by Abigail Owen
Andromeda’s Fall
Shadowcat Nation Book # 1
Abigail Owen
Copyright © 2014 by Abigail Owen
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
ISBN 978-0-9882272-5-5
Abigail Owen Self-Publishing
[email protected]
DEDICATION
To Mia, Diantha, B.R. Jessica, and Dariel… I loved working with you all on the Here, Kitty Kitty anthology. That project spurred this entire series. Here’s to more awesome collaborations in the future. Thank you for being so fun and inspiring!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEDICATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Shadowcat Nation
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Shadowcat Nation
Thirty years ago the population of mountain lion shifters was on the brink of extinction. Today, much like their wild counterparts, shifters are running out of land and resources. The encroachment of man has resulted in the loss and destruction of shifters’ natural habitats world-wide. This external threat has led to a new reality where only the strongest survive. Pack shifters, such as wolves, coyotes, and African lions, use their coordinated family groups to pick off the loners, like cougars, in order to obtain their territory.
Going against their mysterious and cagy natures, mountain lion shifters banded together to form the Shadowcat Nation in order to pool their resources and protect themselves from the packs. Reaching from Northern Canada, across the United States, all the way down to the southern tip of South America, the Nation is divided into ten dares, each led by an Alpha who has clawed his way to the top. However, cougars don’t naturally work or live well in group societies, and the shifters are constantly battling their innate desire for domination and sole control, their animalistic instincts often triggering infighting and inter-dare rivalries.
The success of the Shadowcat Nation, though critical to the survival of all cougar shifters, still hangs in a delicate balance.
Chapter 1
Andie crouched low in the underbrush, obscured from view, and watched the compound with a quiet patience born of experience. If her calculations were correct, the next patrol of guards would pass by within the minute. Her posture and expression didn’t shift an inch when, seconds later, she was proven correct.
As soon as the sentry passed from sight, Andie moved like a shadow through the stillness of the night. Ignoring the pain in her body, she sprinted across the lawn and was up and over the wall. She dropped to the ground on the other side with a barely audible thud.
Andie found herself on the backside of a manicured garden. She stayed completely still, hunkered down, and took her time observing her location. About a hundred yards ahead, she saw light from the main building in the complex. The glow spilled out from a pair of glass doors and across the trees and plants, creating patches of darkness and light.
Andie moved again, using the pools of shadow and groupings of plants for cover. She didn’t go for the doors. They were too obvious. Besides, they were likely wired to the alarm system and required some kind of code to get through. But on the second floor, one of the windows was wide open, allowing in the cool night breeze. With agile grace, Andie swung herself up into the branches of a large tree just outside that window.
She took care to use only her right arm, which slowed her down a bit. But the injuries she’d sustained a few days earlier made her left arm almost unusable. As quickly and as soundlessly as she could, she made her way up to the branch closest to her chosen point of access. She stopped again and observed.
Andie didn’t move for close to thirty minutes. She just watched. When she was satisfied, she leapt with all the power of her feline form. She didn’t shift exactly - she was trying to avoid that right now since it would be seen as a direct threat if anyone caught her - but she used the might of the beast inside her to clear the distance to the window. She sailed through the opening and immediately tucked and rolled as she hit the ground.
She found her feet and returned to her crouch. Using her cat’s hearing, she waited yet again. Someone might’ve heard the sound of her landing. Her injured left arm was detracting from her usual finesse. As she listened, she turned in a slow circle, making sure the room, which appeared to be a hotel-like bedroom, was as empty as she’d expected it to be. Many minutes later, satisfied that she was alone and that no one was coming for her… yet… Andie moved towards the door.
Cracking it open a hair, she looked down and saw a long stretch of closed doorways in both directions. Based on the layout of the building and the location of the window, she determined she needed to go to her right.
Andie tensed to open the door all the way and then froze in place when a deep male voice sounded from directly behind her. “Stop where you are.”
Andie tensed, adrenalin pumping through her body as swear words went off like fireworks inside her head. Only her years of training kept her from panicking outright. She didn’t move by so much as a twitch as she waited to see if he would attack or talk it out.
“Close the door,” the deep voice continued. “And then turn slowly and face me.”
Andie rose, taking care to keep her wounded arm from view. If she could keep the evidence of her fall from grace hidden, she’d have a better shot at surviving the encounter and making it to the Alpha. If she could get to him and explain, then maybe she had a chance.
Once she was facing her new opponent, she tried to take measure of him. The room was dim, and she dared not shift, not even just her eyes, in case he took it the wrong way and attacked. She couldn’t tell much about him other than that he was very tall. At five-foot-nothing she always had to look up, but with this guy she had to look way, way up to try to see his face. He would be a big mountain lion in his cat form, even for a male.
The stranger said nothing for several long moments, holding eerily still, his eyes taking in every detail. Andie didn’t move or speak. She knew he was sizing her up just as she was assessing him. She also knew what he’d see— a slip of a girl who’d inherited her mother’s bronzed Brazilian beauty. Male cougar shifters rarely saw what she really was and frequently underestimated her.
“I’m not going to ask how you got in here. Clearly, our security needs reviewing.”
Andie didn’t betray her satisfaction at his comment. “I’m sure it’s fine. Very few measures would work to keep me out. Or in.”
“I found you.”
Andie merely shrugged. “Off night.” In more ways than one.
“What do you want here?” he asked.
“I want to speak with Jaxon Keller.”
His eyebrows shot up, and he crossed his arms over an impressive chest. “About what?”
“None of your damn business.” Andie’s chin tipped up slightly in defiance, but inwardly she cringed. Stop talking, dummy.
A warning growl rose in his throat, and Andie cringed. Getting on the wrong side of this guy was a bad idea given that he stood between her and possible protection. She was taking a huge risk just being here. And after her last few horrific days, to be stopped at the last minute by some overzealous guard made her want to scream.
“You really don’t want to rile me,” he said, mirroring her thoughts.
Andie paused. Should she tell him? She took in his solid form. She’d never outrun him, not on his home turf, and she couldn’t fight him. Not in her condition.
“I’m here to ask your Alpha for asylum,” she said.
She bore his narrow-eyed scrutiny calmly.
“You want Jaxon Keller to give you asylum?”
Andie’s lips thinned in annoyance. Hadn’t she just said that? There was only one Alpha of the Keller Dare, and his name was Jaxon Keller.
“Yes. Unless you have a new Alpha that I don’t know about,” she said sarcastically.
He didn’t move as he took in her request. But even in the low light, she could see the air of command in his stance, as well as just how well-muscled his torso was leading down to lean hips. His face was in shadow, but she could see he had a strong jaw and short, dark hair.
Not the time to notice his physique, Andie, she silently berated herself. She added a mental head smack for good measure. She was around strong, muscled, hot men all the time. Why the hell should she notice this one?
“And why would we consider giving asylum to a little nobody like you?” he asked. “One who – judging by those cuts, bruises, and I suspect a broken left arm - has been shunned by her own dare?”
Andie growled her own warning, just barely holding back the cougar clawing inside her. “I hear he takes in strays,” she sneered.
She warily watched for a reaction. Her tongue had a habit of getting her in trouble. But he didn’t react.
She sighed when he remained silent. “I got past your defenses without any trouble.”
“Till now,” he reminded her.
“And I know everything about the offensive and defensive systems and strategies for the Carstairs Dare.”
The man looked down and pursed his lips. “You one of Walter Carstairs’s Strategists?”
“Something like that.”
“How’d you get here? I assume you came from the Carstairs compound up in Canada?”
Andie nodded. “Mostly by foot. I was able to thumb a lift a little. But I couldn’t risk taking one of the compound cars, and I don’t have my own.”
“So you’re telling me that you made it through wolf-shifter infested areas alone as you traveled on foot from Canada to Idaho?” He looked out the window she’d just come through, his eyes scanning the area. After a long moment, he turned back to her with a doubtful expression.
Andie gave a mental eye-roll. Neanderthal. “May I see Keller?”
The man snorted. “I’m surprised you know a polite word like ‘may’, little girl.”
Andie kept her poker face in place, not giving him the satisfaction of showing her irritation. “Yes or no would suffice, big boy.”
He said nothing for a moment and rubbed his jaw.
“Let’s see how you fare with the tests and with other members of the dare first before we put you in front of the Alpha.”
Andie clenched her teeth but nodded. Like it or not, this was a male-dominated society and one not inclined to trust any new cats. Trial by dare members first would be harder than just speaking directly with Keller – especially given her penchant for sarcasm.
“All right,” she said.
“Okay.” The man nodded and moved toward her. “Follow me.”
Chapter 2
Andie scooted out of his path and tried to ignore the way his body seemed to prowl with a powerful kind of grace. He opened the door to the hallway, and she followed him out. In the light she got a better look at him and promptly wished she hadn’t. He was about her age, had midnight black hair, and a face a movie star would pay good money for. Andie shook her head. So he was an impressive specimen. So what?
After they walked through a labyrinth of halls for several minutes, she finally held out her hand. “Andromeda Reynolds, but you can call me Andie.”
He glanced at the hand and then shook it perfunctorily. Then he raised his eyebrows. “Andromeda? Really?”
She shrugged. “My mother liked Greek mythology and was a bit of a romantic.”
“Mmmm… the princess saved from the Kraken by Perseus. Suits you.”
More than you know, Andie thought. But would Jaxon Keller turn out to be her Perseus or her Medusa?
“And you are?” she asked pointedly.
“You can call me A.J.”
What?!
Andie stared at his face closely questions flying through her mind. Does he know who I am? How could he? There’s no way!
She’d gone by the nickname of A.J. most of her life. Her father had wanted a boy. Bumping into another A.J. seemed like too much of a coincidence.
“Which stands for…?” she asked.
He gave her a sideways glance. “Arthur, Junior,” he revealed reluctantly.
Andie wrinkled her nose. “Huh. I’d go with my initials too. You got a wizard named Merlin stashed somewhere?”
“Funny.” His lips tightened into a grim line. “It’s a family name… Andromeda.”
She ignored the jab. “I just find it interesting. That’s all.”
He flicked her a glance. “What?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “I happen to know another A.J. is all. Funny coincidence.”
“It’s a small world,” he muttered.
Andie was still suspicious, but he’d answered her question readily enough. She decided to drop it for now, but she’d stay on guard.
“So where are you taking me?”
He glanced down at her. “You really are a tiny thing, aren’t you?”
Andie scowled. “Don’t let my size fool you. I can pack a wallop when I want to. Even with a broken arm.”
A.J. laughed. “I’m sure you can.”
Andie stared straight ahead, her mouth thinning. She hated being patronized. Men were so dense sometimes. They never took her seriously until she showed them exactly why they should.
Keeping her left arm protected, Andie suddenly dropped. One leg shot out and she spun low to the ground, sweeping A.J.’s feet out from under him. As he landed on his back, she was on top of him, her knee on his windpipe – not crushing, just sending a message.
Before she could gloat too much, though, she was flying through the air. Andie tucked into a back flip, landed on her feet, and then spun and launched herself backwards in a one-handed back handspring. A.J. had just gotten on his feet when her legs wrapped around his neck. She used her momentum to drop him back to the floor.
Andie rolled and ended up in a crouch close by. A.J. held up his hands in surrender. “All right, wildcat. You’ve proved yourself.”
Andie glared at him. “Don’t doubt me. And don’t insult my intelligence by pretending you just lost either,” she said in a severe voice, made harsher, perhaps, by the fact that she’d just realized exactly how incredible his blue eyes were. They were a vibrant color made even more interesting by the black ring that rimmed the irises. And she was more than irritated with herself for having noticed that at all.
He levered himself up off the floor. “Fair enough.”
The only thing that kept her from proving her point more – because she could tell he’d held back - was the small amount of respect she could see in his eyes. With a brusque nod, she followed him down the hall.
“So where are we going again?�
��
“First we’re going to the medical rooms. Need to get you healed up before we start testing you. And then we’ll find you a place to stay.”
They continued on through the maze of hallways. She suspected A.J. was taking a back route, not allowing her to get a good idea of the layout of the mansion that was the Keller compound. Andie wasn’t surprised to hear there would be tests. Loyalty and skills were key in a dare. She’d have to show them both. For now, she said nothing.
“You don’t mind a roommate do you?” he asked.
Andie was just happy that he hadn’t kicked her out on her butt yet. She could handle anything he chose to throw at her. “No problem.”
A.J. nodded.
The trip to the medical wing was a revelation. They walked through a set of doors to what appeared to be a fully-outfitted emergency room and surgery center. All white walls and stainless steel. A young woman wearing a lab coat over pink scrubs, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, stood up from the desk in the corner to greet them. She took one look at Andie and led her to one of the curtained-off hospital beds.
She glanced at A.J. “I assume you want the works?”
He nodded brusquely. “Start with the arm.”
Andie looked back and forth between them with a blank look. The girl gave her a warm smile. “I’m a Healer. Hold out your arm. This won’t hurt.”
Andie’s jaw dropped. Healers were very rare indeed. She’d never met one before, only heard rumors of their existence. Alphas tended to keep shifters graced with supernatural abilities beyond shifting a secret from all but their own dare and the Alphas of the other dares.
She turned her dazed eyes on A.J. “Why let me anywhere near your Kuharte?” she voiced her surprise. “I may be beat up, but there’s nothing life-threatening here.”
“If you’re going to be tested, you need to be healthy. At least to start.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Ignoring his sudden playfulness, Andie didn’t quite buy his reasoning, but she didn’t say anything else. The woman, whom A.J. didn’t introduce, placed her hands on Andie’s broken arm. Suddenly a soft white light began to emit from her palms.