Lion’s Claim (Shifter Chronicles Book 6)

by Crissy Smith

Logan nodded. He wasn’t stupid and if a division was no longer needed there, they’d be moved to an office that was short-staffed.

  “One of the reasons I’m auditing all the case files for the past several years is because I need to find agents who will work well on their own.”

  If there was anything Logan was certain of, it was his work. He took great pains to make sure that every ‘i’ was dotted and every ‘t’ was crossed. Parsons wouldn’t find the same problems with his paperwork as Logan had seen with Ruiz’s. “What did you decide?”

  “I’ve already spoken to several of the senior agents over the last couple of days. You’ve been working out of the office, but I intended to get a hold of you today,” Parsons said.

  Even if it meant that he’d screwed up his career, Logan would not apologize for being in Brookside. He’d taken down two separate groups of individuals who would have hurt the residents there. “You’re transferring me,” Logan said. He didn’t need to ask—he knew in his gut.

  Parsons nodded. “I was going to move you to the Lake Worth division. Your old academy buddy Jamie Ward said they’d be happy to have you join the feline group. It would have been a real step-up for your career. The Lake Worth division is the biggest and most notable of all Coalition agencies.”

  “You said you were going to transfer me,” Logan pointed out. “You’re not anymore?” No, he silently begged. There was no way that he’d be able to continue seeing Annabelle if he moved to Arizona.

  “Another option became available,” Parsons told him. “So I’m going to let you pick.”

  If it was closer to Brookside, then Logan didn’t care if they sent him into the middle of nowhere. “Okay.”

  “I think I know your choice, but I do want to lay out both jobs,” Parsons stated.

  Logan nodded.

  “If you join the feline team in Lake Worth, there will be opportunity for you to lead an entire team within your species. They’re promoting some of their team leaders and are in need of strong shifters to fill those roles. It is the best thing for your career. You’ll be kept busy and probably get national recognition.”

  A week ago Logan would have done anything to get the chance of furthering his career. “My other option?”

  “I spoke to the sheriff of Brookside this morning. They’ve done a great job of keeping an entire town of shifters from the Coalition, but his requests for aid, along with what you’ve been doing the past several days, have made us re-evaluate that area.”

  Logan couldn’t believe it. Was the perfect job posting really just falling into his lap? “I see.”

  “You’d be the senior agent in Brookside and, while I can move a couple junior agents with you, for the most part you’d be on your own. You’d still get support from the closest Coalition agency, but you’ll office within the sheriff’s department and work hand in hand with the local force.”

  It was really hard for Logan to remain stoic when he wanted to jump for joy.

  “I can give you a couple of days to decide, but this office will be closing within two weeks.”

  “I don’t need a couple of weeks,” Logan assured his boss.

  “I didn’t think you would,” Parsons said, but he appeared somewhat disappointed.

  “I’ll take the position in Brookside,” Logan announced. The words felt so good coming out of his mouth. No more having to worry about the commute. He already cared about the residents of the small town. And best of all, he might have Annabelle in his bed every night.

  Parsons blinked at him. “What?”

  “Brookside,” Logan repeated.

  “I… I didn’t expect you to choose that one,” Parsons admitted. He shuffled a few papers on his desk, which seemed unusual.

  That was when he it hit Logan. “You didn’t expect it, but it’s what you wanted?” he guessed.

  Parsons looked up at him. “Honestly?”

  Logan nodded. He was really curious to see what his boss had to stay.

  “Yes, I think that Lake Worth would be best for your career, but I don’t think it would best for you,” Parsons said.

  “Okay.” Logan leaned forward, intrigued.

  “You’re one of the best agents who have ever worked under me. You didn’t join the Coalition for fame. You wanted to make a difference,” Parson said. “I think you could do that better in Brookside. They really need someone who will look out for their needs. If I put another agent there, I’m not sure that they’d connect the same as you seem to have.”

  “I agree,” Logan said. “I was comfortable there. Had a lot in common with the shifters I met. I don’t need to move up the chain of command. I just need to be able to do my job.”

  “I haven’t been so pleasantly surprised in such a long time,” Parsons told him.

  “What about Olivia?” Logan asked. His partner had been off for a while on personal leave, but he didn’t want to leave her to fend for herself.

  “I spoke to her yesterday. She hadn’t been certain she would be able to come here. She really is needed at home.”

  Logan had been worried about that. Olivia had kept pushing back her return date.

  “There’s an office in the city where her parents live and they had one opening. She accepted the position,” Parsons informed him. “I asked her not to tell you until I’d had a chance to give you the news myself.”

  “I’m glad she can stay by her family,” Logan said sincerely.

  “Since you’re going to take the Brookside position, I’m happy to say that I’ll still be your commander. You’ll send me all your reports. It’ll be a little longer for help, since the closest division will be over two hours away now, but the sheriff is willing to make any changes to his department for the joint calibration.”

  “It sounds good to me. You said I’d have access to junior agents?”

  “Yes,” Parson confirmed. “With the number of residents concentrated in that one area, I can give you part-time help. They’d be on call, again a couple of hours from you, but they’ll also be available to work with you three to four times a week.”

  “Can I make a request of who it might be?”

  “Sure,” Parsons replied. “I didn’t think you were close to any of the younger agents.”

  “I’m not,” he admitted. “But if Fredrick and Fabian are available, I wouldn’t mind working with them again. They’ve shown initiative and drive. The experience of working with different species would be good training.”

  “Ah.” Parsons smiled. “The wonder twins. Yes, I think it would do them some good and they’ll be happy to hear it. I’ll see what I can work out.”

  Pleased with the way the morning had gone, Logan relaxed. He wasn’t used to things working out in his favor. Struggling and always having to make his own way had hardened him, but Logan was getting a new chance at life. So many opportunities were coming at him. It was almost overwhelming.

  “Now start packing up your office and get out of here. You look beat down,” Parsons ordered.

  Laughing, he nodded. “It’s been a rough few days, but I’ve got to admit I’ve enjoyed it.”

  “Good.” Parsons stood and held out his hand. “I’ll be in touch.”

  He rose and shook the hand of the man he really admired. Logan was thankful that Parsons hadn’t just assumed he’d want to go to Lake Worth. By being given the choice, Logan had changed the direction he’d been headed in and couldn’t be happier. He was excited to tell Annabelle about the changes.

  There was still some uncertainly about their relationship. Logan was going to have to find a place to live, because it was probably too soon to move in with Annabelle, but just being in the same town was going to alter how they approached things.

  As he left Parsons’ office, he fingered his cell in his pocket. He could call her, but he’d much rather give her the news in person.

  At the threshold of his office, he peered around the room. He hadn’t personalized the space. On Olivia’s side, she had pictures of her family and love
d ones. He’d never had any he could put up, so Logan hadn’t decorated at all. Maybe Annabelle would help him set up his new office and he could snap a photo of them to hang.

  He’d need just one small box to get his belongings home. His apartment would be a little harder to pack up, but Logan now knew a few strong shifters who he didn’t think would mind helping him out.

  Logan spun on his heel to head to the supply closet to get a box and collided with Fabian.

  “Hey, Logan,” Fabian said, more reserved than Logan had ever heard.

  “How’s it going?” he asked.

  “Good.” Fabian looked past him into Logan’s office. “Do you need any help?”

  “No, man,” Logan slapped his shoulder. “I don’t have hardly anything.”

  “Oh.”

  “Isn’t everything okay?” Logan asked the younger shifter.

  “Did you really request me and Fredrick?”

  Was that not what Fabian wanted? He hadn’t meant to step on anyone’s toes or mess up their assignments. “Is that a problem? I can ask Parsons to reconsider.”

  “No!” Fabian practically shouted. He cleared his throat then spoke more quietly. “No, we don’t want that.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t understand what is happening here,” Logan admitted.

  “This morning we got our new postings and we were getting separated. I know that’s always a possibility and we’ve been lucky so far, but I wasn’t prepared for it. Fredrick is more than my brother. He’s my twin, I’m connected to him in a way that I can’t explain.”

  Logan nodded, not really sure what to say.

  “Parsons said since you requested us, we’d be able to office at the same division when not with you. We might have to work separate cases, which is okay, but we’d still be together,” Fabian said. “They were going to send us to different states.”

  “Then I’m glad I was able to change that. But I’ll work you hard and I’m a stickler for reports. If you do it wrong, I will make you redo the paperwork until I think it’s right.”

  “We’re not afraid of hard work,” Fabian stated with pride. “And we studied all the senior agents’ reports when we first got here. Yours are always the best and we already use your system.”

  “Good.” Logan appreciated the compliment. “Then I look forward to working more with you.”

  “So when do we start?” Fabian asked.

  “First thing Monday morning I want you both to be in Brookside. I’ll be set up by then and we’ll be getting caught up on the cases that the sheriff normally has to deal with. I’ll also set up a meeting for the afternoon with the Park service. We’re going to be working closely with the two departments to keep safe not only the Brookside residents, but all the tourists who go to see the forest.”

  Fabian nodded before sending Logan his customary cocky grin. “Shouldn’t be a problem. I plan to still be in town for my date this weekend, anyway.”

  Yeah, the kid was going to be just fine.

  And so was Logan.

  * * * *

  Annabelle looked over her favorite branch into the yard below. From her tree, she could see the entire back part of the bar. Duffy and Calvin were doing maintenance on their bikes as Mac, Trent, Carter and Kelly sat talking and laughing around a picnic table that they’d moved out there earlier.

  The barbecue grill that Trent had shown up with was smoking, sending the aroma of cooking meat into the air. Her stomach was already growling as she lounged up high.

  It wasn’t often they had a lazy afternoon just for themselves, but Mac had insisted after the mess with the fox troop the night before. No one had been seriously injured, but they’d all been scared. So they were taking time together, just enjoying themselves. Annabelle had immediately shifted and headed to her spot. She’d socialize later, but right then she wanted to lie back in the sunlight that beamed down on her.

  Annabelle closed her eyes and sighed. The only person missing from the day was Logan. He’d had to go back to work and Annabelle wasn’t sure when she’d see him again. Logan had promised to call after he’d kissed her goodbye, but Annabelle knew he had to be tired.

  Part of the reason she’d decided to nap in her tree was because she hadn’t been able to get back to sleep after Logan had left. How often was she going to have to watch him leave for work and not know when she’d see him again? She wasn’t used to not having the people she wanted to talk to right there.

  Since she didn’t have a choice, Annabelle was going to have to get past the feeling of disappointment. Logan liked his job and she wouldn’t stand in the way of that. There’d be times when she needed to help someone and wouldn’t be available to him. They’d work it out. They had to.

  Keeping her eyes closed, Annabelle rolled over onto her back, lifting her legs into the air. The warmth from the day beat down on her and she meowed happily. She let the sounds of her surroundings trickle to the back of her consciousness. What a perfect afternoon.

  The murmur of voices remained quiet enough that she felt connected to her family while still able to daydream. She hoped that over the weekend Logan might want to shift together. Annabelle was curious to see him as a lion and she didn’t think that her margay was going to have a problem transforming with him. Hell, she was on the verge of falling in love with him. Who would have thought that he’d have been Annabelle’s type? Logan was picky, a little on the stuffy side, with a clean-cut image. He was also powerful, dominant and bossy. The perfect combination.

  “Are you really asleep up there?”

  Annabelle blinked open her eyes before rolling over to look below. She wasn’t certain that she was really seeing him. She yowled at him in question.

  Logan laughed, waving her down. “Yes, I’m really here,” he said. “Now come here.”

  With great effort, she pulled herself from her nest and started down head-first.

  “Wow!” Logan exclaimed.

  Because of her flexible ankles, Annabelle was one of the few feline species that could pull off that move. It helped when hunting in the trees.

  “That’s unbelievable,” Logan praised.

  Halfway down the trunk, Annabelle stopped hanging on by her claws. Logan would probably catch her if she leaped at him. Even if he missed, she wouldn’t hurt herself landing on the ground.

  “Really?” he said. “You want to jump on me?”

  She really did.

  He sighed long and loud, but the smile on his face gave away his true feelings. “Fine.”

  Pushing off with her powerful back legs, Annabelle launched herself at him. Logan opened his arms and she landed easily within his embrace. She made sure to have her claws retracted so as not to injure him.

  Logan immediately lifted her up and nuzzled the top of her head. She purred, loving the sweet gesture.

  “I like seeing you like this,” Logan said. He began walking over to the picnic table and was greeted warmly by the others.

  “We didn’t expect you so soon,” Mac commented.

  “I know.” He ran his finger under her chin and Annabelle was in heaven. She wiggled around enough that she could bare her belly to him, silently asking for a good rub there. “I had something to talk to Annabelle about.”

  She stiffened.

  “Shh, it’s okay.” Logan did caress her belly. “Nothing bad, I promise.”

  With a quick swipe of her paw, she was able to wrap it around his wrist and pull his hand to her mouth. Annabelle had learned how to communicate as a margay since she loved shifting so much.

  “Ouch.” Logan pulled his thumb away after her tooth dug deep. “It’s not bad!”

  Guess I’ll have to wait and see.

  Mac and Trent were chuckling, but Annabelle hadn’t been trying to be cute. She was giving Logan a warning. Things were going well for them and an unexpected visit in the middle of the day didn’t bode well.

  “I’m going to take her inside so she can shift where we’ll be able to talk,” Logan said.

  “I
don’t know,” Trent replied. “At least this way, she can’t argue back.”

  Annabelle hissed at him.

  “Hey.” Logan thumbed her nose and she blinked at him in surprise. There was no way he’d just done that. She wasn’t an actual housecat.

  Trent was laughing so hard that he almost fell off the bench. Even if it came at her expense, she liked seeing him so happy.

  “Go on,” Mac said. “We still have a good while before the food’s ready. If you don’t return we’ll put the leftovers in the kitchen.”

  “Eww,” Carter bitched. “Did you really need to say that?”

  “Like you didn’t know what they were going to be doing,” Trent teased.

  “We don’t need to talk about it!” Carter cried.

  Annabelle knew that Carter was only playing around, so she swiped out as though she was going to claw at him. Logan pulled her back against his chest, though. She didn’t mind, since that put her close to the muscles she enjoyed so much.

  “Come on, hellcat,” Logan murmured to her as he carried her toward the back entrance.

  She didn’t know what he needed to talk to her about, but she wasn’t going to freak. No matter what he said, there had to be a way to make things work. Logan was still nuzzling her as he meandered down the hall to her room. He opened the door and gave her a kiss on her nose before dropping her onto the bed.

  “I really do need to talk to you.”

  Annabelle began her transformation back to human. It was easier for her than some of the others, since she made sure to change at least once a day. The longer a shifter went without transforming, the longer it took. The change didn’t hurt. It was just a little uncomfortable.

  In just a few moments, she was on her back in the middle of her bed, peering up at a grinning Logan. If he was this happy, then his news couldn’t be too terrible.

  “Okay, clothes,” he said. Logan bent to pick up the sweatpants and tank she’d discarded earlier.

  “What, you don’t want me naked?” she teased.

  He threw the clothing at her. “Not yet.”

  “Fine.” Giving him her best pout, Annabelle dressed. Once she was covered up, she glared at him. “Happy now?”