Claws and Effect (Small Town Shifters Book 1)

by Lola Kidd

  "Good," Tuck said. "They're ready to put this all behind them. Knox and Hayes feel pretty bad about scaring your mate. They aren't going to apologize or anything, but they would if they were... You know. Different."

  "Nice," Beau said. "The word you're looking for is nice. Or decent. Or honest. They aren't good."

  "They have their good moments," Tuck said. "You don't know them."

  "And I don't want to," Beau laughed.

  "Thanks for coming down, Tucker." Rhett stood up. "As long as they're going to leave Joseline alone, I'm fine with this whole thing, and I can't wait to put it behind me."

  Beau and Tuck looked at each other and laughed. Rhett's ears burned as he growled and left the building with Tuck and Beau calling after him to come back. They were just kidding, but he'd had enough for today. It was close to the time he usually went home, anyway. He didn't want to spend any more time in the office with those two and their jokes.

  He knew he was being stubborn and possibly stupid, but he was doing what he had to do. Joseline was better off without him. If she hadn't thought so, she would have stayed. At least he would get to see her again soon. Thanks to Brownie, there was no chance they would lose touch for at least a year.

  That dog was the bright spot in Rhett's new life. With no mate and no joy, he was glad to have a reason to get up each morning. He loved his job, but it was getting harder every day. He'd been so close to happiness, and it had been snatched away from him. He didn't know what the rest of his life was going to look like, but he was going to do his best to make it count for something.

  ***

  Today was the day. She was going to visit Lake Magnolia. The moment Rhett had left her apartment, she'd sat down and planned a visiting schedule for the rest of the year.

  She didn't want to seem too desperate, but she hated not being able to see her two boys every day. That was how she still thought of them. Her two guys. She was such an idiot. Even though she was back in her old apartment, surrounded by her old things, Joseline was finding it difficult to fall back into her old life.

  Nothing felt right anymore. She didn't know if anything would ever feel right again. The longer this went on, the more she felt like she had made a mistake. Maybe she should have stayed with Rhett, or at least told him what was on her mind. His confession had scared her, but it hadn't turned her off him completely.

  The fact that he would never approach her was the kicker. That was the part she couldn't quite get over. Even their first kiss had kind of been her. She had been the one who had leaned in first. He had brushed her hair and touched her face, but it was she who had actually moved.

  She didn't like that one bit. It made her doubt that he was into her. Combined with what he used to do for the dragons—what he had considered doing to her—made her feel like she couldn't trust him anymore. Maybe he was pulling a trick on her. Tucker couldn't get her to spend the night, so they'd sent in their closer. Or maybe that had been the plan all along: have Rhett swoop in and save her so she would be grateful and trust him.

  Joseline had Googled the different kinds of shifter magic, then had called one of her friends to ask about it. If a regular mind-wipe didn't work, sometimes, when the target was in a heightened emotional state, it did work. After sex would be the perfect time to test out whether it would work on her. He'd done it before; that was what he had alluded to. It had to be. That was why he'd told her and had been so worried about her finding out. If she had known, there was no chance she would have stayed with him.

  She was in her own bed, all by herself, and she was still thinking about him. Still wondering if anything he'd said were true. In a bed that didn't even smell of him, she was still kept awake by the memory of him.

  It had all felt real. He'd done a good job convincing her that he cared. In the back of her mind, she was holding out hope that it hadn't all been an act, that what he'd told her was true. People could change, and not all shifters were jerks who thought humans were trash. She'd heard terrible things about dragons. but Tucker had been nice.

  Rhett had worked for them, and now he didn't. He'd moved to a nearby town, but from the way he interacted with those teenagers, she was sure he didn't go to Abbott much.

  Joseline sat up in her bed. She wasn't going to get any more sleep. This was useless. She put on sweats, grabbed her coat, and left her apartment. She was going to visit him and Brownie the next morning, anyway. She could drive out now and relax at the diner until it was a more appropriate time to show up on someone's doorstep. He'd told her to come over first thing in the morning, but she wanted to wait until at least ten. Anything earlier would seem desperate.

  She didn't want him to know how much she missed him. Not yet. But when she saw him, she was going to talk to him. She needed to know. Was she his mate? If he were looking her in the eye, she didn't think he could lie to her, not about this. It wasn't making the first move. This was only gathering more information. If he told her yes, she would give him another chance. If he said no, she would leave him alone. As much as it hurt her, she couldn't pine after a man who had never wanted her.

  Being as unlucky as she was, this wasn't the worst that could happen. The worst-case scenario wasn't him telling her no. The worst case would be if he were still working with the dragons and she would leave his house with her mind all scrambled.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Rhett was pacing his living room while Brownie jumped around his feet, trying to get him to play. He bent and flipped the little guy onto his back and rubbed his belly. The puppy wiggled out of his grasp and ran to grab his favorite pillow. Rhett gently played tug of war with the dog, but his heart wasn't in it. He was too nervous.

  Joseline could be here at any moment, or she might not show up at all. She hadn't texted or called him this morning. It was already after eleven, and he had been sure she would get here at eight or nine. She was an early riser. She'd even said she wasn't a night person. She probably didn't want to see him anymore.

  He didn't blame her, not after what he'd told her. He wasn't trustworthy. There was no way to win in this situation. If he'd been honest right away, she never would have come home with him. If she hadn't trusted him then, the dragons would have taken her to Abbott and hurt her. Either way, they never would have gotten to know each other. His human side had needed the extra few days to know she was his mate.

  Mate.

  Rhett let go of the pillow, and Brownie fell back on his behind. That was his last-ditch effort. There was still one thing left to tell her. She didn't know the whole truth—she didn't know that she was his mate. It might not change her mind, but it was worth a try.

  As if on cue, there was a knock at the front door. Brownie ran over and barked. Rhett steadied himself and opened the door.

  "What the hell do you want?" he scowled. It was Hayes, one of the last people he wanted to see right now. "Actually, don't tell me. I have plans. Whatever it is, it can wait until this evening."

  "No, it can't. We haven't been able to reach Magnus for the last two days. We think he might have gone rogue."

  Rhett's heart fell. "You think he's in Lake Magnolia?"

  Hayes shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. We wanted to alert you, since at last contact, he was tailing you and the human woman."

  "Thank you."

  Rhett went inside and put Brownie in his kennel. He had to find Joseline. He tried calling her but got no answer. He would have to go to her apartment. He put in a call to the Keep and let Beau know what was going on, and asked him to keep his eyes peeled for Magnus or anything out of place.

  "You should go to the diner and get Joseline, then," Beau told him. "I don't think it's safe for her to be out and about alone."

  "Why the diner?" Rhett asked.

  "That's where I saw her last. Maybe a half-hour ago. She was talking to Lydia. I assume she's still there. You know how Lydia can keep people talking."

  Rhett ripped off his clothes and locked his front door. His tiger's paws hit the pavem
ent the moment the lock had turned. Nudity was frowned upon in public, even in the shifter town. People didn't like shifters like him letting their animals run in the daytime, either, but it couldn't be helped. He wouldn't have been able to keep his saber-tooth in check, and he didn't want to. She was in town, and she was in danger. He had to get to his mate.

  He covered the distance between his house and the diner in record time. His animal wasn't even winded when he got there. He shifted and stepped inside. People gasped, and Sheridan hurried over before he could take two steps past the door.

  "Can I get you a coat?" She reached under the hostess stand for the Lost and Found box. "You know you can't be naked in here, Rhett."

  "I'm looking for Joseline." He looked around the tables, but she wasn't at any of them. "I heard she was here with Lydia."

  Sheridan nodded. "She was. She left about ten minutes ago. She's dropping Lydia off at the library, and then I think she's going to your place."

  "Thanks."

  Rhett was out the door and on all fours again. The library wasn't that far from the diner. He debated going to his place and trying to meet her, but his animal vetoed that idea. When he neared the library, he saw that was the best choice.

  Joseline was leaning on her car in the library parking lot. Across from her, Magnus was speaking. That bastard.

  Rhett roared and charged forward, and they both looked over at him. Magus didn't make a move toward his mate. Rhett was able to hit the Pegasus before he had a chance to shift.

  Joseline screamed as he bit at Magnus's arms. "Stop! Rhett, stop it!"

  His animal wasn't going to quit. He had to make sure the threat was neutralized. He was going to have to kill Magnus.

  "I don't want to have to hurt you." Magnus had his hands inside Rhett's mouth. His blood was sliding down Rhett's throat. "I won't shift unless you make me. Look how close we are to your mate. Do you want to fight me here?"

  That got Rhett's attention. Magnus was right. If they fought, Joseline would get caught up in it, and that was the last thing he wanted.

  He backed off. He let Magnus go and retreated to stand in front of his mate.

  "Could you shift back?" Magnus asked, then surveyed his hands. They were covered in blood, and a few of his fingers were cut down to the bone. He didn't know how lucky he was to still have fingers. Rhett should have been able to sever his hands easily. Magnus had moved fast, and he was quite strong. Even in human form, the Pegasus shifter was a formidable foe.

  "You have the wrong idea." Joseline was shaking. She moved to go to Magnus, but the saber-toothed tiger stopped her.

  Rhett shifted back to human form. "He's rogue, Joseline. He hasn't been in contact with the dragons for days. They want to tell him to stand down, but he didn't get the memo."

  "I got the memo," Magnus said. "I'm not here to hurt your mate, you idiot. Next time, maybe get all the information before you attack someone. God, I can't believe you're a Keeper."

  "Nice try," Rhett spat. "I talked to Hayes. He told me you were going rogue."

  "I'm sure he told you that." Magnus licked at his hands. As he licked, the wounds started to disappear. "But I didn't go rogue. I wanted to speak with Joseline myself to hear her version of what happened. She's the only witness I haven't gotten to talk to. I like to be thorough before I conclude my investigation."

  "Since when do you investigate?" Rhett didn't believe a word Magnus was saying.

  "When I think my employers are lying to me."

  Joseline put her hand on his arm. "I believe him. He didn't try to hurt me. He's been standing far away and has only been asking me questions."

  Rhett cupped her face in his hands. "You're too trusting. You don't know this guy. He's bad news."

  "Maybe he used to be, but people change." Her eyes filled with tears. "You should give him a second chance."

  He nodded. "For you. I'm not going to let him get too close, and he's got to leave town after this."

  "Of course. I don't want to stay in this hovel, anyway." That was the Magnus he knew. "I've had all my questions answered. I have the full story. Your attack was unwarranted, but I'm glad to catch you here. Now I don't have to go searching for you."

  "I'm sorry," Rhett said. "I thought you were going to hurt her."

  Magnus cut his apology short. "Be careful whom you trust from Abbott. Tucker is out of the loop, as am I, but the others have something going on among them. This whole Murry thing has them spooked."

  "Do you think they did this?" Rhett asked.

  "I don't. But they know more than they're letting on. They have their secrets locked down tight over there. You should keep an eye on your people, too."

  "Are they dangerous?" Joseline asked. "To humans, I mean. Like, if I were here, would I be in danger? Would they try to wipe my mind again?"

  Magnus shrugged. "Not as long as you're with the Keeper. Their plans are bigger than one silly human woman. I wouldn't go out for a nighttime walk by myself if I were you, but you should be safe during the day. I don't know what's going on here, but I'm going to find out. Murry is fine, but I have a feeling there's something else going on."

  Rhett knew the feeling. "Let me know if you find anything. I've closed the case on my end, but I'm curious about all of this, too."

  Magnus nodded. "Sure. I'll see you around. Thanks for talking to me, Joseline. You're okay for a human."

  "Thanks." She put her arm around Rhett's waist. "You sure you're not going feral or rogue?"

  "I am not." He kissed her forehead. "Can we go back to my house? I'd like to talk with you."

  "I'd love to."

  No more secrets. He was going to tell her everything. If she still wanted to leave, that was fine. But he couldn't risk losing her again without having told her the full story.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  They were back at his house. She was waiting on the couch while Rhett put on clothes. She was still shaken by what had happened earlier. It had happened so fast. Magnus had come to speak with her, and then he was being attacked. For a minute, she'd thought it was someone sent by the dragons. But then she'd seen the fangs and familiar tawny fur. It was Rhett. Her fear didn't dissipate. She was still worried he was working for the dragons.

  She had to give him the benefit of the doubt. Magnus had, so why couldn't she?

  "Sorry," he said as he sat down on the couch next to her. "I was being ridiculous earlier. I acted without thinking. It looked like you were in danger, and I couldn't stop my animal. He was working on instinct. When he thought his mate was in danger, I couldn't stop him."

  She must have misheard him. "You mean friend. When he saw his buddy in danger, you couldn't control him."

  Rhett shook his head. "Mate. That's what I needed to tell you. What I should have told you sooner. You're my mate. I don't think you're my mate; I know. My saber-toothed tiger has known since the moment he first laid eyes on you. It took me a while to catch up, but I'm sure now. You're my mate, and I love you."

  Her eyes burned. "I wish you had told me sooner. This whole time, I've been wondering if you liked me or not. I was so scared to make a move or push things physically. I didn't want to come on too strong or move too fast."

  "I've wanted you so bad this whole time," he laughed. "I can't believe you wanted me too. Unbelievable."

  "Is it really?" She wiped her eyes. "Look at you. You're very handsome."

  "Thank you." He took her hand. "I want to be with you, but I don't know if we should live together. That's why I waited so long to tell you that you were my mate. I don't want you putting your life in danger just to be with me. Even now, with the dragons saying they're backing off, I'm not sure it will get better for you here."

  "Even if things are bad, I know you'll protect me. You've done a good job at it so far."

  He took her face in his hands. "No, seriously, I'm not sure I can keep you safe. I can't be with you twenty-four hours a day. I don't think you'd like that. I don't know what's going on with the shifters, but if
Magnus is worried, it probably isn't over yet."

  "You're scaring me."

  "Good. You should be scared. I want you to come into this with your eyes wide open. It might be smarter for you to get a new apartment and live there. No one will know where you live, and you'll be safer."

  "What about you? You can move with me, too."

  "No. I belong here with my kind. You saw what I am. I'll never be comfortable in the human world. I need to be here doing my job. That doesn't mean we can't be together. I want to be very clear about that. I still very much want to be with you."

  Joseline searched his eyes. "I want to come and live with you. If your place is here among your people, my place is here, too. I don't want to live away from you. If something is coming, I want to be by your side and face it with you. I know I'm kind of useless, but I'll find a way to contribute."

  Rhett laughed and kissed her. "You aren't useless. When you're next to me, I feel like I can take on a whole army. I would love to have you move in permanently."

  She kissed him. "Good. Because you won't be able to stop me."

  ***

  "I brought food and coffee," Sheridan called from the front door. She navigated around boxes to get to Rhett. "I heard you guys were working hard and thought I'd do my part to help."

  Beau took a cup of coffee from the tray. "Thanks. I could use this."

  "There's only one more car to unload," Tuck said, flopping down on the couch. "Can we take a break first and eat?"

  "Ask the little woman," Rhett said, throwing his hands up. "You know she's in charge of all this stuff."

  Joseline was orchestrating the final move. She was driving over the last of her things with Zach. He was sure she'd let them eat first, but he wanted to let her have the final say.

  "This is going to take forever to unpack," Sheridan said. "Where are you going to fit all this stuff?"

  "She's an organizer," Rhett said. "She'll make sure everything has its place."