Freeing the Feline

by Lacey Thorn

  “Who’s your nephew?” Tah asked, but Clara knew they’d already figured it out.

  “Zane,” she answered anyway, and Orsai nodded in agreement.

  “I’ve traveled a long way to see him,” Orsai said.

  “Come on in,” Tah finally said and held the door wide. “We’ve got a lot to tell you, and we could use your help.”

  “Always glad to help,” Orsai said. “Especially the Tah.” He bowed low before Tah.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” Clara told him as he walked past her and patted her on the shoulder.

  “There will be more, and soon, “Orsai said. “I can feel the winds of change. Soon,” he murmured. “Soon.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Orsai had agreed to stay on indefinitely until they found Zane. He didn’t seem overly concerned about his nephew having gotten injected with the feral fever virus. Orsai seemed to believe Zane’s mate would find him, and he would be better and happier than he’d ever been.

  He was also smitten with Abby and declared he would be around to see her first child into the world. He said he’d seen that she would need him and that was that. Diane seemed both relieved and anxious to have him around. The Professor loved it. The two men got along like old friends and spent most evenings together chatting. Orsai truly was a fountain of wisdom and had jumped right in to help in the labs. He was fascinated by all that the Professor and Diane had managed to do alone.

  Tonight was the night they finally got to have the celebration Logan had planned. Tables were overflowing with food and for the first time, Clara saw them drinking beer. Orsai declared there’d be no trouble tonight and Tah, in a show of faith, hadn’t put anyone out on patrol, allowing everyone to stay in and celebrate. Clara noticed they were nursing the beers, all of them. Apparently a show of faith didn’t mean they wouldn’t be prepared.

  “There you are,” Logan said, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her.

  “I’m never far from you,” she promised

  “Come with me,” he urged. “I have something to ask of you.”

  “Anything,” Clara assured him.

  He took her hand, and she followed him into the house.

  “I need you to help keep Abby busy for a bit, while we set some things up,” Logan said. “Amia is going to help you. I can’t tell you what’s going on. But I promise you it’s fantastic. Something we all need, but especially Tah and Abby.”

  “Okay,” Clara agreed. “How long do you need us to keep her?”

  “Only half an hour,” Logan promised. “The Professor will come get you guys when things are ready.”

  Clara grinned. “Is this one of those dreams-coming-true moments for women?”

  “I hope so,” Logan said. “And with Orsai here, it’s going to be even better.”

  Logan bent to kiss her and reached around to pat her ass. “If I haven’t told you yet, you look absolutely stunning in that dress. I’m having trouble tearing my eyes away from you.”

  “You’ve told me at least a dozen times,” Clara said with a laugh.

  “And I’ll tell you at least that many more,” he vowed. “I’m so lucky you found me.”

  She nodded in agreement. He gave her another kiss and reluctantly turned to leave her. Clara went in search of Abby and Amia and found them both in Abby’s room with the door open.

  “Thank God, you’re here, Clara,” Amia said. “Abby’s lost her ring and she’s getting a little frantic to find it.”

  “What ring?” Clara asked, walking in to join them.

  “Tah gave it to me after he asked me to marry him,” Abby said. “I took it off when I was having all the issues with the pregnancy. My fingers were so swollen. Now that they’re back to a more normal size, I thought I’d put it back on. But I can’t find it.”

  “Well, let’s take a break and sit down for a minute. I could use some girl talk, and you two look like you could use a short break to relax and get your bearings. The harder you look for something, the harder it usually is to find it.”

  “You’re right,” Abby agreed, rubbing her belly and going over to sit on the bed. She eased back against the pillow and sighed. “Join me,” she said and patted the bed.

  “Thirteen weeks now,” Clara commented. “That little lion is going to be here before you know it. Two weeks. Maybe three.”

  “I think he’ll be here in less than two weeks, maybe ten days from now,” Abby said. “I just feel it. It’s like he’s letting me know he’s ready to be here.”

  “Then we’ll make sure everything’s ready,” Amia said. “First thing is to get that crib put together over there.”

  Abby sighed. “With all we’ve had going on, there just hasn’t been time. I still need to get some of the clothes washed and ready to go, set up the changing table, and Tah wants one of the playpens set up in the office as well as the lab. And then there’s the childproofing. I have no idea how to childproof, much less for a shifter.”

  Clara laughed. “Good luck with that. Cats are curious by nature and into everything. Besides, you have time. He won’t be crawling for a while. And you have all of us to help you.”

  “What’s it like?” Amia spoke up.

  “Being pregnant?” Abby asked and Amia nodded. “It’s the most wonderful thing in the world. To hold this tiny life inside you and know that he’s not just a part of me but a part of his father as well, a living, breathing symbol of the love Tah and I share. To watch my big, strong mate go to his knees and croon to my belly, shower it with kisses and promises.” She shook her head. “There are no words to express how it feels.”

  “And even before, when you could feel yourself getting weaker?” Amia asked.

  “Even then, I was happy,” Abby said. “I’m guessing pregnancy is different for every woman. For me, it’s been the second greatest blessing of my life. The first being Tah. Not even second really, but more like an addition to the first. I can’t wait to hold my little guy in my arms.”

  “What’s up, Amia?” Clara asked.

  Amia blew out a deep breath. “I think I might be getting ready to ovulate. My ovaries were cramping a bit this morning. I don’t have a normal cycle like some women, but my ovaries usually let me know when they’re getting ready to work.”

  “And you’re worried?” Abby asked.

  “I’m not sure I’m ready to be a mother,” Amia admitted. “And watching you. It’s been a little terrifying.”

  Abby nodded. “We know more now though. Thanks to Clara.”

  “Besides,” Clara added. “Ovulation and heat don’t guarantee a pregnancy. It could be years before you and Reno have kids. When it’s meant, it will happen.”

  “What about you, Clara?” Amia asked. “Do you want kids?”

  Clara thought about holding a baby in her arms, a son who looked like Logan. “Someday,” she admitted. “Whenever Logan and I are blessed with one. I have no control over it. And neither do you, Amia. Unfortunately, that’s the way of shifters. Human forms of birth control don’t work for us. Not pills, shots, implants or condoms. Nature gets what nature wants.”

  Abby reached for Amia’s hand then Clara’s. “I’m so glad the two of you are here. That Reno and Logan were both blessed with two such remarkable women. I don’t think it was chance, the way you two are connected. Despite the reasons why, you essentially shared a mother, making you more like sisters than you realize. And Logan and Reno are more than friends. Even when they weren’t with Tah, they were with each other. The four of you… It warms my heart to see you getting along now.”

  “I didn’t know Reno and Logan grew up together,” Clara said.

  “They didn’t,” Abby replied. “But once they met each other in the Marines, they stuck. When they all left it behind and went their separate ways, Logan and Reno remained together.”

  “Oh,” Clara said.

  “I knew they were close,” Amia admitted. “Reno speaks of Tah and Logan all the time. He loves them.”

  �
�They all love each other, and we love them,” Abby said. “Sometimes family isn’t the group of people you’re born into. Sometimes it’s the people you chose. Those three chose each other, and then they chose us. It’s up to us to choose them back and band together for them. We are the core of this pride we’re building, the foundation. They are the walls, but walls can’t stand if the foundation is shaky. We have to be rocks, ladies. For them and for each other.”

  Clara felt her eyes get a little misty and blinked several times. It was easy to see it wasn’t just Tah that Abby loved. She took them all to her heart, everyone around her. Clara had seen her extremely fierce and had felt the bite of Abby’s anger herself. She’d also been embraced by the warmth of Abby’s love and acceptance. She was exactly the woman the Tah would need by his side, the woman they would all need.

  There was a knock at the door before either Clara or Amia could say anything back.

  “Come in,” Abby called and the Professor poked his head around.

  “I thought I’d see if I could come escort the prettiest woman in the world to the festivities tonight. I think your absence is being noticed, my dear,” the Professor told Abby.

  “We should go, too,” Amia said, sharing a look with Clara. “We’ll see you out there.”

  “I’ll be right there,” Abby said.

  Clara and Amia hurried out of the room.

  “Did Reno tell you what was going on?” Clara asked.

  “No, but I have my suspicions.” Amia stopped and turned to face Clara. “Abby’s right you know. We are sisters. I’m so sorry for the things I’ve said, for hitting you simply because I couldn’t deal with my own shit. Can you really forgive me?”

  “I hear siblings fight a lot,” Clara said. “Can you ever forgive me for not going in after you?”

  “You did what you could,” Amia said. “Doing anything more could have gotten you killed.”

  “I just—”

  “No,” Amia interrupted. “We start fresh, here and now. Leave the past in the past and only move forward.”

  Clara nodded. “I…I need to tell you something first. I can’t hate her, Amia. No matter how much I try to only hear the mean and foul words Lydia has said over the last several years, I still see the woman who woke up crying and calling your name.”

  “I’m trying,” Amia admitted. “Thinking she was dead. Knowing she isn’t. Dealing with the possibility she’s been drugged. It’s a lot to take in, but I’m trying. I really am.”

  “I’m here for you,” Clara promised. “Any questions or even if you just want to talk. I’m here.”

  Amia smiled. “Thank you. Same goes.”

  Clara squeezed Amia’s hand. “Let’s go find our mates.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Amia agreed.

  Clara’s breath caught as they stepped out on the porch. It had been transformed by strings of lights and candles. Flowers were everywhere and there was now an aisle of sorts leading up to a beautiful arch wrapped in vines and flowers. Tah and Orsai stood in front of it. Reno stepped forward and whispered something to Amia, then took her arm and led her down the aisle where they separated. He stood by Tah, while she stood on the other side.

  Logan stepped up to Clara.

  “Would you do me the honor of walking with me?” he whispered.

  “Are they getting married?” she whispered back.

  “It’s past time,” Logan answered with a nod. “We’ve let too much force us to push the important things to the back burner. So tonight, we celebrate, and what better to celebrate than love?”

  She nodded and sniffled a little. It was beautiful, and she was so happy for Abby and Tah. Logan held his arm out to her and she took it, matching her stride to his as they walked down the aisle. Before they separated he took her hand and kissed her palm, then walked to stand beside Reno and Tah while she stepped over beside Amia.

  Abby appeared with the Professor and Clara could see the joy on the other woman’s face. It lit up the night better than any candle or light could. Her gaze seemed to find Tah’s and lock there. She didn’t tremble, didn’t falter. She walked straight to her mate and took his hand.

  “This explains the ring,” Amia whispered to Clara, and they shared a grin.

  The ceremony was beautiful. Clara hadn’t known Orsai could perform weddings, but then nothing about him really surprised her. And did it matter? What was a piece of paper to them? A shifter mated for life. There was no fear of falling out of love or divorce or any of the issues their human counterparts faced. There was actually a beautiful ceremony that the shifters observed, as well. She’d have to talk to Logan about it.

  Applause and shouts filled the air around them as Tah kissed his bride.

  “Now I ask that all three mated couples step forward,” Orsai said once things had quieted down a bit.

  Logan walked over to stand with her, and Reno held his hand out for Amia to join him on the other side of Tah and Abby.

  “What’s going on?” Clara whispered, but Logan just smiled.

  “A shifter is never fully alive until he or she finds their other half. For us, there is only ever one person who will complete us. Some never find that person. Some find them, only to lose them too soon. But when we do find our one true mate, it is important to give thanks and pledge before the Great Creator and all those we claim as family, that our bond is true and lasting.” Orsai looked at all three couples, and Clara felt warmed by his smile when he glanced at her and Logan. “So tonight we not only celebrate the ritual of marriage as ordained by the laws of man, but the ritual of life mates as ordained by the Great Creator.”

  He turned to Reno and Amia on the end. “Reno and Amia, do you admit you are mates? Joined in hearts, bound by spirit?”

  Amia and Reno shared a look, and Clara saw tears in Amia’s eyes.

  “We do,” they answered together.

  “Tah and Abby, do you admit you are mates? Joined in hearts, bound by spirit?”

  “We do.” Their voices were strong and loud as they looked at each other with love.

  Clara held her breath as Orsai turned to her and Logan.

  “Logan and Clara, do you admit you are mates? Joined in heart, bound by spirit?”

  Clara nodded, blinking her own tears as Logan smiled at her.

  “We do,” they answered.

  “Now I will ask the men to repeat after me.” Orsai lifted his hands toward the sky. “In the name of the Great Creator who has blessed us, by the life that flows within my veins and the love that flows within my heart, I take you as mine for now and always.”

  Clara felt her tears splashing over as Logan’s strong voice repeated the words. He looked only at her, and she could see he meant every word he was saying.

  “To my heart, of my spirit, as my life’s mate unto death and beyond. I shall possess you and be possessed by you, so that none may come between us. I am yours.”

  Logan squeezed her hand as he finished the vows, and she thought his eyes might be a little misty, too.

  “Now I will have the three ladies repeat after me,” Orsai said. “In the name of the Great Creator who has blessed us, by the life that flows within my veins and the love that flows within my heart, I take you as mine for now and always.”

  Clara’s voice cracked a bit from the deep emotions going through her. She hoped her face showed Logan how much she meant the words she was repeating.

  “To my heart, of my spirit, as my life’s mate unto death and beyond. I shall cleave to you and be cleaved by you, so that none may come between us. I am yours.”

  Clara whispered the last words, so choked with emotion. So many times she’d pictured this, meeting her mate and saying these words. But this, standing here with Logan and the two other couples, was more perfect than words could convey. And she heard Abby’s words in her head again.

  Those three chose each other, and then they chose us. It’s up to us to choose them back and band together for them.

  Had Abby somehow known what T
ah, Reno and Logan had planned? It wouldn’t surprise Clara one bit if Abby had.

  “In the name of the Great Creator, I proclaim you mates. One heart. One soul. One life.”

  Clara wasn’t prepared for the way they handled the next part. Logan turned and took Abby’s hand. She smiled at him then at Clara. Tah took Amia’s hand and Logan urged Clara to move in until she and Reno could join hands as well. They stood in a circle, completely joined when they repeated the words.

  “One heart. One soul. One life.”

  Logan looked at her. “I love you,” he said loud and clear.

  “I love you,” she answered back, and felt a fresh wave of tears spill over.

  He grinned as they dropped hands and he moved in, sweeping her off her feet and swinging her around. “Are you ready to celebrate?”

  “Absolutely,” she said, cupping his face.

  “Good. I have one more surprise for you.” He led her over to the porch steps and pointed toward one of the gliders. “Have a seat.”

  He turned around and grabbed something that had been leaning against the porch. The guitar she’d picked up for him. He pulled the strap over his head and adjusted it until he was satisfied. He strummed a few notes then began playing. It was just one more thing her mate was perfect at. She knew she had a goofy smile, but she didn’t care. She’d never been so happy.

  Soon everyone was walking over to join them. People were just plopping down to sit wherever they could find a spot. Then Finn asked if Logan could still play the ones they used to sing together. Next thing she knew, not only was Logan playing but they were all singing along. Abby was laughing, looking as if she might burst with it as she sat on the porch swing with Tah.

  Finn and Murphy were singing at the top of their lungs. Tah and Reno were joining in as well as Holt. Vic was shaking her head but smiling while Kenzie quietly watched. Orsai and the Professor had disappeared inside, no doubt heading down to check on the two prisoners. Everyone had taken a turn away from the festivities at one point to check on Lydia and Dillion.

  Clara soaked it all in. The comradeship they all shared. It was different from what she was used to seeing between her Uncle Thomas and Gideon. She knew the two men cared for each other, but they weren’t very demonstrative about it. Here, everyone was affectionate, and Clara felt free to be the same. Diane brushed by her and touched Clara’s shoulder. Clara saw sadness behind the smile on Diane’s lips. It felt natural to reach up and grab the other woman’s hand, tugging her down to sit beside Clara.