Beast moved head side to side as humans did. Felt stupid on Beast body.
“You want something?”
Beast dropped muzzle in nod as humans do.
“Do you want to know where Bruiser and Eli are?”
Beast nodded.
“Out hunting with Lincoln Shaddock. They heard about a small nest of vamps who might be building a food herd of unwilling humans. Could be Legolas’s heir, or his secondo heir, and his followers, or it could be another group they haven’t swept up yet. It’s just a reconnoiter, not a battle.”
Did not wake Jane. Jane would be angry. Beast was angry too. Beast growled.
“Jane was exhausted. They thought she might sleep all night for once, so they went without her. Their right as Jane’s Consort and her second.”
Beast snorted and shook head no. Felt anger for Jane. Jane’s place in clan stolen by males. Jane would want to be at fight.
“The team doesn’t need Jane’s help. They’ll either kill the vamps, or Bruiser will take them over and give them to Shaddock.”
Beast snorted. Did not sound like re-con-o-i-ter. Sounded like battle. Pressed claws into Jane spirit and Jane part of brain. Jane came awake. Beast told Jane where mate and brother had gone.
Jane cursed in human thoughts.This isn’t the first time they left us at home to twiddle our thumbs. Or paw pads. I’m healed.Jane looked at paw on table desk.Except for this pesky shape-changing thing. And they’re still treating us like I’m dying.
Beast thought,Teach males cat lesson?
I don’t know. What do you have in mind?Jane-thought sounded suspicious.
Beast is alpha. Beast will teach cat lesson.Beast held Jane down, pricking Jane thoughts with claws. Padded to kitchen. To cold-place, what Eli called com-mer-cial fridge. Slid paw under handle and pulled. Door opened.
Do not,Jane warned.
Beast chuffed.
Back door opened. Beast whirled, holding cold-place door open with haunch. Snarled at door.
Koun stood in open door. Cool hunting air blew in. Koun was good-smelling vampire. Smelled of woods and winter wind. Had strange pelt-skin, pale and black and blue, what Jane calledCeltic tattoos. Was most beautiful vampire with much magic. Strong magic danced from him across Beast pelt like sleet in air.
“And what are you doing, little cat?”
Beast chuffed, showing killing-teeth.Am not little cat. Am Big-Cat.
“Are you going to wreak havoc and release the hounds of war?”
Jane tried to speak to Beast. Beast shoved harder with claws. Jane made mouse squeak of pain. Beast turned back to cold-place and sniffed raw cow meat inside plastic. Grabbed meat and pulled onto floor. Landed with thud. Beast pulled meat to middle of kitchen, dragging same way Beast pulled dead deer. Cold-place door closed.
Beast stared at Koun, holding Koun in place with hunter-killer eyes. Ripped plastic with killing teeth. Water-blood spilled everywhere.
Koun chuckled softly, his magic tickling across Beast pelt. “You are making a mess on purpose, aren’t you? You are angry with... Ahhh. They went vampire hunting without you. And they didn’t even tell you.”
Beast growled low, showed killing teeth again, eyes still on Koun. Sat with cow meat between claws. Ripped cover off meat and spat to floor. Tore meat off. Ate. Swallowed. Ate chunks. Water-blood ran across floor.
“So, the kitchen is a lesson for Eli. What are you going to do to George? Hack up a hairball onto his pillow?”
Beast chuffed. Ate more meat. Belly was full. Dead cow meat was gone.
“Tell me, Vengeful Cat. Would you like to join the vampire hunters? The Chief Strategist of Clan Yellowrock would be happy to follow you into battle.”
Beast ear tabs perked high.Venge-ful Cat. Was good name. Beast nodded as human does.
