by Abigail Owen
“Shane?”
Damn. He’d hoped Sarai might forget about him. No such luck.
He made his way against the flow of traffic to where she stood at the front, Like Andie, Sarai was dressed in a professional looking pantsuit, only red. As soon as he reached her, Sarai gave him a hug, which he tolerated. Cougar shifters tended to be reserved. In fact, living in a community went against their ingrained, loner natures. Affection was reserved for the closest of friends and family. Besides which, Shane just didn’t like being touched.
“Sarai,” he greeted. “I’m surprised your husband isn’t here with you.” Given that Zac was with her twenty-four/seven.
She waved a hand. “He had important business with his Timik that couldn’t wait. He trusts Andie.”
He’d already assumed something like that. Like with Shane, Andie had saved Zac’s life once. She had a habit of doing that.
“Tell him I said hi.”
She grinned. “He misses you, you know.”
He raised a sardonic eyebrow. “Did he say that, or are you making assumptions?”
She gave a dry chuckle. “I can just tell.”
“Right.” But he softened his skepticism with a smile. “So…what can I do for you?”
“You can go to the Kuharte conference and act as a bodyguard.”
A frown tugged at the corners of Shane’s mouth. “You already have one.”
She waved off the comment. “Not for me.”
“As far as I know the rule still stands that each dare gets only one Kuharte. Right?”
“Yes.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What am I missing here?”
“One of the Kuharte is going to show up without her Alpha’s permission…or protection.”
Another frown. “Andie said all the Alphas were on board.”
“On board might be overstating things. In this case, one of the Alphas has paid lip service to the concept but won’t let his Kuharte go.”
“So she’ll defy him and show anyway?”
She nodded. “This particular person is more vital than they realize. I want someone I trust to guard her. Zac’s with me. Andie’s occupied. Even if she weren’t, her offer could be construed as an attempt to poach. That leaves you.”
“What about George?” Zac’s second in command had been Sarai’s bodyguard at one time.
Sarai shook her head. “Zac is the only non-cougar-shifter allowed. Our supernaturals are too important to risk their exposure to other shifters—even our allies.”
Damn. Made sense. Focused on his own agenda, Shane ran a hand round the back of his neck. He swallowed a couple of swear words as he saw his best shot at revenge slipping away. At least he still had tonight. He could identify his targets. He glanced at his watch and grimaced. He’d have to act fast.
“Fine. I’ll do it,” he gritted with more impatience than tact. “When?”
“You leave now. You need to intercept and help get her to the meeting. Andie will brief you on the plan.”
He pulled up short. “I can’t.” He was sure as hell not going to lose this opportunity to kill the men who murdered his wife.
Sarai simply waited, her gaze holding the infinite patience only a Seer could exhibit.
Shit. “You’ve already seen me go. Haven’t you?”
Chapter Two
“You told Sarai Montclair you supported the Kuharte efforts.” Tieryn tried not to grind her teeth in exasperation with her Alpha—who also happened to be her father.
“I am,” he agreed with a calm she didn’t trust.
She’d managed to corner him in his office, although, as soon as she’d brought up her topic, he’d come around from behind the mahogany desk where he’d been seated, his steps hushed by the thick, blue carpet, and leaned against it with his arms crossed. She was well aware his move was deliberate, a way to intimidate her. In the past, she’d let him believe it worked. Given that she’d just come from the gym and was still in her sweaty running clothes, while he was immaculate in business suit and tie, should also have put her at a disadvantage. Not today. She stood to address him face-to-face, earning a frown.
“Then why aren’t we going to the talks?” she asked.
“I told them I supported the initiative, but that doesn’t mean I’ll put my daughter’s life at risk.”
“But all three Seers have agreed on safety. None of them have had any visions.”
Her father’s lips thinned. “I learned to not put a hundred percent of my faith in a Seer’s vision a long time ago. Your mother—”
“We’re not talking about her.” Tieryn cut him off.
He gave her a long look from under his bushy eyebrows. “You have to forgive your mother some time.”
She had no intention of rehashing this old argument. Tieryn released a long breath. “I believe you can trust Sarai.”
“We’re not going.”
Familiar with the adamant tone in her father’s voice and the stubborn look that hardened his face, she turned to Gage. The handsome shifter gazed back at her with regret in his green eyes. Not only was he her father’s Beta, he was also her fiancé. An arranged marriage she’d never once questioned.
He raised his hands, both regretful and resigned. “In this case, I agree with Paul. As our Healer and the Alpha’s daughter, you’re too valuable to risk.”
She dropped her hands to her sides. “The entire concept of the Shadowcat Nation is to protect all cougar shifters, not just one dare.” She shot an accusing glare at her father.
Instead of softening, he scowled. “I am one of the original founders of this Nation. You don’t have to remind me.”
“Then what are you doing?”
“Protecting my daughter.”
“So this is about me, and not what I do for this dare?” She caught her father’s flinch, but felt no satisfaction at causing his guilt. Paul McGraw had always been more Alpha than father to her—a fact he’d only recently figured out. A stroke often had the effect of making one reevaluate his or her life, or so she understood. Her father’s reaction to his certainly made her think that was true.
“I have to be there.” She was reduced to pleading.
“No one from this dare will be in attendance.” He must’ve recognized the stubborn tilt of her chin, because he pulled out the phrase usually guaranteed to earn her compliance. “That’s an order from your Alpha.”
With that, her father left the room.
She turned a beseeching look on Gage. “You have to talk to him.” She reached out to lay her hand on his arm but pulled back.
If he noticed her hesitation, he didn’t show it. “Paul and I are of the same mind on this one. I’m sorry.” He followed his Alpha from the room, though in calmer manner.
****
Gage paused as he closed the door to Paul’s office behind him. He didn’t need to rethink his decision—he agreed with Paul. In addition to the reasons laid out already, he also believed that Tieryn’s life wouldn’t change all that much, regardless of what the Kuharte decided. Unlike some of the other supernaturals in the Nation, Tieryn had led a life of privilege and ease. Granted, their future union had been arranged by the Alphas, but she’d shown no reluctance. He knew she wasn’t being forced.
Whatever came of the Kuharte meetings, the impact to Tieryn personally would be minimal. Therefore, the risk to her both as their Healer and as the Alpha’s daughter, and eventually as his own wife, was too great. His hesitation now had more to do with how he’d left her. Perhaps he could have handled things better.
Tieryn was always so quietly efficient, it never occurred to him to address her emotions. She didn’t need that kind of support from him. The fact that logic ruled her thoughts and actions was one of the reasons he felt they’d deal well together. Today’s topic, however, was different. He could see that in the way she’d argued with both her father and with him. Usually she deferred to their judgment, although, now he was starting to believe that in the past she’d happened to agree with
them.
He turned back; hand on the doorknob as he second-guessed himself. Then he shook his head at his own uncharacteristic behavior. No. He and Paul were right, and Tieryn didn’t need coddling.
Decision made, he turned and walked away.
****
Tieryn flopped down on the wing-backed leather chair situated in front of her father’s desk. Agitated, she plucked at an invisible thread in her black running pants. With a groan, she leaned forward and dropped her head into her hands, her ponytail tickling her neck as it slipped over one shoulder. Disobeying her father, not to mention her Alpha, was something she would never do lightly, but at the moment, she was contemplating it.
The unexpected ring of her cell phone broke the silence and made her jump. She checked the number, but it was blocked. Nothing unusual these days.
“Yes?” she answered.
“Hi. This is Sarai Montclair.”
Sarai must’ve taken Tieryn’s silence as confusion. “We talked once before. A few months ago?”
“Yes. I remember.” How could she forget? Tieryn blinked as she sat back in her chair. Had the Seer known what they’d just been discussing? Her next words suggested she did.
“I’m sending someone to meet you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Tieryn demurred.
Sarai acted as though she hadn’t heard. “Don’t bring anything with you when you leave. At 10:22pm, walk out the front door, down the drive. Don’t worry about the guards. Turn right when you reach the road. My man will meet you two miles down.”
Tieryn sat in silence for a long moment, both stunned and intrigued. Did she dare defy her father? Steel straightened her spine.
Were she to have children, they had the potential to inherit her gift. They needed better protection for their rights and their lives. Given the secret she held about her own abilities, the needs of the Kuharte were even more important to her than anyone might realize. She would fight for this.
“I’ll be there.”
“Good.”
“Just to be safe. How will I recognize your man?”
“His name is Shane Callahan. He’s missing his left ear.”
Tieryn’s grip on her phone tightened. “The man I should heal?” Sarai’s previous call a few months before had been to relay several visions, including those instructions.
“Yes.”
Tieryn had wondered about the man ever since the Seer had called—what he looked like, what had happened to him. “Got it.”
“And Tieryn…” Sarai paused as though considering her words. “About your Fated Mate—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” Tieryn burst in. “I’m engaged. My life with Gage is set.”
Another pause. “It’s your decision, of course.”
Yes, it was. Tieryn didn’t believe in all that Fated Mate nonsense. She believed you made your own life.
“I’ll be sure to do as you instructed,” Tieryn said.
“10:22. Through the front doors.”
“I’ll be there.” She ended the call with a push of a button.
Chapter Three
Tieryn strode down the moonlit ribbon of road. Palm trees and other plants lined both sides. The moisture-heavy air stirred and lifted her thick fall of hair off her neck. The smell of midnight jasmine swirled all around her, heavy and sweet. The breeze provided no relief from the constant humidity, which made her jean Capri pants and black cotton tee cling to her skin, but she was used to it, having grown up in Florida.
She ignored the discomfort and kept all the senses her cougar shift provided tuned for the man she’d been told would meet her. Based on her phone’s GPS, she’d come two miles. Shane Callahan should be here, but she hadn’t seen a trace of him anywhere.
“Tieryn McGraw?” a masculine voice sounded from among the shrubs to her right.
A shiver of fear or anticipation, she wasn’t sure which, slithered down her spine. She still couldn’t see much, only the reflection of the moonlight in his eyes.
“Mr. Callahan?” she ventured.
“Yes.”
She squinted as she peered into the gloom, trying to see him. “Come into the light.”
“Why?”
“I was given a physical description. I’d like to verify for myself you are who you say.”
“Lady, who else would be out here?” Although she couldn’t see him, Tieryn could just picture a disdainfully curled lip. Why? She’d made a fair request. She said nothing and waited.
“Right.” He made his way to the road and into the light.
She took in his appearance—tall and lean, wearing boots, jeans with a cowboy buckle, and a button-up shirt rolled up at the sleeves to reveal sinewy forearms. He had dark hair, though what shade was hard to determine. Her personal preference tended to a more clean-cut look on men, but his almost shoulder-length hair fit his persona. Though how she knew such a thing on a few minutes’ acquaintance was beyond her.
She bit her lip. “Um. Do you mind pulling your hair back?”
“Why?”
“I need to make sure.”
He stared at her for a long moment, hands hooked in his belt loops, eyes narrowed. She was prepared for him to say no, but he reached up to lift back his hair, exposing the scars where his ear should have been. The tense set of his shoulders told her he wouldn’t appreciate any overtures of sympathy. Instead, she gave a sharp nod.
“Right. Let’s go.” He moved back into the shadows without checking if she followed.
Tieryn hurried to catch up. She caught his sideways glance as she came alongside him.
“Why were you hiding on the side of the road?” she asked after a few moments.
“It’s safer. How you didn’t get caught walking in the middle of the road when there’s a full moon is—” His mouth shut with an audible snap.
“Don’t stop there, Mr. Callahan. Is what?”
“Sheer dumb luck,” he muttered.
“Gee, thanks.”
“Your lack of basic survival skills makes it clear you’ve never been out of your dare before.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course I have.” Her father wasn’t a monster, just protective.
“Okay.” The way he said that implied exactly what he thought.
“As the Kuharte, I’ve always been protected,” she defended.
“And the fact that you’re the Alpha’s daughter makes no difference.”
She pursed her lips and didn’t deign to answer.
“Like I said.”
“I guess your dare lets the Kuharte go wherever she wants, huh?”
Now it was his turn to keep quiet, though it was difficult to tell if he just didn’t talk much in general. She didn’t know him well enough to determine the difference. He didn’t seem to emote at all, other than the sarcasm.
“Like I said.” Tieryn echoed his comment then gave a mental headshake. What was wrong with her? Pushing a person’s buttons wasn’t her style. “So…how, precisely, could I improve my survival skills?”
He kept walking in silence for long enough that she wondered if he would answer the question or just let her flounder.
He sighed. “Cougars are supposed to be stealthy animals. How is it you’ve managed to snap every twig and rustle every branch you walk by?”
Tieryn looked past the grumpy delivery to the lesson she suspected was hidden in the words. “You’re saying I could walk softer. Any practical suggestions?”
He tossed a suspicious glance her way, but she was sincere in her wish to know. With a sigh, he stopped and turned toward her. “Close your eyes.”
“What?”
He waited.
She frowned but did as ordered. She tried not to think about how he’d be staring at her as they stood there in the moonlight.
“Listen to the sounds around you. The land is never quiet.”
The noises of the night, ones she’d subconsciously tuned out, filled her ears—the low bass of frogs, the soprano chirp of t
he crickets, the buzz of a mosquito close to her head. Had she been in her cat form, her ears would have been twitching back and forth.
“Time your steps with the natural rhythms of the night—a bird’s call, the swish of the breeze.”
Shane’s low tones blended with the sounds around her. Her stomach tightened, and she snapped her eyes open. Despite the heat, a shiver skated over her skin at the strange intensity in his eyes.
She cleared her throat. “Got it.”
He nodded and headed off again.
“Try to place your feet on spots with less dry leaves. Harder to do in the dark.”
“Okay.” She attempted to do as he suggested. She really did, but she honestly couldn’t tell if she’d managed to walk more softly or not.
Shane’s second sigh said she hadn’t.
“Try walking behind me. Step where I step.”
Tieryn did as he said, careful to place her feet where his had been. That helped a little.
“Now. Roll your feet, heel to toe, instead of slapping them down flat.”
“Excuse me, but I don’t slap,” she retorted.
“Just try it.”
Right. He was trying to teach her something. Shut up and learn. Heel. Toe. Heel. Toe.
“Bend your knees more, don’t straighten them between steps.”
Squat. Heel. Toe. Heel. Toe.
Tieryn was so focused on the smooth rolling motion, she missed seeing a tree root and snagged it with her toe causing her to stumble right into Shane’s back with a muffled oomf. Slammed into him more like, because the moment she made physical contact he froze.
“Sorry,” she mumbled, as she righted herself. She tried not to think about the lean, muscles that she could feel under the thin cotton of his T-shirt.
As soon as she had her balance, he shrugged her hands off. “Lesson’s over.”
She stayed quiet after that, doing her best to follow his earlier instructions. They didn’t have much farther to go. They walked maybe another mile before he stopped. She watched in fascination as he pulled palm fronds off a black car he’d hidden down a small tract.