by Marian Tee
His lips curved in a slight smile as he said agreeably, “Crazy for you, little hellcat.” He added lightly, “So you must count yourself lucky for that.”
Before I could answer, he had stolen my hand. I tried to tug it away instinctively, but he held on fast as he murmured, “You must take good care of yourself, my princess.”
There was something in his eyes that made my heart twinge. It was as if…as if I had suddenly become his anchor, and only I could keep him from going adrift.
He started stroking the back of my hand, caressing my knuckles in a way that made my toes curl even more. “Your beautiful skin has become precious to me in so short a time, little kitty. I will kill anyone who leaves a single mark on it. That is the kind of Cavaliere I will be. The only kind I can be. Do you understand?”
I couldn’t answer. He had turned my hand over and was licking my palm, the action completely taking my voice away. By the time I managed to open my eyes, Alejandro Moretti was gone.
Chapter Five
“Smile, cub.” The command was issued with a smile of his own by my father, Venetto Adelardi.
My lips quickly stretched into a smile. There were many reasons to smile, really, but all I wanted was to mope. The drive home last night had been completely spent just thinking about Alejandro Moretti, and it was the same when I got home. I had tossed and turned in my bed, wondering why I should care so much about a man who clearly didn’t take his duties to his pack seriously. He had everything – everything – needed to be a superhero, and yet he had turned his back on his responsibilities.
It was a glorious day, the sky a clear blue, and the surrounding pine trees lent a fragrant scent to the air. But for once in my life, I failed to take pleasure from the land I loved and had been raised to protect.
I looked up absently, but the bright morning sun had me silently groaning and looking away again. My head hurt. It was as if thinking so hard about the werewolf had given me a hangover. I hated how obsessed I was about him. So he kissed beautifully and made my body hum with such pleasure it was as if I had been born to moan his name. It didn’t mean no other man could do it, right?
So he looked at me like no other man had ever looked. As if I was desirable and not the human monster that everyone feared. It didn’t mean no other man could like me the way I was…right?
In fact, that was what this morning’s auction was all about. My pack possessed genetic ties to the near extinct species of Florida panthers. Adelardi shifters could command them by will, and they could transfer the command to another person – even a human. For the first time in history, my pack was auctioning some of our baby panthers. It was bait, pure and simple, to get the most eligible shifters to come into our territory.
“Are you mad at me?” Venetto asked as he continued to smile at the guests we had milling about, checking the panthers that were prowling about, their fur coats sleek and shiny, their eyes flashing with alert intelligence.
My smile also in place, I answered, “Of course not, Father.” I wasn’t. I was just…not as resigned as I should be to having my choice of consort taken away from me like this. One of the panthers had reached my side, rubbing his head against my thigh. I bent down, obliging its demand for attention by stroking its back.
Shifters in front of me gaped. I pretended not to notice. I couldn’t blame them. An idiotic guest had tried petting one of the panthers earlier and ended up in our medical center to get stitched. Shifters healed very quickly in general, but not when bitten by one of our cats. He was lucky it had been a cub. A full-grown panther would have cut off his arm completely.
My father said under his breath, “I would have postponed this if I could. But we’re running out of time. Last night was your last chance to hunt.”
I choked. “You make me sound like a cougar.”
Venetto snorted. “I’m not. I’d be doing them an injustice if I did.”
I made a face. “Very funny, Father.”
Instead of answering, he simply looked at me closely, his bushy brows coming together in a frown. Venetto was a solidly built man and one of the most respected and feared pack leaders of the Panthera. He didn’t talk much, but he was mighty observant. I kept my face expressionless, not wanting him to guess my thoughts.
Finally, he said, “You have not yet told me about why you always come home with bruises. I told you to find a man worthy of being your consort, not your sparring partner.”
An image of Alessandro Moretti flashed through my mind. He would make a worthy sparring partner and an interesting consort. As soon as the thought occurred to me, I pushed it away. There was no point thinking about him. He hadn’t even asked how we would meet again. The world of shifters might be small, but not so small that he would easily find out which pack I belonged to. Clearly I had only been a momentary diversion to Alejandro Moretti. It was only to be expected from the most licentious wolf in history.
“I just wish I didn’t have to choose at all.” It was the most selfish thing I had ever said, but I had to say it. Warriors didn’t lie and I needed to voice my true feelings, even just this once. “You know I can lead the pack on my own, Father. You know.”
He answered wearily, “Your abilities have never been the issue. You know that, too, daughter. I’ve raised you myself. Trained you myself. You’re a hundred times more a warrior than my greedy nephew could be. I know better than anyone that you can be the future alpha of my pack, and each and every panther in our pack would gladly follow your command and die to protect you.”
“But I’m human.”
“But you’re human.”
It always boiled down to that.
“The Panthera would never allow a human to lead one of the packs. You need a natural-born shifter as consort, or at the very least a Cavaliere to rule at your side. If I let you lead the pack on your own, it will only serve as a temptation for every panther to challenge your authority and win leadership from you.”
“I can handle the challenges—”
“You can. But what about the rest of your pack? Each challenge means war, and every war has casualties.”
“Stefano will—”
“—not always be with us,” he finished gently. “He has his own pack. He will eventually return to them. No shifter can ever turn his back on his birthright.” A sigh emerged from Venetto. “I am old, Calys, and I am tired.”
The words had me stiffening. I hated it when I was reminded of his age. Even though his shifter blood allowed him to look decades younger, the truth was, Venetto was close to being a century old now. He had been my rock, and I couldn’t imagine life without him.
If choosing a Cavaliere today could make a difference, if it could ease his worries and prolong his life, then so be it.
I bowed to him. “I beg your leave, Father. I will start circulating and look for potential consorts.”
“Make sure Stefano is with you at all times.”
“Yes, Father.” When I straightened, I saw that a grave look had fallen on Venetto’s face.
“I’m sorry for placing pressure on your shoulders, but we simply have no choice. War is upon us, cub. I cannot be at peace until I’m assured you are not alone in defending our pack.” He nodded towards the other shifters. “Be quick in choosing, Calys.”
The words he left unsaid hung in the air.
I did have to make my choice, quickly, if I did not want The Conclave making the choice for me.
Chapter Six
ALEJANDRO
“I would like to ask you to draft a contract that frees me to be a...Cavaliere…to a pack princess of the Panthera.”
The words should have come as a shock to the heir of the Moretti pack, but when Domenico Moretti looked up from the documents he was quietly perusing, his handsome face was unreadable. His tone was just as bland as he said, “Please take a seat.” Everyone who knew him, however, would also understand that the words were not a request but a command.
When his younger brother was seated, Domenico asked,
“Why is there a need for a Cavaliere?”
“It appears that her father is on a husband-hunting mission for her.” Alejandro cracked his knuckles as he spoke the words. It did not sit well with him that his little kitty might be given to another man.
Domenico studied the play of emotions on his brother’s face with interest. “May I ask which pack princess is this?”
Wordlessly, Alejandro pushed forward the invitation he had wrangled from another pack princess, this one the stunning and worldly eldest daughter of the pack of the Garridos. She had been the only Lyccan he knew who had been invited to tomorrow’s auction, and that invitation was vital since panthers were notorious for being distrustful of strangers.
One eyebrow arched questioningly as Domenico read the invitation. “They must need to have her mated as soon as possible. Those panthers are famous all over the world. I can see a lot of pack leaders’ sons hurrying to attend this event.” He paused. “Do you plan to be her Cavaliere just for the sake of owning one of those panthers?”
Alejandro said idly, “Would it be hard to believe if I said yes? Those panthers, as you say, are world famous.”
Domenico wasn’t fooled. His younger brother might insist on making others see him as nothing but a carefree playboy prince, but he knew all of his siblings well. With this brother of his, the charming sophisticated façade he presented was just that: a façade.
“If you become the princess’ Cavaliere, you will need to spend a lot of time with those panthers. They are not exactly friendly with strangers. You will need to bear a lot of prejudice there.”
A pair of ocean-blue eyes flashed in Alejandro’s mind as he questioned his decision. The memory of the taste of his kitty’s lips and the feel of her body had kept him awake and aching the entire night, so much so that in the end he had found himself masturbating and pleasuring himself in the shower – something he had not done since he was a boy.
When his younger brother only shrugged, Domenico remarked casually, “You know, my first thought was that this would be more to your twin’s liking. As we all know, Alessandro’s been rather aggressive. That would make him feel right at home there.”
No fucking way, Alejandro thought blackly. Only when Domenico started talking about panthers and his twin in the same sentence did Alejandro remember one important thought. He had an identical twin, and he did not like to think about what could happen if his little kitty realized the same thing.
Would she want Alessandro more? Perhaps. She seemed to be the type of woman who was all for grand gestures, and what was grander than one Lyccan prince fighting a dozen other shifters, all for the glory of defending their pack’s reputation?
“Alessandro would not make a good Cavaliere for her. She’s already too passionate. He’s too hotheaded, especially when you consider he’s a college professor.”
Domenico smiled but said evenly, “As you are too charming for a paid fighter.”
Alejandro stiffened. So Domenico knew of his nocturnal activities then. He waited for his brother to ask about it, but no question was forthcoming.
“Nonetheless, I’m thinking about whether Alessandro should accompany you to this party. What do you think?” Domenico asked even though he really had no plans of having both twins attend the party. He only wanted to push his younger brother into revealing his thoughts. Alejandro worried him in a way Alessandro didn’t. This brother of his kept too much to himself even as he continued to charm everyone with his lazy wit and courteous ways.
“Whatever the pack leader’s heir decides,” Alejandro said.
The words were spoken in a dulcet tone, but the muscle ticking in Alejandro’s jaw gave Domenico hope that all was not lost. Pride had lost him the woman he loved, and he was determined that none of his younger brothers would follow in his footsteps. In Alejandro’s case, it appeared that the fate of his heart lay in the hands of a panther princess.
Domenico took careful note of the princess’ name even as he kept silent. It would be healthy to let Alejandro sweat it out a bit. Calys Adelardi. He must find out everything about her and ensure that she was the ideal woman for Alejandro.
Chapter Seven
CALYS
Selflessness came in many forms, and not every warrior’s deed had to be dipped in blood. It was like what The Dark Knight said when he had decided to give up his cape. That a hero could be anyone—
Stefano Guidicelli, tall, blond, and blue-eyed like a real-life Prince Charming, came to stand in front of me. “Princess.” As he bowed, he not so gently stepped on my foot, saying under his breath, “Stop daydreaming.”
I blinked rapidly in pain even though I badly tried to look as if I was flirting with my father’s right hand man. I wanted to yelp in pain, but I didn’t. A true warrior always suffered in silence. When he straightened, I mumbled¸ “I’m sorry.” I had been daydreaming for the last couple of minutes. My eyes had started to glaze the moment the men started talking about going to beach parties and attending some event that sounded like a cross between a coach and Cinderella. I just couldn’t believe the future pack leaders of the Panthera were so…shallow. Didn’t they know that war was at our doorsteps this very moment?
As Stefano came to stand behind me, he murmured glacially, “You need to focus on sizing each and every eligible shifter that comes your way. One of them could potentially be leading your pack with you or for you. The future of your pack hinges on your choice of consort. Is that matter so boring to you?”
Stefano’s words had me paling. “I’m sorry.” God, what was wrong with me? I used to consider finding a consort an honorable task. I had looked forward to the opportunity to serve my pack. All I had been able to think back then was what I would gain for the Adelardi pack.
But after last night…
After Alejandro Moretti…
Now, I was starting to think of what I could lose.
Crap, crap, crap. This had to stop. Pushing the thought away, I straightened up and pinned another smile on my face. “Elias, Elijah.” The panthers I called immediately came to my side, stretching by my feet lazily before looking around them with disdain. I could empathize. All three of us were for show, but we had to do what we had to do for our pack.
A crowd of guests immediately surrounded us. The questions started coming in, and I answered them pleasantly while I calculated each shifter’s BMI. Sadly, not one of them rated below overweight. What kind of warrior training did these princes have? Did it take place next to the bed and the refrigerator?
It was nearing noon when Stefano spoke again. “Princess.”
I jumped at his voice. Crap. Had he seen my eyes glazing when the prince kept droning on and on about taking a selfie with my panthers? A selfie! He was a warrior! And he wanted a selfie!
“Would you like to take a walk while the panthers are given water?”
I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally. Stefano was allowing me to have a break from princess duties. “Yes, please.”
Stefano bowed to the crowd of disappointed guests in front of us, murmuring our excuses. I listened to him with admiration. Both of us had the same tutors, the same training, the same everything. But why was it he had mastered the art of smooth talking and I couldn’t?
Stefano walked beside me, a right he had earned as an honorary member of our family. My thoughts turned to Alejandro Moretti once more. I didn’t want to think about him, but I couldn’t help it.
If only he truly meant to be my Cavaliere, I thought wistfully. It would have been ideal, and it had nothing to do with the fact that the Lyccan prince happened to be very attractive and an absolutely great kisser. Absolutely not. Stuff like that was just like…like icing on the cake. Yes, icing – deliciously hot and sweet icing, with the way his lips so expertly claimed my own, with the way his large strong hands shaped my body as if it was a toy to be molded to his will, and oh with the way he could make my nipples—
“Princess, you seem like you are about to drool.”
Stefano’s puzzl
ed observation had my eyes flying open. Crap. I was about to drool. But before I could think of an excuse, someone called out to us. “If it isn’t the Human Monster and the Bastard.”
It was a group of young cubs, and the leader of the group had an insolent look on his face as he sauntered towards us.
“Take it back,” I said coldly.
“Princess,” Stefano said warningly.
I didn’t heed it. Stefano never liked it when we made a fuss over him, but he was family. And anyone who thought he could be insulted because he was a bastard did not deserve to be treated with respect.
“What are you going to do if I don’t?” the leader jeered.
I knew his kind. He had heard stories about me and thought he would claim his manhood by beating me. The Human Monster. If he had only insulted me, I might have allowed him to leave without harm. But he had insulted someone under our pack’s protection and without provocation at all. He had to be shown the error of his ways.
“Apologize if you know what is good for you.”
“And I keep asking you, bitch. Whatcha gonna do if I don’t? Flutter your eyelashes at me and kill me with a look?” His friends snickered at his words, and it made him puff his chest out like a peacock.
He turned to Stefano. “And then there’s you. You’ve got a nice and cozy setup here, don’t you? Thrown out by the jaguars, but like any greedy bastard, you managed to claw a spot for yourself with the panthers. Probably want to marry her yourself, don’t you? Match made in hell.”
More snickers.
He was really getting on my nerves.
“You must learn to control yourself, princess.”
I knew Stefano was right. Sadly, this cub’s attitude wasn’t any different from the rest of the other panthers. Panthers in general were racist and uncivilized. If you weren’t a panther, then you didn’t amount to anything.
Or at least for now. It was my calling to change that. I knew in my heart I was destined to reshape the future of the panthers. And I could start right now. Struggling to control my temper, I said, “There are certain rules we must abide, panther. One is to respect the owner of the house and its guests—”
