He laid Penny on one side of the mattress, quickly shed his outer clothing and then went to work on the fluffy snow pants she was still wearing. He stripped those off of her and then her jeans too, leaving her in a sweatshirt and panties. Pulling back the blankets, he crawled into bed and snaked an arm around her waist. He pulled her snug against his chest and covered them with the quilts.
She sighed and relaxed, asleep without a word. He took a deep breath and let sleep overtake him too. It’d been a long day and he needed to be prepared for anything tomorrow. He’d hated to agree with Penny’s ‘for now’ assessment, but he had a feeling she was right. They could return at any moment. This wasn’t over. It just wasn’t going to go down tonight. She wouldn’t be safe until Jake was gone.
For good.
The sound of Naomi laughing and pans clanking together in the kitchen woke Kann from a very comfortable deep sleep. Col’s voice rumbled through the cabin next. Kann opened an eye and peered over at the window in his bedroom. The dark blue curtains blocked most of the light, but a bright strip illuminated the room through the crack between them.
Penny stirred in his arms and made a mewling sound. Her breath came in steady puffs against his bare chest. He wished that the moment would last longer but the way those two dragons were carrying on, sleeping in wasn’t an option.
“Kann?” Penny jerked, and he instinctively tightened his hold on her. He kissed the top of her head.
“I’m here, beautiful,” he answered.
Her body relaxed into his and she sighed. She’d had a rough night. Lots of tossing and turning. Her glow was dimmed just enough to be noticeable. Anxious. He wished there was something more he could do to end her hiding. Her fear. But until the rat came out of hiding and actually tried to hurt his mate, Kann knew there was nothing to do but wait and prepare.
“Did I dream that someone said Jake left town last night?”
He shook his head. “A friend who owns the gas station at the south edge of town said they left late last night.”
“He won’t give up. They’ll be back,” she whispered against his skin.
“I know, but we’ll be ready. That’s all we can do. You’re safe with us. With me.”
“Thank you,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion. She clung to him in the bed and he again wished for time to stop, so that he could hold her as long as he needed. But living in a cabin with five other people didn’t really lend itself to much ‘alone time’.
Their landlord had recently agreed to let Col and Naomi build a cabin on a beautiful spot deeper into the wilderness, closer to the Denali Park border—as long as they built him a new cabin for renting closer to Mystery’s main road. Seemed a fair trade. Doug was providing the tools, they just had to get more material and build both cabins at the same time.
Perhaps Doug would be interested in expanding even more. The others would help. They were all planning to help Col and Naomi break ground as soon as the snow melted. A third cabin would probably have to wait until the following summer.
“Sounds like Naomi’s got breakfast started. Hungry?”
“A little,” Penny answered. Her stomach betrayed her with a loud gurgle. He chuckled and so did she. “Okay, maybe I really am hungry. You’ve been wearing me out,” she said, peeking up at him between loose strands of hair.
He pushed it out of the way and tipped her chin even further. “I’m more than happy to keep wearing you out.”
She smiled, and her face flushed a bright pink. “Maybe later. We have to eat. Then I want to find out if they got the rifles from your friend Mr. Curtis or Douglas. I don’t really know what to call him.”
“Everybody calls him Doug or Douglas. Whatever feels natural is fine, I’m sure.” Kann rolled over, pinning her to the mattress and ground his cock into her soft belly. Damn he really wanted to just stay in bed and sink himself deep into her soft warm body.
“Kann,” Saul’s voice bellowed from just outside the bedroom door. “Food’s on the table.”
Penny chuckled. “Saved by the lion.”
“Saved?” He quirked an eyebrow.
She giggled again, and he smiled down at her, happy just that she was smiling. Laughing. No matter what had brought it on, he’d take it as a win. “I’m not doing anything with your friend standing right outside the door.”
“He’s not there anymore,” Kann said with a smile. She shoved at his chest and he complied, moving off Penny and maneuvering to sit up on the edge of the mattress. He reached for his pants where they hung over the footboard and pulled them on. He found Penny’s jeans and handed them over. “I’m reluctantly allowing you to get dressed.”
“Oh.” Her eyes were wide and sparkling with amusement. “Well, I’m not really the kind of girl that goes traipsing around in her underwear.”
“You better not be. My lion is rumbling just at the thought of another male seeing you half naked.” He shook his head. “Don’t make me hurt my friends.”
She chuckled and pulled on her jeans before sitting up on the bed next to him. A long pause filled the room. He could tell she wanted to ask something but was struggling. With Penny it was better not to push, just let it happen when she was ready. It hadn’t taken long to figure that out about her.
“Why did your lion get angry at Tor the other day. Why did you fight?”
Kann sighed, hoping he could explain why he lost his shit in a satisfactory way. “You were scared. My animal fed off of that. Tor’s tiger showed interest in you and was distracted. He didn’t listen to me when I told him to shift back.”
“So, you went all King of the Jungle on his ass.”
“Yeah,” he said, laughing a little.
“Did you think he would hurt me?”
Kann shook his head. “No, I thought he would try to steal you. Or my lion did. I knew he wouldn’t do that, but sometimes the animal wins out over the human logic.”
“But wouldn’t I have to be glowing to be his mate?”
Kann nodded. “Reyleans can see the soul call. It manifests itself as a glow that only the other mate can see.”
“So, you’re not glowing. Or at least you can’t see it.”
“No, I’m not. But I wouldn’t be able to see myself. Only my mate would see it. Since you’re human, you can’t see the magick of Fate. At least that’s what we’ve agreed is likely the case.” He stood and offered his hand. He pulled her up and led her out of the bedroom and down the short hall.
“Can Naomi see it now that she changed?” Penny asked as they crossed through the living space.
“You talking about the soul glowing stuff?” Naomi called out. “According to them it disappears as soon as you’re bonded. So even if I could see it now, it’s gone.” She put a bowl of canned fruit on the table along with a plate of fried eggs. “No more lightbulb magick for moi.”
Col followed her from the kitchen, carrying a plate heaped with biscuits. He pulled out Naomi’s chair and helped her get settled before taking his place at the head of the table.
Kann helped Penny to a chair first and then sat down next to her. Tor and Saul brought over a jar of honey and a dish of butter before taking their seats at the table.
“Food smells amazing, Mahadhri,” Saul said. “Thank you for cooking.”
Naomi’s face pinked and she smiled at Saul. “You’re very welcome. It’s like being home again with a houseful of hungry brothers. I love it. Makes me less…homesick,” she finally finished.
“I’m willing to eat whenever you cook,” Tor said with a wide grin on his face. The tiger definitely was capable of eating his weight in food.
Kann moved the plates back and forth until Naomi and Penny had both gotten what they wanted. Even Col refused to take food until both females were fed.
“Why do they call you that—Mah-ha-dree? And why aren’t they eating?” Penny asked, dipping her biscuit into the soft egg yoke and taking a bite. “Also, these are really good,” she said with a low moan.
Kann’s lion
growled. Food shouldn’t be able to elicit the same noises from his mate that sex coaxed out.
Col laughed from the end of the table and Naomi winked at his Penny. “Glad you like them. My mom’s recipe. As far as the name, Mahadhri is Reylean for ‘Mother Advisor’, I think,” she answered, looking to Col for confirmation.
Col nodded. “It is a place of respect reserved for the mate of the Vraka—or chief,” he explained.
Naomi bit her lip, but Kann could see the laughter begging to spill out.
“Kann would you care to answer her second question,” Col asked, tipping his head to the lion.
“All honorable Reylean males make sure the females of the tribe or household are fed first at the table. It is a deeply ingrained tradition. Women are the heart of any tribe. Without them, there are no children. No families. They are everything to us. Precious.”
Penny frowned. “What if you don’t get enough?”
All the men smiled, but it was Saul who spoke this time. “We hunt regularly in animal form. I assure you, Penny. We are not lacking. And it gives us great pleasure to know that you are fully satisfied at mealtimes.”
“So you eat more than just with us?” She continued, her curiosity piqued. “When have you hunted? You haven’t left my side once, except the first day when I sent you away.”
Kann smiled. “I’m fine. I promise. Now that you are here with the others, I planned to take time to hunt today. I can go days without hunting if necessary.”
“So you don’t mind if I eat that last lonely biscuit out there on the plate,” she asked, pointing to the tray in the center.
“All yours,” Kann said, lifting the tray and bringing it close enough for his mate to take. She snatched it off the plate and dripped out a bit of honey to dip it in. The same little moan rumbled in her throat and Kann had to focus hard to not pick her up and run off with her back into the bedroom. He brushed a single lock of hair off her cheek and leaned closer, breathing in her scent and feeling the calming effect of the soul glow. Every time he touched her it was like going home.
Mate. His lion rumbled, impatient that they still had not marked her.
Soon.
Kann could feel her growing closer. Reaching out to him. Learning to depend on him and rely on the others in the tribe as well. They were becoming her family, but it was difficult for her and he would continue to be patient. Fate never made a mistake.
The right time would present itself. When it did, he would be ready to give her his soul. She already had his heart.
19
After breakfast she checked the two rifles Tor had picked up from Mr. Curtis in town. They were good hunting rifles, not great for defense, but it was better than nothing. One was a Remington 700. It held four rounds and one in the chamber. Which was good. And the thirty caliber rounds would take down anything it hit. She ran her fingers down the barrel and moved on to the true beauty leaning against the wall next to it.
A Marlin model 1895 SBL, gorgeous dark stain, all stainless steel. And it had a Leupold VR-X Hog scope. Mr. Curtis had spent a pretty penny on both of these guns, but especially the second.
“Did he give you ammo?”
“Yes,” Naomi answered, pointing to a box on the kitchen counter.
“Don’t start without us,” Tor hollered from the sink where he stood with Saul. They’d drawn dish duty and were busily cleaning and drying the breakfast dishes. “About ten minutes,” he continued.
“Don’t worry. Penny will show us all how to use the rifles,” Naomi said, leaning against Col’s chair. The big man snorted and pulled her into his lap. His mate let out an unceremonious squeak but didn’t try to get up.
“Are you sure you should be firing a weapon?” Col asked softly. Penny couldn’t help but smile. He was unconsciously rubbing Naomi’s belly. Penny wasn’t the only one that noticed either. She’d caught both of the men at the sink sneaking glances and smiling at each other. Kann, who was standing right behind her, also had a sly smile on his face. Poor Col and Naomi thought they were keeping a secret, but they weren’t.
“I will be fine,” Naomi said.
Col shook his head. “I would feel more comfortable if you remained safely inside.”
“Penny is going to be out there,” Naomi barked and tried to scoot off Col’s lap, but he tightened his arms and yanked her back against his chest.
Penny lifted the rifles from the floor and handed the Remington to Kann. “Look, we’ll get started and then when you agree on a course of action come on outside.” She picked up her bag with her SIG in the bottom and slung it over her shoulder, just in case. She hated going anywhere without it. The weapon was her favorite and had been with her since MIT. Penny turned to the kitchen. “Saul would you bring that box of ammo, please.”
“Of course, Penny.” The lion shifter winked at her and grabbed the box off the counter. Kann led the way outside. She was right behind him with the Marlin rifle. Tor and Saul brought up the rear, closing the door on Col and Naomi’s arguing.
Penny shivered a little in the cold wind. The sky was clear, but the wind was bracing. She pulled her collar up a little further and tucked a wayward strand of hair into her hood. “We need a large clearing to practice in.” She turned to Kann.
“There’s a nice open area just through those trees.” Kann pointed at a thick grove of spruce. They made the hike slowly, Kann breaking the trail through three feet of snow.
“Why do we need to learn to fire weapons? We are weapons,” Saul asked, his voice deep and thoughtful.
“Can your lion drop a target from a hundred yards away?”
Saul cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. “Yards?”
They finally emerged from the trees into a nice-sized clearing. “This is perfect, and Saul, a hundred yards is about from where we are standing to that tree there with the crooked top.”
“You can hit something that far away?”
“Not only could I hit it, I could kill it.” She patted the butt of the rifle. “This baby could take down a grizzly bear with one shot.”
All three men paled slightly, and she felt nauseous, realizing she’d just said the rifle could kill them in animal form. And it could. The thought of losing Kann to a hunter was horrifying.
“We hunt in pairs from here on out. One to patrol while the other hunts,” Tor said, grimacing. “We’d never see it coming.”
“It’s against the law to hunt at night. So as long as you guys avoid daytime hunting, you’re probably safe. Not that someone who actually saw an African lion or a tiger in the middle of Alaska might break those rules, but you are way less likely to be shot due to lack of visibility and the law.”
Kann slipped an arm around her waist and hugged her close. “This world is full of all kinds of dangers. Naomi said we must avoid shifting in any type of populated area, or around people who have phones.”
Penny nodded. “You’d be viral in no time. The government would be here within hours. Or the military. Or both.” Her heart raced in her chest. “Please, be careful. It’s making me ill thinking of all the horrible things that could happen to any of you.” She breathed in and out slowly.
“We are very careful already.” He took hold of both her shoulders. “Hunting isn’t allowed on Douglas’s private land, but Naomi feels that cameras are just as dangerous.”
Penny nodded. “She’s right. They would lock you up and we’d never see you again.” Tears pooled in her eyes. She wiped her cheeks with the backs of her gloves and sniffed. “Come on, lets show you how to be the hunters.”
She walked over to a fallen log and gestured to Saul to put down the box of ammo.
“What the hell?” Tor hissed, grabbing the back of his neck. When he pulled his hand away, he was holding a bright red dart.
Air left Penny’s lungs in a whoosh. She dropped to her knees behind the fallen log and aimed the rifle toward the tree line. “Get down!”
Saul let loose a string of words in another language and Kann dove down be
side behind the log.
“What was that?” Kann asked. He jerked and snarled and clutched at his arm. Another red dart. Tranq darts.
They were surrounded. Jake had found her. But how? They’d left town. They were supposed to be looking for her somewhere else. She was supposed to have more time.
“Kann, no!” she cried out when he covered her body with his. His weight pressed her down into the snow. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t use the rifle that was in her hands. “Let me up, I can help.”
Tor cursed again, and Saul roared. Kann winced and his lion growled deep in his chest.
No. No. No. “You can’t shift. You can’t. Promise me,” she wailed. They might be using non-lethal means right now, but if they saw men shift into animals there was no guarantee they wouldn’t change their minds.
“They’ll take you,” he roared.
“They’ll kill you!” she screamed back. “These are just darts. They’ll make you sleep, but they won’t hurt you.” Strangely enough the guys were all still awake and most of them had been hit several times with darts. She hadn’t. Which meant they were targeting the guys, not her.
Jake had connections. She’d met most of them at business dinners and events. He hadn’t given up, he’d just called in a damn favor. Fuck.
Kann snarled again and ripped another dart out of his shoulder. “Tor, get to the cabin!”
Penny peeked up from beneath Kann’s chest. Tor’s fangs were down, and his eyes were gold. “Don’t shift,” she hissed. “It will scare them.”
“Good,” the tiger shifter growled, licking his fangs.
She shook her head. “They’ll switch rounds. They’ll kill you. These are professionals. Jake has military connections. These guys can drop targets at hundreds of yards.”
“We have to get out of the open.” Kann wrapped an arm around her waist, like he was worried she’d leave him. “We’re vulnerable out here.”
“If I can get to the tree line I can shift and they won’t see me.”
“They’re in the tree line too.” Penny nodded in the direction Tor had glanced. Saul dropped to the ground beside Tor. He wasn’t fairing much better. Every so often another dart would find its mark. All their fangs were exposed past their lips. Three sets of glowing gold eyes. They were so close to losing it. She couldn’t imagine how hard it was for them to all hang on, not if Tor just being in tiger form had upset Kann before.
I'm Not Lion To You_Soulmate Shifters World Page 16