cindy was nice enough to leave those pictures she sent you on her phone for me to forward on. Kid won’t do me any good anyway. I’m already mated. So tell me where to find Nina”—he held Seth up as if he were a prize—“and you can keep our boy.”
“Why should I tell you anything? I don’t believe you’ll let the child go. You’ll hurt him the minute you get to your car or try to run with him.”
Jon shrugged. “And? You’ll still have the other one. This one’s broken anyway.”
Her heart raced. “Broken? What are you talking about?”
He lifted Seth and stared into his face. “How many cats do you have, kid?”
Seth whimpered but didn’t answer. Jon bared his fangs, and Seth blurted, “Three.”
“Yeah? How many can you shift into?”
Seth shook his head, and more blood ran down his skin.
“Answer me!” Jon yelled.
“Two,” Seth sobbed.
Jon met Jazz’s gaze. “See? Kid’s broken.”
Two animals? Seth always talked about all three. He’d described them in detail and had even commented on their personalities. But…but she’d only ever seen him shift into his tiger or his jaguar. Never his lion.
“Oh god.” She pressed a hand to her stomach. How had she missed that?
“Tell me where my mate is, and we’ll call this even. You took two of my kids. I killed two of your friends. We’ll both go on our merry way.”
Murdering Tony and Cindy most certainly did not make it even. Instead of saying that, she nodded. “Okay, but not until we get to your car.”
He held out his hand, and the growls coming from behind her increased. Kade obviously didn’t approve of her plan. What was she supposed to do? She needed to get Seth away from Jon. The man was clearly unstable or desperate to get his mate back. Both options left him unpredictable. Neither was acceptable, not while he held Jazz’s son in his grasp.
Jazz laid her hand in Jon’s palm. He squeezed her fingers, tearing a scream from her as pain shot up her arm, then yanked her against him. Seth squeaked and fell to the ground.
She didn’t get the chance to see if he was okay. Jon dug claws into her stomach. She cried out, but he clamped his other hand over her mouth, stifling the scream. With the hand digging into her belly, he lifted her and tossed her over his shoulder. Her breath whooshed out. Agony whipped through her.
He hooked his arm over her thighs and ran. Each step he took radiated more piercing pain through her.
Seth’s crying carried over the snarls of the cats. She lifted her head. Josh held him against his chest. Kade—in his lion form—stepped next to Seth.
A wave of relief swept through her. Seth was safe.
Kade chuffed. She met his eyes. He flicked his gaze to the left then back to her. It was her only warning.
A roar rang out. Something rammed into Jon. She fell. More agony ripped into her belly, but she turned her head, desperate to see what was going on.
The scene playing out before her tore a strangled gasp from her throat. She pressed against the sharp sting in her chest. Wetness met her fingers. Blood. A lot of blood. It drenched her hand. She was hurt. Badly. The thought came easily, then skittered away. Her concern focused on the man she loved, not on her injuries.
Two lions fought in a brutal, fast fight she could barely follow. She kept her gaze locked on the black-maned one she knew was Rafe. He rose on his hind legs to meet the other cat’s snapping lunge. Rafe was taller. In this case, the extra height left him open for Jon’s attack, but Rafe countered it before she could scream a warning. He bared huge fangs and bit Jon’s shoulder. Jon rammed his head into Rafe’s chest, and they rolled before Rafe knocked Jon off.
Rafe was no longer the comforting male she’d snuggled with the night before. He was vicious—an enraged predator protecting his family.
He snarled and lunged at Jon but missed when the smaller lion rolled toward her. Fur brushed her leg, and the tuft of hair on his tail smacked against her arm. He snarled at her but never got the chance to bite. Rafe dug his claws into Jon’s flank and yanked him away from her. Jon didn’t stay down, though. He hopped to his feet and swayed.
He was hurt but wasn’t giving up. There was a crazed look in his eyes. He reminded her of how some druggies fought. Pain never registered in their brains the way it did for other people. They thought they were stronger. Invincible.
Until they crashed.
Rafe planted his body between where she was sprawled on the ground and Jon. Another cat, a white tiger with blue-gray stripes, came up on her left and Mira—in her jaguar form—approached on Jazz’s right.
Jon flicked his gaze between her protectors. He lowered the front of his body and leapt the same time Rafe did. Their bodies smacked. Their claws tore at each other’s flanks, but Rafe was obviously the stronger lion. He pushed Jon back, then clamped his mouth over Jon’s neck. She closed her eyes and tried to block out the horrible sounds.
Finally, silence descended. She pried open her eyelids. The branches above her head gave her a dappled view of the gray sky. After a moment, a black-maned lion came into view. The lion faded and the face of the man she loved stared down at her. His image wavered. She blinked. It didn’t help. Fuzziness distorted his sharp cheekbones.
“Rafe, you’re alive,” she mumbled. Or at least she thought she spoke. She couldn’t seem to get in enough air.
His lips moved, but she didn’t hear what he said. She opened her mouth to ask him to repeat himself, but blackness swept over her vision and took him away.