Fated Mate (Catamount Lion Shifters #3)

by J. H. Croix

  Lily—her mountain lion, so lithe and sensual—sauntered into his thoughts. A primal tug stirred within him. Just thinking about last night, and his body came to life. He couldn’t quite wrap his brain around the fact that she’d been a virgin. The way she was—wild, abandoned—nearly brought him to his knees. If he hadn’t seen her yesterday in the woods, his mountain lion in full charge, he might have had second thoughts with her last night when she’d told him she was a virgin. He had a flicker of doubt, but then she’d gone and wrapped her hands around his cock. Her bright blue eyes looking up at him through her lashes shredded any resistance. He kicked the covers back again and strode to the shower. Rock hard with Lily nowhere near was not the time to lounge in bed.

  A few hours later, he kicked the snow off his boots when he stepped through the door at Roxanne’s Country Store. The scent of fresh baked bread and coffee led him straight to the deli in back. The hum of conversation filtered around him as he waited for Roxanne. She pushed through the swinging door into the back, a wide smile gracing her face the moment she saw him.

  “Hey Noah! Coffee?” she asked, her blonde ponytail swinging in an arc when she turned at the sound of the oven buzzer. She quickly rotated some loaves of bread in the oven and returned her attention to him.

  “It’s always coffee,” he replied sardonically.

  Roxanne chuckled as she quickly grabbed a mug and filled it for him. “Habit. I ask even if I almost always know the answer.” She paused, her eyes narrowing. “Did you happen to be leaving The Trailhead last night with Lily North?”

  Noah took a sip of coffee and leaned his hip against the counter. Catamount was small enough that it was hard to keep anything quiet. He wished he knew how Lily felt about it because the whole world could know they were together as far as he was concerned. But the depth of his feelings when it came to his shifter self and the reality of life weren’t always aligned. He knew she was meant to be his, but he wasn’t quite so sure how they’d go from last night’s earth-shattering intimacy to a commitment. Not to mention, he wasn’t exactly experienced with relationships of the romantic kind—at all. While his lion side would have roared the news, his human side held glimmers of doubt and uncertainty. Human emotions tended to be weighted with complications—whether they made sense or not.

  He met Roxanne’s eyes, kind with a glint of humor, and shrugged. “Maybe.”

  Roxanne put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Don’t maybe me. Lily is one of my best friends. I’m not asking to be gossipy. Gail Anderson told me she saw you walking with Lily in the parking lot there. If Gail is wondering what’s up, you can bet everyone else will start wondering soon. Gossip is like brushfire here—you can’t stop it. Back to my point, I’m kind of protective of Lily, so you’d better be honest with me.”

  Noah took another fortifying sip of coffee. He respected Roxanne, so hearing about her protectiveness of Lily gave him pause. “Okay, yes. We had dinner there.” He considered what else to say. To say he was sailing in uncharted waters with Lily didn’t even come close to capturing how off kilter he felt. The morning he’d driven to town to meet his mother for her chemo appointment, his mind and heart had been firmly fixed where they’d been for years. Romance and commitment of any kind was not for him. His parents’ marriage had left nothing but distaste for the mere concept. Then, he’d stopped to help Lily with her tire. The wheels starting spinning and lust took over. He’d thought even yesterday he could get things under control. It wasn’t as if he’d never had casual dalliances, but they’d always been just that—with no risk of anything more. When he’d been roaming through the forest yesterday afternoon and seen Lily through the trees, his world tilted and spun sideways. He couldn’t consider anything other than her being his…completely. Now, he had to figure out how to make sense of that. In the sharp, cold light of a wintry day, he wondered if he was half crazy.

  Roxanne must have noticed something in his expression. Her eyes softened. “Ahh, so that’s how it is.”

  Noah shifted his weight and took yet another gulp of coffee. At this rate, he’d need another cup of coffee in record time. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean you look like you were whacked over the head. Lily’s pretty amazing. She has a heart of gold and deserves a good guy like you. As long as you keep your head out of your ass and don’t do anything stupid. Especially if you’re thinking you’re just going to fool around with her.” Roxanne’s tone held an edge of warning.

  He shook his head. “No worries there. Just trying to figure out how the hell to deal with this. I wasn’t…” He paused and cleared his throat. “…expecting Lily. Honestly, maybe you could give me some advice.”

  Roxanne smiled ruefully. “Just be good to Lily. If you’re not, I’ll kick your ass. So will her brother.”

  Noah nodded. “Right then. How about another cup of coffee?” He held up his empty mug.

  After Roxanne refilled his coffee, he snagged a table and perused the newspaper for a few minutes. When he drove home shortly thereafter, he noticed a gray pickup truck following him. He slowed down enough to identify Kirk Hogan in the driver’s seat. His phone rang, interrupting the radio. When he answered, Jake North’s voice came over the speakers in his truck. He experienced a flash of relief. He wasn’t afraid of Kirk, but he’d like someone to be aware Kirk was following him.

  “Noah, it’s Jake.”

  “Hey there. Glad you called. Kirk Hogan appears to be following me home.”

  Noah heard a loud shuffle and then Jake’s voice again. “I’m leaving the office now. I’ll head up there. Did you see him somewhere?”

  “Nope. Left Roxanne’s a few minutes ago and he turned up behind me. No need for you to follow. I can handle him.”

  A door slammed in the background. “I’m sure you can, but it can’t hurt to have a little backup. Remind me where your mom’s house is.”

  After Noah gave him directions, Jake hung up. Noah didn’t consider not going home because Kirk knew where his mother lived. He was plenty pissed, but he’d rather face Kirk’s machinations head on. Moments later, he turned into the driveway. Kirk boldly drove in behind him and parked to the side.

  Noah got out of his truck and walked over the Kirk. Kirk leaned against his truck when he stepped out. Kirk’s eyes were muddy brown and insolent. His brown hair was messy. He stood a few inches shorter than Noah. When Noah approached him, Kirk’s stare weakened. Noah felt he was looking at a man who’d taken a few too many wrong turns in life and was scrambling to find power however he could.

  Noah came to a stop a few feet in front of Kirk and waited. Kirk bold façade flickered in the silence. The sound of tires on gravel announced Jake’s arrival. Jake came to an abrupt stop behind Kirk’s truck, effectively blocking him.

  “So Kirk, what the hell is going on?” Jake said, his voice threaded with anger, as he strode quickly to them.

  Kirk looked between Noah and Jake and rolled his eyes. “You guys think you’re so fuckin’ badass. Busy trying to protect Catamount shifters. Who gives a shit? Some of us don’t want to keep protecting our legacy and bullshit. I’d like to make some good money off my skills, and I’m not alone. Why don’t you two back the fuck off and leave it be? Who put you onto me anyway?”

  Noah glanced at Jake and back to Kirk. “Maybe some shifters don’t give a shit, but this smuggling network’s already getting way too much attention from law enforcement. The wrong people find out and you’ll wish for the time when shifters were just a myth. Ever thought about what it could mean if the government finds out who we are and what we can do? We could be monitored, tracked, controlled and more. Take my word for it. I was in the Special Forces for years. I’m far more aware than I’d like to be of what the government is willing to do if they feel there’s a threat. Shifters don’t need to be made into one.”

  Kirk smirked and looked to Jake. “Just because you’re all high and mighty with Dane and Hank and your founding families bullshit doesn’t mean you have al
l the power.”

  Noah glanced at Jake and knew he understood where his mind was going. They’d already been wondering about Callen’s family. There were four founding families of shifters. Lily and Jake’s family, the North’s; Dane and Shana’s family, the Ashworth's; Roxanne’s family, the Morgan’s; and Callen’s family, the Peyton's. Of those four, the Peyton’s had long been the most vocal about using shifter powers. Callen’s death had opened a chasm within the shifter community with those shifters who were close to the Peyton’s closing ranks and proclaiming there was no way any other family members could be involved. Then, Randall had been arrested for kidnapping Dane’s fiancée. Now, Brad, the last brother alive and not in jail, was linked to Kirk.

  The final question remained as to whether Wallace Peyton, the father of them all, was involved. Wallace was a political animal. He’d been mayor of Catamount for many years some time ago. He ran the family’s logging business and held tight to the massive fortune earned by his ancestors in the heyday of the timber industry. Wallace would not appreciate Kirk’s boasting. He liked to pull the strings. He’d been laying low since Callen’s death and Randall’s arrest, insisting shifters needed to understand Callen had gone rogue and persuaded his younger, gullible brother to go along with him.

  Jake shrugged in reply to Kirk’s comment. “Is this your way of telling us Wallace Peyton’s running the show on this end of the smuggling network?” He went straight past Kirk’s insinuations.

  Kirk’s eyes widened. While he might want to create the impression he could throw his weight around, he knew perfectly well Wallace wouldn’t want anyone to think he was linked to this. He shook his head. “No,” he sputtered. “I’m just saying not everyone thinks all the secrecy’s been a good idea. We have ways to use our powers to make some serious cash. We’re not hurting anyone. Drugs are gonna be sold and smuggled whether shifters are involved or not.” His eyes narrowed again as he glanced between Noah and Jake. “You saw what happened to Chloe. If you want to put your family at risk, don’t go blaming me if they come after you.” His eyes slid toward the house where Noah’s mother stood in the window.

  Anger flashed through Noah. He was done. He took one swift stride, his hand locking around Kirk’s throat and lifting him in the air. He shoved Kirk against the truck, easing his grip just enough for Kirk to breathe. “Do not fuck with my family. Do you understand? You forget I’m not all wrapped up in shifter honor and bullshit like that. My family might be the dregs in this town, but I know damn well most of the shifters around here want nothing to do with your garbage. If you keep threatening people, I will make you regret it.”

  Kirk kicked his feet out and tried to tear Noah’s hand away. Noah held firm, pushing his elbow against Kirk’s chest. He eased his grip and allowed Kirk to slide down to the ground. Kirk slumped against the side of the truck, his eyes wary as he stared at Noah. Jake had remained silent. When Noah glanced his way, he saw barely leashed fury flash in Jake’s eyes, but he held still, watching and waiting. As they stood there in the icy air, another car drove past the house. Noah immediately recognized it. Wallace Peyton was the only one in town who drove a fully decked out Cadillac, an entirely impractical car in Maine.

  Kirk’s eyes bounced from the car slowly easing by, to Jake and then Noah. He swore abruptly and shifted, bounding off into the woods. Jake didn’t hesitate and shifted as well, leaping to a run. Noah met his mother’s eyes through the window. She nodded in the direction of Kirk. Noah shifted and raced after Kirk and Jake.

  Noah caught up to Jake quickly. Jake appeared to be measuring his speed, maintaining a set distance from Kirk. Noah matched his speed. Kirk wove through the trees, the black tip of his tail flicking. Snow kicked up around them as they bounded through the woods. Noah’s fur rippled in the wind gusting through the forest. They saw Kirk weave and turn out of sight. Noah bolted ahead to catch a glimpse of Kirk cutting along the edge of an abandoned quarry. He was in clear view once he crested a small rise though he appeared to think he’d lost them as he slowed down.

  After another few minutes, the forest thinned and they approached the back end of Wallace Peyton’s property. Noah and Jake came to a stop where they were shielded by the trees. Kirk approached a barn and shifted back into human form before slipping inside the barn. Jake tossed his head, gesturing toward the forest. In silence, they retraced their brief sprint.

  ***

  A while later, Noah leaned against the counter in his mother’s kitchen. Carol had insisted on offering coffee to Jake who lounged at the kitchen table, graciously talking with her.

  His mother glanced between him and Jake. “I’d have bet Wallace Peyton was behind all of this,” she said bluntly.

  Noah eyed her and took a swallow of coffee before addressing Jake. “My mom keeps a low profile, but she usually knows a lot more than she lets on.” He swung to his mother. “Mind filling us in?”

  Carol smiled softly. “Oh, I don’t have any special information, but I went to school with Wallace. He always wanted to be the big guy. I never quite thought being mayor and inheriting money would satisfy him. He’s always been sneaky and liked to get away with things. He was also known to make comments about how shifters could have had so much more if they weren’t afraid to go public. When Callen was in high school with you, he was the same way. That’s all I’m saying. Wallace probably couldn’t resist this when he found out about it.”

  Jake eyed her thoughtfully. “Funny, but most everyone is afraid to say much about Wallace.”

  Carol shrugged. “It’s easier when you don’t have much to lose,” she said. “I don’t have to worry about him talking trash about me. I already spent too long married to the biggest jerk in town. Wallace doesn’t even notice me.”

  “Mom…” Noah started to interject, but she waved him off.

  “Oh honey, don’t worry about me. I’m a realist. I’m as happy as I can be these days. You’re home and my life is peaceful. Whatever you do, be careful going after Wallace.”

  Noah stepped to his mother’s side where she sat at the table and gave her quick hug. He swallowed against the tightness in his throat. He didn’t need Jake seeing him fall apart.

  When he stepped back to lean on the counter, Jake appeared unruffled. He met Noah’s eyes. “Your mom’s smarter than we’ve been. I only recently started to consider Wallace could be involved. I guess I didn’t think he’d want to dirty his hands.”

  Carol shook her head. “He wouldn’t want anyone to know it, but the Wallace I knew would love to think he was getting away with something, especially if it involved money.”

  Chapter 8

  Lily leaned her head back on the couch and stared at the ceiling, which happened to be finished with wood that had a mesmerizing scatter of knots in it. She could stare at it for hours, aimlessly counting the knots while she vainly attempted to get her mind off of Noah. Even trying to think of something else sent her thoughts cartwheeling into the memory of the other night. The way his hands felt on her skin, his lips on her body and the feel of him inside of her—her body flushed at the memory.

  “Dammit!” She stood up abruptly and began pointlessly tidying the living room.

  Noah had called her yesterday, and she had let his call go to voice mail. She couldn’t quite figure out how to face him. She was so stirred up by what happened, she didn’t know what to do. All those years of trying to ditch her virginity and she finally had. Now, she was so worked up over her feelings about Noah, she was mired in anxiety. Seeing as her experience with men was decidedly limited, she couldn’t say she knew what to expect, but she didn’t think it was typical to be so utterly in thrall with someone that it bordered on ridiculous. She couldn’t imagine what Noah thought. The cat in her knew what lay between them couldn’t be casual, but the cold light of day made it hard to remember.

  Noah had left two messages yesterday and another this morning. She still hadn’t gathered the courage to call him back. That itself was making her feel silly. The
re was a sudden sharp knock at her door. It was evening, but already dark since they were deep into winter now. She walked to the door. When she opened it, Noah stood there, his hand raised as if to knock again. The moment she saw him, it was as if a switch was flipped inside. Heat suffused through her and her belly clenched.

  His amber eyes coasted over her face. He held still, as if he was holding himself back. “Can I come in?”

  She nodded and stepped back from the door. A gust of icy air blew in with him and swirled with loose flakes of snow when she closed the door. She walked over to the kitchen counter, needing something to lean against, to hold her up.

  He followed her and stood before her, his dark hair tousled. He didn’t look away, his gaze holding her. Her pulse quickened. She tried to think of what to say.

  His voice broke through the quiet. “Did I misunderstand something the other night?”

  His eyes held a glimmer of uncertainty and confusion.

  While she’d be the first to acknowledge she had no idea how to handle her feelings, she suddenly felt badly for avoiding his calls.

  “No! I just…well…” She flushed deeply but forced herself to keep talking. “This is all new to me, if that wasn’t obvious. When you called yesterday, I wasn’t sure what to say because I don’t know you all that well yet, and I don’t really know what you want and…” Her words were flying out so fast, she had to pause and gulp in air.