The Panther's Rival

by Emilia Hartley

  Her grandfather sat her down then and told her that if she refused to heed his warnings or respect his wisdom, she was damn sure going to learn how to defend herself. It was her grandfather that had taught her to fight. He showed her how to use a gun, how to wield a knife. She knew more about weapons and firearms than most of the men in town. Of that she was sure. And, eventually, she had let herself believe what she knew the moment that boy stood over her.

  All of her grandfather’s stories were real. From that night on, she and her grandfather were thick as thieves. She didn’t go out after dark without him again until the day he died. By then, she knew she could take care of herself.

  Zoe, on the other hand, hadn’t been so lucky. Her physical wounds had been superficial. A few scrapes, a nasty concussion. One bite mark on her back. The wolf that had attacked her first had knocked her out cold and moved on to Becca. Because of the lack of evidence, Zoe’s family refused to believe she should have been affected. They had dismissed her fear and depression as theatrics, claiming she was just looking for attention, when it had really been a cry for help.

  For some reason, whenever Amara had tried to help her, she’d only succeeded in pushing Zoe away until one night, right before graduation, the tension from the last couple years had finally culminated in blows. After that, they’d merely maintained the appearance of civility for Becca’s sake, even calling themselves friends for a while, but the truth was that they’d never really recovered.

  But it didn’t stop Amara from worrying about her.

  The door to the bar opened and she glanced up. Sam took the I.D. of the man walking in, and shrugged. “It’s almost closing,” she told the stranger. “Last call is in less than five minutes.”

  He offered her a small smile; almost like a grimace. “Just a whiskey please. On the rocks.” His voice was deep and smooth, and something about the cadence was familiar. Maybe it was because she’d been remembering the attack only moments before, but she was sure she knew him. But he couldn’t have been there. Unless…

  She could see the resemblance now. The stranger was taller than Nova, lankier, but they had the same general build and bone structure. His face, while sharper and a little more elegant than his brothers, had the same hidden feral aspects that she found so sexy with Nova. Dark eyes, defined jaw, high cheekbones, and all of it surrounded by a mane of lush, black hair. Now that she’d made the connection, the similarities between the two men were uncanny.

  Amara swallowed hard. “Nemoy?”

  For just a split second, his dark eyes widened in surprise, before his entire face fell into a scowl. “Damn it. He really did tell you everything, didn’t he?”

  She smiled shyly. “I’m afraid so.”

  Nemoy let out an exasperated laugh. “Figures. I never could get that kid to do as he was told when his mind was set on something. Damn him.” Irritated, Nemoy crossed his arms.

  “So,” Amara said after a few moments, trying to dispel the awkwardness, “what brings you in to Murphy’s?”

  “You, believe it or not.”

  “Me?”

  For a second, he concentrated on the hem of his jacket, as if he wasn’t sure what to say. Then he sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. She smiled. She’d seen the exact same gesture from Nova at least a dozen times. If only Nemoy had come under better circumstances.

  “Look,” he started, finally looking up at her, “I know you and Nova have something…special, I guess you could say. I mean, the guy’s been half in love with you since he was seventeen. And I’ve been watching you. I can’t say I agree, but at least I can understand his infatuation with you, even if I don’t get it.”

  Amara frowned, unsure if she should be insulted or not. “Um, thanks, I guess?”

  The corner of his lips twitched in what she was sure was almost a smile. “I’m not trying to be rude,” he told her. Then he grinned full out. “But I guess I’m being rude anyway, aren’t I?” He laughed. “Sorry. Nova claims I’m an asshole even when I don’t realize it. I guess he’s right.”

  She grinned back at him. “I suppose he is.” She poured them both a drink. Handed him his. “But I’m not exactly Susie Sunshine either. That would be my sister. So, I guess I can forgive for our shared flaw.”

  Taking a drink, he watched her over his glass. “Damn. You really are good for him.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. I just hate it when my brother’s right.”

  She snorted. “Tell me about it.” Uncomfortable, she glanced down at her hands. How was it that this man made her feel so nervous and inferior? Was it just because he was Nova’s brother? Or was it because she knew he didn’t think she was good enough for him? “I’m sorry,” she said finally, and Nemoy’s eyes widened in surprise. “I know it’s against your laws for shifters to be with humans. I know you think we’re the…I don’t know, the inferior species.” To her small satisfaction, he actually had the good grace to look uncomfortable with that comment. But he also didn’t deny it. Amara took a deep breath. “But Nova, well.” How did she explain it? “He saved me. You both did, I know, but he saved me.

  “You have no idea what it’s like to know that you saw the impossible and have no one believe you. I knew the boy I saw had been the wolf that saved me. I was on the edge of consciousness, but I remembered him. His face was etched in my mind, kept locked away, even after all these years. So, when Nova walked into the bar a few weeks ago...I don’t know. It was like that feeling came flying back, even though I hadn’t put together the ‘why’ yet. Since that day, he’s been a part of me. He gave me a second chance at life, you both did. And being with him now, it’s like I’m finally complete.” She sighed. She wasn’t making any sense, she was sure of it. “I don’t expect you to understand.”

  Nemoy closed his eyes, thinking. “I do understand,” he said after a moment. “Or at least, I’m trying to. Believe it or not, Nova’s said something of the same thing. I love my brother, Amara, I want him to be happy. And you seem like a great girl. If it were possible for the two of you to have a future, I would be all for it. But it’s not.”

  Amara blinked. “I don’t understand. I thought you told him we could be together as long as I didn’t tell anyone?”

  “I did,” he agreed with a nod.

  “I’m not going to tell anyone.”

  “I’m sure you don’t plan to.”

  She shook her head. “No, that’s not what I said. I said, I’m not going to tell anyone. Period.”

  “And I believe that you believe that.” Nemoy dug into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, sifting through for the amount on his bill. “But keeping this secret, it isn’t easy. You’re dangerous, Amara.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “I wish I was. But it’s true. The two of you together, it’s dangerous. For him, for you. Even for the pack.” Standing, he handed her the cash. “I’m not saying you can’t be together, Amara. I told my brother I wouldn’t. What I am saying is that it isn’t safe, and if you cared about him, you wouldn’t put any of us in danger. End it.” Without another word, he turned to walk away.

  Amara stared after him, her temper boiling to the surface. Who the hell did he think he was? “No.” Her voice rang out in the empty bar. Even the soft music from the old jukebox couldn’t drown it out. Nemoy turned back to face her. Coming around the bar, she got close enough that no one could hear her but him. “No. You don’t get to say something like that and then up and walk out. That isn’t how this works.”

  “You think I don’t know how dangerous this is? The first time I saw either of you was when Kal tried to kill me. The night I met Nova? Kal tried to kill me again. He almost succeeded. Your brother saved me. Then, of course, I saved him by pulling out my shotgun.”

  “You did what?”

  Alarmed by his tone, she glanced up at him. Uh oh. He hadn’t known about that one. “Nova didn’t tell you?”

  “He failed to mention it.”

  Interesting. “Uh, ye
ah. It was two on one, and they managed to pin him down. They weren’t paying attention to me anymore, so I ran in and got my gun. I fired it at them and they ran off like the dogs they are. The cowards.”

  Nemoy gaped at her. Then, a slow, easy smile replaced his serious expression. “Okay. You got me. I’m impressed.”

  “Really?”

  He smirked. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

  Chapter 16

  A loud crash made them turn. Behind them, Zoe was on the floor, her bare legs tangled around the bar stool. She looked like she was about to pass out. Broken glass and vodka littered the floor around her. “Jesus, Mitchell, didn’t you think to cut her off?” Amara rushed over to Zoe, gripping her arms beneath her shoulders and trying to pull her up. “She’s barely even conscious. Damn it. A little help here?”

  “I’ve got it,” Nemoy said, rushing over to help. He glanced up at Mitch, who was just standing there, unsure of what to do. “Hey, man, you want to grab a towel or something? There’s a bunch of glass down here. She might cut herself.”

  “What?” Mitch shook himself out of his stupor. “Oh. Right. Yeah.” He disappeared through the swinging door to the back room, only to return with a broom and dustpan. He knelt down and began sweeping up glass. “Is she going to be alright?”

  Amara glanced down at the semi-conscious woman in her lap. She looked almost peaceful. “Yeah. Typical Zoe.” She shook her head. “This is just par for the course with her.”

  Nemoy stared down at Zoe with a frown on his face. “Is she…?” His voice was quiet enough that Mitch couldn’t hear him.

  Amara nodded. “Yeah. She was the one they knocked out.”

  “Oh.”

  If only she knew what he was thinking. “She’s alive because of you, you know.”

  He raised a brow. “Doesn’t look like much of a life, if you ask me.”

  “Yeah, well. She’s got issues. Help me get her up, would you?” With Nemoy’s help, the two of them got Zoe on her feet. Amara slung one of her arms over her shoulder. Nemoy took the other.

  “Where to?” he asked.

  Amara tried not to slump under Zoe’s dead weight. “A cab. I need to get her home.”

  Mitch looked up sharply. “You just going to send her home by herself?”

  “You mean in a car with Creepy Kevin? Hell, no. I’ll go with her.”

  “Didn’t you walk?”

  “Yeah.” And it was going to be a long, cold walk home. She could ask Kevin to wait while she got Zoe situated, but she wasn’t exactly keen on being in a car alone with him at night either.

  Mitch pursed his lips. “I’ll take her.”

  “You will? Really?” She wished she could hide the amazement in her voice, but she knew that was a lost cause. Mitch had repeatedly found reasons to avoid a drunken Zoe. It was odd that he was changing his tune now. Convenient, but still odd.

  Mitch rolled his eyes. “Yes, really. I’m dating her—kind of. I might as well start taking care of her drunk ass, too.”

  “Wow,” Amara replied with a laugh. “Way to step up and be a man.”

  “Yeah, yeah. You can shut up now.” He stood with a pan full of glass. “Can you guys get her outside? Looks like Sam’s already called Kevin. I just have to toss this and lock up.”

  “Sure.” She looked at Nemoy. “Ready?” Between the two of them, they managed to maneuver Zoe around the tables, through the bar, and out the door. A dirty yellow cab was waiting for them, idling at the curb. Sam hurried out past them to open the car door. Somehow, they only knocked her head once getting her into the back seat.

  “Mitch will be out in a minute,” she told the driver. Kevin, a dirty brown cap on his head, just nodded and took another drag on his cigarette. “And keep your hands off this time. I mean it.” Shutting the door behind her, she waved goodbye to Sam before turning back to Nemoy. For the first time since he’d walked in and she’d realized he was Nova’s brother, she felt self-conscious. “Thanks,” she said quietly, hoping her embarrassment didn’t show.

  To her surprise, Nemoy’s answering smile was genuine. “I can see why you captivate him so much. You’re a fighter.” He thought for a moment. “It suits you.”

  An awkward silence fell between them. They stood there, both of them staring at the ground, until Mitch came through the door. He stopped to lock up behind him, then bade them goodnight and climbed into the car.

  Through the window, Amara could see Zoe slump against him, her hands feebly grappling at his shirt. Amara waved as Kevin drove away, giggling to herself. Boy, was Mitchell in for it tonight. He had no idea how much of a pain in the ass Zoe Hamilton could be. But he was about to find out.

  “Well,” she said, wiping her hands on her jeans, “that’s that.”

  Nemoy nodded. “How are you getting home?” he asked.

  Amara shrugged. “The same way I get home every night. I walk.” He frowned, causing her to laugh. “Don’t worry, Nemoy. I’ll be just fine.”

  His frown deepened. “I can’t let you walk home unprotected. Nova would kill me.”

  Reaching into her purse, she pulled out her nine-millimeter pistol. “See?” She slipped it back out of sight. “I’ll be okay.”

  “Well, well, well. Isn’t that sweet?” Kal suddenly materialized out of the shadows. “You’ve got both brothers wrapped around your fingers now, don’t you, sweetheart? I have to admit, I’m rather impressed. That’s a great feat, especially for a lowly human girl like you.”

  “Kal,” Nemoy growled through gritted teeth. “You don’t belong here.”

  “Relax, Mountain Alpha,” Kal chided. “I’m just here for some fun. Let’s call it a diplomatic mission. You owe me immunity.”

  Tension rose between them in waves. Was that what it felt like to humans when shifters were about to transform? Amara wondered. She watched Nemoy closely for any sign she should run. Her hand instinctively reached into her purse again for her gun. Though the vein at his temple was throbbing, Nemoy slowly lowered his hand and she left the weapon alone.

  No point wasting bullets.

  “What do you want?” Nemoy demanded.

  Kal’s shrug was filled with feigned innocence. “What? I have to have a reason to be here?” He looked from one of them to the other, then back again. “Your brother isn’t the only one who likes to play with humans. But don’t worry. There’s more than one Townsend girl to toy with. Plenty to go around.”

  Confused, Nemoy chanced a glance at Amara. Her hands balled into fists, her nails biting into her palms so hard, they drew blood. “You bastard.” She fought not to shout. “Where is my sister?”

  “Your sister?”

  “He took her out tonight,” she told Nemoy. “Dancing, is what she said. What the hell did you do with her?”

  “Now, now,” Kal replied, mocking her with his every word. “No need to get angry. Little sis is just fine. She’s safe and sound at home. Don’t get your panties in a bunch, sweetheart. I didn’t lay a hand on her.” His grin was wicked and taunting. “Or a paw.”

  “You need to leave,” Nemoy ordered. His voice was the only thing keeping her from pouncing on Kal and trying to rip his eyes out. Power coursed through his words, sending a shiver down Amara’s spine. She could see now why he was Alpha. It was so much more than just a name or a regal bloodline. Being Alpha was who Nemoy was meant to be. From what she could tell, he wore the title well. Nemoy glared at his opponent. “Now.”

  “Do I now?” Kal wanted to know, leering at him. “And I suppose you’re going to make me, are you? You and the human? Do you really think you’re strong enough to take me on?”

  Nemoy’s answering smile was downright terrifying. He lifted his left hand. Within seconds, a cascade of howls broke through the night, coming from every direction. In the glow from the tavern’s sign, all the blood drained from Kal’s face, leaving him pale. Nemoy held his gaze. “Yes,” he said, his voice as hard as stone, “I do. And I suggest you leave before I prove it.” His eyes flashe
d. For a moment, even Amara was afraid.

  Kal looked like he wanted to hit something. The look in his eyes was manic and dangerous, as if he would gladly destroy them both, if only he had the backing.

  Which, she conceded, was probably true.

  Still glowering at them, Kal slunk back into the shadows, disappearing the same way he came.

  Silence fell.

  Beside her, Nemoy cocked his head, listening.

  “Okay,” he told her, after a few minutes. “He’s gone.”

  “Good.” Amara immediately dug her phone out of her pocket and pulled up her sister’s number. She hit send.

  Never in her life had she been so glad to hear Sadie’s voice.

  “Amara?” came Sadie’s groggy greeting on the other end of the line.

  Amara breathed a sigh of relief. Kal had been telling the truth, she was okay. “Yeah,” she answered. “It’s me. Just checking to make sure you made it home safely.”

  There was a pause. “Seriously? Mara, it’s like two o’clock in the morning. I have to work in the morning. I’m fine.”

  “I know that now.” Amara grinned. “But I still need to check.”

  “You need to get a life.”

  “Probably,” she agreed, listening to the empty phone line. She stowed her phone back in her pocket.

  “You let your sister go out with Kal?” Nemoy asked. “You’re kidding, right?”

  Amara balked. “What was I supposed to tell her? I tried the whole, ‘my boyfriend says he’s dangerous’ bit. It didn’t work. And by your laws, I can’t exactly tell her that he turns into a bloodthirsty canine that wants to kill me, can I?”

  “No, probably not.” His laughter filled the air around them. “Come on, then. Let’s get you home.”

  The walk back to Amara’s didn’t take long, and they made the journey in companionable silence. When they reached her porch, she turned to say goodbye.

  “I’m going to have one of my guards stay with you until Nova gets here, but lock your doors just in case.”

  Amara narrowed her eyes. “I’m not seeing Nova until tomorrow night.”