The peaceful time of day helped him keep his wits about him.
What he wouldn’t give to talk to his father again and get his advice on how to proceed with all the problems the lions faced. Thankfully, Marco was around to help. If he’d lost his brother to the gunshot wound, he wouldn’t be able to go on as leader. Well, he could, but he wouldn’t want to. Keeping the pride safe was difficult even in the best of times, and having his brother’s help was necessary. How Max handled everything on his own baffled Mason. Being in charge of the whole pride was a more than full-time job.
He stretched out to capture the remaining rays of heat, the rock under him warm from a day of sunlight. The heat permeated his muscles and went deeper, into his soul. He placed the pads of his paws on a dappled, sunny spot and let the light and warmth sink in.
A few birds called to each other in the woods, trilling about food and gatherings, but otherwise the air was quiet. He took in the view of the deep valley below, the river cutting a path through the green landscape. Every bit of land he saw was part of Deep Creek.
Land he’d been a part of his whole life. Land that was a part of his soul. He’d killed for it, and watched friends and family die for it.
Every bit of land was now at risk from the pipeline.
Stopping it had to be his primary job. The star-walking vision had made it clear to him that he was the one to stop the ingress. Both he and Lara together.
He growled.
Lara had really screwed up. He put effort into not being angry at the lioness, as her intentions were good, but she’d almost lost her life in her foolhardy adventure. The lions would be really upset, and he might have had trouble controlling their response, if something had happened to her. That could lead to even more death and more killing. More blood on the park’s hallowed grounds.
Goodness knows, the lions didn’t need more death.
Lara had risked her life to get more information, and part of him admired her for that. Another part couldn’t get over how brash and impulsive she had been.
Much the same as he typically acted. He grinned.
He surprised himself with how much he cared that something might happen to the lioness. Brazen though she was, he was sure her tough-girl persona was an act—much like his tough-guy one was, not that he’d admit it to anyone. They had a lot in common and that explained why they were always at each other’s throats.
Something about her drew him to her in a way he wasn’t familiar with. She had always been a thorn in his paw, and yet if she disappeared, he’d miss her. Annoyed, he yawned and half-growled.
She’d gotten under his skin. He couldn’t afford to be emotionally invested in anyone besides family right now, but everywhere he turned, Lara was there. Usually goading him on, but there. In fact, he couldn’t imagine his life without her.
The thought was disturbing, and his mind insisted on replaying it.
He flicked his tail and rolled onto his back, legs in the air. Being a lion was hard. Being in charge was even harder.
And now that he knew there was a laboratory experimenting on shifters, he’d have to figure out how to stop them. They couldn’t be allowed to continue.
Marco padded up beside him and nosed him on the shoulder. If anyone understood his frustration, it was his twin. Marco flicked his tail, his black fur almost blue in the glint of sunset. Mason stood and shook himself off, giving a nuzzle to his brother. He stretched.
He was more than ready for their evening run.
Tonight, with the moon nearly full, already rising even though the sun wasn’t gone from the sky, and much on his mind, he would run hard. His mind cleared as he ran, and he needed any insight he could get right now. Once his mind was clear, he could figure out how to handle the problems the Sen Pal faced.
He followed Marco into the forest, then sprinted to keep up with his brother through the trees and brush. Usually Mason led, but he had so many things swirling in his head, he didn’t care who led, or where they ran, only that they did run.
He leaped over the boulder sticking out from the ground in front of him, landed on soft paws with barely a noise, and then rounded the dirt path to the part of the forest where tall hardwoods outnumbered pine trees. The sunlight angled through the treetops and filtered down to the ground in splotches of brightness on the furry moss.
Already orange and red sunset tinted the leaves on the trees, and the evening animals wakened and scurried from their dens. When the cover of darkness made the world safer for them, they’d emerge from hiding and hunt to feed their families. For now, they moved into the underbrush and waited without sound.
Right now, the forest was dangerous.
If Deep Creek were hit with an oil spill, everything in Deep Creek would change. The land would be contaminated, and thousands of animals would be without a home. Add to that the humans wanted to take out any animals in the way—including the scarce population of Wood’s Wolves, the non-shifter variety.
He couldn’t let that happen.
He wouldn’t. He panted, lapping up the oxygen like it was cool water. His job was to protect the creatures of Deep Creek as much as it was to protect the land.
Mason ran, his heart thumping to push blood to every muscle and cell. Marco slipped around a large tree ahead and Mason surged to catch him. He smiled a lion smile and charged even faster, the air about his head moving like wind as he sped. Marco kept ahead of him, outpacing him at every turn.
Was it possible to get the humans of Oakwood or Henredon involved? Derek had said the humans resisted the pipeline’s approval. Maybe getting them to protest, as Lara suggested, was a good idea. It couldn’t hurt the cause, that was for sure. If they could get national media in to cover it, even better.
His heart throbbed.
Running thrilled Mason unlike anything else. It warmed every muscle and cleared his lungs and strengthened his heart. Marco stopped and turned, panting, then took off again, this time toward the stream that wended through the forest. They often stopped at the spring for a drink before running again.
The trickle from deeper in the forest grew louder as they approached, the water splashing over the smooth rocks and pooling in deeper spots. They’d reach the cool water soon. He slid through the dry leaves left over from the fall, sending them into the air in a spread of flakes and bits. The crinkling sound they made as he went through them filled the air and sent hidden creatures scurrying back to their dens.
Mason stayed behind his brother, though he could have passed him with a bit more effort. At least he thought he could. Marco ran with determination. For tonight, he’d continue to let his brother keep the lead.
Mason’s thoughts turned to the human invasion. He scowled but didn’t slow his pace. The shifter woman who stayed with the humans bothered him. Cara. Something about her situation wasn’t right.
She’d helped Lara, but why? He couldn’t take her reasons at face value as many dealings with other shifters had taught him that ulterior motives were common, not unusual. Often, the motives were selfish. Cara had requested a meeting with the shifter leaders. That meant two things. One, she knew there was a shifter population in Deep Creek, and two, she wanted something from the leaders. Add in this mysterious lab, and she was a complex puzzle they needed to solve.
Agreeing to meet with her was a risk. She might want to get everyone in one place, then capture the leaders. Or bring in enough humans to capture everyone at the meeting. After that, it would be a lot easier to capture everyone else.
No matter what, he wouldn’t agree to meet with her unless there was a benefit to the Sen Pal. He’d also need to be in control of how it happened, to protect himself and the pride. Additionally, the fact that Lara couldn’t tell what type of shifter the woman was threw up another red flag.
Shifters could sense what animal each other was so whatever Cara was doing to mask her animal was concerning. B
eing secretive was not going to fly with the lions. He vowed to find out what the woman was up to and what kind of shifter she was, and maybe more important, he would find out where her loyalties lay. She could prove more dangerous than the humans she worked with. He barely dodged a low-hanging branch, ducking at the last moment. The burst of adrenaline shot him ahead and almost on Marco’s tail.
Worry spiked through him. Lara could be such a loose cannon, and they couldn’t afford that. One wrong move and they could be discovered, killed, even.
He ran harder, again almost on Marco’s heels. If his brother was nervous about the pipeline, he didn’t show it. Likely, Marco was trying to come up with a solution, too, as he was often quiet with his thoughts, not sharing them until he had a solution in mind. Between the two of them, they would stop the oil company. Plus Lara. The three of them.
Whatever it took. He slid down the short embankment to the edge of the water.
Marco splashed into the creek and Mason followed. The water, cold on his paws, rushed by, swirling around rocks and pouring over a dam. A few leaves swirled in the fray and Mason wondered how oil looked as it pumped through a pipeline. Did it gush and flow like the creek water? Or did it move slowly like the trees swaying in the wind?
He didn’t know, but he figured he was going to find out soon, whether he wanted to or not.
* * *
Cara hung the phone up. The scientists at the lab weren’t happy she hadn’t brought Lara in for examination.
Something had convinced her to let the lion go, but she didn’t know what. Not really. Though she hated sending shifters to the research lab, the job paid well, and she needed it—and she hadn’t figured out how to stop the trade in shifters.
The scientists had promised they would use the information they gathered to help both humans and shifters, but she hadn’t seen any evidence of it yet. They believed that the genetic code that allowed shifters to shift could unlock disease regression in humans and maybe even extend lives. New hearts, new lungs from just a few cells—the information that could be discovered and shared could shape modern medicine.
She’d seen the lab, though, and the shifters were imprisoned in horrible conditions. She tried not to dwell on it. Until she figured out what she could do, she’d continue doing her job.
For now, she would focus on meeting with the shifters who lived in Deep Creek. Maybe they could help. Especially Lara.
Something about the lioness bothered her.
Bothered her enough that she’d risked her job to let her go free.
She leaned back in her chair, twirling a pen. The lioness was familiar in a way that Cara hadn’t ever encountered, and she looked forward to talking with her to find out what the allure was.
But Lara hadn’t contacted her yet, although Cara had expected her to. Maybe Cara needed to put the request out again, but where and to whom? She hadn’t seen any animals, much less shifters, since she’d let Lara go.
A rap came at the door.
“Come in.” She sat up.
Her secretary stuck his head in the door. “Wanted to let you know that the big boss signed off on your explanation for releasing that lion.”
“Good.” Cara waved him off.
Of course Pete, the “big boss,” had signed off on what she’d done. He could no more afford to be outed than she could. Both of them needed the shifters, and he was the only one at AllOil to know what was at risk.
“There’s something you need to see. I sent the photos via email.”
“What is it?”
“The residents of Henredon and Oakwood are scheduling a march to protest the pipeline.”
“Just great.” She clicked on her email and scrolled.
“Thought you should know.” He shut the door behind him.
Cara doodled on her notepad. A tiger head, complete with stripes and whiskers.
A photo of Lara putting up flyers on street posts stared back at her.
The lioness was going to cause trouble, Cara could smell it. She bared her teeth.
* * *
Lara stood outside the door, her heart thumping and her mouth dry. The secretary had waved her back to see Cara, with no appointment, which had surprised Lara. He hadn’t even asked her to sign in. She’d have thought it would be more difficult to get into AllOil but was thankful she’d get the chance to confront Cara.
She knocked on the heavy wooden door.
“Come in,” Cara said.
Lara pushed open the door. “Hello.”
Cara set her pen down. “Hello. I’m glad you came.”
“I need to talk to you.” She moved into the office.
Larger than needed, Cara’s office was decorated in late-century glam, complete with colorful framed photos of animals and a glittering chandelier over the seating area. Cara sat at her desk, which faced the door, and a large framed portrait of a wolf hung on the wall behind her.
Ironic.
“Close the door.” Cara stood.
Lara pushed the door shut. “I’m surprised I didn’t have to make an appointment.”
“I don’t get a lot of visitors.”
“I have questions.”
“Blunt, aren’t we? Have a seat.” She motioned to the fluffy pink couch across from her desk.
Lara sat, sinking into the plush cushion. Everything about the office screamed chic, even Cara. With her hair pulled into a bun and clipped with a rhinestone barrette, and her makeup rivaling that of a department store mannequin, the woman didn’t look like someone who sent animals to their death.
She certainly had a nice office for someone who claimed to be a temporary employee of AllOil.
Cara walked around to the front of her cherry desk, then leaned against it, folding her arms. She didn’t say anything. Her shoes were some high-end brand that favored the “less is more” aesthetic, except for the heels, which were high enough to make her tower over Lara. They probably cost more than all the clothes and shoes Lara owned, combined.
Lara rubbed her hands on her jeans, wiping away the nervousness. She didn’t need to prove anything to this woman.
The mixed messages Cara sent out confused Lara. Underdressed and out of place, Lara leaned forward on the couch.
“What can I help you with?” Cara asked. “Have you come to set up a meeting with your people?”
“No. I came to ask you a few questions.”
“You’ll understand that some topics need to be kept quiet.”
Lara nodded. “Fair enough. But we won’t meet with you unless we feel confident you aren’t lying to us.”
“I’ll try to answer your questions, but no promises.” Cara’s stare was firm.
Lara scooted up on the edge of the couch cushion. “You mentioned a laboratory for...my kind. Exactly what is it for? What kind of research?”
Cara unfolded her arms and walked to the window. “They were doing good work. At least that’s what they told me.”
“Are they holding people against their will?”
Cara turned to her and gave a slight nod. “At first I thought everything was for the betterment of people and...others. I’ve learned differently in the past month or so.”
“How many people are they holding?”
“I don’t know. It’s not a huge facility. I’ve sent at least a dozen there. I know they have others helping, though.”
“It needs to stop.”
“I agree. That’s one reason I let you go.”
“I see. So why are you still working for them?” Lara tried to scent any deceit but smelled nothing.
Cara sat at her desk. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to leave. But quite frankly, I don’t know how to stop them. If I quit, AllOil will hire someone in my place.”
“Two wrongs don’t make a right.” Lara bit her tongue. That had been unfair.
Cara laughed. “I agree, but it’s not always that simple. Tell me, Lara, what is it you want out of life? What guides you in making decisions? Do you always do what’s right, or do you sometimes do what is best for you?”
Lara fidgeted. Getting friendly with Cara was not on her list. “I want to protect Deep Creek.”
“Your home.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t have a home. Not really. No family, no close ties.” Cara spun a pen on her desk. “All I have is work.”
“But you’re a...” Lara paused. “Shifter,” she whispered.
The sunlight through the window seemed to brighten, sparkling deep in Cara’s gaze.
“Yes, but I’m alone. Lonely. I don’t have a pack or a pride or a clan. Nothing.”
Lara relaxed. Either Cara was the best liar she’d ever met, or she was telling the truth. “Exactly what type of shifter are you?”
Cara stopped the pen from spinning. “I’m not comfortable telling you.”
Voices in the hallway spooked Lara. What if they were coming to take her? Cara might have signaled them.
Lara rose. “Fine. But if you want to meet with my people, my lions, you need to have something to offer us, too.”
“That won’t be an issue. I’ve got more than enough information I can show you.”
“Good.”
“I see that you’re preparing for a march against AllOil.”
“The pipeline must be stopped.” Lara didn’t break her stare. “Whatever it takes to stop it, we’ll do.”
“You don’t have a chance at success.”
“We’ll see about that. I think you’ll be surprised at what we can accomplish.”
“Maybe.” Cara turned away. “But you’ve got quite a battle ahead.”
“We’re used to it. And we fight to win.”
“Doesn’t everyone?” Cara returned her stare.
“I suppose so.” Lara paused. “I want you to promise you won’t send any more shifters to the lab.”
“I can’t promise that.”
Chapter Nine
Lara neared the sheltered entrance, following the path carved into the ground by years of bear control of the cave. Trees and groundcover had grown up since she’d last been here. The ghosts of the solstice battle played before her eyes, and she swallowed the lump in her throat. So much death, so many injuries.
Claiming His Lioness (Shifter Wars) Page 9