Cat's Wolf (A Shifter Romance Novella)

by Leanne Crabtree

  Especially after what she’d found out.

  “Ugh!” She cried, suddenly frustrated with everything. The magazine she’d been looking at flew across the room to thud against the wall.

  Misha glanced across at her but said nothing. She was still pissed off at her about that night at the club and they’d barely spoken since she’d arrived. Misha was laid on her double bed while Kaitlin was sat on the plush two-seater sofa on the far side of the room.

  Dropping her head into her palms she swore at length.

  Her friend sighed loudly and shut the magazine she’d been studying with a snap. “What’s up?”

  “Everything,” she muttered. Her friend snorted. “My life is seriously fucked up, right now.”

  “If you say so, Kait.”

  She lifted her head to glare at her best friend. “Look. I found something out about my dad and Tito. Trust me, it’s fucked up.”

  “They’re not…?” Misha asked, eyes wide.

  “What?—No!”

  Her friend got up and padded across to sit on the seat beside her, tucking her legs beneath her so she was comfortable. “Then what?”

  Kaitlin hesitated, for a second wondering if her dad had orchestrated her having Misha as her best friend, before answering. “My dad’s been controlling my life since I was knee high, including who I…become involved with.”

  “Tito’s under your dad’s thumb?”

  “Yes.”

  “Holy shit!”

  Kaitlin grimaced. “My thoughts exactly.”

  “What are you going to do?” Misha asked, her eyes wide.

  She shrugged. “I have no idea.”

  Her friend bit her lip and shot her a curious look. “So if you weren’t with Tito last night, were you with…?” The wolf.

  Kaitlin groaned. “Yeah, that was one big disaster.”

  Misha grinned, “I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.”

  “No, it was worse. My puma tried to commit suicide.”

  Although Misha was her best friend, she’d never told her about her issues controlling her animal. She’d never told anyone. She was worried it would make her sound weak when she wasn’t.

  “What?!”

  She let out a long sigh and met Misha’s gaze. “I’ve never told you but I...I don’t have control of my puma when I shift. Last night, she ran from Rhys and if not for him using his Alpha I would be dead right now.”

  “God, Kait!”

  “I know. I have no idea what to do.”

  Misha’s lips twisted. “What about this wolf? Do you trust him?”

  “He saved my life last night. Rhys,” she started and then broke off. Should she tell her friend that Rhys believed her to be his mate? It wouldn’t hurt. “Rhys believes me to be his mate.”

  Kaitlin glanced across to catch her friend reaction and laughed at Misha’s stunned face.

  “Trust you to get the enemy,” she said.

  Instantly sobered, she said. “Rhys isn’t the enemy.”

  Misha’s hands raised in a placating fashion. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. If you trust him, so do I.” Her gaze went out of focus as she thought on something and a blush stained her cheeks. Kaitlin wondered what her best friend had been thinking about but didn’t get chance to ask as Misha stood and walked across the room to pick up the magazine she’d been studying before. She promptly hid behind it before saying, “I just don’t think your dad will feel the same way.”

  Instantly forgetting her friend’s reaction she let out a groan and she pushed to her feet. “I need to be getting home. Can I borrow some of your clothes? I smell of wolf.”

  Her friend’s nose scrunched up at the reminder and she walked over to her wardrobe and grabbed a top and some jeans for her.

  “Thanks.”

  Hurriedly changing clothes, she said a quick goodbye to Misha and headed to her house a few streets away.

  Walking straight into the house she heard raised voices coming from somewhere deeper in the house and wondered who her father was furiously exchanging words with.

  Heading to the kitchen in search of her mother, she was surprised to see she wasn’t there. Her head turned in the direction of her father’s office. Was her mum in there too? Council business? Or about her?

  Tiptoeing closer to her father’s office, she concentrated on the voices within. Her father’s angry voice, her mother’s concerned one and another male’s. It sounded vaguely familiar. Kaitlin’s eyes widened when she recognised it and she hurried to the office, pushing the door open quickly and looking between the three, staying longer on Rhys’ handsome face.

  “Kaitlin,” her mum lifted a hand briefly before dropping it to her side again, her face going into its usual blank mask.

  Paul Mahone stood slowly and stared her down, his face showing his anger. “Care to explain where you were last night, Kaitlin?”

  Her gaze shifted to Rhys who was sat calmly in the chair, his gaze on her like everyone else in the room. She licked her lips nervously and returned her gaze to her dad. Had Rhys told them about last night?

  “I was… I was with—” he gaze went to Rhys again, not realising that the action answered her father’s question.

  “She was with me,” Rhys added unnecessarily. “Like I told you she was.”

  A low growl filled the room and she watched her father warily. He could be very unpredictable. “You fucked a dog?”

  Her mother drew in a swift breath at the coarse language but remained silent.

  Squaring her shoulders, Kaitlin met her father’s gaze. “I had sex with Rhys, yes.”

  Her lover reached out a hand and pulled her onto his lap. Kaitlin was sure it was just to piss off her father—and judging from the bulging vein in his forehead it was working—but she snuggled into his lap anyway. He nuzzled her neck with his nose, a low growl vibrating in his chest as he caught her scent.

  After a couple of seconds, he addressed her father again. “Now how about you explain to me and Kaitlin why she can't control her puma?”

  Her father stilled instantly.

  Her mother, on the other hand, let out a low snarl and Kaitlin glanced across to see her mother’s attention was locked on her husband, a dangerous glint in her eye.

  It dawned on Kaitlin then that her mother had never known the truth.

  Oh, no!

  Chapter 8

  “What is he talking about, Paul?”

  Her father shook his head, raising a hand to wave away her question as his gaze narrowed on Rhys. “Nothing. He’s just trying to cause trouble.”

  Her mum’s gaze moved between their three faces, trying to find the truth. Her gaze eventually stalled on Kaitlin, eyes searching.

  She gave her mum a slight nod to tell her that what Rhys had said was true and watched as she transferred her attention to her husband.

  “Why can't she control her puma, Paul?”

  Kaitlin saw the anger flush her father’s face. “She can, Ruth! You can, can't you, Kaitlin?” His eyes dared her to say no and she swallowed nervously.

  Rhys’ hand clasped hers and it gave her the strength to tell the truth. “No. I can't,” then added, “no thanks to you.”

  Power was suddenly flowing through the room and her father took a threatening step towards her. Rhys instantly blocked his forward motion, moving Kaitlin behind him, and stared the older man down. More power rolled through the room as the two Alpha’s squared off.

  Kaitlin struggled to breathe as it pushed against the restraints of the room. Forcing her hand up, she clawed at her throat where she was beginning to burn from lack of oxygen.

  “Kaitlin? Kaitlin!” Her mother’s worried voice barely registered.

  The power let up suddenly and she found herself clasped against Rhys’ hard body, his arms holding her against his chest as she gasped for air.

  Turning, he glared over his shoulder at her father.

  A loud smacking sound filled the room and Kaitlin glanced up to see a red blotchy hand print on he
r father’s cheek where her mother must have slapped him. “How dare you! She is our daughter, Paul!”

  A tic pulsed under his right eye as he glared at her mum. “And I am head of this family, Ruth, as well as the council. What I say goes.”

  Her mum’s chin rose defiantly. “I won't let you use our daughter as a pawn in whatever game you’re playing.”

  Paul snorted and brushed past his wife to sit down at his desk once more. He indicated with his hand that they too should return to their seats. Rhys sat reluctantly as did her mum and then she settled on the arm of Rhys’ chair.

  “Tito,” he called.

  Kaitlin tensed as the door opened and she held her breath as her on/off lover walked into the room. She felt his attention on her like a laser beam; his anger almost burning her skin. She felt his attention shift from her and let out a soft, unsteady breath.

  He came around the desk and stood beside her father.

  At nearly seven feet tall Tito was an imposing figure and one you wouldn’t necessarily want as an enemy. His dark hair was messy as usual and his usually twinkling brown eyes were hard and flat as he watched her. It had her wondering if he had cared about her.

  The muscles in his arms bulged as he crossed them over his chest and she couldn't help but admire him. He was a magnificent specimen of man. He was toned everywhere from hours in the gym and the sparring he did with his brethren. A small part of her wept at the loss of him from her life.

  A low rumble from her right had her glancing across at Rhys. He was tense, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice—probably in Tito’s direction judging from the glare.

  Kaitlin placed a hand on his and he quietened almost immediately. Turning his hand over, he linked their fingers together and rested their joined hands on his thigh.

  Hearing a snort she glanced up just in time to watch Tito look away, a sneer on his face. Anger burned through her. “Get over it already, you didn’t want me,” she growled. Rhys’ fingers tightened around hers but she didn’t take her gaze from Tito.

  “You have no idea what I wanted,” his eyes flared hot when he glanced at her and she had a moment of doubt.

  “Silence!” Her father roared, his gaze on Tito. The other man’s jaw tightened but he kept his mouth shut and blanked his face of all emotion.

  “Kaitlin,” he father began and she turned to face him, “I really think you should think about what you’re doing. Going off with a wolf will start all-out-war between us and them,” he spat, his head nodding to Rhys.

  “Why?” She asked, confused. “I went willingly yesterday and will be doing so again when I leave today.”

  “Only the five of us know that and three of us,” he indicated himself, Tito and looked pointedly across at his wife, “saying you didn’t go willingly with the wolf,” he said wolf like it left a bad taste in his mouth, “against two saying you did will fall in our favour and start a war; a war which we will win.”

  Kaitlin stared at her father in abject horror. Was he trying to blackmail her into staying by claiming he’d start a war in some sort of misguided attempt to get her back? Was this just another way of trying to control her?

  Definitely.

  She glanced at her mother to see she looked distressed. Ruth wasn’t strong enough to stand against her husband, as much as she might want to. Her mother looked up and Kaitlin saw the anguish in her gaze. She mouthed the words, “I’m sorry.”

  As bad as she felt for her mother she knew she couldn't give in to her fathers demands. “So be it. I leave with him today.” She stood. “Right now. Start a war, it will only make me more determined to stay with Rhys.”

  Her father’s power cloaked the room in the next second, causing the fine hairs on her arms to stand on end. “People you know and care about will likely die as a result of your decision, Kaitlin.”

  She turned a bewildered face to her fathers. Rhys tightened his fingers around hers as he stood and urged her back against his chest. The contact instantly soothed her. “We’ll be going now.”

  No-one moved to stop them but she felt the anger and disapproval as she walked away from her family and her clan.

  “What do you think he meant about people I know and care about getting hurt?” She asked, her voice slightly shaky.

  Rhys watched her for a second. “It was probably one last ditch attempt to stop you. I doubt he’d do anything to them.”

  Kaitlin snorted. “You don’t know my dad very well, do you?”

  “I’ve heard rumours about him. The tortures he performs on prisoners; the bribes he takes to overlook certain things. He’s not as clean cut as he likes to make out.” He tilted his head slightly as he thought on something. “Do you think the rest of the council know what he’s been up to? Or do you think they’re as corrupt as your father?”

  Kaitlin went thought the other seven members in her mind. Her mother was nothing like her dad. She weighed both sides of the argument before deciding on her verdict. She would never take a bribe.

  Anastasia, a Russian swan shifter, was regal and exceptionally beautiful. She also had the heart to match and had a good sense of right and wrong and judged fairly.

  Nelson, an African hyena shifter, was very big on making things fair, hearing both sides before he came to a decision.

  Sanjit, an Indian Bengal tiger, was very wise to the world. As the oldest and longest running member of the council he’d seen a lot over the past forty years or so he’d been on the council.

  Li, a Chinese Asian Golden Cat shifter, was the youngest of the council at a mere twenty-three taking over from her father who was killed by a group of rogue shifters two years ago. It had hardened the once care-free girl into an excellent judge of character who told the truth about her feelings about people and situations.

  Katherine, an English red fox shifter, was a rather stuffy aristocrat. Kaitlin couldn't see her taking a bribe considering she had more than her fair share of money and power.

  Brandon, the eighth and final member, was an Australian crocodile shifter with a bad temperament. He glared and snapped at everyone and though people were never happy to see him it was her father they were more afraid and wary of. Even Brandon was afraid of him.

  Kaitlin bit her bottom lip for a moment before shaking her head. “I’m not sure. I’m sure some of them suspect he’s up to something but as head of the council, they’d have to be crazy to go against him alone.”

  Rhys nodded before reaching out and taking her hand in his, his thumb brushing gently against the sensitive skin of her inner wrist. Her heart raced unapologetically in her chest as she stepped closer to his side. Raising their joined hands over her head, he pulled her against him and pressed his face into her dark blonde hair. “We’ll figure this out, Cat.”

  Kaitlin leant into him with a sigh.

  She only hoped he was right.

  Chapter 9

  They’d been walking for about twenty minutes and were well out of the cat clan compound when Rhys stilled suddenly, taking a step away from her, and Kaitlin glanced around nervously.

  A form materialised and walked towards them and she saw Rhys relax. “Shanae.”

  The woman came closer and Kaitlin began to feel inadequate as she saw the woman’s lush figure. Her midnight black hair was loose around her face and shoulders and the tight clothes accentuated her small waist and large breasts. Shanae smiled. “I just came to warn you, there’s a bounty on your head.”

  He raised a brow questioningly.

  “I overheard Darren talking about it with his Beta.”

  The penny dropped suddenly for Kaitlin. “My father…”

  The woman’s chocolate brown eyes moved to her and her smile widened. “Have you been pissing off some daddies lately, Rhys?”

  Rhys rolled his eyes. “Kaitlin, meet Shanae Gibson—she’s a member of my old pack. Someone I consider a friend. Shanae, meet Kaitlin Mahone—my mate.”

  A frown formed on the woman’s face as she tried to place the name and th
en her eyes widened when it clicked. “The councilman’s daughter?” She laughed, a deep throaty sound. “It couldn't be just a normal girl for you, could it?”

  A wave of anger rolled off him and Shanae held her hands up and took a step backwards.

  “Shouldn’t you be heading back?” He asked purposefully.

  The other woman bowed her head in acknowledgement of his words and without another word turned and left them. Kaitlin watched the women disappear back into the shadows as silently as she’d arrived.

  “I can't believe he’s put a hit out on you,” she breathed. “It’s been what? Ten minutes since we left?”

  Rhys shrugged like it didn’t bother him. “I have more important things to worry about right now, like the pack and you.”

  “Me?” She asked baffled.

  “Yes you.” He tucked her under his arm and pulled her tight against him as they continued to walk away from the only home she’d ever known. “Paul wants me out of the picture so he can control you once more. I’m not going to let that happen, Kaitlin. I won't let anything happen to you.”

  Sighing, she rested her head on his chest and placed her arm around his back. “So where are we headed?”

  “I thought we’d head back to the Bay so you can meet the pack?”

  He posed it as a question and she appreciated it. He wasn’t going to force her to do anything she didn’t want to like her father had done. She nodded, “Sure. Is your car around here somewhere?”

  Rhys nodded his head further down the road and they set off, hand in hand. They reached the black car a few minutes later and she couldn't help wondering if this was the only vehicle he had at his disposal. Unlocking the doors, they climbed in.

  Kaitlin’s nose wrinkled as she caught the lingering scent of her needing. It must have seeped into the fabric from when he transported her to the cabin and back.

  “How do you cope having my needing scent in here?” She asked, genuinely curious. The scent was supposed to drive male shifters to distraction.

  Rhys laughed and shifted in his seat. “Not very easily,” he admitted, giving her a sideways glance.