Protector Lion

by Zoe Chant

  Casey held his breath as Natalie looked between the two of them, before her eyes finally flickered back down to his face.

  Her fingers tightened on his.

  “Then I would too.”

  Chapter Eight

  Natalie

  “… And that’s the story of how Joe and I met.”

  Natalie blinked, shaking her head as Sasha finished her tale. She could scarcely believe what she was hearing – and it put her own story of running from pushy loan sharks in the shade, she had to admit. At least they had been human! Sasha had been chased across half a state by other shifters, before finally stumbling onto the land of the Cedar Hill pride, and coming under their protection.

  That Joe had turned out to be her mate seemed an impossible coincidence, but it was clearly true – the light in Sasha’s eyes as she spoke about him was something Natalie was quickly coming to recognize. She saw it in Casey’s eyes whenever he looked at her.

  “That’s… amazing,” she said, as they walked together toward the elementary school she had enrolled Micah in just the day before.

  Sasha had her own son, Link, who was one and a half, in a sling that wrapped across her body. He was peacefully asleep, long lashes swept down over his pink cheeks. He reminded Natalie of Micah when he’d been young enough for her to carry around – and he’d been just about as quiet and sleepy, too.

  Not that she’d trade Micah’s six-year-old ebullience for anything, Natalie thought.

  She glanced down at him where he was holding on tightly to her left hand, walking next to Faith, who was holding onto her own mother’s hand. He had been quiet and polite throughout their brief interview with the principal yesterday, and his exemplary school records had impressed her. I’m sure Micah will fit right in here, she’d said, smiling in a way that had made Natalie feel a surge of hope.

  They stopped at the gates of the school. It was small enough, and with few enough students that Micah would be sharing a class with Faith, even though she was in the year below him. Natalie watched as he looked around, watching the other kids all cavorting together before class, or kissing their parents goodbye before dashing off to play with their friends.

  She felt him squeeze her fingers with his little hand, as if reluctant to let go. “What if those kids don’t want to play with me?” he asked, his voice soft, eyes downcast.

  “I’m sure they will,” Natalie said, sounding more confident than she felt. Micah was just as rambunctious as any other child once he came out of his shell, but she knew his shyness made it hard for him to open up and make friends. She hoped that things would be different in a small place like this.

  “I want to play with you,” Faith suddenly spoke up, in her usual forthright way. “So my friends have to be your friends.”

  Micah blinked at her a moment, before a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Really?”

  Faith nodded. “That’s how it works.”

  Natalie couldn’t help but laugh. Faith’s lofty certainty was contagious – and Natalie had no doubt that Faith would make sure Micah was included in whatever she did.

  “All right then, time to say goodbye, my little one,” Charity said, bending down to give her daughter a once-over for neatness. “Try not to get mud on your new dress, okay?”

  “Okay,” Faith said noncommittally, before leaning in to give her mother a kiss on the cheek.

  “I’ll be back to pick you up later,” Natalie said, kneeling in front of Micah. “Things’ll be great, I promise.”

  Micah nodded. “Okay, Mommy.”

  “All right. Kiss on the cheek, unless you’re too grown up for that now.”

  Micah giggled, before giving her a quick peck.

  Straightening, Natalie watched Micah and Faith walk together across the yard to say good morning to their teacher, Ms. James, the daughter of the reverend of the local church.

  Natalie was still getting used to how interconnected everything was here in the small town of Cedar Hill – it seemed like everyone knew everyone else, or had grown up together, or had some kind of family history stretching back years. She might have felt like the odd one out, but everyone had made her feel right at home.

  Part of that, she was sure, came from the fact that she had been introduced to everyone by the Whittaker family, who seemed to be well-known in town. Not only was Mason the county sheriff, but Faye’s B&B had revived what had been verging on becoming just another dustbowl of a town, with little going for it but a gas station and some picturesque mountain views.

  Charity’s diner, a little way out of town, was known as the best Friday night the town had had in years, while Joe and Lincoln were seen as good businessmen and good ranchers, as well as pillars of their community.

  Never in her wildest dreams had Natalie imagined she would ever be part of such a community – or such a family.

  And throughout it all, Casey was there by her side.

  He’d been right, of course – once he’d explained that Natalie was his mate, they had been nothing but welcoming, despite their age difference, and despite the fact that she had come to take up a job.

  Natalie knew enough about people to know that anyone else might have seen her as conniving to secure herself a place, but there had been no such suggestion from the Whittakers – none whatsoever.

  And Casey was so gentle and patient with Micah – never pushing, and waiting for Micah to decide how he felt about things.

  Micah, in his usual quiet way, seemed to be slowly piecing things together, and Natalie felt it would be better to address his questions as they arose, rather than trying to tell him everything at once.

  But so far, there’d only been one time he’d looked sad since the day they came here.

  Mommy, he’d asked her suddenly, looking up from the book he’d been reading. Will I be able to turn into a lion too one day?

  She’d had to shake her head. No, honey. Only some people can do that. But we’re not one of them.

  He’d looked quite downcast at that. Can I turn into something else, though?

  Natalie had enveloped him in a hug. You’ll grow up to be a big strong man. Won’t that be good?

  As big as Casey?

  Maybe, honey. Maybe.

  She felt her eyes growing moist as she watched him talking shyly with Ms. James.

  “He’ll be all right, Natalie,” Charity said, patting him on the shoulder. “Once Faith has decided someone’s her friend, she’s pretty adamant about it.”

  Natalie couldn’t help but laugh. “I can see that!” she said, as she watched Faith tug Micah by the hand to where a group of kids were playing by a tree. They looked up with interest as Faith introduced her new friend, and Natalie could see the smiles on their faces as they told Micah their names.

  “All right, well, I should get going,” Charity said. “Gotta drive out to the diner and do the books, make sure the tax man is getting what he’s owed.” She rolled her eyes. “Sasha’s coming with me for an extra pair of eyes. Can I drop you anywhere, Natalie?”

  Natalie shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m going to go by the general store for some cleaning supplies, then walk back to the B&B. I’ll be fine.”

  “You sure? That’s a pretty long walk,” Sasha said.

  Natalie laughed. “I know. But believe me, when you grow up where I grew up, being able to walk anywhere seems like a bit of a luxury. Especially with this kind of clean air, and that view!” She gestured to where the mountains rose up in the distance, pale and majestic in the early springtime morning.

  Charity and Sasha laughed.

  “You have a point,” Charity said. “I guess I forget how lucky we are sometimes.”

  Natalie nodded. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this view,” she said wistfully, thinking back to her tiny box of an apartment, with its view of a garbage-strewn street and hundreds of other apartments exactly like it, and not missing it even for one moment.

  “All right. Well, say hi to Faye and Lincoln for us,�
� Sasha said, before they both turned away and headed toward Charity’s huge, beat-up old truck, parked in the street by the school.

  Natalie sighed happily. It was strange to have such good friends again. Before, between her job and taking care of Micah, she’d had no time at all for a social life. The friends she’d known had slowly dropped off the radar when she’d gotten pregnant – plus, Ken had had a jealous streak a mile wide, and had sulked for hours if she went out without him, or, even worse, picked a fight before she went that had left her feeling crummy for the entire evening.

  Casey was like Ken’s exact opposite: easy-going, quiet, thoughtful, and always trying to find a way to make her happy.

  This was the first time in over a decade she felt free.

  Smiling up at the sunny sky above, Natalie had to resist the urge to laugh out loud.

  She was still new in town, after all, and she didn’t want to get a reputation as a madwoman.

  Instead, Natalie simply contented herself with grinning inanely, and making her way back through the school parking lot, toward the tiny shopping strip.

  And that was when she saw it.

  Parked in amongst all the teachers’ and parents’ trucks and cars, looking as out of place as a fox in a henhouse, was a massive black Mercedes.

  The exact same kind she’d seen the man who’d come to threaten her at her apartment get into.

  Natalie froze, her good mood instantly evaporating, and her blood turning to ice in her veins.

  It’s just a coincidence, she tried to tell herself, but she knew that that was impossible.

  Every other car in the lot was either a small hatchback or other practical ride, or a truck that had seen better days.

  No one in Cedar Hill drove a car like that.

  No one Natalie had ever known had driven a car like that. No one she’d ever known had been in an income bracket to drive a car like that.

  And, to be honest, Natalie did not especially believe in coincidence.

  As if to prove her point, as she stood frozen in the middle of the parking lot, the door opened and a long leg, clad in a dark suit, emerged.

  Natalie swallowed as the rest of him followed. Through the sudden fear that rose in her mind, she tried to remember the name he had told her to ask for that first day. For a moment, her mind was blank, and then it came to her: Pritchard. She had no idea whether it was his real name, and it seemed unlikely, but at least it was something to call him by, rather than simply thinking of him as a nameless threat.

  He was even taller than she remembered – and even more broad. She didn’t consider herself a shrinking violet, and she’d taken self-defense classes. But as she watched him make his way toward her, she wasn’t sure if it would do her any good. She wasn’t any kind of expert, but the way he held himself told of unknown strength beneath that expensive suit.

  “Mrs. Walker,” Pritchard said as he approached, smiling in that way that showed far too many of his teeth. “We meet again.”

  “You stay away from me,” Natalie said loudly, willing herself not to take a step back. “I already told you – I don’t know where Ken is. He ran out on me. If you’re looking for him, he’s not here.”

  She glanced over her shoulder toward the schoolyard, but it was empty. Class had started. The teachers had warded the students indoors, and all the parents had left. There was no one to see or help her.

  Although she didn’t dare take her eyes off the man for too long, Natalie quickly plotted out an escape plan. The school gate wasn’t too far. If she ran, she could make it before he caught her.

  Maybe.

  Possibly.

  Looking back, she bit her lip, and tried to stand firm.

  “Your husband?” Pritchard snorted, making a dismissive gesture. “We’ve lost interest in him. No, Mrs. Walker – it’s you we want.”

  “I’ve told you, that’s not my name,” Natalie said. Being called by Ken’s name was even more grating now that she had discovered the truth of who she was: the truth of her mated bond with Casey. The idea that she had ever been fooled by a man as shallow and useless as Kenneth Walker disgusted her.

  “Fine – Ms. Nelson, then,” Pritchard said, his lip curling in contempt. “Whatever makes you happy. It’s not important.”

  Natalie took a deep breath. “And I told you – those debts aren’t mine. I won’t pay them. And anyway, I don’t have anything to pay them with.”

  The man laughed, and Natalie could swear his teeth almost glinted in the sun. “Well, that’s not exactly true now, is it?”

  His smile suddenly changed, and Natalie felt fear spreading through her.

  Oh God, she thought, swallowing heavily and taking a step back despite herself. Is he snarling at me?

  “I must say, you play the innocent very well, Ms. Nelson. I almost believed you when you said you had nothing to do with your husband, and no idea who I was. I almost decided to leave you alone.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Natalie asked, feeling her uneasiness rise.

  “Don’t play coy with me,” Pritchard snapped. “You expect me to believe this is a coincidence? That you run all the way here, to this town, to seek the protection of the Cedar Hill Pride, and you had no idea what you were doing? Don’t insult me.”

  Natalie stared at him, shocked. Pritchard knew who Casey and his family were – what they were? But how? And what did that mean?

  “I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said, her voice shaking. “I didn’t seek the protection of anybody. I only came here –”

  “Cut the shit, Ms. Nelson.” Pritchard’s voice was cold and flat. “I don’t believe a word you’re saying, so don’t even bother.”

  But it’s the truth, Natalie wanted to tell him, but she held her tongue. His expression was terrifying, and she didn’t want to risk provoking him further.

  “Both you and I know what’s happening here. There’s no way Kenneth didn’t tell you the terms of our deal, otherwise you never would have come here. Perhaps, at first, I would have been happy to just take the money. But now that you’ve lied to me, tried to double-cross me out of what’s rightfully mine…” He snarled. “Well. Now things have changed.”

  The… the terms of our deal? Natalie felt her blood run cold. “What do you mean?”

  “Come, now.” Pritchard laughed – a cruel, hollow sound. “You’ve already deceived me once. Don’t make things worse by doing it again. You’re not helping yourself – or your son.”

  For a long moment, Natalie’s brain refused to take in what she was hearing. Had Pritchard just threatened Micah? Had he dared to suggest he’d hurt him if Natalie didn’t do what he wanted?

  “You bastard,” she managed to choke out through gritted teeth. “Get out of here – now. Don’t you dare talk about my son.” She balled her hands into fists, advancing on him. “If you ever come near him or me again, I’ll –”

  Pritchard cut her off with a loud bark of laughter. “You’ll what? Do you think I’m frightened of you? You humans. You always think you’re so strong. You’re pathetic.”

  Natalie felt her knees shaking, but she forced herself to stand her ground, and forced her mind to think over what Pritchard had said. You humans – does that mean he’s not human? Is he… is he a shifter too?

  It was impossible for her to tell by looking at him, but then, she hadn’t been able to tell that Casey and his family were shifters either, before they’d transformed in front of her very eyes. That meant nothing.

  He could be bluffing.

  That was a possibility – but not a very likely one. What would be the point?

  Natalie glanced back at the school gate again.

  If Pritchard was a shifter, she knew that meant he was faster and stronger than any normal human. Suddenly, her chances of reaching the gate before he reached her were looking very slim indeed.

  Swallowing, she turned back to him.

  Pritchard was nodding, his face smug. “That’s right – you
know you don’t have a chance of getting away. So: let’s talk terms.”

  Natalie shook her head. “I already told you: no terms. I don’t care who you are. If, like you say, I’m under the protection of the Cedar Hill Pride, then you’ll want to make yourself scarce. They won’t be happy to find out you’ve been threatening me.”

  Pritchard smiled. “Ha. We’ll see about that. Like I said – Kenneth and I had an agreement. And agreements amongst shifters aren’t so easily broken.”

  “What are you talking about?” Natalie demanded. She wondered if she could keep Pritchard talking for long enough to edge toward the gate. “Ken wasn’t a shifter.”

  Casey, please help me!

  She sent a silent prayer out into the sky, wondering if shifters could read minds as well as turn into animals.

  Dear God, she hoped so.

  Pritchard shook his head. “No, he wasn’t. He didn’t inherit his mother’s abilities. But he still knew his heritage. And when he needed money, he knew he could call on her old pack for a favor.”

  Natalie’s chest tightened. She had never met Ken’s parents. He’d told her he didn’t speak to them anymore after they’d kicked him out of home. But if what Pritchard was saying was true, then…

  “Ken was half shifter?” she asked, her voice soft. She could scarcely believe it.

  Pritchard sneered. “If you like. He couldn’t shift, so he was zero shifter, as far as I was concerned. But pack is pack, and I owed his mother a favor, so I was willing to overlook it. Especially when it became clear what terms he was offering.”

  “You keep saying that,” Natalie said, shaking her head. This was too much. She felt like her head was about to burst. Could all of this really be true? Right now, however, she had to find out what exactly Ken had put on the table in exchange for his loans. “What terms? What are you talking about? I already told you I don’t have any money.”

  “And like I already told you, I’m not interested in the money anymore,” Pritchard said. “I was, before. But now I think I’m going to have to take Kenneth’s other offer.”