Her cheeks heated as a profound realization struck her.Her choice of Scott was based on his ability to avoid attracting attention from nearby shifters.She’d judged Liam, with his scarred face, as inferior.
Shame had her bowing her head.She’d done a terrible thing, even if his presence was to help her family.What did she do next?A question for which she had no answer.
“Thank you, Liam,” her father said.
Caden clapped Liam on the shoulder, and Sienna caught Liam’s wince.
“Hey, watch it!Liam, will you try shifting again, or did you want to sleep?”
“I’ll shift,” he whispered.
She could practically feel his suffering.“All right.Mama, do you want us to help with the dishes?”
“No, your father and I will set everything to rights.”
“What about the boys?”Sienna asked.
“We’re running with you.”Jago rose, jerking his head at his brothers.“Mama and Papa want private time.”
“And what if Liam and I want to be alone?”
“Tough.”Cadan’s furry brows bobbed up and down as he tried to wink.
“They can come with us,” Liam said.
But she and Liam needed to get acquainted.Wait.Would anyone be searching for him?Work had been busy, but she should check the internet during her lunch break.She wasn’t sure what she’d do after learning more, but at least she was taking action.
“All right.Liam and I will meet you out front.And a reminder.Don’t get too rough with him.”
“Aw, Sienna.”Caden pouted.“Where’s the fun in that?”And laughing, he sprinted into the cottage to remove his clothes.
Ten minutes later, five black leopard shifters trotted from the cottage.Her brothers led the way, sprinting ahead, while she stayed by Liam’s side.Her priority was his health because his injuries were her responsibility.He seemed better in the morning, but by sundown, fatigue dragged at him.She suspected the witch’s drug hadn’t helped, either.If not for her, he’d be home now.Was anyone waiting for him?The thought bounced back like it always did, but this time she faced it head-on.Her conscience whispered guilt; her counterargument stood firm.Liam’s presence was helping them.He was giving support they desperately needed.
She let the fresh air and exercise burn away her worries, increasing her speed to match Liam’s pace.They ascended a tree-clad hill, the air rich with the scent of damp earth, wildflowers, and crushed grass, before racing around the tor jutting from the ridge.As always, she paused to enjoy the village spread out below in untidy rows, the outlying farms and orchards, and the rolling hills beyond.The grass looked lush down there, and productive farms filled the valleys.
Old copper mines dotted the land around their cottage, rendering the ground far less fruitful.To her right, she caught flashes of the sea.Sometimes, they ran as far as the cliffs and descended to a cove accessible during a low tide.Smugglers sailed along the coast, but her family steered clear of the business.Her father had declared the smugglers dangerous men.The Teagues would not align themselves with thieves and brutes, not even if they were desperate.
Her brothers disappeared down the hill, and Liam followed without hesitation.He didn’t seem to have any trouble keeping up, and she mentally crossed her fingers that the exercise would help rather than set him back.And she was turning into a worrywart, but the situation ate at her because, at heart, she was an honest person.
The idea of crafting new items had excited her father and brothers.Their faces had lit up as they discussed the possibilities, and her mother’s quiet satisfaction had made Sienna want to cry.She couldn’t recall when her family had last shared a moment of genuine happiness.
But every kind word, each shared smile, felt tainted by her lies.She kept telling herself the outcome would justify everything, but her methods themselves were wearing her down.
The insight stopped her cold.This wasn’t her.A sneak and a liar.Not who she wanted to become.
Sienna slowed to a walk, automatically scanning her surroundings as her mental gymnastics delved to the core of her problems.
A flash of light on the valley’s far side snared her attention.It was on their land, and she halted, staring at the spot.The flash repeated seconds later.A set of binoculars catching the light?Maybe.Maybe not.But whatever it was, the unexpected sight was enough for her to grunt a warning to her brothers.She crouched, slinking forward until she could see farther into the valley, and barked out another demand to hide.Her brothers melted into the cover of scrubby bushes and rocks, and Liam followed suit.
The flicker reappeared from a different position.Sienna lifted her head to sniff the air, but detected nothing unusual.While she’d been watching and waiting to learn more, Liam had joined her.She jolted and then mentally cursed because she hadn’t heard his approach.
He nudged her and issued a soft, inquiring grunt.She scanned the valley, and Liam edged close enough for her to feel the heat emanating from his body.His feline scent was already familiar, his presence comforting, despite every one of her senses screaming danger.
They resided in a shifter community, but humans lived amongst them, mainly those who had taken a shifter as a mate.They held shifter secrets close and didn’t speak to outsiders.But humans visited the market or purchased goods from shopkeepers.They tramped across the moor.Locals swiftly explained away any suspicious sightings with a mixture of lies and crafted half-truths.That was where the rumors of the Bodmin Moor Beast had started.
And yes, there were periodic hunts for the beast.The locals knew when to take extreme care and stay in their two-legged forms, for who knew what they’d do to any unfortunate captured beast.Mostly, there were warnings.Plenty of warnings, and maybe she was worrying about nothing, but her gut screamed otherwise.
Jago shifted and scanned their vicinity.“What’s wrong?Whoa!Did you see that?”
