The jaguars turned, climbed into the truck, and left.They didn’t hurry, they moved like they had all the time in the world, and it was infuriating.
“Fuck,” Amadeus snarled.“How the hell did they track us?We weren’t followed, damn it.”
“We must have been,” Javan said.“But I just don’t know how.We took every precaution.”
Amadeus shook his head.“I’m sorry, guys, but it seems like in an effort to help out with the other herd trying to take over, we inadvertently brought another form of danger right to your doorstep.”
Sera stood on the farmhouse back porch and watched the sun set.The world slowly chilled as the darkness took over, and she shivered even though she wasn’t really cold.
There was a weight on her shoulders.And she wasn’t sure what to do about it.
Otto was the problem.He’d taken Dario, the alpha of her prowl, at his word that Fallon would be his mate and unite their two prowls.There was something to Otto’s claim, at least from a jaguar law standpoint.Alphas wrote the laws, their word was literally law for their people.Instead of fulfilling her part of Dario’s deal, Fallon fled.When Dario was killed trying to get Fallon for Otto, Sera also fled to avoid Otto using her to reveal Fallon’s location.
But he’d come here anyway.
And now Fallon’s life was in danger.
Somehow, Sera had to get out of the area and protect her daughter and future grandbaby.
Maybe she could just leave.Go dark, as they said.
“I can tell you’re thinking of running.”
Sera nearly jumped out of her skin at the voice.Turning with her hand pressed to her heart, she saw Nancy, human mate of the stallion elder, Dexter.She’d gotten to know her over the last few days and found her a sweet and gracious female.
Sera looked past her into the house, where the herd had gathered in the kitchen with the lions to talk about what happened.
The lions.
She pushed away the fleeting thought and sighed.“I don’t know what to do, actually.Damned if I do anything, damned if I do nothing.You know?”
“Yeah.”Nancy smiled sadly.“I’m sorry you’re in this position.I hate males like him—treating you as if you’re something to be owned and used however he pleases.”
“What would you do?”
“Well, I wouldn’t run on my own.Otto seems too unhinged to not hunt for you, and then you’d be all alone.But I’d want to be somewhere safe.”
“Like here?”She turned back to look at the trees that bordered the territory.Thick and dark, they were imposing, with shadows that could hold anything or anyone.
“No actually, we were thinking the park,” Avi said as he joined them.“Amadeus and Javan suggested it.It’s far more secure with the stone wall and living quarters underground.They could torch the whole park and never harm any of the shifters who live there.”
He moved aside and gestured for Sera to join them in the kitchen.She hesitated, but then Nancy put her arm around her reassuringly and walked with her inside.
The herd suggested that the park was the safest place for Sera, and the lions agreed.Sunny and her mate Seneca had already offered to let her stay with them until either Otto left for good or a home for her could be arranged at the park.She didn’t like being a burden to anyone, but she liked putting Fallon and Avi in danger even less.
Fallon walked out of the kitchen in tears and Sera followed.
“I don’t want you to go,” Fallon said, hugging Sera.She hugged her back.
“I know, honey.Maybe it won’t be for long.Maybe Otto will be walking down the street and a piano will fall out of the sky and land on him.”
Fallon chuckled and inhaled shakily.“I can hope for that.”She eased back and gave her mom a curious look.“Why have you been acting weird since the lions got here?”
“I’m not sure.I feel weird when I’m around them, like my jaguar is happy to see them.I don’t know what it means.But I do think that I should go with them to the park, even though it’s going to be hard to leave you.”
“I just got you back,” Fallon said.
“I know, honey, and I hate this situation so much, but you have to be safe.However that happens, it’s worth it.”
