Do You Take This Cat [Wind River Pack 4] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Missy Martine

  Ray moved around, settling into a more comfortable position. “How come you have two animals, and everybody else I’ve met only has one?”

  “My mom is part wolf and part cat. It’s not an even split, though. She can turn into a cat, but her wolf is only spiritual, inside her mind. My fathers are both wolf. In essence, I guess I got the best of both of them. I can call my wolf or cat at will. They both have separate and definite personalities.”

  Ray chuckled and pulled her closer. “What are we gonna do?”

  “Can’t we just be happy together?”

  “Can you be happy living in an apartment in New York? My whole life is there. I’ve spent years on the force. I can’t just walk away.” He sighed and ran the fingers of one hand through her hair. “My job gives me a feeling of purpose in life. I feel like I’m contributing in some small way. People need me, and I don’t think I can live without that feeling.”

  She leaned back to look at his face. “I need you, Ray. I feel safe and complete when we’re together. I’d hoped the mating pull would give you some of the same feelings.”

  “I do feel drawn to you, but you don’t really need me. Hell, you’re the one that had to rescue me. I don’t know how I could ever make you feel safe when your animals could take care of anything that came along.”

  Rennia placed her hand over his mouth. “Stop, please. Let’s just relax and enjoy the rest of this night together. Tomorrow is soon enough to talk things through.”

  He smiled. “Okay, you win this time.” He placed a kiss against her forehead. “Get some rest, love.” He watched as Rennia snuggled down, her head against his arm, her butt firmly against his stomach. What am I going to do now?

  * * * *

  Remus sipped his coffee and opened the French doors that led to Kitania’s patio which overlooked her gardens. He winced as he studied the brown, leafless branches of what he believed to be tomato vines. The smell of decay was an indication he would not find any ripe vegetables. In direct contrast, the area outside the fenced garden was vigorously alive. Sunshine highlighted the dew on the grass where birdseed scattered beneath a feeder. The skittering of squirrels competed with the squawking of birds to dominate the quiet morning air. He envied his brother, their quiet view. It seemed as if there was always someone from the pack at his home, needing something from either him or the Alpha Femm.

  “What brings you here so early, Remus?”

  Remus turned to watch his brother pour himself a cup of coffee. Good morning, Ethan.” He held up his cup. “I’ve come for your coffee.”

  Ethan chuckled and joined him on the patio. “Maddie have you on rations again?”

  The alpha shook his head. “I don’t know where that woman gets her harebrained ideas. She’s convinced that caffeine is bad for me and will shorten my lifespan if I don’t give it up.”

  His brother laughed as he sat down on one of the wicker chairs. “I think it’s comforting how some things never change.”

  Remus snickered. “You mean like this garden?”

  Ethan sighed and glanced toward the open door. “Keep your voice down unless you want the wrath of my mate coming down on your head. She’s very sensitive about what people say about her garden.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Right!” Remus took another sip of coffee. “I had to get out of the house. The ladies are doing something called final fittings today for their wedding apparel. They were pulling out thread and needles and tape measures, and I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I’m going to find business that will keep me away for as long as I can.” He took a seat across from his brother. “But, in truth, I did have a reason for coming by this morning.”

  “What’s up?”

  “Is Latan here?”

  “No, he left about a half hour ago to pick up some items from the store for Kitania. She’s planning that rehearsal dinner for Kati, Synia, and Kinnith. I guess she wanted to stock up and make sure she had everything she needed. Do I need to call him home?”

  “No, that’s fine. I wanted to talk to the two of you, but you can pass everything on to him. I got a phone call from Zander late last night.”

  “If he was calling late, then something must be wrong. What’s going on?”

  “He got a call from Alpha Cardston yesterday.”

  “He’s alpha of that pack up in Canada, right?”

  Remus nodded. “Yeah, that’s him. I haven’t met him personally, but Zack met him when he took Aurelia up there to see if she could heal their sick pups.”

  “Are they having more problems with their pups?”

  “He told Zander they’ve had intruders on their land.”

  “Intruders?”

  “Yeah, that’s the word he used. Cardston said the pack had been complaining that things were disappearing, or being moved. He said there were indications that someone was spying on his pack members.”

  “Spying how?”

  “Peeking in windows, if you can believe that. They found footprints, and in some cases, boxes underneath windows.”

  “Whose windows?” asked Ethan.

  Remus growled softly. “In all cases, the windows belonged to a pup’s room.”

  “Damn! They’re setting up another abduction, aren’t they?”

  “That would be my interpretation.”

  “What’s Zander gonna do, and more importantly, what does he want you to do?”

  “He’s sending some extra men to Cardston’s to investigate. He wanted to warn us so we can be prepared, maybe even set up some extra security around the mountain.”

  “Have they been able to track any scents?”

  Remus ran his fingers through his hair. “That’s what’s so strange about all this. They haven’t picked up any scents that didn’t belong. Not even around the footprints outside the windows. It’s like whoever it is has no scent at all.”

  “That’s crazy. Everybody’s got some kind of scent. Nobody has ever been able to mask it entirely.”

  “Apparently, they have now.”

  “Son of a bitch! That’s all we need.”

  Remus stood and walked to the edge of the patio. “It’s past time to get serious, Ethan. I’m calling everyone together for a meeting tonight. We’ve got to come up with a plan to catch these bastards before they take any more children.”

  Chapter 12

  Kati walked through the door of Rennia’s house and grinned. “You look like the cat that swallowed the canary. Did you make up with my bull-headed brother last night?”

  Rennia smiled. “We talked, and he was willing to listen. He promised me that he wouldn’t just up and leave without telling everyone goodbye. He’s gonna lay low today and think things over.”

  “Wow! That’s impressive. Did the two of you talk at the club last night?”

  “Uh, no. We talked at his place.”

  “His place! Oh, man, you’re just getting home, aren’t you?”

  Rennia sighed. “Not that I don’t appreciate the company, but what are you doing here this morning?”

  “I needed moral support. Everyone’s at Maddie’s place doing last minute fittings on their dresses for the wedding.”

  Frowning, Rennia crossed her arms over her abdomen. “Shouldn’t the bride be there?”

  “I had no wish to referee them.”

  “Why do they need a referee?”

  “Everyone has an idea about how things should look, and no two people have the same idea.”

  “Shouldn’t you have the final say?”

  Kati laughed and dropped down on the sofa. “You’d think so, but sometimes life doesn’t work out the way you think it should.”

  “Let me guess. You came here to get me so I can try and control my well-meaning, buttinsky family.”

  Kati wrinkled her nose. “Would you mind?”

  Laughing, Rennia moved toward her bedroom door. “Of course I don’t mind. Give me a minute to catch a quick shower, and we’ll go show them who’s boss.” She turned around just as the front door bur
st open.

  Three men rushed into the room, two of them tackling Rennia.

  “Stop!” Kati yelled when one of the men pulled out a syringe and plunged the needle into Rennia’s neck. She opened her mouth to scream in the hope that one of the pack might be close by. Before she could make a sound the third man slammed his fist into the side of her head, knocking the breath from her and sending her reeling into the nearby table. A large hand clamped down on her mouth, muffling her cries. She bit down hard, causing the man to shriek in pain.

  The stranger grabbed Kati by the throat and flung her into the coffee table. The wood splintered, part of it spearing through her shoulder, ripping a scream from her throat. She grunted at the hot, searing pain that radiated down her back as she collapsed on the ground, gasping in agony, tears streaming down her face. Blood pooled on the floor beneath her body. Kati’s vision swam as she watched the two men carry an unconscious Rennia from the house. Her consciousness began to fade, pulling her deep into a warm depth. Before it could claim her completely, she called out to Kinnith and Synia in her mind. Mates, I need you! Help me! She groaned and tried to move, only to fall back when the pain was too much. They’ll come for me. I know they will. Taking a deep, painful breath, she let the darkness take her.

  * * * *

  Ray poured himself a cup of coffee and walked over to look out the back door. Rennia had left not long after the two of them had awakened. She’d promised to help with the wedding preparations, and she didn’t want to disappoint her family. She’d made him promise to stick around and not leave without telling her first. He raised the cup to his lips and almost spilled it when someone banged on the front door.

  When he opened the door, he sighed. Synia, Kinnith, Zack, and Macon were standing on the porch. “So, what the hell is all this? You boys lost your way?”

  Synia chuckled. “Nope, we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.”

  Kinnith grinned. “We were given our orders this morning, and we’re not gonna risk upsetting our bride-to-be by not carrying them out.”

  Ray narrowed his eyes. “Just what are your orders?”

  Macon laughed. “We’re to make sure you don’t disappear today, and we’re supposed to get you involved in the wedding plans.”

  Ray shook his head slowly. “I’ve already promised Rennia I would stick around. That ought to be enough to appease my charming sister.”

  “That’s great, man,” said Kinnith. “But the truth is, we could use your help.”

  “Help with what?”

  Synia groaned. “Our charming bride-to-be has very definite ideas about what she wants for her wedding. Part of that is a certain amount of flora decorating the chapel. She doesn’t want, and I quote, the artificial-looking ho-hum crap you get from professional florists.”

  Ray frowned. “If she doesn’t want flowers from a florist what does she want?”

  Synia held out a sheet of paper. “She gave us a list of what she wants from the forest. We’re supposed to go today and dig everything up and re-pot it to display inside the chapel.”

  Macon growled. “That’s not even the worst of it. We’re expected to re-plant it out at their house after the ceremony. The woman’s gone green crazy.”

  “She’s always been a nature lover. That’s how she ended up with that cabin in Tennessee.” Ray glanced around his living room. “Just what is it you expect me to do?”

  Synia dropped down on the sofa. “We expect you to get your shoes on and come with us. The more help we have, the faster everything is gonna go.”

  He sighed. “I don’t suppose there’s anything I could say that would make all of you go away.”

  “Absolutely nothing!” Synia snickered. “We need you to—” Synia froze, the color draining from his face. His hands began to tremble.

  “What’s wrong with him?” asked Ray.

  “Whatever it is, it’s got Kinnith too,” said Macon.

  Ray glanced over and saw Kinnith frozen by the door.

  Macon grabbed Synia by the shoulders and shook him gently. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  Synia swallowed hard. “Our mate!”

  Kinnith gasped, his hands clutching his stomach. “She’s hurt bad. She’s calling for us.”

  “Where is she?” asked Ray. He moved closer and pushed Macon away from Synia and shook him hard. “Where the hell is my sister?”

  “She was heading over to Rennia’s place,” said Zack. “She’s supposed to pick her up and take her back to Maddie’s to have her dress fitted.”

  Synia moved toward the door. “Let’s go, she needs us now.”

  Zack pulled his phone from his back pocket as he followed Synia out the door. “I’ll call Aurelia and have her meet us there.”

  Ray followed them out. “Why would you call your woman?”

  Zack glanced at him and then opened the back door of Synia’s minivan. “She’s a healer.”

  Ray frowned, but didn’t say anything as he slid into the backseat. He laid his hand on Kinnith’s shoulder. “I don’t understand. You can hear Kati in your head?”

  “It’s part of the mate bond,” said Kinnith. “You wouldn’t understand it unless you’ve formally mated with Rennia.”

  “Formally mated means the bite, right?”

  Zack nodded. “Yeah. Once she bites you, you’ll be tuned into her every mood, and if you’re lucky, her very thoughts.”

  Synia slammed on the gas and sped down the bumpy road. “There’s no guarantee about the voice thing. Not everyone that has a human mate can do that.”

  Zack nodded. “We think ours is so strong because Aurelia has her own magic.”

  Kinnith snorted. “Are you ever gonna get used to calling her Jennifer?”

  “Hell, no. She’s always gonna be Aurelia to me.”

  “I don’t understand,” said Ray.

  “Later, man,” said Kinnith. “Rennia’s house is just up ahead.”

  * * * *

  Aurelia ran her hand along the silky material and grinned. “Kati’s gonna love this. It’s so soft and feminine.”

  Maddie walked over to take a better look. “Are all the dresses ready for a final fitting?”

  “Yeah,” said Elyne. “I’ve had a lot of help so things moved pretty quickly. I don’t think there’s going to be many alterations needed. Everyone was pretty thorough with their measurements.”

  “Where is the bride, anyway?” asked Kitania.

  “Kati went to pick up Rennia,” said Laynee.

  “Why would Rennia need a ride?” asked Lyssa. “Did something happen to her car?”

  “She was afraid Rennia might not come after what happened with Ray last night,” said Laynee. “She thought she could probably use a friend right about now, and who better but the woman who knows her mate’s secrets.”

  Aurelia laughed. “Great minds think alike.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Maddie.

  “Zack, along with Kinnith and Synia, are paying a visit to Ray this morning. Pretty much for the same reason. To make sure he doesn’t hightail it out of town before talking to Rennia. They’re going to—” Aurelia glanced down at her phone when it began playing the Mission Impossible theme. She grinned. “Speak of the devil.” She pressed the button to answer the call. “Hello, love. What’s up?”

  “I need you to stay calm so everyone else does.”

  Aurelia glanced around the room and frowned. “Okay, I’m listening.”

  “The guys are convinced that Kati’s in trouble. She’s supposed to be at Rennia’s house. They’re picking up her emotions through the link, and they say it’s pretty raw, like she might be hurt. We’re leaving Ray’s now and should be there in a few minutes. Get Uncle Remus to drive you, and meet us there as soon as you can. If they’re right, we’re gonna need your services.”

  “I understand. Be careful, please.”

  “I will. Tell Uncle Remus to keep everyone else at home. The fewer people here the better.”

  “On my way.”
She ended the call and turned to Maddie. “Where’s Remus, Maddie?”

  Maddie frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  “There’s no time. I need Remus now.”

  Maddie hesitated a moment longer and then nodded toward the back of the house. “He’s out back with Latan and Ethan. They’re working on the logistics of putting up the tables for the reception. Do you want me to get him?”

  Aurelia started toward the door. “No, I’ll do it. Please, for now, keep everyone inside.” She was out the door before anyone could object. It didn’t take long for her to spot Remus and his brothers.

  Remus looked up as she hurried across the lawn. He studied her for a moment. “What’s wrong?”

  “You and I need to get to Rennia’s house as soon as possible. I can explain more on the way.”

  “Let’s go,” said Latan.

  Aurelia bit her lip. “I was asked to only bring Remus. Zack specifically said to ask Remus to keep everyone else at home.”

  Latan cursed. “The hell with that. Rennia’s my daughter, and I’m going.”

  Remus looked at his brother. “I’m asking you to trust me and your son. Stay with the women here and keep them protected. Whatever problem they have may still have the ability to cause problems here. As soon as we get there and find out what’s going on, I’ll call. In the meantime, please, do as I say.”

  Latan looked at Ethan, his hands fisted at his side. After a moment, he nodded. “Get moving. If Zack said it’s an emergency then it’s bound to be bad.”

  Remus turned and took Aurelia by the arm. “Thank you, brothers. I’ll let you know as soon as I know anything.”

  Aurelia hurried to keep up with Remus’s long-legged stride. Hang on, Zack. We’re coming.

  * * * *

  When Ray spotted Rennia’s open front door, he was out of the minivan before it even stopped.