by Zara Chase
“Hold him tight,” Mikael said to Bryce.
Bryce placed his hands firmly on Jared’s body. “I’ve got him.”
“You ready for this, buddy?”
Caitlyn blinked. Did she just hear Mikael communicate with Jared?
“Do your fucking worst.”
She smiled, in spite of the seriousness of the situation. The reply was so typically Jared that she had to have heard it. Mikael held the wound together with forceps, and Philo placed boiling herbs all over it. Jared howled and levitated from the table, despite Bryce’s best efforts to hold him down. When the steam cleared, Mikael peered at the wound and nodded.
“That’s done it.”
Caitlyn couldn’t believe it. That horrible bloody mass was now just a thin line.
“One down one to go,” Mikael pheromoned.
The process was repeated on Jared’s paw but had to be done twice before it took.
“He might be left with a limp for a few days.”
A few days? Wounds like that took weeks to heal, didn’t they?
“Okay,” Mikael said, “that about fixes it. He needs to shift back now.”
“Why can’t he stay like he is until he feels better?” Caitlyn asked.
“Because we need to see if any of the injuries have affected his human side,” Mikael replied. “Won’t know that until he’s back in human form.”
“I see.”
“Come on, buddy,” Bryce pheromoned. “We have unfinished business to attend to.”
“Nag, nag.”
She could hear both exhaustion and humor in Jared’s pheromone. His body trembled and she could sense the great effort it took him to shift back. Gradually his human form emerged, dirty, disheveled but all in one piece. Mikael examined him thoroughly and declared himself satisfied.
“You need to stay here tonight, buddy,” he said. “Can’t put any weight on that foot until tomorrow.”
“Can we stay with him?” Bryce asked.
“No point. I’m gonna knock him out cold. Come back in the morning and he’ll be all yours.”
“Behave yourself,” Caitlyn said, leaning in to kiss him when he’d been lifted into a comfortable bed and Mikael slipped a needle in his arm. “No one’s ever slayed a bear for me before, and I need to express my appreciation.”
Jared’s beautiful lips curved, and he winked at her before falling into a medically-induced sleep.
Chapter Thirteen
Jared awoke the following morning, aching and stiff, like he’d just gone ten rounds with a bear. He was also ravenous, but the moment details of the battle filtered through his brain his ailments dissipated along with his hunger.
Jubilation surged through him. He’d actually pulled it off. With the help of a pissed domestic cat he’d bested a bear who’d go to any lengths to win because rogues like him never fought fair. Jared winced as he recalled the searing pain he’d felt when he trod on that half-buried blade that damned near sliced his paw in two. But in spite of Salter’s dirty tricks, he and Marvin had ensured Caitlyn’s friend was released and…and what?
His jubilation waned. Would Caitlyn still want to know them after the horrors and realities of shifter life that she’d just witnessed? It was one thing knowing what they were, but actually seeing a full-scale battle… Don’t go there!
Sensing someone watching him, Jared turned his head and found Bryce straddling a plastic chair, his arms folded along its back.
“Hey, buddy, welcome back.”
His worst fears were realized. Caitlyn wasn’t with him. “Where’s our mate?”
“Nice to see you, too.”
“Bryce!”
“Okay, don’t panic.” Bryce grinned. “She’s been in and out, waiting for you to rejoin the land of the living. Now she’s upstairs with Mia. Rafe thinks it best that Mia’s memory be cleared so she doesn’t have nightmares about what she went through.”
“She’s leaving Impulse?” If she went, presumably Caitlyn would feel the need to leave, too. Oh, she’d promise to come back, and she’d probably mean it at the time, but talk was cheap and memories were short. “We can’t let that happen, bud.”
“No, Caitlyn’s keen for her to stay. She says it’s a safer environment than living in foster homes.”
Jared felt the tension drain out of him. “Well, Caitlyn should know.”
“Right. Mia’s young and can probably cope with the air here, just like all the kids do.” Bryce laughed. “Anyway, Ryan seems keen to help out with anything Mia needs.”
Jared rolled his eyes. “You were saying about the resilience of youth?”
“You ought to be glad that he’s not still pining for that unsuitable human whom you sent packing. Anyway, Mia can settle down here, and when she’s old enough to understand, she’ll be told what we are.”
“That’s good.” Parched, Jared sat up and downed an entire glass of water. “Caitlyn…is she—”
“She spent the entire night fretting about you. You’re her hero.”
“Now, but later—” Jared paused, trying to put his thoughts into some sort of coherent order. “She’s only seen the ugly side of our lifestyle so far. What she wants—”
“What she wants is to feel part of a family.” Bryce grinned. “Don’t worry. I’m already on it.”
“What do you mean?”
Jared grinned when Bryce told him.
“That’s got to be worth a shot.”
“Right, so I need to take myself off and finish the preparations, so we can get on with our wedding night proper. Remind her of what she’s in for on a regular basis, just in case she does have thoughts of leaving.” Bryce grinned. “When she’s had us both at once, she won’t wanna go anywhere.”
Jared wanted to believe it was true but was afraid to hope. “You can’t know that.”
“I know she’s sensual, responsive and curious. I also knew she’s never done half the stuff we plan to do to her and that she’ll love it.”
Jared allowed himself to feel reassured and returned Bryce’s grin. “Okay, big boy, let’s get out of here.”
“Mikael will want to check you over.”
“He knows where to find me.”
* * * *
Layla and Ryan between them insisted they’d take care of Mia, who was still quiet but far calmer than she’d been the night before. Her memory had been cleared of all that had happened to her over the past few weeks. Caitlyn asked her if she’d like to remain in Impulse with her for the time being, and she agreed without hesitation. Ryan insisted that his mother would be happy to give her accommodation, and after brief consideration, Caitlyn decided that would be for the best. If she lived with her and the boys, there was no saying what she might walk in on!
Much as she wanted to see Jared, Caitlyn insisted on going with Mia and Ryan so she could meet his mom for herself. She was a lovely, caring lady, and Mia hit it off with her from the get-go. She showed more animation than she had since being rescued, and Caitlyn knew she’d made the right decision in keeping her here in this close-knit community. She also suspected that Ryan’s interest in Mia was more than a transitory affair. She hoped so because she liked the young panther, and Mia obviously did, too.
All this took time, and when she finally made it back to the medical center Jared had already left with Bryce.
“Well, they could have waited for me,” she said to herself.
Caitlyn was anxious to see Jared but still took her time returning home, unsure what to make of the tiny seed of uncertainty that had planted itself inside her brain since witnessing that fight the previous night. She loved Jared and Bryce, no question, but could she live with the constant fear of their being killed or injured hanging over her head?
She arrived home to find Jared looking totally recovered, Marvin on his lap purring like there was no tomorrow. She ran to Jared and threw her arms around his neck.
“How do you feel?” she asked anxiously. “Sorry I couldn’t—”
“Shush, it’s
okay. I know you had Mia to worry about.”
“Not anymore. Ryan’s mother has taken her under her wing.”
“That’s good.”
“I’m so relieved to have you back.” Caitlyn sat beside Jared and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Something smells nice.”
“Bryce is expanding his culinary skills, which is probably a good thing.” He grinned. “Be nice and say good things about his efforts.”
“I’m starved so that won’t be a problem.”
“Me too.”
But the hunger in Jared’s eyes didn’t seem to have anything to do with food. He leaned in to kiss her, and Caitlyn was more than ready to meet him halfway.
“I thought you were going to die,” she said, swallowing down a sob when he broke the kiss. “I couldn’t bear the thought that I was to blame.”
“It wasn’t your fault. Salter just used you, that’s all. If it hadn’t been you, he’d have found another way. His sort always do.” Jared stroked Marvin’s sleek back, causing the cat’s purring to ratchet up a notch. “Anyway, there was no danger of me dying, thanks to this guy.”
“I knew he’d formed a bond with you, but I didn’t realize he understood the rules of shifter combat.”
“Me neither, but he must have sensed something. We’re all felines, after all. Rafe says that Salter placed a whole line of blades just beneath the surface of the lot and then deliberately led me in that direction. I thought it was all too easy.” Jared sighed. “I should have taken a moment to think.”
“How did he know he wouldn’t tread on one himself?”
“Because he knew where they were and made sure he backed up in a straight line. Shifter felines always attack by circling their prey when fighting at close quarters, which is what he was relying on.”
“Why did he cheat like that?”
“Because he doesn’t understand the concept of fair play. Like you said yourself, there was no need for him to murder your boss. He did it because he’s a psychopath and enjoys the buzz he gets when he feels like he’s in charge. He was also weaker than we’d realized and probably knew it. I wouldn’t have been able to kill him so easily, even with Marvin’s help, had it been otherwise.”
Caitlyn shuddered. It hadn’t looked easy to her. All that blood, spilled guts and howling pain. She’d never forget it.
“It’s over, babe,” Jared said, slipping an arm around her shoulders and squeezing. “Are you sure you want to stay now you’ve got Mia back? Don’t feel obliged just because—”
She silenced him with a kiss that went on until Bryce interrupted them, saying lunch was ready.
* * * *
As soon as they’d eaten, Bryce nodded to Jared and went off to set the scene.
“Five minutes,” he said.
“Until what?” Caitlyn asked.
“You’ll see,” Jared replied.
When Jared led their mate into the bedroom, Bryce had transformed the place. The drapes were closed, scented candles burned from every surface, and the heady perfume of the fresh lilies that spilled from several vases sweetened the atmosphere. What stopped Caitlyn in her tracks were the pictures being projected one after another onto the white walls.
A party at the Cat’s Whiskers, with a lot of people she recognized dressed up to the nines. A small child sitting on Rafe’s knee and being comforted. Philo playing with Layla’s daughter. Mikael with a child he was treating at the Institute. A crocodile of children from the Cat’s Cradle nursery school crossing the road hand in hand. It all seemed so normal—like any town anywhere.
Then pictures of her appeared. She’d been caught with her head almost touching Chantal’s and Layla’s as they chatted together at the Whiskers. Her and Jared staring into one another’s eyes across the crowded bar. Marvin curled up on the counter, being petted by a beta jaguar. They made it seem like a cozy, quiet town where everyone looked out for everyone else—the sort of place she’d always longed to live.
And that, Caitlyn realized, was what it actually was. The violence she’d witnessed the night before—a scene she hadn’t been able to shake from her head—wasn’t the way they wished to live. This was the real Impulse, and the felines only fought when they were left with no choice other than to protect their patch and prevent it from being taken from them. She hadn’t known until then that the violence aspect had been bothering her. It never would again because these gorgeous felines had her complete love and total trust.
“Oh!” Caitlyn said breathlessly. “The pictures are amazing. Who took them?”
“We have a guy who’s honing his skills as a photographer. He wants to make a career out of it.”
“And he’ll succeed.” She glanced at each of them in turn. “Thank you. I didn’t realize I needed to see them.”
Jared took her hand, raised it to his lips and kissed the back of it. “We’ll never let anything happen to you, darlin’. On that you have our solemn promise.”
Bryce, naked and aroused, took her other hand and led her farther into the room. Jared shed his clothes and sat on the edge of the bed. Bryce glanced at his buddy, smiling only after he’d taken a good look at his body and reassured himself that his wounds had indeed healed. Just a minor limp and a few near-invisible scars were the only indication that he’d been in a battle to the death with a rogue bear less than twenty-four hours previously.
“It’s safe for our mate to wear her collar now,” Jared said.
“So it is. Take your clothes off, darlin’, and kneel in front of me.”
Caitlyn did as he asked, and Bryce affixed a beautiful collar, studded with pink sapphires, around her slender neck.
“Stand up and look in the mirror.”
Caitlyn examined her reflection and gasped. “It’s beautiful!”
“It doesn’t come close to being as beautiful as its wearer,” Jared replied, blowing her a kiss.
“This is the real celebration of our mating,” Bryce said to Caitlyn, who’d resumed her kneeling position in front of him, head bowed.
She glanced up, her eyes a muddy swirl of expectation and passion. “I’m glad,” she said simply.
“There are some clothes on the bed. Go and put them on for me.”
She stood up and walked over to where Bryce had laid out a tiny black PVC skirt and bikini top. Bryce and Jared exchanged an approving glance when she slipped into them. Naked she was sensational, but covering her vital body parts with tacky material made her seem ten times more sensual.
“Put the shoes on as well and come over here.”
She walked up to Bryce, balancing on five-inch heels. He snaked out an arm to tumble her facedown across his lap. Before she had a chance to get used to the position he brought his hand down hard over her PVC-covered ass. She writhed but held her position, so Bryce repeated the punishment, this time a little harder. When that appeared not to unsettle her, he reached instead for the paddle he’d laid out on the bed and applied it to her bare buttocks, pimple-side up.
“You love that, don’t you, sugar?”
“It makes me feel hot and tingly all over.”
She was enjoying this a little too much, so Bryce changed tactics.
“Get down on your knees in front of Jared, stick your ass in the air and then suck his cock between your sweet lips.”
Jared groaned when her mouth closed around him and she sucked him deep. Bryce took a moment to admire her cute butt, pink stripes across it where he’d used the paddle on her. Tempted as he was to spank her a little harder, he had other, more pressing, needs. Kneeling behind her, he applied lube to her butt and massaged it in, making full use of his semi-retractable claws to work it deep into her anus. A butt plug followed, and she made no attempt to fight it as it slid into place.
Jared’s groans were getting louder. Clearly he was close. Bryce reached around their mate and slid a small vibrator into her sopping cunt, turning it on to a low speed. Her body jerked, but she gamely continued to work on Jared, while Bryce worked on her. He wanted her on t
he brink, but no way would she be permitted to cross that line, not until both their cocks were buried deep inside her. Then she’d get to come multiple times.
“Make him come for you, darlin’,” Bryce said in a deep, persuasive purr, playing with his own cock as he watched her suck Jared deeper. “That’s it, sweetheart. Show Jared how much you love him.”
“Shit, I can’t hold it!”
Jared’s body jerked, and Bryce could see Caitlyn’s throat working as she swallowed down his cum. He bucked into her mouth, pushing her head farther down with his hand as he found release. Bryce spanked her again, harder this time. His cock throbbed and pulsated, but he resisted the urge to sink it into her. After his travails of the night before, Jared needed all their mate’s attention in order to facilitate his sexual healing. His turn, and hers, would come soon enough.
* * * *
Caitlyn’s head was spinning, her body on fire. That plug up her butt and the vibrator pulsing away inside her were driving her out of her mind. But she knew without being told that she couldn’t come until they gave her permission. It was a hell of a lot more exciting that way, but even so, the waiting was starting to get to her. She loved her trashy clothes. They helped her to feel as though she was playing a part, that she was someone other than herself in a world where there were no rules and nothing was taboo.
“Okay,” Bryce said, leaning over her when she’d wriggled onto her back on the bed. “Now we really get to have some fun.”
She groaned when Jared came up on her other side and sucked one of her aching nipples through the PVC. Make that bit one of her nipples, she mentally amended as a sharp pain and then searing pleasure surged through her. It felt like heaven, and she wanted to ask him to do it again. She refrained, somehow knowing that asking for what she wanted was against the rules. Rules they hadn’t bothered to acquaint her with. Not that it mattered. He’d have to be deaf and blind not to see from her reactions that she loved all this rough stuff.
“We’re gonna tie you up, darling,” Jared said, “and then fuck you together.”