"We are taught from a very young age the importance of a mate and what the bond does.I grew up thinking I understood what it would mean if I ever choose a mate.Nothing prepared me for the feelings that have taken my body hostage.I’m questioning whether or not I am safe, not only to others, but to her."~ Callon
Callon pulled through the gate of the large estate and glanced in the rearview mirror to make sure it closed behind them.The gate wasn't what kept strangers out, it was more decoration than anything.What kept strangers out were the large cats that roamed freely on the property.Cats that the locals thought were just exotic pets owned by the eccentric owners of the estate.
"Are those white tigers?"Lola asked, her face nearly smashed against the window."And orange tigers?And a cheetah?"
As they drove slowly, a loud thud sounded on the roof and then a large, black panther walked casually down the front window to the hood of the car.
"Dammit, Bane," Callon growled at the panther who was lying lazily on the hood, his tail flicking back and forth, his green gaze settled firmly on Lola.
"Bane?"she squeaked and leaned as close to the front windshield as her seatbelt would let her.
"You know Bane?"Callon asked, trying very hard not to slam on the breaks so the panther would go flying off the hood.Especially since the feline wouldn't quit staring at his mate.
"No, it’s just weird you’re calling him a name because of the man you know him to be.Not because he’s an animal you’ve given a name," she answered, her eyes pinned on the male in question.“Not that anyone could mistake this creature asonlyan animal.Not with those eyes.”
"What about his eyes?"Callon asked as his gaze darted back and forth between the two.
"They’re full of intelligence.There’s definitely much higher thinking going on behind them," she said.looking away from Bane, she looked at him,where her eyes belong, his beast pointed out."Like yours," she added.
"Do you find him attractive?"Why the hell had he asked that?
"He's a beautiful cat," Lola said, but her gaze stayed on Callon.“But since I’m not into beastiality, regardless of the fact that he’s a man, right now, all I see is a panther.”
Callon's beast was slightly mollified.Slightly.
“So, are all of these cats beastwalkers?"Lola asked, her eyes once again roaming over the expanse of the property.“And good grief, how long is this driveway?"
"Yes," Callon said to the first question as the steering wheel creaked under his grip.He bared his teeth at Bane who simply yawned and threw himself back until he laid completely on his side.The bastard."The house is closer to the water," he told her, explaining why the driveway was so long.It was a huge piece of property for the area, at sixty-three acres, though not big enough for all of their pride members.Many of them traveled to less densely populated parts of the U.S.for short stints to stretch their legs.
As the main house came into view Callon heard Lola suck in a deep breath."You live here?"
"Along with two hundred other pride members," he said, hoping that would take away the shock of the size.
"How big is this place?"
He glanced at her.She was more shocked by theestatethan she was by the beastwalkers running around.
"Big enough for a small kingdom," he joked.
As soon as he made it to the front of the circle drive, Callon slammed on the brakes.He took a little too much satisfaction when it caught Bane off guard and had him sliding backwards off the hood, despite trying to catch himself with his claws.
"That wasn't nice," Lola said as she continued to stare up at the huge mansion.
"It wasn't nice of him to drape himself across my hood like an ornament for you to admire," Callon bit out.“Not to mention,” he narrowed his eyes on the hood.“He scratched it.He’s lucky I don’t run him over.”
Lola looked away from the house.Whatever she saw on his face had her relaxing a bit, for which he was thankful."You were jealous of Bane?"
Callon sighed and pushed the door open."Wait for me," he told her."I'll get your door."
He climbed out of the car, his large frame thankful to be out of the cramped space.Although, he liked that it forced him and Lola to be close.As he walked around the front of the car, he let out a low snarl to every cat that started towards him.All curious as to who was inside his vehicle.
When he reached Lola's door, she'd already started to open it."You don't listen very well,Sazzi."
"I listen just fine," she told him as she took his offered hand and stepped out of the car."What I don't do is obey like a dog."
"Well that's understandable," Callon said as he lead her to the front door."Considering, you're a cat."
"You're going to explain that as soon as I'm done staring at these massive animals like a kid at the zoo for the first time."As she spoke, several of those massive animals came trotting towards them.
