“Got him,” Nugent shouted. Joel hissed and snarled in the bag, twisting the burlap in Nugent’s hand.
“Good.” Branker shoved her and kicked her hip. “Never fuck with a doctor.”
More lights flashed beyond Nugent’s shoulder. Red and blue. The cops. Hayden’s stomach lurched. She covered her mouth with both hands and bit back bile. Branker had her cat, sure, but he hadn’t won. She gathered her courage. No one fucked with her house or her cat, and they sure as hell didn’t have the right to lay a hand on her.
Chapter Four
Shit, shit, shit. Hayden scurried to her knees. The bag twisted and Joel’s growls sounded from behind the burlap. The fucktards had caught him. Granted, she hadn’t come up with the best plan for escape, but he’d shifted back to his cat form. He said he’d shift into the cat body if she wasn’t his mate, and he’d morphed before her eyes. She gasped for air and rose to her feet.
“Now, you ungrateful pussy.” Branker shook the bag. “Time for a sample.” He pulled a capped syringe from his breast pocket. The shiny tip caught the light when he tossed the cap onto the floor.
“No,” Hayden screamed.
Branker cackled, then jabbed the bag. No matter how much Joel scrambled, they’d stab him. She surged forward, only to have Branker whip his free arm out and slam into her chest. She ignored her pain and focused on Joel. Fucking fool didn’t even look for a vein. She knew damn well stabbing a cat in the ribs wasn’t going to yield much blood. Fury and frustration flooded her. She noted the flashing lights from the front window. The cops were there and probably waiting for someone to come out.
“Did I come into your house and break down your door?” Hayden grabbed Branker’s arm. She kicked with all her might. She connected with his balls, then recoiled and kicked again. “I didn’t take your stuff, you fucked with mine.” Her anger boiled with every kick, but the bag wobbled and not from Nugent shaking it.
“The cops will shoot you,” she screamed and punched Branker in the chest. “They’re waiting on you.”
“Bullshit,” Branker snarled and shoved her to the floor. The bag shook again. “Where’s my sample?” He whipped the needle from the burlap. “It’s green. What the fuck?”
Green? She stared at the liquid in the syringe. Not the standard red blood she’d expected. What the hell was wrong with Joel?
“Hands up.” Two police officers strode through the open front door and aimed at Branker. “Drop the bag and the syringe.”
Hayden put her hands in the air and shivered from her position on the floor. One wrong move and she’d get hurt.
“He’s worthless.” Branker threw the needle at the bulkier cop. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Both officers lunged forward. A tangle of bodies crashed on her floor. The bag flew through the air and landed on the far end of her couch.
Although every cell in her body cried out for her to snatch the bag, she remained still. Another police officer strode into the room. “Get these two out of here. I want them in separate cars.” He knelt next to Hayden, then offered his hand. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay. Bruised, but okay, but my cat -- he’s a shifter. I know you won’t believe me, but he can change into a human. I barely believe it myself.” She grasped his hand and stood. His blond hair curled out from under his hat and his green eyes shimmered like Joel’s did. “Please help me. I can’t lose him.”
The officer nodded to the floor. “We’ve got paramedics on the way.”
Hayden opened the bag and slid Joel’s lifeless body onto the carpet. The air rushed from her lungs. She petted his rumpled fur and felt for his pulse. Tears blurred her vision.
“I need the EMTs in here. They know what to do with shifters.” The officer knelt beside her. “We’ll get him help. They’re trained to handle supers and humans.”
Hayden rocked back on her heels. She gave the EMTs room to work on Joel. One administered another injection and the other held a tiny oxygen mask over Joel’s mouth. She swore her heart stopped while they pumped his frail chest. The male EMT massaged Joel’s ribs while the female EMT measured his pulse. What seemed like an eternity ticked by until the machine beeped.
“He’s breathing.” The EMT with the respirator removed the machine. “He’ll be in this form at least through the night. If the mating worked, then by morning you’ll know. Either way, his best bet is to sleep this off. Modern medicine isn’t equipped for shifters.”
“How do you know?” She crawled over to where Joel slept and stroked his side.
“Branker and Nugent are after all the shifters in town. Slone can explain better.” The EMT tipped his head while he packed up his gear.
The officer who’d helped her from the floor settled beside her once more. “I’m Lt. Slone.” He opened a notebook. “Go through the events of this evening, and don’t leave anything out.”
Hayden recounted her night. The date, seeing Joel afterwards, watching him shift and listening to him explain everything about himself. “Branker showed up, threatened us, and Joel shifted. Do you know about shifters? You don’t seem shocked.”
Slone cleared his throat, then closed the notebook. “I’m supposed to tell you that shifters don’t exist. What you saw tonight was a figment of your imagination. You and I know that’s a load of shit. Joel is a cat shifter just as much as I’m a wolf shifter. We exist. What Branker wants to do is extinguish shifters. He’s a bounty killer, but he hasn’t managed to kill anyone. Joel scared me. I thought he’d be the first victim.”
“Because he let them catch him?” She tipped her head to the side. A wolf shifter? So much for legends.
“Because Branker’s serum, whatever it is, is getting stronger. We can catch him, but he’s got splinter groups. Someone wants the shifters gone.” Slone stood. “Once Joel finds his mate, he’s safe. I’m hoping she’s you.” He straightened his uniform. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning to get a statement from Joel, if he’s able. Do you have somewhere you can go until the door is fixed?”
“I’ve got a couple friends who would help, but I don’t really want to go.” She scooped Joel into her arms. “I can’t leave my townhouse wide open like this.”
“My buddy Ridge” Slone flashed her a picture of the man -- “will be over in fifteen to guard it. He’s off tonight and tomorrow, so you’ll be fine. You can stick around while he’s here if you’d like. I’ll wait until he gets here so you feel safe.”
“I’d like to stay here, thank you.” Hayden waited until Slone strode out of her townhouse, before she carried Joel to her bed. She placed his limp body on the comforter and stroked his fur. “Just don’t die,” she murmured. “I love you.”
* * *
Joel groaned. He opened his eyes and stretched. When he looked down, instead of the cat body he expected to see, he lay in his human form next to Hayden. She still wore the rumpled T-shirt and sleep shorts. Blood was smeared on her hip and forearm. He bit back a growl. She wasn’t supposed to get hurt. Realization struck. He’d shifted into his feline form the night before. Unless the mating occurred, he wasn’t supposed to be able to switch back. And yet, he had.
Holy shit and halle-fucking-lujah. Hayden was his all along. He wanted to run, wanted to scream or tear into the bark of a maple tree. Hell, he wanted to make love to his mate. He’d been told things happened fast when the right person came along. Hayden suited him just fine. He’d gladly accept whatever teaching she’d give him.
But where the hell did he start? Joel moved the sheet aside, baring her lower back. He trailed his fingers over her silky skin, learning the way she felt and the tiny noises she made as she slept.
“Joel?” Hayden turned her head, then rolled onto her side. “Joel?” She moved her hair off her face. Her eyes widened. “You’re really here? You shifted back?”
“I’m here.” He stretched out beside her. “And all yours in any form.” Joel tucked her tight to his side, then cupped her jaw and kissed her. Hayden moaned into his mouth and crawled clos
er to him. God, he wanted to touch all of her. He rolled onto his back and pulled her astride his torso.
“I’m going to need you to teach me all this.” Joel caressed her sides. “But I’m a fast learner.”
Hayden sat up. She whipped her shirt up over her head to bare her breasts. Her nipples beaded and his mouth watered. She rocked her hips. “First, you kiss me. Show me you want me and that you need me.”
He sat up and wrapped his arms around her. “Want you very much,” he said between nips on her upper chest and neck. “Love you.” He slid his hands beneath the waistband of her sleep shorts and cupped her ass. No matter how many times he tasted her, he couldn’t get enough. He leaned back enough to rub his mouth over her taut nipple. When she cried out and tugged at his hair, he grinned and raked his teeth over her soft skin. His cock tapped her ass and his balls tingled.
Joel sucked hard on her breast and then let go with a pop. He moved to her other nipple and bit. Desire and lust ran rampant through his body. His thoughts fuzzed and the rest of the world faded away. His stresses, his past, none of it mattered -- just Hayden.
He tipped her back in his arms, then arranged her on the bed. Hayden flattened her hands on the mattress. “Joel,” she gasped. “More.”
Seeing her before him, he licked his lips and slid the sleep shorts down her legs. He dove between her thighs and kissed his way down her inner thigh to her pussy. The thatch of curls covering her slit tickled his nose, and the scent of her arousal imprinted itself on his brain. He spread her labia and flicked the tip of his tongue along the soft folds. Each whimper, sigh and murmur she made when he touched her, he catalogued for future reference.
Joel flattened his tongue and lapped at her pussy. He slipped one finger into her heat. Her cream flooded over him and he moaned against her skin. Hayden writhed and wrapped her legs around his shoulders.
“Joel.” She ran her fingers through his hair and squirmed. Her hands trembled and she clamped down on him tight from within. While he continued to stroke her with his tongue, Joel glanced at her closed eyes and pink-tinged cheeks.
Goddess, she looked beautiful. He added a second finger to her heat and pumped. Her legs shook and she rode his hand.
“Slow.” She nudged his face away. “Slow down, just a little.”
No way in hell could he slow down. He sucked on her clit, thrilled when she cried out and curled around him. Joel grinned. He needed to be inside her. Now.
Joel kissed her pussy and then sat back on his heels. He wiped her cream from his mouth and breathed in her spicy scent.
“Make love to me, Joel.” She opened her arms. “Come here.”
This, this was what he wanted. Her open for him, welcoming him and loving him. But unlike the first time, instinct took over. Power flowed through him. She belonged to him. He lined his cock up with her sopping cunt and pushed. In one stroke, he filled her.
“Yeah,” Hayden gasped and arched her back. She closed her eyes and her lips parted. “So good.”
Joel leaned over her and rocked his hips, pulling out of her, then plunging deep. His balls slapped her ass and the move sent sizzles straight to his brain. “Love you,” he groaned and grasped her hips. Each thrust, each time he filled her, his love for her grew stronger.
“Love you, Joel,” Hayden replied. Sweat glistened on her skin and he palmed her breast. Her hand covered his. Closer. Joel scooped her into his arms and placed her on his lap. Her eyes widened and her smile grew. She threw her arms around him and kissed him. Her tongue melded with his. Holy shit.
Hayden tipped her head back and moaned. “Close.”
“Me, too.” Rational thought left Joel’s brain. The sparks in his belly exploded. The overwhelming desire to claim his mate took hold. He latched onto her shoulder and bit, breaking the skin enough to leave a mark. At the same time, his cock tensed and he spurted seed deep into her pussy. Hayden shivered and cried out. She went limp in his embrace. Her breath warmed his shoulder.
“You bit me.” Hayden cuddled in his arms. “Was that part of the mating we had to do?”
“We already did, love. That just sealed the deal.” He sighed. Staying tangled up together sounded like the best way to spend the rest of the night… or day. He wasn’t sure what time it was any longer and didn’t care.
Hayden disengaged from him first, then climbed off the bed. She strolled across the room to the bathroom and returned a moment later. “Our guard is still out there.”
“Guard?” Fuck. Someone had heard them? He plopped backwards on the bed and groaned. “Who listened to us make love?”
“I’ll explain later, but I doubt he heard us.” Hayden draped her body atop his. Her hair slipped over her shoulders and dusted his chest. “So what do we do now? Do you shift at will or what?” She rested her chin on her folded hands. “Am I going to have to buy stock in cat food?”
“It’s a good thing you’re cute.” He wrapped his arms around her. “I can shift when I want to because I’ve found my mate.” He kissed her nose. “Love you, Hay.”
“I love you, too.”
“From now on, we learn about each other and make our bond stronger. I get to learn all the stuff I should already know and we grow old together.”
“Sounds like a plan I can live with.” She rubbed her breasts on his chest. “I don’t know how I managed to find a cat with class and a killer human form. I’ve got to be the luckiest girl in the world.” She grinned, but the smile faded. “What about the others? Do we have to help them?”
“My brothers? Hildy took care of them, and I assume they’ve got their own lives. That is, if they aren’t running from Branker’s men. I’d like to find them if you’re willing to help me.”
“Tomorrow. I’ve got a sexy man I want to play with right now.”
“I’m all yours.”
Epilogue
Joel squeezed Hayden’s hand and knocked on the door. “Hildy? Honey? It’s Joel… The little black kitten you gave to Hayden? Hildy?”
Hayden shuddered. “Maybe she went for a walk? It’s spooky. I’m not sure I want to tell her about us. I’m not sure I want to be here.”
“You’re my mate and my wife. I respect your fear, but I need closure. I won’t let anything or anyone hurt you. Promise.” He knocked again, but this time the door moved. “Hildegard?” He tipped his head. No sound. Nothing. With Hayden behind him, he inched into the house. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Dust lay on the furniture. Three of the windows flapped on the hinges. Curtains rustled and a piece of paper fluttered on what had been the dining room table.
A shiver ran up Joel’s spine. “This is spooky.” He smoothed out the paper.
Dear Kittens,
You’ve all been adopted out. I’m glad you’ve found homes and hope the magic served you well. If you’re reading this, it’s because my magic ran out. Take care of each other and your mates when you find them. The dangers are many, but the rewards are worth the hassle.
I’ll be watching you.
Love,
Hildegard
Joel scrubbed his hand over his mouth. “She’s gone.” The woman he considered his mother… gone.
“She wrote something down here.” Hayden pointed to lighter handwriting. “Joel plus Hayden. Ascher plus Penelope. Roman plus Jessa. Adrian plus Melissa. These must be your brothers and the women who adopted them.”
He leaned over the paper. Eraser flakes spread out across the sheet. “Someone tried to remove these names.” Joel met Hayden’s gaze. “We know where to start, but we’ve got to figure out who got the jump on us.”
“I’m right beside you. Thick and thin.” She grinned. “We’ve got the names. Let’s find your brothers.”
“I love you, Hay.” He snatched the paper from the table, then gathered her in his arms. “Forever.”
“I love you, too. Let’s go. We’ve got kitties to hunt down.”
“Yes, we do.”
Megan Slayer
When she’s not
writing the stories in her head, Megan Slayer can be found luxuriating in her hot tub with her two vampire Cabana boys, Luke and Jeremy. She has the tendency to run a tad too far with her muse, so she has to hide in the head of her alter ego, but the boys don’t seem to mind.
When she’s not obsessing over her whip collection, she can be found picking up her kidlet from school. She enjoys writing in all genres, but writing about men in love suits her fancy best.
Megan can be found at:
http://www.menagerieauthors.com (Megan’s current site)
http://theauthormeganslayer.blogspot.com/ (Menagerie blog)
http://menagerieauthors.blogspot.com/ (Megan’s personal blog)
http://twitter.com/#!/MeganSlayer (Megan on Twitter)
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000938063999 (Megan on Facebook)
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Menagerie-Authors/180690948613536 (Menagerie authors’ Facebook fan page)
http://changelingpress.com/author.php?uid=161 (Megan’s Changeling page)
Cat Class (Trick Or Treat) Page 3
