by Tia Louise
“I like riding the bus,” I say, giving her hand a squeeze before moving to the seat beside her. “It’s authentic.”
My oldest sister clears her throat. “Mercy…” A slide of blue eyes to her left, and I know what she’s communicating. “We’ve already set a place for you.”
“I was talking to Penny—”
“And you can continue from your seat across from her.” Her tone has the finality of an alpha, and I can’t disobey her in front of our guests.
Not that the Cross brothers are shifters or know about such things. More like Dylan would be livid at the thought of us fighting in front of an elder family. Hayden watches me round the table to his side, a cocky grin on his face. I want to take my buttered roll and rub it against his perfect nose.
“That’s a beautiful dress.” His low voice ripples through the air.
“It’s nothing special.”
I want to be difficult. I’m sick of Hayden being forced down my throat. Every person in this room — except possibly Penny — has some idea of who I should be, and not one of them cares in the slightest whether it lines up with what I want.
“I ran into Hal Junior this afternoon,” Dylan remarks as the server carries out our entrées. “He mentioned there might be an opening in the art department next year at the university. They’d like to add a pottery course.”
I almost drop my salad fork. “I am not interested in teaching. Especially not at a university known for science and astronomy.”
“It would be a great job for raising a family,” she continues, sounding more like a sixty-two year old than a thirty-two year old.
Reaching for my glass of red wine, I take a long sip to calm the fury tingling in my throat. I won’t even dignify that with an answer. She knows full well the only thing I’m looking for is a chance to get the hell out of here.
“I always wanted to teach,” Penny says with a sigh, trying to lighten the mood.
“You should send them your application,” I quip, replacing my glass. “You’re never too old to pursue your dreams.”
A plate of roast with dark brown gravy and mixed vegetables is set in front of me. The savory aroma makes my stomach grumble, and I pick up my knife.
“It would be a far better occupation for my future little sister than kickboxing instructor,” Grant says through a guffaw.
This time I do drop my knife. It hits the plate with a loud clang. “I’m sorry…” I can’t help the sputter in my tone. “Your what?”
“Grant has been over-served.” Hayden’s tone is icy as he glares across the table at his brother.
Pushing away from my place, I’m on my feet ready to bolt.
“Sit down, Mercy.” It’s a direct order from my alpha sister, but I’m blind with rage.
“I’ve lost my appetite.” The trembling in my muscles has reached my throat, and I need to get the fuck out of here. I need to strip off this dress, shift, and run hard, deep into the surrounding forest until I can breathe again.
“I said, Sit. Down.” She rises to her feet, and I can’t disobey her.
Still trembling, I pull the chair out and force myself to sit. The trembling doesn’t stop, and my hands are clenched tightly in my lap. I won’t even look at Hayden. I want him gone.
Thankfully, he stands, placing his napkin beside his plate.“If you’ll excuse me, Dylan. ladies. Grant and I have an urgent matter needing our attention. Grant?”
His hard voice slices through the air. I’ve never heard him speak this way, but I don’t care. I never want to see him again. I’ll give him credit for picking up on that much of what’s happening here tonight.
“Hayden…” Dylan’s voice by contrast is pure honey. “Must you go? We hardly even began dinner!”
“Forgive me, but we must.”
It’s only then I notice Grant wobbling slightly. I have no idea how long he was here before Hayden and I arrived from the gym. Clearly he’d had more than one pre-dinner cocktail, not that I give a shit. He spilled the beans. Now I know what they’ve all been plotting these last few years.
Dylan rises to see them out, leaving Aunt Penny and me alone together. I’m staring at the plate in front of me trying to find control.
“He’s not such a bad fellow,” she says quietly, fingering the base of her wine glass. “Some women find him very attractive.”
My blue eyes snap to hers. “He’s not one of us.”
She doesn’t answer right away. She doesn’t have time before Dylan strides quickly into the dining room, eyes blazing.
“How dare you!” My inner lynx flinches in response to her tone. She’s still my alpha, even if I’m pissed.
“How dare I what?” I growl.
“Hayden Cross is the most eligible bachelor in this town, and he’s taken an interest in you. Not that you do anything to deserve it.”
She paces the room, her dark brown hair fanning around her slim shoulders. She’s wearing a long, sheer wrap in a blue that makes her eyes glow. She’s a beautiful woman, but she’s so hard. The fact that we’ve never been close makes it easier for me to fight her.
Standing, I walk to where she’s stopped beside her chair, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“I don’t want to stay here, Dylan. I want to move to San Francisco. I want to be an artist and have my own studio.”
“Enough, Mercy! I’ve clearly overlooked your eccentric behavior too long. It stops NOW!”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Her hand slams down at her side, and her eyes drill into mine, making me cower slightly. “No more art classes with the townies, no more riding the bus. No more hanging out at that fucking gym—”
“NO!” I shout back at her.
SLAP! I stumble back from the force of her blow, and my arm hits the portable wet bar, causing the glass bottles to clatter against each other. I blink trying to regain my focus, and through the ringing in my ears, I hear Penny’s quiet whimpering.
Dylan faces me with both hands on her hips, her feet are spread in an aggressive stance, and her chest rises and falls rapidly.
I’m holding the side of my face. It hurts like hell, but I manage to speak, even if I’ve lost my edge. “Y-you let Autumn go…”
“Autumn has that privilege.”
Pain twists in my chest. “And I don’t?”
“No.”
The word hangs in the air between us. Nothing more is said. I’m breathing fast. She’s breathing fast, but it doesn’t matter. The conversation is over, and I’m left with only two options: do as she says or fight. I know which one I’ll choose.
“You’re the worst alpha I’ve ever known.”
“And you’re a spoiled, ignorant brat.”
She’s not backing down, but neither am I. Without another word, I go to the front door. I’m outside, pulling the hem of my dress up and over my head as I run. The design of it with thin spaghetti straps means I don’t wear a bra, and I don’t hesitate to rip the thong from my body as I lean forward, lunging into my shifter form.
Four paws hit the ground, and I’m running hard into the night. It’s late, and all I care about is burning away the pain of her words — the pain of having such a hateful bitch of an alpha sister, who only cares about money and status. She’s never cared about me. She never will. I want my mom.
Even in my shifter form, even running, I hiccup a sob at the thought. I miss my kind, beautiful mother. As I cover the miles, I remember her holding me on her lap when I was a little girl. I remember her rich, comforting voice as she would thread her fingers through my dark hair. I remember the beauty of her words…
“You’re a lynx, Mercy. One of the most magical creatures. Native peoples invoked us to help them find things elusive and rare. We teach mortals to trust their instincts, to be alert. We give them extra-sensory perception.”
Mother would have loved that I’m not a snob. She would have loved that I want to be an artist. She would have encouraged me to move to San Francisco and pursue my po
ttery and sculpture.
The females in the lynx clan pass the authority. Although my mother had loved my father and trusted his advice implicitly, it was the old way. Our females are our alphas; they make the final decisions.
Now Dylan is trying to turn our pack into some kind of male-centric group, only interested in men’s needs or desires. She’s reducing us to their subordinates, only good for being at home and making babies. My career, my dreams would always be secondary to Hayden’s. He would force me to be his well-behaved wife, and he’s not even a shifter! She’s perverting the lynx order, and I have the right to fight her power.
Indignation drives me on. I’m not going back there tonight. Dylan can twist in her worry that I’ve left for good this time. The only person I care about is Penny. I hate to make her lose sleep. Still, it can’t be helped.
I’m at the cliffs overlooking The Observatory when I pause to catch my breath and scent the air. It’s a beautiful fall night, crisp and clear. I’ve started to calm when I take a few steps forward, toward the small creek.
Dipping my head, I lap the cool water, and when I lift it again, I scent him. A cat-shifter, and a powerful one.
I don’t move. All the anger swirling inside me disappears as I take another sniff. He’s new to these woods. I’ve never scented him before. Who is he? Why is he here?
Backing into the cover of brush, I can’t help wanting to investigate. I’m curious by nature. Still, I’m small, and while I’m not afraid, my self-defense classes have taught me to be smart.
I’ll see what I can discover before making my presence known.
* * *
Koa
Southern Indiana has never been on my radar. It’s never even entered my realm of possibilities. I’d been making good time across the continent. The weather had cooperated, and I’d only stopped to eat and sleep. Still, when I crossed the Kentucky border, I felt a climactic pull to the north.
I say “climactic” because it had been like a strong wind pushing against my face, forcing me to deflect and move northward into this forest. Slowing my pace, I walk through the darkness, sniffing the damp leaves.
I’m far from the proud panther I should be. Loss and isolation twist together in my chest, making my head hang low. No shifter should be alone. Our kind craves touch, contact. It’s part of who we are, and spending the past decade in isolation almost broke me.
Is that why I went to Slayer? Or Slayde, I guess. We would know to embrace. The shifter way is to touch, whether it’s wolf to panther to bear, any other form.
I needed a hug from my best friend. God, I sound like a fucking pussy. I should kick my own ass. I’m so tired, the thought evokes a loose laugh from me as I continue loping in the darkness.
The ache in my chest is intense, but the fact I can laugh at myself means I’ll survive it. I’ve been surviving so far. I’ll make it back to what I once was.
I round a corner, and an unexpected scent assaults my nose, stopping me in my tracks. I don’t know where I am, but I know what that smell is.
Shifters are never alone in the woods. Deer, owl, bear, squirrel — all types of forest inhabitants surround us, but this is different. This is another of my kind, and it’s a female.
Slowing my walk, I carefully place my paws on the fallen leaves and forest debris. Lifting my large, black head, I turn my green eyes to the sliver of a moon. Not a full moon by a longshot.
SNAP! A dry twig echoes in the silence like a thunderclap, and I freeze on the spot. That’s when I see her eyes. Shimmering blue eyes track me from the underbrush. Another inhale, and I can almost place her breed. I know she’s a cat like me.
Squaring my stance, I sit, facing the place where she’s watching. Show yourself, little cat, I think. That much I’m sure of — every cat is smaller than me.
A few moments pass. Wind moves through the trees overhead making a soft hushing sound. While I haven’t seen her, it’s intimate somehow, knowing we’re here together in this dark space, secluded from the outside world. She’s curious by nature, as am I.
Clouds move over the moon, casting odd shadows, but as they move away, I realize she’s come out of hiding. She’s walked out into the small meadow where I sit. Not too far — only a few steps into the clearing. Now she’s exposed, facing me.
Her sitting position mirrors mine, and I can’t help another internal grin. I like this female. She’s bold. She’s a third my size, but I don’t intimidate her. I see she’s a cute little lynx. Their funny ears have always intrigued me.
Taking a deep breath, I allow my magic to fall away. In a matter of half-seconds, my shifter nature departs, and I’m sitting in my human form with my legs strategically bent to cover my nudity. I’m not modest, but I don’t want to appear overly aggressive.
As I watch, her small head shakes and she does the same thing. As her magic dissipates around her, I’m glad for my position. Blood floods my pelvis as the most beautiful female I’ve ever seen materializes before me.
Her breasts are small and perky. Her hair hangs in long, dark waves around her toned shoulders. It’s like a glossy cape, and her body is pure muscle, with lines across her arms, abdomen, and legs. Instinctively, a growl rumbles through my throat. I want her.
“Who are you?” she asks, and I smile at the soft strength in her voice. “What are you doing here?”
Clearing my throat, I take control. I’m a loner, which makes me an alpha in my own right.
“My name is Koa. I’m traveling. Passing through. Who are you?”
I can’t help noticing the way her eyes blink slowly. I can almost see her back arch, feel the smooth skin of her body brushing the length of mine, catlike. For starters, she would touch my cheek with that perfect little nose. I wouldn’t stop her.
“Mercy,” she says softly. “My name is Mercy. I live here in Woodland Creek.”
“What is Woodland Creek?”
A small laugh whispers from her throat, distracting my eyes. They’re pulled down to her beautiful neck. I allow my gaze to trace her slim collarbone before dropping again to steal a glance at her breasts. My mouth actually waters.
“It’s the tiny, god-forsaken little hamlet you’ve found yourself skirting.”
She’s a beautiful, smart, cat-shifter female, and fuck, I want to end my dry spell with her now.
“What are you doing out here, Mercy?” The lust is thick in my voice. I can’t help it. It’s been so long since I’ve been with a female of any kind, much less a gorgeous shifter.
Apparently, she hears it because she stands and walks toward me. My insides clench at her movements. Her lined stomach is flat, and her hips are rounded and womanly, yet slim. My eyes move to the center of her legs, to her bare pussy.
“Hoping to find a little escape.” A purr is in her voice, and my muscles tense as anticipation builds.
I stand, and her eyes widen ever so slightly as I reach my full height. The top of her head is at the center of my chest, and my broad shoulders dwarf her. Not to mention my erection is pointed straight at her. No use hiding it.
“I could use a little escape myself.”
She blinks up at me, and her blue eyes are dewy. “What did you have in mind, panther?”
I’m pretty sure we’re on the same page, still it seems polite to ask. “May I have you?”
“Yes.” The word is a breath across her lips as she steps forward, sliding her palm across my tense stomach, teasing me as it travels lower.
In a flash, I reach for her cheeks, leaning down to claim her full lips, pushing them apart with mine. Our tongues touch, and electric sparks fly between us. She’s delicious, like cool spring water, and a moan scrapes from her throat. Easily, I lift her off her feet, light as a kitten, and her legs go around my waist as I hold her in my arms.
Her nails graze the sides of my hair, and she’s kissing me over and over, tasting me as if I’m a savory meal and she’s starving. My mouth matches her pace. God knows I’m starving.
“Mercy…” He
r name is perfect, because I surrender completely to this beautiful little seductress I’m holding.
Lifting her ass slightly, I catch the head of my throbbing dick and line it up with her entrance. A swift drop, and I’m plunged deep into her hot, slippery core.
“Oh, god, yes!” She cries, dropping her gorgeous head back.
“Fuck me,” I groan. She’s so tight, she’s like a virgin, but I know that isn’t the case. She knows exactly what she’s doing here. No virginal shyness or hesitation. She fucks me like an alpha female.
Moonlight spills across her neck, and I lean forward to bite her. She moans and all her insides clench. Taking her blood is orgasmic for her. It also gives me a glimpse of what’s inside her mind, who she is — sheltered, privileged, elite.
Hmm, what is this princess doing in the woods hooking up with me? I don’t really give a shit. Her thighs flex over my pelvis, and she’s riding my cock hard as I brace us, holding her ass tight in my large hands, moving her up and down against my hips. My eyes squeeze as the incredible pleasure rises in my thighs, focusing in my groin.
“Shit, Mercy, shit.” I’m about to come so hard.
Thankfully, we don’t have to worry about things like pregnancy or disease. Human diseases don’t affect us, and shifter females can only get pregnant if they’re mated and it’s a full moon.
Mercy and I can lie back and enjoy the fuck out of this little rendezvous, and damn if I’m not feeling like the luckiest guy on the planet as she breaks into shudders on my dick.
“Koa! Oh, god… oh… Oh god!” she gasps as her soft body quivers in my arms.
Her pussy clenches and milks me, and it’s all I need to let go, filling her as the pulses of orgasm blank my mind. It’s the greatest sensation on the planet.
By the time I’ve managed to come down, I notice she’s completely relaxed in my arms. I’m not quite finished with her, but I take a moment to savor the sensation of this soft creature holding me, her arms around my shoulders, her face pressed against my neck.
My arms are tight around her, and as I hold her, a thought passes through my head, This is what it would be like…
