The Panther's Rival

by Emilia Hartley

  “Keep searching,” Nova told him. “And next time, make sure there’s someone here even when she’s not.”

  “But Nova,” Nate began timidly, “we don’t have the men.”

  Frowning, Nova considered. It was true that they were stretched pretty thin now days. But there was still one of his wolves that didn’t have a regular assignment. And he knew this particular man would be chomping at the bit to get in the game again. “Send Ian. He’s better now, cleared for duty. No sense in him just hanging around the compound if I have a job for him.”

  “Ian?” Nate asked, concerned. Ian was Nate’s best friend, had been since they were pups. “Are you sure he’s ready?”

  “Do you want to be the one to tell him you barred him from an assignment?” Nova asked with narrowed eyes.

  “No, sir.”

  “Then put him into the rotation. He’ll be on when she leaves, and when she’s home, next up can take his shift and he can go home to rest. I know he’s not quite in the form he wants to be in after last month’s attack, but it will get him out and about again.” Nova shrugged. “Everybody wins.

  “Besides,” he said darkly, staring at Amara’s window, “I won’t let anything happen to her ever again.”

  Chapter 14

  “I think you need more flowers,” Sadie said, staring down at the mock-ups of the reception laid out over the bar. “It just doesn’t seem…festive enough.”

  Amara laughed, wiping her hands on her apron. “Seriously? Festive? Sadie, it’s a wedding, not a quinceanera. It’s supposed to be elegant.”

  “No,” Sadie argued, “it’s supposed to be fun. You’re about to marry the love of your life, Mara! Don’t you want it to be memorable?”

  “I suppose.”

  “Exactly. You don’t want all your memories to be bland and white in a stuffy old church, do you? No! You want them to be bright, and fun, and full of life.”

  Wounded, Amara frowned. “You think my dress is bland?”

  “You’re missing the point,” Sadie insisted, rolling her eyes.

  “I thought you loved my dress.”

  “I do. But the flowers, Amara. The flowers. Focus.” With a crooked press of lips, Sadie scanned the crowd. “Ah ha. Zoe! Come here. What do you think? Leave it be or add more color?”

  Tucking her notepad into her apron, Zoe made her way over to where they sat at the bar. She had cut her dark hair into an attractive A-line that fell just below her chin, and for once, she was wearing clothes that actually fit instead of being two sizes too small. Her three-quarter-sleeve shirt was covered in pink and white stripes, and her jean skirt actually hit her mid-calf, as opposed to just below her ass like it usually did. She looked good, Amara decided, even if there were a few extra stress lines around her eyes and she seemed more timid than usual. Not drinking to excess every night agreed with her.

  “What was the question?” she asked when she reached them. She smiled slowly at Amara, her offered a genuine smile in return. It was the first time the two had chosen to be nice to each other without Becca around in years.

  “More flowers or not?” Sadie repeated. “Amara thinks I’m crazy, but I think it could use some color.”

  Considering, Zoe shrugged. “Color couldn’t hurt,” she agreed, and Amara threw her hands in the air.

  “Fine,” Amara grumped, crossing her arms. “Add color. Add a whole freaking rainbow if you want, I don’t care.”

  Sadie smirked. “That might be too much color, sis. You don’t want to over-do it.” She grinned at Zoe. “This wedding would be a disaster without me.”

  Despite herself, Amara laughed. “You’re right. Without you, I would have probably talked Nova into running off to Vegas and eloping right about now.”

  “See? Disaster. Eloping. What a travesty.”

  Amara rolled her eyes. “Okay, drama queen. Anybody want drinks?”

  “Yes, please!”

  “Zoe?”

  “Oh, just a water, thanks.”

  Raising a brow, Amara went to work making her sister’s favorite vodka cran. “Are you sure?”

  Zoe nodded. “I don’t really drink much anymore. Lifestyle change, you know?” She shrugged. “Plus, I’m trying to see if it affects things between Mitch and me. So far, it seems to be helping.”

  Amara frowned. “Are you guys having troubles?”

  “Well, no,” Zoe said, but she wouldn’t meet her eyes. “It’s just that, you know, I don’t want him to get bored of me. Guys do that, you see.”

  “Not good guys,” Sadie insisted. “And if Mitch is just going to ‘get bored of you,’ Zo, then he’s not a good guy and you don’t need him.”

  For some reason, Sadie’s declaration made Zoe brighten. “You know what? You’re right. I will have that drink, Amara, if you don’t mind.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Sure, why not?”

  “Okay,” Amara agreed carefully, “but just the one. I’m not on the late shift tonight.”

  “Where are you going to be?” Sadie wanted to know. She was looking at her like she and Nova might actually run off to Vegas after all. If only that were the case.

  “Nova and I have wedding plans of our own we need to discuss with his family,” Amara replied. She wrinkled her nose. Just the thought of the third Trial that night put a bad taste in her mouth. After that nightmare she had spent seducing Kal, she had no desire whatsoever to make that third and final trip into the Spirit Realm. Pack Law be damned. Real or not, the experience had left her feeling dirty and disloyal to Nova, their life with the Pack, and every dream they had of the life they would build together. It felt wrong even though he still insisted she had done what she had to do. And that it was the right thing.

  But was it really? If she managed to free Nova from whatever hell he was rotting in thanks to Trial Kal, she supposed it could have been the right thing to do. She supposed it could have been worth it. But if it wasn’t, if she never made it past that door, never made it to Nova, then she had betrayed everything she believe in, betrayed her love. And she had defiled her own soul for nothing.

  “Have you guys decided on a caterer?” Zoe asked, jarring Amara from her thoughts.

  Next to her, Sadie frowned. “A caterer? As in food? One of the most important parts of a wedding reception?” She glanced at the list. “No! No? Amara, I thought you said you were going to figure that out last week? Have you even talked to Nova about it yet?”

  “Um…”

  “Amara! Ugh!” Bunching up the papers. Sadie packed them into a nice, neat little pile. “I don’t know what to do with you. You seriously haven’t decided on a caterer yet?”

  Zoe raised a hand, eyeing Sadie carefully. “If I might? I asked you about a caterer because I was hoping you would let me handle the food for you.”

  Sadie’s eyebrows shot into her hairline. “You?”

  “You’re catering now?” Amara asked, delighted. Zoe nodded. “Wow. Good for you! Becca mentioned you were getting really good, but she never said you were going to make a business of it. That’s fantastic, Zoe.”

  Zoe’s cheeks flushed crimson. “Thank you.”

  “So, what kind of food do you make?” Sadie asked. She rested her chin in the palm of her hand.

  Embarrassed to be put on the spot, Zoe shrugged. “Anything, really. But mostly, I enjoy French cuisine. Let’s see.” She tapped her finger against her chin, thinking. “We could start with appetizers of salads, baguettes, and maybe a soup. Soupe a l’oignon Gratinee is one of my specialties. The French are rather fond of roast duck, as well as Quiche au Saumon et Crevettes - quiche with shrimp and salmon - if you prefer the lighter fare. And for dessert, along with the wedding cake, of course, we could serve Mousse au Chocolat. Maybe in dainty little dishes? I don’t know. You’re probably looking for something more rustic or homey.”

  Lost in images of a delicate French meal at her wedding, Amara shook her head. “No. That sounds perfect.”

  “Really?” Sadie’s face was as excited
and lit up as Zoe’s. “Great! Then you’re hired.” She looked from one woman to the other, her expression as ecstatic as a child on Christmas. “Do you do wedding cakes, too?”

  “No,” Zoe replied, “but Becca does. She’s been hoping you would ask her to make your wedding cake, Amara.”

  Amara’s jaw dropped. “That’s right, she does! How could I have forgotten that. But what we’re thinking is pretty elaborate.” She glanced down at the phone in her hand, vibrating against her palm. Nate was calling her. “Do you really think Becca could handle it?”

  “I could help her. What did you have in mind?”

  Amara let the two of them work out all the details. She knew Sadie had this one well covered. The cake design was taken from the cake their parents had at their wedding. The center was four tiers high with a satellite cake on either side. The cake itself would be decorated not in icing, but in real live flowers of varying colors and species. The three cakes, the center and the two satellite cakes, would be connected to each other by ribbons. It would be beautiful, and everything she had ever dreamed.

  Only she couldn’t concentrate on that now, because her body guard was calling her. But hey, at least she had gotten over calling him and the others on patrol watching over her, her babysitters. Amara pressed the green “Answer” button and raised the phone to her ear. “Hey, Nate,” she greeted him, unsure of what she was going to hear. “What’s up?”

  “Just wanted to check in,” he told her. “Nova should be arriving soon, and I just wanted to make sure you knew you would be protected up until he gets there and dismisses me. And that Ian is on patrol at your house, so he will be there if anyone tries anything funny. You’re safe.”

  “Wait, Ian? Isn’t he still hurt? Last time I saw him, he was hobbling around the compound. Shouldn’t he be in like, physical therapy or something? Not waiting to catch bad guys outside my house?”

  From the other end of the line, she could hear Nate chuckle. “You know, I asked Nova the exact same thing. But he seemed to think getting Ian back out in the thick of things was a good idea. And, I have to say, seeing how happy Ian was to hear it, I have to agree. He’s doing better. And being at your house isn’t dangerous. He’s just keeping watch. If he sees anybody, he’s still under strict orders to contact whoever’s closest rather engage with your secret admirer himself. Okay? So just relax, Amara. He’s safe. And so are you. Oh, and tell your sister she is looking good for me, will you? Mmm.”

  Laughter burst from Amara’s lips and the phone went dead in her hands. “Tell her yourself,” she muttered, rejoining her friends.

  Sadie’s gaze snapped to hers. “Everything okay?”

  “Oh yeah. Nate thinks you’re hot, by the way.”

  “He does? Really? Me?”

  “Yup. You may just get a stalker too.”

  “I would be thrilled if Nate was my secret admirer and brought me gifts all the time,” Sadie scoffed. “Although, hopefully he would branch out more than yours does. Roses can get pretty boring.”

  Amara chuckled. “I’ll be sure to mention it next time I see him.”

  “Perfect. So…” Sadie lowered her voice. “Any word on that?”

  “No. None. But he sent me more flowers last night.”

  “Seriously? Did you take them to the cops?”

  She nodded. “Yeah. Nova did.”

  Throughout the entire conversation, Zoe had been watching them back and forth like she was at a tennis match. “Wait a minute. You actually have a stalker?”

  “Sshh!” Amara and Sadie said together. “Yes, I do, but so far it’s harmless. Roses on my porch, a few notes, a phone call.”

  “Don’t forget the rock he put through Nova’s windshield.”

  Zoe’s face eyes lit with alarm. “He put a rock through Nova’s windshield? Is he alright?”

  “Yes, there was that,” Amara acknowledged, glaring at her sister, “but Nova is fine, so I didn’t want to alarm you.” Sadie had the good grace to look ashamed. Good. The last thing Amara wanted was for the whole town to find out about that mess. So far, they had managed to keep it discreet, but she wasn’t sure how long they could keep that going. “But enough about me and all of that. Let’s talk about the wedding and where on earth you learned to cook French food.”

  Chapter 15

  Nova walked into Murphy’s tavern twenty minutes later, completely preoccupied. Amara wasn’t the only one nervous about what the rest of the Trials would bring. Sure, Nemoy and his mother had said she was brave, but did that mean she was brave enough to be Pack? Or did her seduction of the Valley Clan’s Beta mean she was no longer suitable to be part of the Mountain Clan? He couldn’t believe his brother would hold it against her, not since she used the seduction as a weapon to get out of that room, but what about his mother? It wasn’t as if she actually liked Amara.

  No, that wasn’t true. She didn’t like that Amara was human, but she had definitely come to respect her. They wouldn’t tell them no. They wouldn’t force him to choose between the woman he loved and the family he belonged to. Would they?

  Laughter made Nova turn, relieving him of his dark, worried thoughts. Amara, her sister, and surprisingly Zoe, were all sitting at the bar, talking and joking about something or another. He was glad to see she was still able to laugh after the events of the last few nights. He wasn’t so sure he could yet, but there was no need for her to know that.

  Mitch stopped him as he walked in. He stuck out his hand. “Hey, Nova, how’s it going? You here for a drink?”

  Nova took the hand Mitch offered and the two men shook. “No, not tonight, Mitch, but thanks for asking. I’m actually just here to pick up Amara. We’re heading out to my parent’s place tonight.” He sighed. “Wedding stuff.”

  “Oh. Right.” Was it his imagination, or did Mitch sound upset? “Wedding stuff.” There was definitely a vein throbbing at his temple. Did Mitch have a problem with Nova and Amara getting married? Nova wondered.

  Then Mitch clapped him on the back with a grin. “Well, congratulations, man. Marriage. You got yourself a catch with that one.” He nodded his head to indicate Amara.

  “Yeah, thanks.” Maybe he’d just imagined Mitch’s discomfort, Nova conceded. Maybe there was nothing to worry about at all.

  “But all that planning. Whew. That’s all those girls have been talking about all night. Wedding this, wedding that. I think Zoe’s even going to be your caterer. Something about France? I don’t know. Better you than me, right?” He laughed again. “Best get back to the bar. You have a good night now, you hear?”

  “You too.” Still shaken, Nova made his way over to the girls. He pressed a kiss into Amara’s hair when he reached her. “Good evening, ladies,” he crooned, unnerved by the way they all looked at him—as if he were a thing, a pawn on a chessboard that they were deciding where to place. Thank goodness they weren’t actually going to be talking wedding plans tonight. That almost made the Trials look good.

  Nova glanced down at Amara. “Are you about ready? It’s nearly seven and you know how my mother gets. She doesn’t like to be kept waiting when there’s food on the table.”

  Amara forced a small laugh. “Sure. Ladies,” she said with narrowed eyes. The other two resumed their giggles.

  “What was all that about?” he asked her quietly as they walked away.

  “Oh, nothing,” she replied. “Just talking about how you and your brother would look in a tux.”

  Heat rushed to Nova’s face. They had been talking about him. Looked like his pawn assumption had been right on the money. And the thought of being discussed like a piece of meat made him feel slightly ill. “I see.”

  Taking her hand, Nova led her out of the bar. It wasn’t until they were both settled in his truck however, and on the road, that he broached the sticky subject that was bothering him. “So you and Mitch. Were you ever, you know, an item or anything?”

  Amara raised a brow. “An item?”

  “Did you ever date?”

  �
��What? Mitch? No. No,” she repeated firmly, a smile curving her lips. “We’ve only ever been just friends. Why do you ask?”

  Nova stared out the front windshield. “Just wondering.”

  Amara frowned. “You’re kidding me, right? You can’t possibly be jealous of Mitchell, can you? Please, tell me you’re kidding.”

  “I’m not jealous.” But he could see why she would think that. How did he phrase it so he didn’t appear to be nothing more than a jealous boyfriend? “It’s just…look, there’s just something about him lately. Something, I don’t know, off.”

  “He’s been stressed,” Amara insisted. “I barely work at Murphy’s anymore and with the wolf attacks finally under control, it’s not like business is slowing down. If anything, it’s picking up, and he’s only got Zoe as an extra hand most nights. And from what I’ve heard, working so close with someone you’re also sleeping with can be just a little bit taxing. Combine all of that together, and yeah, I would say that was enough to make a person seem ‘off.’”

  “I also caught his scent around your house,” Nova told her. “Barely more than a few hours old. It was mixed in with the sheriff’s scent, but it was still there.”

  “Maybe he was helping Mac search.”

  “Did Mac tell you he’d enlisted Mitch’s help?”

  The crease between Amara’s brows deepened. “Well, no, but maybe he came to see me when I wasn’t home or something. That does happen, you know.”

  “And maybe he left rotten flowers on your porch and put a rock through my window.”

  “Are you seriously accusing Mitchell of being my stalker right now? Are you that insecure about our relationship that you would resent my friendship with him?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “He’s my best friend.”

  “I know.”

  Stubbornly, she crossed her arms over her chest and stared out the window. “It wasn’t him, Nova.”

  “Okay.” He heaved a deep breath. “Okay. I was wrong. I’m just worried about you is all. I guess I’m seeing enemies everywhere.” Taking her hand, he pressed it to his lips. He kept kissing her until the frown disappeared and the hint of a smile took its place. “Forgive me?” he asked.