"Where are you, Flint? I'm going to find you," she called, peeking into the bush land, hoping they were not using it to hide. It was far too dark, and someone could get hurt tripping over the uneven ground and branches.
A soft sobbing caught her attention. Storm paused, holding her breath for a moment to listen. Worried about flint, she ventured into the darkness. She followed the sound, deeper into the bush land surrounding the back of the yard. With only a half moon to light her path, she gingerly picked her way over the leafy floor. Storm pushed the bushy branch out of the way, to find Alice's little four year old boy Flint, sobbing softly, his little body shaking.
"Hey, Flint, it's me Storm. What's wrong, sweetheart?" Crouching down low, she crawled over to the child, noticing how he gripped his leg.
"Have you fallen over? You hurt you're leg?"
Flint shook his head but did not look at her; instead he stared past her looking at something behind her. Storm turned her head to see what he was looking at. A woman stood only a few feet away, completely naked, her perfectly slender body, shadowed by the waxing moon.
A little hand tugged at Storm's arm bringing her attention back to Flint, the boy shook his head.
"Bad lady, bad, bad cat," he whimpered.
"I guess leaving you to burn alive was a bad plan after all."
Storm gasped. She knew her voice. She knew the woman. Storm gritted her teeth as a sharp pain ripped though her head. Memories of Gia, how she'd tricked her, knocked her out and left her to burn alive flooded through her mind.
"It was you!" Slowly, Storm stood up, shielding Flint with her body. "You tried to kill me, and now you've hurt an innocent boy just to get at me?"
"The half-breed brat is collateral damage; no half-breed deserves to live, along with pitiable humans who try to take what's rightfully mine. But I won't make the same mistake twice. As soon as you're dead, I of course will be there to help my mate through his grieving period."
The mad smile on Gia's face made Storm stiffen, her muscles tensed as anger rolled through her darker than an oncoming storm.
"River is not yours. He never was nor will he ever be. I don't give a damn who you think you are. Anyone who threatens unborn babies and innocent children is nothing but a dirty bitch who deserves nothing but to burn in hell."
Gia's face twisted in the shadows; her eyes glowed, rage rolling off her in waves.
Storm's eyes narrowed, tracking the other woman as closely as her vision allowed. She kept her breathing slow and even, despite the heavy pounding of her heart. Never would she allow this evil creature anywhere near River, and she would pay for hurting little Flint.
Gia sprung forward, her arms outstretched, her claws gleaming with deadly intent. Storm's mind clicked into action. She flexed her finger out and rolled her shoulder, with one quick step to the left, bracing her feet. She pulled back her arm before shoving it forward jabbing it straight into Gia's face.
Storm winced, hearing bones crack. Gia's pained scream pierced the air as she stumbled back, tripping on a branch. She landed heavily on her ass, her hands cradling her broken nose. Storm's arm throbbed with the impact, but not once did she relax, keeping her eyes trained on the other woman.
"You may have gotten the better of me once, but never again. Half my life watching my father beat my mother, I swore I'd never let it happen to me."
Gia whipped away the blood oozing from her nose with the back of her hand. In a flash, Gia leapt back to her feet and sprung forward. Storm only had time to move sideways so her stomach wouldn't take the brunt of the impact.
Pain flared through her side as Gia slammed her up against a gum tree. Before Gia could raise her clawed hand to slash at Storm, she twisted onto her ass, coiled her leg and kicked Gia hard enough to send her sprawling onto her back.
Even in the moonlight, Storm watched Gia's face turned a mottled red, her frustrated scream pierced the air. No doubt everyone in the whole town would have heard it.
Storm gasped as the woman's eyes began to glow in the darkness. Gia went into a crouch and shifted. She snarled loudly. Storm knew her self-defense training did not cover how to fight off a sharp-clawed and sharp-toothed cheetah, but there was no way in hell she'd go down without a fight.
Flint whimpered from beside her.
"It's going to be alright, Flint. Be brave for me, okay," she soothed, moving into a crouch over the boy, bracing her body for more pain which she knew would hit at any moment.
Gia growled low and coiled her cat body, ready to pounce.
Storm jumped in fright as a roar ripped through the air and a blur of black streaked past her eyes, colliding with the cheetah.
Storm twisted around and scooped up Flint into her arms before climbing to her feet. The cheetah was now pinned under the huge black panther, River. He shifted, his naked body glistening in the limited shadowy light.
"Shift now, Gia!" His voice low, edged with deadly menace.
Gia complied, her body twisting back into a naked woman. Storm frowned; not liking one bit them both being naked together.
"River, darling… She…she attacked me." Gia wailed defensively.
Anger curled through Storm at the blatant lie. She gripped Flint tighter, taking a step forward.
"Like bloody hell I did. You tried to kill me twice!" Storm yelled. She jumped, startled when a hand landed on her shoulder. She glanced up to see Hawk, standing by her side.
"You remember what happened?" Hawk asked.
"Yes, yes I do; that bitch tricked me to coming with her in River's truck. She knocked me out, tied me to the steering wheel, and left me to burn to death!" The realization hit hard, making her struggle for breath as she tried to deal with her rising panic. All the memories of that day flashed through her mind, clear as crystal.
"Easy, sis, it's okay. We'll take care of it from here." Hawk's tone was calm, even if his eyes did burn with anger.
"Why the hell would you attack my mate? What is wrong with you, Gia?" River demanded, moving up and off her.
"She is not your mate!" Gia screamed. "I'm your mate, I've always been your mate, not some fucking weak human. She deserves to die. They all deserve to die!" Gia snarled at River.
"No, Gia, I am not your mate, Storm is my true mate. You never will be. Do I make myself clear?" River drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "By our law I should kill you right now, but I clearly see you're mentally disturbed. We'll get you some professional help, Hawk have--"
Storm gasped as Gia suddenly shifted again, leaping at River.
"Storm, take Flint back to his parents now." Hawked pushed her back towards the path. Storm turned her head, glancing around Hawk to see River had shifted also, fighting back.
A little whimper from Flint bought her focus back to the injured boy in her arms. Despite her worry for River, she knew he could handle himself and Hawk was there to watch his back. She did as Hawk said, running back up the path. The loud snarls of both cats fighting ringing in her ears, she ignored other shifted cats streaking past her, focusing on the glowing lantern lights just ahead.
Breaking through the bush into the yard, she glanced wildly about, not knowing who to go to.
"Oh, God, Flint!" Alice ran forward. Storm gladly handed the toddler over to his mother.
"I think his leg's hurt," Storm mumbled in a daze.
"Sky, get a blanket. Ridge, get a chair."
Blinking, Storm stared into Maria's worried eyes.
"Are you hurt?"
"Um, no, I'm okay, it was Gia, she…she tried to kill me."
"I know, Storm. Take a deep breath, my dear. It's all over now. River's taking care of the problem."
A weight draped around her shoulders as Maria pushed her into a chair. Gripping the corners of the blanket, Storm realized how badly her hands shook.
"She hurt Flint to get to me." Storm's mouth felt dry, her head started to spin. "She tried to burn me, the flames, oh God the fire, so hot."
"Slow, even breaths, Storm." The pressu
re of Maria's hand on her shoulder, her voice sounded tinny and far away. "Storm, stay with me sweetheart, stay with me. Quick, go get River!"
The world tilted sideways into darkness.
Chapter Seventeen
The familiar comfort of River's hardened body pressed against hers made her smile as she drifted into awareness.
"Did I pass out again?" Storm turned, snuggling into the warmth of River's side. His arm wrapped around her, safe and secure.
"It's becoming a bad habit of yours, cookie, not that I blame you." His large hand brushed against the side of her face, sliding back strands of her hair.
She opened her eyes. Even in the dimmed lighting, she knew they were in their bedroom.
"How are you feeling?"
Gia! The thought slammed into her mind, along with everything else that had happened. She bolted up on the bed.
"Easy, cookie; it's okay, you're safe."
Her mind flew to the little boy Gia had hurt. "Flint, is he alright? Did she hurt you?"
"I am fine and Flint is fine. His ankle was just sprained. He's at home, safe and sound, no doubt tucked into bed, thanks to you. I am sure his parents will be back later to shower you with thanks for protecting little Flint." River sat up, cradling her in his arms.
"And Gia?"
"She wouldn't back down, and when she attacked me, I had no choice but to kill her."
Shock rolled through her. Storm's stomach dropped, a cold sweat broke out over her body and her head spun as the urge to vomit rose. She scrambled off the bed, making a mad dash for the bathroom, but fell to the ground ignoring the sharp pain in her knees on the tiled floor as she emptied the contents of her stomach.
Gut wrenching heaves that were far too loud racked Storm's body for what seemed like hours. When she started to calm and begin to hope it was over, she vaguely became aware of her hair being lifted off her neck and soothing murmurs in her ear.
River sat on the floor and eased her back until her head rested against his chest.
"Is everything okay? I thought I heard…" She heard Maria's voice by the bathroom door.
"Could you get me an ice cold towel, some mouthwash and a glass of water? Thanks, Mum."
Storm kept her eyes closed, not wanting to move.
"Sorry, I think most of that was baby. Is it bad that I'm relieved you…you killed her?"
"You have every right to feel relieved. So am I. We live by a different set of laws. She signed her own death warrant the moment she laid a hand on you in deadly intent. To go after you again and harm a child in the process just cemented her death."
His chest moved under her head as he sucked in a deep lungful of air. "I take it you remember everything now?"
"Yes. I kind of wish I didn't."
"Here you are." Maria returned with the items.
Storm didn't want to move a muscle from where she was sprawled. It felt cooler down here on the floor, and she enjoyed how River took care of her.
His chest was solid and reassuring against her back. She didn't open her eyes or even think twice.
"I'm sorry I let you suffer, I should have known. I should have stopped it before it happened."
She could hear the pain of regret in his voice. "Hey, you can't live in should-haves. Regret is for the weak-minded and feeble, and I know you are neither of those. We live, we learn. I let what happened in my past cripple me for so long until you helped set me free. For that, I'll forever be grateful, so please don't you start now."
The wet cloth on her forehead and neck felt like heaven, as did the mouth wash and sips of water. She gradually felt her strength returning and sighed. Despite the horror of living through two attempts on her life and surviving the onslaught of a firestorm, she felt stronger for the experience.
"What did I do right to deserve such a perfect mate?" He kissed the top of her head.
"Don't count your lucky stars. If this is only the start of my morning sickness, then we're in for a rough ride."
"I'll be with you every step of the way, cookie."
"So was the party ruined?" She opened her eyes, lifting her chin to stare into the incredible green of River's eyes. His handsome face softened with a smile of adoration as he looked at her, making her heart swell with the force of her emotions.
She'd never believed in fate or destiny, but she couldn't help wonder if he was right, and there was some higher force out there guiding their lives, engineering it so each half of their souls would finally come together.
"No, cookie, everyone was worried about you. I'm sure Mum's calling the town talkers now to let everyone know you're okay."
"Is it really over? Do you have any other jealous ex-lovers I should know about?"
His chuckle was soft and soothing. "Yes, it's over. No more jealous exes. You're my one and only." He ran his hands down her arms to hold both her hands in his, turning them palm out. "You hold everything I am in these two small hands: my heart, my soul, my life."
She rested her head back against his chest. "And I promise to take good care of you."
He scooped her up off the floor carrying her back to their bed, gently laying her down before curling himself around her.
"We have a whole long loving life ahead of us, and I never want to waste a moment of it. No matter what the world throws at us, we can face anything together."
Storm sighed, utterly content, knowing she was just where she was always meant to be.
"I think that's the most purrfect plan I've heard in a long time."
It was a plan, which would never fail.
~ * ~
Two days later…
'Hellooo…baby!'
Hawk Black leaned against the trunk of a burnt out tree. It had only been seven days since bushfires had ravaged the area, leaving a desolate waste ground instead of the once lush Australian bush. From experience he knew with a little rain the blackened grown would soon blossom with green once again. He'd witnessed the magical rebirth of the bush land many times before. Still, it always amazed him.
Right now, his eyes were riveted on the upturned ass of the most lush woman he'd ever set eyes on, not counting his brother's mate. And he'd yet to see her face. Still, the flame of her coppery red hair stood out against the blackened backdrop of burnt bush land.
She aimed her camera down at the ground.
He could hear the rapid clicking of the digital mechanism as it captured whatever the hell it was which had her so fascinated.
Something about curvy women just had his dick screaming for him to bury his hardness against their pillow softness. And this woman had everything he lusted after and then some.
The wind blew in the wrong direction. He couldn't' catch her scent. All he inhaled was the lingering smoky smell of the wood ash around him. So this was the little photo journalist he'd come to babysit. Hawk relished a challenge, and this little lady might just be what he was looking for.
Tinder Munro, if he remembered correctly. With the stealth of a predator staking his prey, he moved in closer to get a better look at his next conquest. He stood right over her lovely heart shaped ass. He resisted the temptation to take the lush globes into his hand, even give them a little smack. He leaned over to see what she was photographing.
Her scent invaded his senses; summer rain, sin and sex goddess. It made his mouth water. His cock already semi hard shot to full attention and pressed painfully against the zipper of his jeans. His panther roared to life.
Mine! The urge to take her, claim her clouded his mind.
"Holy shit!"
Tinder was startled by his sudden verbal outburst. Her scream pierced the calm of the air. She spun around, tripping, falling flat on her lovely ass, staring up at him with big dark green eyes.
Hawk suddenly realized he'd found his mate. Oh goddess, I'm so screwed!
Coming Soon
By Angela Castle
From Rogue Phoenix Press
The Purrfect Picture
Australian Shifters Book Two
; Hawk Black, beta of Black Town, has been sent to baby sit a new comer. Tinder Munro is the photo journalist who's been sent to investigate his town, but will the woman fated to be his mate expose the secrets of his town? Or can he convince his fiery red head they are meant to be together.
Also Available By Angela Castle
From Rogue Phoenix Press
Blue Fire
Book One in the Kingdom of Kell Series
A war has left his people on the brink of extinction; Drystan Commander of the King's Warriors will turn to any means necessary to save his people.
Jane, an ordinary woman of Earth, falls into the strange land of muscle bound, sword wielding men, unlike she has ever seen and what's worse they seem to want her!
Could this woman be the savior of their people? Savior or not Drystan knows what he wants, and he wants Jane.
As the passion starts to sizzle evil forces threaten to tear them apart, can Drystan hold onto the woman not only he needs but his people?
Stealing Fire
Book Two in the Kingdom of Kell Series
In the land of the Kell, Tuthal and Tamara are content in their new relationship until Tuthal uses Tamara as bait to steal back the soul he sold long ago.
Adalardo, King of Kell, has found his queen in Penny, an abused housewife from Earth. Adalardo must challenge Penny’s husband in order to claim her as his queen.
The soul demon, who is angered over the betrayal of Tuthal, seeks revenge, targeting not only Tuthal but all those around him.
When the demon strikes a blow right into the heart of both men, they must join forces in hope of defeating the evil that has taken their women.
Healing Fire
Book Three in the Kingdom of Kell Series
Melor, an elite warrior of the planet Kell, has come to Earth and the city of L.A to find a Protected to call his own, but all the women reject his attempts to court them. Dejected, he decides to return to Kell, but an earthquake sends Melor through the portal and right into the path of an oncoming car.
Summer Rose, a widow, lives near the Humboldt Redwood Forest of California with her daughter, Blossom. While driving home late one night, she hits someone with her car.
The Purrfect Plan Page 12