A Total-E-Bound Publication

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A Prideless Man

ISBN # 978-0-85715-593-1

©Copyright Amber Kell 2011

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright July 2011

Edited by Lisa Cox

Total-E-Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2011 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-sizzling.

Supernatural Mates

A Prideless Man

Amber Kell

Dedication

To my husband, I wish your health problems were so easily solved.

Chapter One

James Everett woke up and made the mistake of moving. Pain ripped through his body like burning brands. Gasping, he blinked back tears while trying to keep still. By now he should know better than to try any motion first thing in the morning. His Rheumatoid Arthritis made waking every morning a new definition of agony. Only the medicine his father cooked up in his lab relieved the pain. He grabbed his bottle of medication, wincing as the pills made a light rattling noise inside the container. Shit, he was almost out. He didn’t want to have to call his father. He hadn’t talked to him since their last fight over Shifter rights.

A man that fanatical had to be wrong.

That’s why he’d moved to this town. To learn more about the creatures his father branded as evil and James had always found so fascinating, especially the lions. The lion pride kept him here. He didn’t know why, but when they came into town he always felt an uncontrollable urge to join them. Not only because of the gorgeous alpha—it was very clear Talan was devoted to his little wolf—but because something about the lions called to him.

Watching the alpha and his mate made James long for a relationship of his own, but who would want a skinny guy on heavy pain medication? Or when touching caused screams of agony, instead of moans of pleasure. Yeah, he was a real catch.

Slowly he rotated his wrists, easing the joints into their assigned roles of moving through the day. Next his fingers got attention as he stretched his hands, listening to the sickening popping noises they made as he flexed each digit. Curling his toes he listened for the crackles before rotating his ankles. Hell, with all the crackling, snapping and popping he was his own breakfast cereal. Eventually, his familiar routine paid off and his aching joints loosened enough to sit up. A cry of pain tore from his chest as he shifted positions. He quickly stifled further sounds. He didn’t want anyone running to his rescue. He didn’t want anyone to see him like this. If she found him suffering, his holistically-inclined landlady wouldn’t hesitate to recommend at least a dozen homemade remedies. She’d already hinted as much. James wasn’t fooled into thinking they would work. He’d tried every possible solution before he turned ten. By twenty-three there weren’t any new treatments to try anymore.

Unlike most people with arthritis, weather didn’t affect his RA, and neither did his amount of activity. In a moment of whimsy he once told his father it was probably the phases of the moon causing the flare ups. His father’s screaming response proved the man had absolutely no sense of humour.

Looking around his small apartment James felt depression descend again—not for the size of the apartment, but for its solitude. He could afford a bigger place. His trust fund was large enough. However, he liked the small MIL unit he rented at Ms Tyler’s house. She was a sweet Labrador shifter and though she said he smelt off, once he assured her the scent was medication, not inherent evil, she happily rented him the place.

James tried to save as much money as possible since his constant pain made it impossible to hold down a steady job and he had no idea how long his trust fund would need to stretch. Currently he taught classes online which finally let him find a use for his expensive college education.

Sliding into his ergonomic leather desk chair, James popped his pills and booted up his laptop while waiting for the drugs to take effect. He sometimes took extra medication on really bad days, but he hated how loopy the drugs made him feel. He’d rather suffer through pain than walk around in a drug-fuelled haze, especially if he ran into the sheriff again.

His cheeks burned whenever he thought of the sexy bear shifter. Sheriff Louis Arktos, a big barrel-chested bear shifter with black hair and dark eyes, starred in all of James’ hottest daydreams. He’d seen the other man watching him from time to time, but he didn’t dare get his hopes up. After all, what did he have to offer such a strong, fit manly man? Some days he could barely make it across the room without screaming.

Sighing over the hopelessness of his infatuation, James logged into the college website and answered several emails from his students. His slow two-fingered typing took forever, but eventually he got through them all. After he finished working he checked his personal email account. His father’s name sat in bold text squatting at the top of his inbox like a waiting spider beckoning him to its web. With strong resolve he closed his email and shut down the computer. He would deal with his father tomorrow. He had no idea how to explain to his shifter-phobic parent about moving to a town almost completely populated by shape shifters.

* * * *

“I haven’t seen him yet, Sheriff.”

Lou looked away from the window and into the amused eyes of his waitress, Kelly. “Who’s that?”

“Now, Sheriff, we both know you’re waiting for that odd-smelling boy.” The deer shifter waitress gave him a sweet smile.

“He doesn’t smell odd. He smells wonderful.” Beneath all the medication, James’ scent drove Lou wild even as he wondered about the human’s health problems. The pain the other man suffered carved deep lines on either side of his mouth and the slow methodical way he moved made Lou wince with sympathy and wish he could comfort the stoic human.

“We all know you’ve got it bad for him. The only thing I wonder about is why he fights it. He wants you so bad even Blaire commented on how he looks at you.”

“Really?” He ignored Kelly’s disdain as she talked about the other woman. Blaire was a perceptive person but Lou knew they were both vying for the same man—a feckless coyote shifter who wouldn’t be faithful to either of them. He kept that opinion to himself. Kelly wouldn’t thank him for the advice and he had a policy to keep out of other people’s love lives unless weapons and claws became involved.

“Yep. Oh, look who the cat dragged in.” Kelly winked at the sheriff. “It’s a shame we don’t have any extra tables. Maybe you’ll share yours.”

“I’d be happy to share mine.” Lou gave the waitress a wide grin, blithely ignoring the five empty booths surrounding him.

He watched in amusement as Kelly whisked a protesting James to his booth. The young man looked flustered as he leaned on his cane. Lou frowned at it.

“Is that new?”

He thought he’d have noticed if the man had a cane before.

James gave a slow shake of the head. “I only use it on really bad days. You mind if I join you? Apparently you have the only available seat.” He gave Lou an apologetic smile over Kelly’s antics.

“Of course not. Please sit.” Lou waved a welcoming hand towards the opposite side of the booth. He bit his lower lip to hide his pleased smile.

As Lou watched the fine lines around the human’s mouth tighten, his shifter muscles twitched in sympathy. The human looked to be suffering from excruciating pain, but he made no sound or bid for pity as he sat and turned to the waitress. “A cup of coffee and a blueberry muffin if you have them, please.”

“Sure do, be right back.”

“You need something more than that,” Lou protested.

James gave a soft laugh as he spied the multiple plates of food sitting before Lou. “I don’t eat quite as much as a bear shifter.”

Lou offered him a smile even though he didn’t really feel the humour. Worry riddled his chest like a physical ache. He took a deep sniff. “What kind of medication are you on?”

“Is that a polite way of asking what the hell is wrong with me?”

“Or a not so polite way,” Lou admitted. He went silent as Kelly returned, placing a muffin and a mug of coffee on the table before James.

“You boys want anything else?”

“No, thank you,” James said in his calm voice.

“No.” Lou didn’t look away from the human. He had the odd feeling if he turned his head, James would vanish. A ridiculous fantasy since the man couldn’t move that fast.

“Well, I’ll be around if you need more coffee or decide to eat more than a muffin.” He heard her move away to greet another customer, his eyes never leaving the other man’s face.

James carefully lifted his cup with both hands and took a sip before speaking. “I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I’ve had it since I was very young.”

“I thought only old people got that.” Fear, cold as ice, shivered up and down Lou’s spine.

James shrugged. “Just lucky, I guess.” He gave a bitter smile as he pulled apart his muffin to eat it in tiny bits. Watching James’ wet tongue slide across his lips to remove stray crumbs momentarily sidetracked Lou’s thought processes. Imagining the human’s hot moist mouth on other parts of his body almost had the shifter coming in his pants.

For the life of him he couldn’t figure out why. Although cute, the human wasn’t as gorgeous as some of the town’s residents, but he pulled at Lou more than any shifter or human he’d ever met. If he could pinpoint the reason maybe he could get rid of his fascination. Looking at James’ blushing cheeks, he wondered if he wanted to.

“Does the medication help?

James swallowed his bite, unwittingly drawing the shifter’s attention to his neck. Lou swallowed the growl his bear urged him to make. He wanted to bite the human’s long lean throat and mark him so others would know this man was his. He refocused when James spoke again. “It takes the edge off. The only way to completely get rid of the pain is to take a lot of medication and I don’t like how it makes me feel.”

Lou fought the urge to tell him what to do. Never sick a day in his life, he didn’t feel qualified to give advice to the younger man. Instead he asked the question preying on his mind since James came into town. “What is it you do for a living?” He’d asked around town, but no one knew the source of the human’s income.

“Right now I teach colleges classes online.” James rubbed his hands together as he spoke.

“Do your hands bother you?”

He shrugged. “Sometimes. Once I’m typing for a while they usually loosen up. There’s only so much physical activity I can do. I can’t stand on my feet long enough to teach a class at a university.”

He didn’t understand about physical limitations, but he imagined it must be hard to be young and so aware of your weakness. With the moon close to full he had more energy than he knew what to do with. He wished he could pass some of his excess energy to James.

A phone rang close by. James reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small cell phone. When he looked at the display he paled.

“I—I’ve got to go,” he stuttered. Before Lou could protest, James threw some money on the table and left. Bewildered, he watched the human hobble out of the diner.

Lou’s protective instincts rushed forward. Someone upset his man. A low growl built in his chest.

“Scare him off already?” Kelly walked up and placed Lou’s bill on the table.

It took him a moment to pull back his bear in order to calm enough to answer. “No. I don’t think it was me.” Strange, most humans were wary of bear shifters because of their size and power even in human form. James looked about six feet tall but was extremely thin due to his poor health. Lou could snap him like a toothpick. However, when James saw the shifter in the diner his scent hadn’t changed. If anything he became calmer when he saw Lou.

Intrigued, he watched James through the diner window talking into his phone. Tension filled the human’s body as he leaned on his cane and appeared to be shouting into the receiver. Concerned, Lou threw money on the table and left the restaurant. No one should upset the sweet man who obviously had enough problems of his own.

By the time he reached James the other man had shoved the phone back into his pocket. Fury poured off him like a physical force. Confusion filled Lou. He had never met a non-shifter who could project his anger like a field of energy before.

“Are you okay?”

When James turned around, Lou stepped back. The human’s medium brown eyes…glowed gold. Traces of lion scent filled Lou’s nose. He looked around, seeking its source. The sidewalks were clear. No sign of members of the pride.

“What’s wrong?” James asked.

“Nothing.” What could he say? That the human smelt like a lion and his eyes flashed shifter gold? James would think he was crazy. Already he watched Lou as if he were a little unhinged.

Talan would know what to do. He’d grown up with the lion alpha and knew he’d be able to ask him questions and not be ridiculed. The easy-going lion was a solid friend. The jury was still out on his friend’s new mate Adrian, but anyone who could take down another wolf with the swipe of his claw had Lou’s vote. At least he didn’t have to worry whether Adrian could protect his mate.

“I’m going back to my place.” James gave a half-hearted smile, worry flashing in his eyes.

“Sure. I’ll see you later.” Lou suppressed the desire to follow the other man down the street, a huff of frustration escaping from his mouth. The man drove him insane. He didn’t know why James enthralled him, but he couldn’t deny the other man’s pull.

James turned at the sound. “Did you just huff at me?”

Lou yawned in response.

A slow smile crossed James face.

“What?”

“I make you nervous?” The shy man with the cane turned into a teasing man with a sparkle in his eyes from one minute to the next.

“Why would you say that?”

“Bears yawn when they’re nervous.”

“How would you know?”

James tilted his head as he examined Lou, considering. “I did some research on shifter animal traits when I moved into town. What kind of bear are you?”

“Kodiak.” Lou puffed out his chest.

“You’re a little south for your kind, aren’t you?”

Lou shrugged. “Habitats are changing with human intrusion. We go where we can and leave the wild land to the natural bears. As shifters we have a wider territory we can cover and, besides, I’m not all Kodiak. My mother’s mother has polar in her family den.”

“Ahh. But you didn’t answer my question. Why do I make you nervous?” James couldn’t understand how he could make a big bear shifter nervous, but it was absolutely adorable.

The sheriff looked at his feet as he spoke. “I was wondering if you’d like to have lunch sometime.”

James watched the man’s shuffling feet. The confident sheriff didn’t make eye contact. Instead his glanced up and down the street as if searching for someone to arrest in order to get out of their conversation. For a moment James got a whiff of a scent telling him the sheriff wasn’t just nervous, he was downright frightened of rejection. He must be imagining it. Nerves didn’t have a scent and if they did, he certainly wouldn’t smell them.

James found the sheriff’s attention flattering. If nothing else, he could spend a meal with an interesting person. He didn’t see any future together, since he was such a mess, but it didn’t mean they couldn’t have lunch. Besides, he’d never made anyone nervous before.

“Sure, I’d love to have lunch with you sometime.”

“Really, you’ll have lunch with me?” Lou’s eyes snapped back to him.

James couldn’t stop smiling. Despite the conversation with his father still chilling his bones, a few minutes alone with the sweet bear cheered him. For the moment he could pretend he was a normal man who could attract a gorgeous bear shifter, not a man two steps from becoming a permanent cripple. It was only a matter of time before a cane wouldn’t be enough support any more and he’d have to move to a wheelchair. The medicine worked less and less over time.

“How about Wednesday?” He needed to get back to his apartment and take a shot. Whenever he took the super-concentrated medicine his body always went into shock for at least a day. It wasn’t fun, but he’d learned to cope. James specialised in surviving from one day to the next. Over the years he’d developed the talent of enduring. Not enjoying his life, but enduring. His gaze travelled up and down the muscular bear shifter. Maybe it was time to have a little fun. He didn’t care about the price—he’d suffer through anything to get the gorgeous man before him into his bed.

“Wednesday?” The sheriff frowned, mulling it over so much like a ponderous bear James stifled a laugh. Fuck, he was cute.

“Yes, Wednesday. Unless you have something else scheduled?” He tried to hide his disappointment, not wanting to appear needy.

“Why can’t you have lunch with me today?”

Relief shot through him so fast he almost lost his grip on the cane. “I’d love to, but I’m going to be busy today and tomorrow. Wednesday is the earliest I can do.”

A cold light entered the shifter’s eyes. “Who are you seeing?”

“What?” How had he lost control of this conversation? “I’m not seeing anyone else, I just can’t see you.”

“Why?”

He didn’t want to tell the sheriff about his meds. He wasn’t completely certain they were legal. Who knew what his father put in the stuff? However, the few times he tried to live without them led to black outs and screaming migraines for weeks after. He still didn’t recall an entire month during his fifteenth summer, the beginning and end of his rebellious period, until now.

After his father scared off another shifter friend of James’ a month ago, he stopped stomaching his father’s rhetoric against shifters, packed up his stuff, and moved away.

He still contacted his father by email and phone. James didn’t have it in him to completely cut off the man who single-handedly raised him. Although hiding in a town of shape shifters was the perfect location. His father would never step foot in this town. Unfortunately, as rebellious as he wanted to be, there were inherent difficulties in living away from his father/drug dealer. Since he couldn’t go to the corner drugstore and get his prescription filled eventually he’d have to tell the man his location for medicine delivery.

“Wednesday, take it or not.” He knew the first rule in dealing with shape shifters. Never show weakness even if you were about to piss in your shoes.

“I’ll take it.”

“Good.” James hoped he hid his relief well. “Do you want to meet here?” He nodded towards the diner. The town wasn’t known for its gourmet cuisine, but the café had a nice solid menu with tasty sandwiches and fries cooked to crispy perfection.

“Here is fine. Noon. Wednesday. I’ll see you then.”

James gave Lou a wide smile. “See you then.”

Determined to leave on a high note, and before the sheriff started to interrogate him, James turned away to limp back home. Luckily in a town this small, he could easily walk from place to place. With his seizures it wasn’t always safe to drive.

Lou watched the younger man leave until he turned the bend and disappeared. James’ evasiveness triggered the sheriff’s detective instincts. What did the other man have to hide?

Shrugging it off, Lou headed to the office. One way or another, he’d eventually discover all of James’ secrets. Business was slow in this town. Even other shifters hesitated to cause trouble with a bear for a sheriff, which made his days uneventful and gave him plenty of time to investigate his odd human.

“Morning, Sheriff.” As he entered the Sheriff’s Department, KC’s pointed face peeked at him over his computer. The fox shifter’s freckled face had its customary wide smile as he greeted his boss. Although a strikingly handsome man, Lou’s bear never showed the least interest in the smaller shifter. There was a fragility to the fox his bear found disturbing, as if beneath the bright smile lived a broken man.

“Good Morning, KC. Anything I need to worry about?”

“You mean beside the pretty man with the cane?” KC handed over a cup of black coffee earning a grateful smile from his boss. The department budget didn’t extend to a secretary so Lou, more often than not, made his own black swill. No one in the office called his concoction coffee.

KC did all the office work. He processed paperwork, updated databases, handled phones, did research and when the whim struck him, made coffee.

“Doesn’t anyone in this town have anything to do except watch me and James?”

“Nope. Not when we’ve never seen you interested in anyone before.” The fox gave him a sly smile. “Besides, if you bomb I might ask him out. He’s really cute.”

For the first time in his life, Lou lost complete control of his bear. A loud roar poured out of his throat, claws ripped through his fingers and fur spouted a thick coat covering his skin. In the far distance he heard a soft noise of fear. The bear snapped his head around to face the sound. Far down below a small man cowered behind his desk.

Threat.

The other man threatened to take what was his.

The bear roared his displeasure.

“Lou, I didn’t mean it. I didn’t know he was your mate.”

Mate?

His mate. Images of James flashed through his mind. The sweet human wouldn’t approve if he ate the other man. With a snarl Lou turned away from the creature behind the desk and lumbered down the hall. With each step he transitioned back from bear to man. Fur coat faded, height shrunk, claws retracted, until he was only a human walking to his office.

“Nice ass,” KC shouted, giving a wolf whistle.

“Just for that I’m not apologising.” Lou entered his office, slamming the door behind him. Taking a deep breath he leaned against the door. “Shit, I am so fucked. James is my mate.”

What was he going to do now?

Chapter Two

James stumbled through his apartment doorway leaning heavily on the cane as pain ricocheted through his body. His muscles ached, his bones hurt, and pain seared through his veins like acid. He had to admit the truth, even if only to the spider hovering in the corner of his ceiling—the medicine was no longer working. The dosage he usually took now barely dented the agony.

From his desk the wooden box called to him.

Just this once.

Images of Lou frowning at him with disapproval ran through James’ head. He longed to replace the imaginary disgust with a look of lust, to have someone finally desire him as a man. The drugs whispered a soft song of peace, to feel no pain.

“Fuck.”

Like a man in a dream he walked over to the walnut box. Flipping open the metal latches he opened the case with one shaking hand, the other one gripping his cane with a white-knuckled hold.

Taking a deep breath, he gave into the inevitable. He couldn’t continue this way. After suffering his way to his twenties, he’d had enough.

He pushed the syringe into the liquid vial and drew back the plunger, watching with a dry mouth as the drug was sucked into the glass tube.

“Sorry, Lou,” he whispered. He imagined the bear shifter’s disappointment as he plunged the syringe into his arm. He barely removed the needle before the drugs took effect.

Too much. This time something went wrong. Instead of the sweet rush of relief, it felt like fire ants were crawling across his skin, biting him with their fiery sting. His body convulsed, his bones crackled and as white noise filled his ears, James’s eyes rolled into the back of his head and he tumbled to the floor.

* * * *

KC rushed into Lou’s office. “Sheriff, you need to get to the hospital. His landlady called and said he overdosed.”

“What?”

“They’ve sent him to the local hospital but it looks pretty bad.”

“I’m on my way.” Lou brushed past the fox shifter without another word. He was halfway to the hospital in his sheriff’s truck before he took a breath. Fear filled him like an icy storm, chilling his soul as he drove towards the hospital with unseemly speed. What could’ve happened between dining at the café and going to his apartment?

James didn’t strike him as the suicidal type. It could only be an accident.

Please be an accident.

Shit. He finally found his mate only to fall for a drug addict. There had to be a different explanation. Thinking back during his experience in the bigger cities, Lou couldn’t equate James’ behaviour to drug addicts he’d dealt with before in the line of duty, but then some people hid their symptoms well.

His heart sped up when the hospital came into view. Sweat dampened his palms. The hospital valet prudently stepped to the side when Lou came to a screeching halt in front of the patient valet parking sign. Throwing his keys towards the young man he rushed inside. He didn’t have time to talk. He needed to get to James.

The nurse at the counter was a deer shifter he went to high school with.

“Hey, Darlene.”

“Your mate’s in room one-o-three.” She gave him a sympathetic smile. “KC called ahead.”

Thank God for KC.

Lou rushed down the hall and slid to a halt in the doorway. Catching a glimpse of his mate, he grabbed the sides of the doorframe. The metal frame screeched as his fingers pressed into it, creating dents. James lay in the hospital bed, still as death. A doctor hovered beside him looking at the monitor. For the first time since he met James, the overpowering scent of medicine was gone.

He smelt divine.

“Hey, Sheriff.” Dr Henrickson looked up at his entry. He was a grey-haired mink shifter who ran the hospital ever since Lou could remember. He nodded towards the patient. “I heard he’s yours.”

“Word gets around. What did he take? Crack? Ecstasy? Overdose on prescription drugs?”

The doctor shook his head. “That’s the interesting part. It’s a suppressant.”

“A what?”

“A drug to prevent shifting.”

“Into what?”

Henrickson’s gaze went to the man on the bed. “I don’t know. Did he say anything to you?”

“He thinks he has Rheumatoid Arthritis.”

“Ahh. I’m willing to bet he’s only a half shifter then. A full-blooded shifter would’ve changed before now even with the medication. Someone convinced him along the way that he was sick instead of telling him what he really is. I’d bet on one of his parents. I’ve seen a few cases in my time but nothing this extreme. If he really is your mate, it was probably meeting you that set him off.”

Guilt ate at Lou. He had driven the other man to drugs, even if he’d done it inadvertently. Meeting his mate could’ve killed James.

The doctor continued to drone on unaware of the affect he had on Lou. “More than likely, his shifter blood saved him. The enzymes in his blood repaired most of the damage when he went into shock. Unfortunately, if he’s been on these drugs since he first showed signs of shifting we’re looking at ten, fifteen years of addiction. His heart might not be able to take the shock of stopping cold turkey.”

“What if we ease him off them until we can get him to shift?”

“That’s assuming he can change. A half shifter might not have the ability. He could be on the drugs to stop his body from tearing itself apart. I’ve heard of a few cases where a half-breed turned himself inside out. Some things you can’t recover from even with shifter blood. We need to find out where he got his drugs and why before we try to cut him off or find a better solution. The biggest problem we have is getting his cooperation.”

“Oh, he’ll cooperate.” Lou had waited his entire life for this man. He wasn’t going to lose him now.

A sharp rasping cough drew his attention away from the doctor and back to the bed. James’ eyes fluttered open. A glowing ring of gold surrounded his normally medium brown irises.

“Did I miss our date?” James’ voice sounded sandpaper rough, completely unlike his usual smooth tones.

“Can he have some water?” Lou asked the doctor.

“Just a little. I’ll have the nurse bring him some ice chips.”

Lou rushed to get the small cup. Supporting his mate’s head he titled a little water into James’ mouth. “Drink, honey.”

Quickly swallowing, the smaller man took down what he could before Lou removed the cup. When he licked the water from his lips, Lou flushed as he thought of the other things the sweet man could lick. Shit, there was something wrong with lusting after a man lying in a hospital bed.

“Thanks,” he whispered, giving Lou a grateful look.

“Where did you get the pills?” He didn’t beat around the bush. The doctor needed to know.

“What pills?”

“Your medication. You overdosed on pills.”

James shook his head, his pallor competing with the whiteness of the pillowcase. “It wasn’t the pills. It was a shot. When the pain is too much I take the shot.”

The light went on in Lou’s head. “That’s why you said we couldn’t get together. You knew the shot would affect you.”

A careful head nod was his response. “The shot usually knocks me out for a few hours and makes me loopy the day after.”

Henrickson jumped into the conversation. “Have you ever gone into shock before?” Lou hadn’t even noticed the doctor had returned.

“No, like I said they always knock me out and make me loopy but I’ve never had this bad of a reaction before. I noticed recently the pills are becoming less effective so I took the shot. I don’t take it very often but I really needed it today.” Sweat beaded James’ forehead and his breath came in shaky gasps. “I need my medication.”

“No!” Lou gripped James’ hand, drawing his attention. “You need to stop fighting it. You need to embrace what you are.”

Lou watched closely as Henderson pushed a syringe into the IV.

“What are you giving him?”

“A sedative to calm him. If he becomes stressed the adrenalin will hit his system and trigger his symptoms.”

“Lou.”

He turned at the panicky tone in James’ voice.

James frowned at him, a deep furrow forming on his pain-filled face. “What’s going on?”

Fuck. He hadn’t planned to break it to him this way. “The doc thinks you’re a shifter. The medicine you’re on is an anti-shifting medicine.” Lou swallowed, trying to get moisture to his desert-dry throat. “Would you let doc do some genetic testing? He thinks you might have a parent who has shapeshifting blood.”

Fear filled his mate’s eyes. “I can’t be a shifter.”

Lou released the other man’s hand, taking a step back from the bed. “Why not?”

“My father despises them. He heads an agency opposing shifters. Shit. That’s why he gave me the medication. My mother must’ve been a shifter.”

“Or your father is one and hates it. I’ve met a few of those myself.” He didn’t mention they usually went crazy and killed themselves. James was already shaking his head.

“No. He never talks about my mother. It explains so much about my childhood.” An expression of utter defeat crossed James’ face. “I’m tired. I just want to sleep.” He closed his eyes, shutting out the other men.

“Oh, no, you don’t.” Lou gripped James’ chin, turning him towards him. “You don’t get to ignore me. Dr Henrickson thinks cutting you from your medication will kill you. I’m going to go back to your apartment to get it. Where do you keep your drugs?”

James reluctantly opened his eyes. “On my side table in the walnut box. The liquid medication and my few remaining pills are there. I was going to contact my father to get more. So I don’t have RA?”

“I don’t know, love. We won’t know until the doc runs some tests on your blood work and examines your medication. Will you let him?”

“No. My father will find out. He probably already knows I’m here.”

“No,” Henrickson denied. “We’re privately funded and not in the medical network. It keeps the privacy of the shifters. Many of them don’t want their employers to know they can shift or people to know where they are. We are champions of staying off the grid.”

“Good. I’m tired.”

“Get some rest. We can talk tomorrow.” Lou gave James’ hand a gentle squeeze before standing up and following the doctor into the hall.

“What do you think he is?” Lou asked as soon as they were out of James’ hearing.

“From my observation I’d say he’s a big cat of some kind.”

“I think he might be a lion.” He explained about his encounter with James earlier. “I should have Talan talk to him. Maybe he could go stay with the pride for a while. Learn about the cats. I don’t like him living alone without any support.”

The doctor gave his a sly smile. “You could stay with him.”

Lou laughed. “He’s going through enough crap right now without dealing with a new mating and from what you said close contact with me could aggravate his problems.”

“You think Talan will take him in?”

Lou nodded. “Yeah, if I tell him the situation I’m sure of it. He’s a good guy for an alpha and his pack is pretty laid back.”

“Very well. Get his medication and I’ll see if I can figure out a duplicate. I have a little anti-shifter medication but I have a feeling he’s on a much more specialised drug. I’m going to have him continue his pills but leave off the shots until I have them analysed by a chemist friend of mine. I’m also going to give you a prescription for a sedative to knock him out if he starts losing control. We can only hope living with the cats will trigger his shifting instincts. He can’t continue as he has been. Our ultimate goal is to wean him off the drugs completely and have him shift, because the way he is going now, eventually the drugs will kill him. It’s a miracle he’s survived this long.”

Lou looked back at the frail man on the sterile white bed. If he never saw his mate in a hospital bed again it would be too soon. No way would he let James drift away. The man was his and once they got everything straightened, Lou would stake his claim.

* * * *

James didn’t know how he ended up heading towards the Pride lands. After a few days in the hospital and innumerable tests, he finally got clearance to leave his hospital bed. As soon as the doctor discharged him, the sheriff scooped him up and put him in his truck.

“I still don’t know why we’re going to the Pride house.” His heart beat like a frightened bird in his chest as he thought of confronting the big cat leader. The last time he’d seen Talan it was after the lion’s mate killed another wolf. Even though intellectually he knew he had nothing to worry about since the lions had never been anything but nice to him. Instinct compelled him to fear the large lion despite his apparent easy-going nature.

“You know the doctor said he thinks you’re a feline of some kind. It would be easier if you called your father and asked.”

“Trust me when I tell you that would be far from the easiest thing. If what Dr Henrickson said is true, my father would rather I was in crippling pain for the rest of my life than a shifter. Does that sound like the actions of a sane man to you?”

Silence ruled the vehicle for the next several miles. The mountain road was bumpy and shook James around like a broken doll.

“Sorry about that.”

“No problem, you didn’t make the road.”

Not completely sure of the sheriff’s role in this entire thing, James felt guilty for taking so much of the other man’s time. They hadn’t even had a date and Lou still made James his responsibility. Lou’s behaviour was taking community responsibility a step too far.

He let out a gasp when they pulled up in front of an enormous mansion. It wasn’t the size or the beauty of the house that stunned him—it was the dozen or so lions sunning on the veranda.

“Holy crap, how many of them are there?”

Lou laughed, a deep booming sound, immediately calming James’ nerves. The sheriff wouldn’t laugh if the lions were dangerous to him.

“Come on. Grab your bag. I already talked to Talan and got permission for you to stay.”

James slid out of the cab, grabbing the small rucksack Lou had packed for him. He didn’t know what was inside but he trusted the sheriff to know what he needed.

Taking a deep breath, he slipped the bag over his shoulder and followed the big form of the bear shifter as he marched up to a porch covered with lions like it was an everyday occurrence. Hell, it might be for all James knew. A low growling started and became louder the closer they came.

To James’ relief Talan came out of the house in his human form.

“Hush now,” the alpha said to the intimidating felines. “James is going to stay with us a while.”

He saw the smaller form of Talan’s mate following him as they approached. “Nice to see you again, James,” the pretty wolf said with a smile.

“Same here.” He tried to return the smile but knew it fell short of the real thing. His body ached, his head pounded and if he didn’t lie down soon, collapsing was a real possibility.

Lou frowned at him. “Let’s get you to bed.”

“Yeah, you don’t look so good,” Adrian agreed. He flashed a quick look towards Lou.

“You’ll have to leave James with us. I can’t let you into the house,” Talan said with an apologetic look at his friend.

“I understand,” the sheriff responded. “Take good care of him.”

“Of course.”

“I don’t understand why can’t you come with me?” Damn, he sounded whiny but he hurt and he didn’t want the bear shifter to go. It was selfish of him but he didn’t want to be left alone with the lions when the man he wanted walked away.

Lou gave him an apologetic smile. “I make the lions nervous around their cubs.”

“I guess I’ll see you later then.” What did you say to a man trying to save your life and why did it hurt so much to say goodbye?

Lou’s eyes bored into James. “You will definitely see me later. I’ll call you every day. You owe me a lunch date.”

Relief rushed through James. The bear wasn’t dumping him and running. Lou still planned to see him later. Somehow staying with the cats no longer seemed so bad.

Lou cupped his face, tilting James’ head back until their eyes met. “Tomorrow. We will have lunch tomorrow in town. Two o’clock.”

“I’ll give him a ride,” Adrian offered. “I have to go into town anyway.”

Lou didn’t acknowledge the other man’s offer. Instead he leant down and kissed James.

Kissed him.

James’ mind blanked the moment their lips touched. Large hands slid from his face to his back, wrapping around him in a firm hold, stabilising his balance, protecting him from harm.

A tingling spread across his spine. Not the tingle from desire—different, stranger.

James’ head snapped back. Frowning, he examined his hands. A trace of white hair covered the back of them—he blinked and it vanished.

“What the fuck was that?”

“That happens sometimes,” Adrian said with such calm James felt the odd urge to bare his teeth.

Lou shook him gently by the nape of the neck. “Resist. If you attack the wolf no one can save you from Talan.”

“True,” the alpha lion growled.

James closed his eyes and took deep breaths to calm his jangling nerves. “I’m all right. Sorry, Adrian.”

The wolf gave him a friendly smile. “That’s all right. Wanna come inside and I’ll get you a brownie?”

James shook his head. “I’m not a big chocolate fan.”

To his surprise Talan laughed. “Good, because Adrian is entering the lemon bar stage and needs a taster. This way you don’t have to fight the she lions for the chocolate, they get vicious.”

Lou gave James a careful hug before moving him forward with a gentle push. “Go on. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

The ache he felt at the other man’s departure was almost physical. He refused to watch the sheriff leave. He kept his gaze on the porch of lions instead of on the car he could hear backing away.

“Come on, I’ll take you to your room.” He didn’t need to meet Adrian’s sympathetic gaze. He could hear it in his voice.

“Sure.” Clutching his bag in one hand and his cane in the other he followed the wolf back towards the house.

He resisted the urge to run after the sheriff. His sheriff. Besides the fact he couldn’t run, he needed to find out who he was, what he was, before he could be a proper partner for the sweet bear.

If Lou really wanted to pursue a relationship, despite their rocky start, he wanted to be worthy. He needed to be whole and find out if he really could shift into a completely different animal. His longing to be with other shifters made sense now. Angry at his father’s betrayal, James limped after Adrian.

As he entered the pride house a feeling of welcome enveloped him. Lemon cleaning oil, the scent of something baking and the scratches on the stairs proclaimed this as someone’s home.

There was the thunder of sound on the stairs and two small children raced down the steps and into the hall.

“Quinn, Chase, stop running,” Talan roared.

The little lion shifters came to a sliding halt.

“Sorry, Unca Talan,” the smaller shifter said. James wanted to pick up the boy and cuddle him, he was so freaking cute.

“Sorry, Alpha.” The older boy stood at attention aware of Talan’s authority while the younger one gave the alpha a gap-toothed grin, confidant he’d be forgiven any trespass.

Talan’s mouth twitched but he clung to his frown. “Say hello to our guest. This is James Everett, he’s going to be with us for a while. James, this is Quinn”—he pointed to the older boy—“and Chase, sons of Kevin and my sister Tia.”

“Hello, Sir,” Quinn said.

Chase lifted his arms to be picked up.

“Sorry, little guy, I can’t pick you up.” He waved his cane at the small lion.

“Were you hurt?” Chase asked, tilting his head to look him over.

“A long time ago.” He didn’t know how to explain what his father had done to him.

“But you’ll get better?”

“I hope so.”

“Go check on your mom. I hear she found the brownies,” the alpha urged the little boy.

“Yeah!” Chase ran down the hall.

His brother gave a short bow to his alpha and politely took his leave.

“That one will be an alpha one day,” Talan said, watching the boy.

James’ hand shook on the cane, his strength fading fast.

“Damn, let’s get you settled.” Adrian snagged his bag and led him down the hall. “We cleared a room on the main level so you don’t have to climb the stairs.”

“Thank you.” He tried to bury his resentment. The lions were working hard to accommodate him. He shouldn’t dislike the fact he was here instead of with the sheriff. He should be grateful the lions were happy to let him stay at least until he figured out what freak of nature his parents created.

They led him to a nice room, bigger than the bedroom of the little place he currently leased—or at least he thought he still leased. His landlady might not be willing to rent to a drug addict anymore. He’d call her tomorrow. Right now he was too exhausted to do much more than sleep.

“Why don’t you take a nap before dinner,” Adrian offered. “I’ll call you when it’s ready.” From the little wolf’s frown he knew he looked worse than he thought.

“Thanks.” After the couple left, he tentatively sat on the big four-poster bed.

Kicking off his shoes he propped his cane against the table and lay down. Now that he was horizontal he couldn’t sleep. Resting his body left his mind free to wander, to fixate over all his problems. How could his father hide this from him? Where was his mother? Was she even really dead? All his life his father told him his mother died in a car accident when he was young. Now he wondered if she was dead after all. A man who hid the fact his son had shifter blood could do anything.

James woke up to a gentle nudge. Blinking, he found Adrian standing over him.

“I thought it would be easier than one of the lions. They tend to pounce and ask questions later.”

There was something endearing about the wolf shifter. His eyes reflected the look of someone completely happy with his place in the world. “Thanks.” He mustered a smile for the friendly man. “I’ll be along in a minute.”

Adrian nodded. “Just follow the hall and you’ll run right into it. The noise should tell you where to go.”

“Got it.”

With a final smile from the wolf, the other man left him in peace.

James crawled out of bed. A cry ripped from his throat as the familiar pain returned with a vengeance. Gasping, he opened the door to reveal the tiny lion waiting for him.

“Are you okay?”

What was the kid’s name?

“I’m fine.”

Well, as fine as he was going to get until they figured out what was going on with him.

The boy continued to look at him, worry on his face.

“Come on, you can show me to the dining room.”

“I’m Chase.”

“Of course you are.” The little guy obviously picked up on James’ confusion. He wrapped on hand round the cane and one arm around the little boy. Together they were able transverse the hall and make it to the dining room.

As soon as they got close, James knew what Adrian was talking about. Those lions were loud! The males were seated while the females placed large platters of food on the table, but there wasn’t anything subservient about the lady lions. They joked, gave the men a hard time and slapped away hands that grabbed at their food too early. They appeared exactly like a large boisterous family of people who really appreciated each other’s company. Lots of laughs and smiles around the house except for one man who looked sadder than the rest. Blue eyes and shaggy hair, he didn’t look like any of the lions and he stayed a good distance from the head of the table, glancing from time to time at Adrian with a sad hangdog expression.

Adrian pointedly didn’t look at him.

“James, come sit,” Talan ordered, waving at a chair a few places from his left. The man probably didn’t know how to put anything as a request. The rumours around town claimed the big shifter became alpha when he turned fifteen and the only person who got away with telling the man ‘no’ was his mate.

With a self-conscious smile, James settled in the chair indicated and soon faced a plate of food piled high enough to feed an entire football league.

“I can’t eat all this,” he told the smiling feline piling on the plate.

“Sure you can, honey.” The girl ruffled his hair. “You’re gonna need it for your first shift.”

“What if I can’t shift?”

“You almost shifted with a kiss.” Talan’s deep voice broke into the conversation. “I don’t think the question is whether you can shift. The question is what will you turn into.”

James sadly reflected that it didn’t matter what he shifted into. To his father he would always be an abomination.

“Dennis, how is the hunt for your sister going?”

The sad man shook his head, swallowing the food in his mouth before replying. “No luck. Adrian can’t find any sign of her.” His sad voice tugged at James’ heartstrings.

“Adrian?” There was a hidden question in the alpha’s voice.

“I did try, Talan. I don’t want anyone in the hands of those PAW creeps, but I’m not an investigator and I can’t find anything. They cover their tracks well.”

Cold filled James’ veins as he cleared his throat. “What about the People Against Werekin?”

Dennis’ eyes snapped to him. “They kidnapped my sister. She’s been missing for months. I—I don’t know what they’ve done to her but they’re monsters.”

Betrayal stabbed him deep. When had his father turned into a monster? The man who loved and cared for James since birth wasn’t the man he thought he was. Behind that caring façade was a man willing to drug his son and capture innocent werekin.

Denial burned through his system. He couldn’t accept this new knowledge—it was too much. Agony ripped up his spine as adrenaline spiked his body. With a scream he fell to the floor.

“James!”

His name rang through the room as multiple people shouted. The rush in his ears blurred their individual sounds until it was one blur of noise as a backdrop to his pain.

A loud popping sound ricocheted within his head louder than gunfire.

“Ahh,” he screamed, writhing on the ground. His bones burned like a bonfire, melting and reshaping until finally the pain was gone. All the pain was gone. For the first time in his known memory James was pain free.

His sigh rumbled loudly in his chest, like a purr. Shaking his head he looked up to see everyone staring at him with wonder. Seeing Adrian’s friendly face, he padded over to him.

Wait.

He had four legs. Looking down he saw white fur covering his body and paws in the place of hands and feet.

“A white lion.” Talan’s voice held awe as the big man crouched to see him. “Hi there, guy. Do you want to change back?”

Hell, no. There was no pain. He was never changing back again.

Lou.

Memories of the handsome sheriff flashed in his head. He needed to go and show Lou. James made it as far as the hall before pain struck again. A roar of screaming shifted to the shouts of a man in pain.

“Shit, get his pills.” Adrian’s voice sounded loud to his overly sensitive ears.

The cold air brought chills across his body. The temperate felt like an arctic breeze across his naked skin.

“Here.” A soft blanket was draped across him.

“Thanks.”

“You know about my sister, don’t you?” Dennis crouched beside him, blue eyes filled with accusation.

James gasped for breath, riding the tide of convulsions as pain racked his system.

“Back off, Dennis.” Adrian’s voice held an unfamiliar hard edge. Although he didn’t know the wolf well, he doubted the other man talked to many people like that.

“Easy for you to say,” Dennis said bitterly. “You know where your loved ones are.”

“We are working to find your sister. You should be grateful Talan refused to let me kill you. Now get away. You can interrogate him when he feels better.”

The hard look in the wolf’s eyes had the other man backing away. Fear filled the air, an acrid stench. “Let me know when he’s ready to talk.” Dennis rushed off.

“Thanks,” he told Adrian.

“You’re welcome. Here, take your pill.” He gave James the pill and supported him as he drank his water. “If you learn to control your change you’ll be a kick-ass lion. I’ve never seen a white lion before, it was really cool.”

James laughed. “Unfortunately I couldn’t control the change.”

Adrian shrugged. “It’s not easy the first time and with your drugs it should’ve been impossible. What set you off? There’s usually a trigger.”

“Dennis talking about his sister. My father started PAW. I didn’t realise how deep his hate went until I heard he was kidnapping shifters. I don’t always agree with him but he was a good father growing up. It’s hard to learn he’s turned into a monster.”

Adrian helped James to his feet. “Things aren’t always how they appear. Why don’t we wait until after you talk to your dad before you start making accusations?”

James sighed. “Maybe you’re right. Can you help me back to my bedroom? I think I’m ready to go to bed. Tonight was a little more excitement than I need.”

“You need to come eat some more. It will help your bones ache less in the morning. We’ll get you some sweats to wear while you eat.”

James sighed. “All right.” The rush of changing into another animal was drowned out by the return of his pain. The idea of remaining a cat forever called to him, but not only couldn’t he hold his shift, he doubted Lou was interested in keeping a white lion as a pet. Thoughts of the other man’s disapproval made him return to the dining room. The lions were suspiciously quiet as he ate a few bites from his plate before excusing himself. He needed time alone. Time to figure out what the hell to do now.

He was a freaking white lion.

Chapter Three

Lou paced back and forth in front of the diner. He could wait inside, but the anticipation was killing him. He needed to see James. Talan and Adrian would treat him well, but did they make him comfortable or make him fend for himself? He should’ve asked more questions before trusting them with his mate.

Damn. What if James decided he’d rather date a lion? Every last one of the bastards was golden and gorgeous. For a moment he gleefully played with the idea of barging into the pride house and maiming any male lions who might see his James as a potential mate. Lou didn’t share and, dammit, he saw the man first.

Before he could give into his fantasies and drive over to the pride house, a small hybrid pulled into the diner parking lot. His heart pounded faster as he spotted James through the windshield. Before he’d even realised he’d moved, he was at James’ side of the car ripping off the passenger door.

Oops.

“Um, sorry, Adrian.”

The wolf gave the door a sad look. “Damn, I just got it back too.”

“I’ll pay for repairs.”

The wolf sighed. “That’s what they always say. Just put it in the trunk.”

Lou gave a self-conscious laugh. Lifting the hatch he gently tucked the door inside. Good thing Adrian had a big trunk.

James laughed as he joined Lou around back, leaning on his cane. “I could’ve opened the door, you know.”

Lou’s cheeks were burning. “I didn’t mean to do that.” He couldn’t stop his visual inspection though. His inner bear wanted to strip the man down and search for any signs the lions weren’t taking good care of his mate. He doubted James would welcome the examination since they were standing in the middle of the street.

A hand hooked around his arm. “Come on, big guy, let’s go eat.”

“Did you want me to come back for you?” Adrian asked.

“I’ll take him back,” Lou offered. He might even return him sometime today.

The wolf looked them over carefully before nodding.

“I’ll see you later.”

Lou escorted James into the restaurant. Walking into the diner with his mate on his arm, Lou’s chest puffed out with pride. Kelly gave them a wide smile as they entered.

“I’ve got a booth by the window for you two.” She grabbed menus and led them to their seats.

Lou buried his face in the menu even though he could recite the damned thing by memory.

He heard a laugh.

“What?”

James gave him a smile, a sparkle lighting his eyes.

“I make you nervous.”

Lou nodded. “Yeah, you do.”

“Why?”

Lou looked back at the menu, his gaze unfocused as he tried to think of a way to break the news. He decided on the ’rip off the bandage’ approach. “Because you’re my mate.”

“Did you boys want some coffee?” Kelly stood beside the table holding an insulated carafe.

“Um, no,” Lou said. James still hadn’t spoken. His eyes were wide with shock. “We’ll take some water for now.”

“Be right back.” She scurried away, taking the hint that now wasn’t the time to interrupt.

“What do you mean I’m your mate?” James ran through his head the things he’d heard about mates last night during dinner. “You can’t be my mate.” He’d never want anyone attached to him, especially a shifter. James was a mess and he didn’t want to drag someone down with him while his sanity hung by a thread.

“Why can’t I be?” The patience the bear usually showed for him vanished. For the first time he could see the animal lying just beneath the surface. James’ skin itched, his own inner animal responding to the threat. With a lower dosage of his usual drug the world was a brighter place, smells were stronger, his vision sharper and his strength increasing in tiny increments. Despite those improvements his hands still shook when he picked up his glass of water and every inch of his body ached like a semi-truck had run him over.

He was silent too long. Lou repeated his question. “Why can’t I be your mate?”

Beneath Lou’s dark gaze he couldn’t lie. “My father is not only an anti-shifter zealot—he’s the head of PAW.”

“Seriously?” Lou didn’t look like he wanted to believe the news.

James’ heart ached to have to confirm the bear’s worst suspicions. He nodded. “He hates all shifters and tells anyone who’ll listen. He even has a large following of supporters. I don’t want to bring another person into this. As it is, I still need to confess to Dennis that my father could be responsible for his missing sister. I had no idea he’d gone from marching against shifters to kidnapping them. I don’t know why he would do that.”

Lou locked gazes with him. “You need to tell the pride what you know. Maybe you can talk to your father.”

James gave a bitter laugh. “My father has never listened to me before. I doubt he’s going to listen to me any better now.” He doubted his father would even want to have anything to do with him after he found out James could shift. If the doctor was right his father’s goal was for James to never shift. “He’ll call me soon about the medication. I’ve never gone this long without contacting him for a refill.” He’d also never lived that far away from him before.

Lou took James’ hands between his own. “Let me know how I can help make things easier and I will. Despite what you think, shifter mates are born, not made. I am willing to do whatever you need in order to make you more comfortable with the idea I’m your mate except give you up.”

The earnestness in the bear shifter’s eyes was James’ undoing. How could he turn down the sincere man who wanted nothing more than to help him achieve his goals? He’d certainly never received a better offer and some instinct deep inside told him if he let this man go he’d never get another chance at love.

“I…” He started to speak only to be cut off.

“James, what the hell are you doing? I’ve been trying to get hold of you for weeks.”

His father marched to their table and towered over him, his stormy grey eyes dark with anger. “Do you know how much I’ve been worried? I had to hire a detective to find you.”

Guilt tore at him with large shark bites. “Sorry, Father, I was going to call you. Lou, this is my father, Andrew Everett. Father, this is Louis Arktos.”

His father’s mouth curled with disdain as he looked at the sheriff. “A shifter, great. I let you move out on your own and you hook up with a shifter.”

Anger spurred James to speak. “You didn’t let me do anything. I’m old enough to move anywhere I wish.”

“Would you like to join us?” Lou offered, giving James a pointed look. The big bear desperately wanted them all to get along. Poor delusional man.

“No, thank you. James, when you’re done, I want you to meet me at my room. I’m staying at the Where Motel at the end of town. We have things to discuss.”

“Yes, we do.” He wasn’t going to let his father intimidate him. He wasn’t.

“I’m in room two-o-three.”

“I’ll be there in a half hour or so.”

“Good.” Without another word, James’ father turned on his heel and left.

“You could’ve been nice.” Lou’s words broke into James’ musings.

He gave a broken laugh. “I could’ve let him drag me out of here and back home too but I didn’t.”

“No. Don’t do that. I’ll take you to the motel after we eat.”

“Thanks.”

Kelly brought their food but they didn’t encourage her to stay so she quickly went to serve other customers.

Too absorbed in his own thoughts, James didn’t speak much as he ate. He was startled out of his introspection by a big hand covering his own. “Did you want me to stay while you talked to your father?”

James shook his head. “It’s best if I talk to him alone.” It wasn’t going to be a good scene and he didn’t want his sweet bear involved. Some demons he had to fight alone.

“Okay, but I want you to call me as soon as you’re finished and I’ll come get you. I don’t trust him not to try and take you back home.”

“Deal.” James couldn’t blame Lou. His father’s behaviour didn’t encourage confidence.

* * * *

The motel was bright and clean on the outside, reassuring James his father still had some standards. Not his usual five-star accommodations but he wasn’t staying in a hovel either.

As soon as Lou pulled up James’ hand was on the door handle. “Um, thank you for bringing me.”

The bear shifter gave the area an assessing look, the cop in him coming forward. “Call me as soon as anything bothers you. I don’t care what. I’ll be at my office—it isn’t far from here.”

James laughed. “I’m going to talk to my father, not stage a showdown.” What did the sheriff think was going to happen?

Lou’s eyes were solemn as he stared at James. “Remember, as much as you think you know your father, you can never really know what goes on inside another person. Keep up your guard. Don’t let him take you anywhere. In fact, maybe I should wait for you here.”

“No! I don’t want you waiting in the parking lot like a stalker. I promise I’ll call you or Adrian to pick me up in an hour or so. This is my father we’re talking about. The most he’s likely to do is yell.”

Lou let out a long breath. “Fine, but don’t forget to call.” He popped the seatbelt release, grabbed James by the shoulder and hauled him across the bench seat. A hot kiss seared him like a brand, marking him as belonging to the other man. When he was finally released, his heart was pounding and his cock wanted to push its way through his jeans.

The bear shifter pressed his hand between James’ legs. “Keep that warm for me. I’m coming back to claim it.”

James gave a choked noise. “I’ll be sure to keep it safe but you should know I’m completely inexperienced.”

Lou groaned. “Now you’re just being mean. Call me when you’re done with your dad.”

Smiling, James slid out of the truck, carefully holding onto the door until he was certain of his balance.

Even though he dreaded the upcoming meeting with his father, his heart felt lighter after his lunch with Lou. The big shifter always made him feel good.

He abruptly lost his good vibes when he knocked on his father’s door and discovered the man hadn’t come alone. He’d brought Melinda. His father’s girlfriend looked at him with spiteful eyes. After learning about his genetic background, Melinda’s dislike of him had become clear. She was one of the reasons he’d decided to strike out on his own.

“Why is she here?” He inwardly cringed at the whiny tone to his voice. If he wanted his father to think of him as an adult he needed to sound more like one.

His father sighed. “I wish the two of you would get along better.”

“Since I’m pretty sure she thinks I’m an abomination I doubt we’re going to be best friends.”

Andrew frowned at his girlfriend. “She doesn’t think that.”

“Yes, I do. He’s everything we fight against and he’s gay.” She said the last as if it were the final nail in his coffin.

James’ lunch churned in his stomach. He knew she disliked him but he didn’t know she hated him quite that much.

His father frowned at Melinda. “I think it would be best if I talk to James alone.”

“Where do you expect me to go?” she shrieked.

The look his father turned on his girlfriend would have had James running. “Take a walk around or take my car and go for a drive. I need a few minutes alone with my son.”

“Fine.” She grabbed his keys off the dresser and headed for the door. “I’ll be back when I’m ready.”

After his girlfriend left, Andrew sat heavily down on the double bed. “I’m sorry, son. I had no idea she was against gays.”

James laughed. “So it’s okay to hate me because I’m a shifter but not because I’m gay.” His father’s logic escaped him.

“No! No, it’s not all right for her to hate you at all, but I thought she only had problems with your shifter half. I guess I was wrong about her.” His father suddenly looked older than he’d ever seen the vital man look before. For James his father had always seemed larger than life—to see the man look older and defeated broke his heart.

He sat down beside his father. “I have to ask you something.”

“If it’s about your mother, I don’t know where she is. She left us both once you were born. Because you were born as a human baby she decided you were too human to ever shift. She had no use for a non-shifting child. Two days after giving birth she left you.” His father blinked back tears.

“But why give me the medication? It’s stopped me from shifting all this time.”

“You shifted?” His father jumped to his feet. “Completely?”

James nodded.

The older man started to pace. “I need to recalculate your medicine. How have you been feeling?”

James told him about his hospital visit and asked the one question weighing on his mind. “Why did you give me the medication if you didn’t mind me shifting?”

“I didn’t know what else to do. You were in so much pain. Parts of your body kept shifting into lion and then going back to human. For a few days you were stuck between forms as if your body was trying to reject itself. I hated shifters for making you so miserable. I didn’t know your mother was a shifter until after we were married and expecting you. I didn’t believe her until she turned into a lion. She stayed that way until after your birth. Then she left and I had to raise a child by myself. At first I tried reaching out to other shifter communities but no one wanted anything to do with me. I grew to hate them. They were so confident of their superiority when they didn’t even have the compassion to take care of one of their own.”

James didn’t know what to say. Nothing his father said matched his experiences with the man. All this time he’d thought his father hated him, while he’d really only wanted the best.

“I—I’m sorry. I should’ve asked you a long time ago.”

His father shook his head and sat beside him again. “No. I should’ve talked to you when you got older. There’s no reason to let it go on for so long. I was wrong to hide the truth from you.”

“What about the People Against Werekin?”

“What about them?”

“You can’t keep it up, Dad. You can’t kidnap and kill people because you don’t like shifters.”

“What are you talking about? I’ve never captured or killed anyone.”

“PAW is capturing werekin and trying to kill them off.”

“My organisation is an outreach programme created to get the werekin to pay attention to us. To know they are responsible for the messes they create. They can’t just keep dropping their half-were kids onto society without providing for them. They are the ultimate deadbeat parents. I develop a serum to help half-shifters not shift until they are ready. In your case I thought you’d never be ready which is why I’ve always given you medication. Your memory lapses are from when I tweaked your medication and you partially shifted. Your mother made you and then abandoned you when you weren’t perfect.” The bitterness in his father’s voice made a lot of things clear.

“That’s why you hate shifters?”

His father nodded. “I want them to take responsibility for their actions. People Against Werekin was established to make the werekin aware of their issues. Werekin like to pretend finding a mate and settling down can solve everything, but when problems arise they dump their kids and move on. You can’t do that to children.”

“Well, if you are trying to alert them to issues, someone in your group is taking it further. The pride is talking about an agency called PAW that is trapping and killing shifters. Could you come back to the lion pride with me? I want you to talk to some people.”

“We’ll have to wait for Melinda to come back. She’s got my car.”

“No, we don’t.” James dialled the sheriff’s number. “Hey, handsome, can Dad and I get a ride?”

“Where are you going?” Lou asked.

“To the pride house. I think we need to sit down and talk with the lions.”

“I’ll be there in a few.”

When he hung up he found his father staring at him. “What?”

“Is that the guy from the restaurant?”

“Yeah, he’s the town sheriff.”

“Is he your boyfriend?”

“Not yet. He says he’s my mate.”

His father paled. “That’s what your mother always said about me.”

“Then why did she leave? The lions keep telling me you never leave your mate.”

“I always thought it was because she didn’t want us anymore.”

James squeezed his father’s shoulder. “Maybe we should do a little investigation of our own.”

“Yeah, maybe we should. I don’t know how I feel about you having a shifter as a mate but I’ll try to get to know him.”

“Thanks. You might want to talk to Kevin, one of the pride lions. He’s established a bunch of houses to take in homeless shifter kids. Maybe the two of you can work on something together.”

He got the first genuine smile he’d seen on his father’s face in a long while. “I’d like to talk to him.”

* * * *

Lou didn’t know what to expect when he drove back to the motel, his heart jumping around in his chest like a landed salmon. Slamming the truck into park he leapt out and ran up the outside staircase. He stopped in front of the motel room door taking a moment to collect himself. Before he could knock, the door swung open.

Coming face to face with his mate had his heart fluttering again. If he didn’t claim this beautiful man soon he was going to have a heart attack.

“Hi.” He knew he sounded lame but every other thought vanished from his mind when those gold-ringed brown eyes met his.

“Hi.” James’ smile was brilliant. Lou frantically scanned the other man for signs of injury.

“You okay?”

“Of course he’s fine. What did you think I was going to do to him?” James’ father glared at him over his mate’s shoulder.

Lou shrugged. “Something I’d have to kill you for.”

Andrew gave a rusty laugh, like a man who was out of the habit. “As you can see, he’s fine, but we’d like to go talk to the lions. James told me some disturbing things about my organisation. It was never founded to capture and torture shifters. I want to hear what the lions have to say.”

Chapter Four

“So you’re telling me you aren’t responsible for my sister’s kidnapping?” Dennis asked.

Lou, James, his father and most of the lion pride stood in their enormous living room.

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Dennis threw himself into an overstuffed chair. “Then she’s gone. I don’t know how to find her.”

Lou cleared his throat. “I can loan you KC.”

“KC?” Dennis looked up at him. Lou could see the despair in the other man’s eyes.

“My tech guy. He can find anything or anyone.” The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. Besides, KC could use something else to focus on besides Lou’s love life.

“Let me call him and see if he has the time. It would be best if he does his work from the office—he has the software there.” He looked over at his mate. “I can ask him to find your mother if you’d like.”

James shrugged. “I’m not sure yet.”

“I’d like it if you don’t mind asking,” Andrew spoke up. The older man’s eyes pleaded with him to help.

“Okay.” Lou thought it would be good for both of them to find out what had happened to the white lion. Why she abandoned her young.

A quick phone call to the fox shifter had him sending the coyote shifter, Dennis, on his way.

KC loved research. Finding Dennis’ sister would make his day.

“After hearing what you’ve said about PAW I’m going to disband the group, or at least my participation in it. I can’t stay with a group who wants to destroy shifters. I have issues with your kind but I didn’t plan to become a leader of kidnappers and killers.” Andrew’s face was troubled.

“What about James’ medication? Dr Henrickson thinks we need to wean slowly from it or it could kill him.”

Andrew nodded. “He’s been on it most of his life. It would be too great a shock to stop his intake completely. I’d be willing to work with your doctor and give him the proper medications. If James can fully shift he shouldn’t be on it any longer.”

Lou didn’t quite trust his mate’s father yet. James suffered his entire life because of this man, good intentions or not. He wasn’t as ready as his mate to forgive and forget.

Before he could say anything else, James’ eyes rolled to the back of his head and he fell to the floor.

“Shit!” James’ father rushed to his son’s side. From his jacket pocket he pulled a small injector and quickly plunged it into his son’s arm.

Lou ran to James, falling to his knees beside his mate’s father. He growled at Andrew. “What did you give him?”

“A concentrated dosage of medicine.”

“That’s what sent him to the hospital last time.”

Andrew shook his head. “I doubt it. I’ll have to run some tests to see how his body has changed since his first shift, but my medication is made to stop this exact thing.”

“Well, your medication is wrong.”

Fury rushed through Lou. James’ father refused to see the danger to his own son. He would’ve argued further but James calmed, his breathing evened out and his entire body relaxed. The scent of panic vanished along with his symptoms.

Andrew gave him a smug look but refrained from stating the obvious.

“Last time he took a shot he ended up in the hospital.”

“Do you still have the syringe?”

“Dr Henrickson might.”

“Call him. I want to examine the vial.”

Lou called the hospital. Because of his job he had them on speed dial. A brief conversation with the doctor concluded he still had the vial on hand.

“Doc Henrickson saved it for study.”

“Excellent. If I can get someone to take me over there.”

“You can borrow one of the pack cars until you get yours back,” Talan graciously offered.

“Yeah, we’ve got tons of tanks.” Adrian smirked.

“Maybe if you drove a tank yours wouldn’t be in the shop so much.” Talan teased, taking a careful step back from his mate.

Lou shook his head at their antics. He would’ve offered to take the other man but he needed to speak to his mate.

After making sure his son was feeling better, Andrew made a quick farewell and left.

“That was unexpected,” Talan said to the room at large. “I was expecting to hate him.”

“Me too,” James said in a wondering tone.

Lou wrapped an arm around his mate, snuggling with him on the couch where they set him after his attack. “I’d like to take you home with me. We’ve got a lot to discuss.”

James gave him a nervous smile. “Okay.”

* * * *

The drive over to the sheriff’s place was made in silence. James didn’t know what to say and Lou appeared to be holding back. The quiet broke when they pulled up in front of a large farmhouse with a wrap-around porch.

“Here it is. Not super fancy but all mine.”

The house was painted white with red trim and screamed it was someone’s home. James liked it immediately.

“It’s nice.”

The sheriff gave him a wide smile. “Thanks, I’ve been working on it whenever I have free time.”

“Maybe when I’m feeling better I can help,” James offered without thinking. Hell, he was already making plans with a man he barely knew. This mate stuff was bullshit. How could he fight a compulsion to settle down with the bear of his dreams when every fibre of his being yearned towards claiming the other man as his?

“I’d like that.”

James’ heart skipped a beat beneath the bear shifter’s gaze.

“Come inside, we need to talk.”

James sighed. Never in his life had any pleasant conversation began with that phrase.

Sighing, he left the shelter of the truck and headed for the front porch. By the time he got there Lou was already unlocking the front door. The medicine his father gave him made his reactions sluggish but watching Lou’s ass ahead of him perked him up in more ways than one.

Lou flashed him a shy smile over his shoulder as he held the screen to let James in before him.

He was glad he’d retrieved his cane from the pride house. It was difficult enough to walk with the drugs in his system, the erection made the trek all the more challenging. As he stepped past the other man, he heard Lou inhale deeply and tried not to let it freak him out. He wondered what he smelt like.

“You smell amazing.”

It was like Lou read his mind.

Trying not to show his nerves, he entered the farmhouse and stopped short at the entrance.

“Wow.”

A cavernous great room with exposed wooden beams flowed to an open gourmet kitchen complete with granite countertop and stainless steel double ovens.

“Do you like to cook?”

Lou smiled. “I like to eat. That usually leads to me cooking.”

“Huh. I can’t cook at all.”

“Then you obviously need someone to take care of you.” The bear looked ridiculously pleased at the notion as if he were excited to be the one to take care of James.

“I was sort of hoping I would become strong enough I could take care of myself for a change.”

Lou shook his head. “I don’t think you understand the mate concept yet. We are supposed to take care of each other.”

James thought it over. “I like that idea.” He didn’t mind someone taking care of him as long as it was reciprocal. The thought of taking care of the big sexy shifter appealed to him.

Lou closed the door, locking it behind him. “Come sit over on the couch, we have some things to straighten out.”

Hobbling over to the furniture, James plunked down less than gracefully onto the surface. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“Don’t worry, love. Before you know it you’ll be as graceful as a cat.”

“Hopefully not only when I’m in cat form.” James frowned, the hand on his cane shaking slightly. “You really think I’ll be able to control my shift without the drugs.”

Lou shrugged. “I don’t know. I do think if you can kick the drugs you’ll be better off. It sounds like your dad had the best intentions and more than likely saved your life. However, now that you’ve proven you can shift, we need to see if you can do it as easily as a full shifter.”

“Hopefully it won’t take too long. If shifting can cure my problems, my constant pain will be a thing of the past.” He didn’t dare yet dream of being completely pain-free. He’d carried the burden of constant agony his entire life. Even the idea of reduced pain was too much to hope for, like chasing a rainbow and finding the pot of gold.

Lou placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “We will get through this. Whether your pain disappears or not, we’re meant to be together. Once you’ve understood that fact everything else will be easy.”

James laughed. “Will it? Is that how things work in your big bear brain?”

“Yep. Oh, and this.” Before James could say anything else, Lou’s mouth came down, kissing James with a fierce intensity, sending pinpricks of need across his skin and sensitising his flesh to Lou’s every touch. He moaned against the other man’s lips. Dreaming of a lover was nothing like the reality. Lou’s warm body heated him inside, his rough hands brought tingles to his skin and the bear’s low growls made James harder than granite. To know he had this kind of effect on another man, on this man, was the greatest aphrodisiac of all.

His cock hardened in his pants, pushing against the zipper.

“I’ll take care of you, babe.” Lou’s deep voice went growly with lust.

“Good.” He didn’t mind someone taking sexual care of him. He’d dreamed of this moment. Hot, wet dreams that ended with sweat and jism all over his skin.

“We should probably talk more but I’m going to die if I don’t have you.”

“I wouldn’t want that to happen,” James said with a smile. “I’m growing rather fond of you.” It was an understatement. He quickly wondered how his life would be without the bear shifter and didn’t like the answer. Lonely. Without the big, caring man beside him he would be lonely. For the first time he felt the lion growling inside him. His inner beast didn’t like the idea of not having the bear around.

He promptly forgot to think when Lou kissed everything out of his head.

Feeling took over thought as passion evaporated caution. He needed. A tearing sound filled the air. James’ eyes snapped open to see Lou’s uniform shirt torn in half with a piece in each of his hands.

“Oops. Sorry.”

Lou laughed. “Don’t worry. I buy them by the dozen. I’ve had more than one shifting accident.”

“Ahh.” For the first time James thought about living as a shifter. Would he need lots of clothes to replace things as they tore? Would he be constantly replacing his clothing? With the sheriff as his mate would he even care?

Without looking, he tossed the shirt pieces over his shoulder. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Dropping his cane, he pounced on the sheriff, sending the laughing man flat on his back onto the couch.

Smiling down into his mate’s laughing eyes, he dared to imagine the other man as his.

His mate.

The lion inside growled approvingly. It liked the idea of the other man belonging to him. “You are mine.”

Lou gave him a delighted smile. “Yes, I know.”

Another ripping sound dispensed of James clothes. “Hey, I don’t have extra.”

“Oops.” Lou tried for an innocent smile but failed completely. It didn’t help when he gave James’ pants the same treatment.

“Hey.”

“I’m just a clumsy bear.”

“Uh, huh. That would explain it then.”

“It’s nice to have such an understanding mate.”

James gave a snort of laughter.

Lou’s expression became serious. “I’ve waited years to find you. Now that I have, you’re more than I could’ve hoped for.”

“Yeah, because everyone wants a messed up shifter who’s a drug addict.”

“I do.” Lou kissed his nose. “Besides, you’re only a temporary addict. We’re going to get you fixed up right and then you’ll be the baddest white lion shifter on the block.”

“I’m the only white lion on the block.”

“Then you’ll definitely win the contest.”

“Oh, I think I’ve won more than that. Strip.”

Lou set James gently to the side before standing up and removing his remaining clothing. Nerves jangling, James looked at his first up-close naked man. His eyes widened as he took in his mate’s large size. The man was big everywhere!

“Don’t worry, honey, I’ll make sure it fits.” The smile he got was more wolfish than bear-like.

“Uh-huh.” He glanced at his mate’s cock. “I have doubts that thing is ever going to fit.”

“You could fuck me instead.”

James almost came from that thought alone. “You’d let me?”

Lou nodded. “Why not? That way I don’t have to worry about harming you. You aren’t shifter-tough yet.”

It never occurred to James to be on top. The novelty must have shown in his eyes because Lou gave a laugh.

“Where do you want me, handsome?”

It took him about a second to decide how he wanted his lover. “Across the back of the couch.”

“You wicked, wicked boy,” Lou teased, bringing a blush to James’ face. Without another word the big shifter kneeled on the couch, presenting himself beautifully. “The lube is in the drawer of the end table.”

Fury rose hard, fast and unexpected. “Have a lot of couch sex?”

Lou shook his head. “Jack off a lot watching porn while waiting for my mate.”

James leaned over, kissing the back of Lou’s neck in a silent apology. He shouldn’t jump to conclusions, but who wouldn’t want to pounce on the sexy bear shifter?

Shaking nervously, James grabbed the lube. He opened the tube and squeezed it a little too hard, squirting clear liquid everywhere.

“Damn,” he cursed softly.

“Problem, love?” Lou’s voice shook with laughter.

“Shut up.” James snickered.

“A little less force and a little lower would help greatly.”

“Thanks for the advice,” James said in a sarcastic voice. This time he squeezed the tube slower, covering his index finger thoroughly with liquid. As much as he yearned to plunge into his lover, he would rather gnaw off his arm than hurt his mate. The lion rose in him, wanting to protect the other man from even him. With care he circled his wet finger around Lou’s rosy hole, slowly moistening the pink pucker.

“Push it in.”

“Are you sure?”

“If you don’t I’m going to finish without you.”

“Hey, no fair.” James smiled. “You have to wait for me.” Despite their banter, his cock was still hard and dripping, eager to get inside while the rest of him worried about hurting the other man.

When Lou started moving against him, James slid in a second finger, twisting them around to loosen his lover up. The scent of desire rose in the air, a tempting aroma, luring its lover closer like a siren call to a sailor at sea. James moved closer to nip and lip his way up Lou’s spine, ending at his neck where he couldn’t stop nipping.

“Ohh, yeah, right there,” Lou sighed.

Feeling more confident, James added a third finger, pleased with his lover’s encouraging moans.

“I’m ready. Fuck me, now!”

“You’re kind of bossy for someone not in charge.”

Lou looked at James over his shoulder. “Please.” He batted his eyelashes in a ridiculously flirtation manner.

James slid out his fingers. He almost entered before a stray thought whipped through his head. “Condoms.”

Lou shook his head. “Shifters can’t get diseases.”

“Huh, convenient.” James pushed at the tight ring, letting out a sigh as he slid easily inside until he bottomed out.

“That’s it, honey. Fuck me like you mean it.”

“Oh, I mean it,” James said, pumping in and out. There was nothing he meant more. He wanted to hear his lover’s moans. Focusing on his lover, he adjusted his movements to the sounds of his man.

“There, right there.” Lou reached around in front only to have James slap at his fingers.

“Mine.” To prove his point, James slammed inside while wrapping his fingers around Lou with a firm grip.

“Yesss,” the bear shifter hissed.

Something inside James changed.

Mine, a soft whisper said inside his head.

Fangs sliced through his gums, and without thought he plunged them into his mate’s neck.

Lou roared, liquid pumping out of his cock, spraying the back of the leather couch.

James felt something pass through his fangs. After a moment the freaky teeth retracted.

He licked the spot, enamoured with the taste, smell and feel of his lover. In a cloud of lust he finished inside his lover’s ass. Sated, he collapsed against the larger shifter’s back.

“I hate to object to being your resting spot but this isn’t the best position.”

“Oh, sorry.” James slid off the couch. As he got to his feet his muscles locked and he started to fall.

“Gotcha.” A large hand clamped on his arm, preventing his inelegant tumble to the floor.

“Thanks.” He gave the bear a bashful smile. “I guess I used up all my energy.”

Lou smiled. “Let’s take a shower. You can lean against me.”

It was the best invitation he’d ever had.

Lou’s shower was a study in decadence. James had never seen a rain shower before and the places those side showerheads sprayed were positively indecent.

“You don’t need a boyfriend with all of these,” he teased.

True to his word, after washing both of their fronts, Lou rested James against his big muscular chest, carefully washing James’ back, sliding his fingers through his hair.

Hell, he might never leave this watery paradise.

“I’ll consider you a supplemental bonus.”

James snickered. Rubbing against the big guy caused other things to renew interest.

“Oh, no, you don’t. My ass needs a rest. Let’s finish up and we can discuss what we are going to do about you. Do you need to take your pills?”

James shook his head. “I took some this morning and I’m not due until tonight. I need to go back to my apartment and talk to my landlady. I don’t want her to think I’m a drug addict.”

Lou held him a little away so he could look into his eyes. “You are a drug addict, honey. Just because it’s a drug to help you doesn’t mean you’re not addicted. Painkillers can be some of the most addictive medication. We’re going to get you through this.”

“And then what? I’m going to be the mystical magical white lion shifter. What am I going to do with my life?”

Lou gave him a tight hug and if James hung on a little tighter, the bear shifter didn’t comment.

Tears filled James’ eyes.

“I’m a mess,” he confessed as if it were news to the other man.

Lou laughed, the sound echoing beneath James’ ear where it rested on his chest. “Yes, but you’re my mess.” He slid his fingers into James’ hair, forcing his head back. “You can do whatever you want. I’d like you to move in with me and for us to decide together. Now that you marked me, I’m your mate.”

“Marked you?”

Lou frowned. “When you put your fangs in me while you pounded me into the couch. You bound us together.”

“Shit.”

Hurt entered his lover’s eyes. “Don’t you want to be with me?”

“No! I mean yes, I do, but I didn’t know I bonded with you. It’s instinct. I had to bite you.”

Lou’s big hand petted James’ head. “That’s because we belong together and your beast knows this.”

“Maybe,” he allowed. “I don’t know if that means I’m ready to move in with you, Lou. We haven’t known each other very long and our one luncheon date and sex does not a relationship make.”

Lou turned off the water. “Come on, let’s get dry and I can explain to you about mates.”

James wasn’t sure he liked the bear’s tone but he wasn’t going to turn down more information. He was stumbling in the dark about their relationship and he didn’t like the sensation. The one thing he’d always had while his body failed him was his intellect. Being the clueless one in the room didn’t suit him.

After quickly drying, he tied a towel around his waist and headed for the living room.

“Well, look what I’ve found.”

James’ heart froze. Melinda stood in the middle of Lou’s living room with two large men holding guns.

“Melinda. What are you doing here?” He was afraid he knew but he hoped to buy time for his lover to escape.

She gave him a cold smile. It didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ve wanted to study you for years. Unfortunately my relationship with your father prevented that. Now, however, we’re through, which makes you fair game.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Lou’s growly voice sounded behind James.

Shit!

He needed to get these psychos away from his man.

“Let me go and get some clothes on.”

Melinda’s eyes traced over James’ body in an expression so lustful he now knew what people meant when they said their skin crawled.

“Go get dressed,” one of the men said. “We’ll keep your man until you do.”

James fled the room, clenching his teeth as his legs threatened to buckle. His hands shook as he rifled through his lover’s clothing. An oversized shirt fell to his thighs and he rolled up the legs of a pair of sweats, pulling the drawstring in tight. He looked like a homeless orphan, but he was covered.

Hobbling back into the room he searched for his cane only to see his lover unconscious on the floor.

“What the fuck did you do?” he screamed, falling to his knees beside his mate.

“You didn’t think we’d get out of here safely with your lover awake. Don’t worry, he’s only tranquilised. If you come with us quietly I won’t kill him.” She used the same tone as if she were discussing the weather or a trip to the park.

James had never wanted to kill someone so badly in his life. His beast growled beneath his skin. He limped over to his cane, ignoring the trio watching his every step.

“Let’s go.”

Chapter Five

After twenty-three years, James thought he’d experienced all the possible shades of pain. The slivers of agony stabbing into his skull when the medication ran out, the dull aching pain when he was fully loaded up on meds, and the aching, deep in his bones, when he first woke up.

He was wrong.

This pain reached entire new levels. Levels he hoped to never reach again. Ants crawled through his veins in an irritating buzz, little bites of pain and annoyance, covering his entire body. The sound filled his ears, reverberated his bones and sent bits of fire through his body like a billion fire ants covering his skin. Unable to keep it inside he let out his inner suffering with a scream.

It came out as a roar.

Opening his eyes, he looked down at the furry white paws before him.

He’d shifted. Whether from the separation from Lou or the lack of medication, he was now a cat.

“Look at you. I can’t believe Andrew deprived you of this for so long.”

He narrowed his eyes at the female sitting beside him.

“You might not believe me but I’ve wanted to help you for a long time, to free you of the medication locking up your inner beast. There are buyers who’ll pay a lot for a rare shifter such as yourself. I’ve never got my hands on a white lion before.”

He could almost taste her jugular as he yearned to rip out her throat.

“Oooh, the pretty kitty is upset. I’m doing you a favour. I’m freeing you from your human form. All I have to do is purge your body of those nasty drugs and you’ll be the perfect shifter. What good are you as a limpy human when you can be a powerful cat? I have some mercenaries who are looking for new shifters to join—they pay top dollar. They might even enjoy that bear of yours.”

James gave a low growl. The beast hungered to kill. To maim the woman who dared to speak of his mate, much less harm him.

They had his bear.

They would die.

He let out a low growl. First he’d kill this woman.

Pain ratcheted through his body, reminding him he wasn’t free of his medication yet. Planning her death, he closed his eyes and went back to sleep. In the background, as he sank into slumber, he heard her say,

“That’s right. Sleep. We’ll discuss your future tomorrow. We’ll get you better and out of here before your father shows up. I would’ve taken you elsewhere but I don’t have another facility that can contain a shifter going through detox.”

As he faded back into sleep James decided if he shifted he was going to kill her first.

He woke up shivering, goose bumps popping up all over his skin. A quick glance confirmed his nakedness and the small cot he lay on. Scanning the room he saw there was little else but the cot and a chair with a folded pile of clothes.

Quickly dressing, he scanned the room he slept in and decided it was more of a cell. It was a small windowless room with nothing more than a cot. For the first time he felt no pain. Whatever he thought of Melinda she had purged his body of the drugs. His body was powerful as he walked to the door. He grabbed the handle and surprise struck him when it actually turned.

Surely they didn’t leave the door open. That was way too convenient.

He cautiously opened the door and peeked outside. The hallway was empty, completely empty. No sound anywhere.

An eerie hush hung over the place. Opening the door wide, he stuck his head out—still no one.

He took a deep breath and almost choked on the acrid scents of death and fear. Although he abhorred violence, in that moment he wished he had a weapon. Any weapon. His cat was quiet inside—he didn’t know if it was drugged or waiting for an invitation—but his body was stronger than ever before. Power pumped through his system, the usual pain missing. Joy filled him, making his steps feather light. He couldn’t wait to burn his cane.

He didn’t know what the future would lead him to but he had to find his mate. Without Lou it didn’t matter how he felt, he’d be broken. Taking a deep breath, he tried to isolate the smells. Everything was stronger now, his body, the scents, his hearing, all overpowering but not unbearable. He could cope. He’d survived worse.

The sound of roaring had him running down the hall. He was in motion before he realised his body could run freely, a dream he’d had as a child but never hoped to experience. A giddy giggle rose in his throat. He held it back. Who knew what the hell was around the corner.

The noise increased with some banging. Screams echoed in the hall like a clanging bell, loud and strident.

James slowed, his heart pounding with the unfamiliar exercise. He’d have to work his way up to marathons.

The roar echoed again.

Bear.

Heedless of his own safety, James rushed around the corner only to skid to a stop. He’d never seen his lover in his animal form.

The bear towered over the people screaming on the floor, blood soaking their bodies where massive claws did their work. His fanged mouth opened in a wide roar exposing a nice set of sharp, white teeth.

James hid around the corner.

What did he do now? Was their mating strong enough for Lou to recognise him? He still didn’t quite understand how the whole thing worked.

“Okay, I can do this.” He didn’t really care about saving the people who captured and tortured him, but he didn’t want his mate to be injured. Who knew what kind of weapons they might have?

An animalistic cry of fear from around the corner snapped James around. The people on the ground had recouped and were zapping the bear with Tasers. His bear.

His mate.

From one moment to the next, James changed.

A crackling filled the air. Bones elongated, fangs grew and his skin vanished beneath a shiny coat of white. As his skin disappeared so did his humanity. With a ferocious growl he leapt. Screams rang through the hall. How dare they hurt what was his? When he was done, not a single person screamed any more.

“Hey, James.” A familiar voice had him turning. Lou stood beside him covered with blood but in human form.

James purred.

His mate was well.

“That’s right. We need to get out of here. Shift back.”

James tilted his head at the man. Shift back into what? He was a lion.

The man needed some clothes though. He headed into the cell his mate had come out of and grabbed some. Trotting back out, he dropped them at Lou’s feet.

“Um, thanks. Where is your clothing?”

Why would he need clothing? He was a cat. Everyone knew cats didn’t wear clothes. He pushed at the clothes with his nose.

“Fine, I’ll get dressed.”

Lou kept an eye on the white lion as he put on clothes. Without a way to clean up he covered the blood splattering his skin with the clothing. James didn’t look inclined to change back, which might be a problem when he tried to travel with him.

The lion appeared to recognise him so he wasn’t completely lost to his wild side.

A quick glance showed the people on the ground were most definitely dead. He snatched up a Taser and the master key clipped to one man’s belt—the guard wasn’t going to need it anymore and they might need it to get out. With James staying in his lion form, he didn’t want to shift into his bear unless necessary. Two wild animals out of control wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

“Come on, let’s get out of here.”

The lion padded after him like a friendly housecat, except with deadly claws and impressive fangs. James made a truly beautiful lion.

Walking down the hall, Lou glanced into the rooms from time to time. He was disturbed by the silence. With all the cameras he expected people to flood the halls of the facility to contain the escaped creatures. He wondered how James got out. His own stall had opened and he’d encountered a group as they walked down the hall. He got the impression they hadn’t expected to see him.

A slim blond man ran down the hall towards them, freezing when he saw the lion. He smelt like a shifter. The man held up his palms in surrender.

“Don’t kill me.” His hands shook.

“We’re not going to kill you. We just want out of this place.”

“Good luck. I’ve been here for a month and still haven’t figured it out. I don’t know why they left the doors unlocked but I’m not going to miss the opportunity.”

“What are you?”

“Puma. My name’s Cameron.”

“I’m Lou, and this is James.”

“Hi, James.” He gave the lion a nervous smile. “I don’t know where the others are. Have you seen anyone else?”

Lou shook his head. “Only you. How many others are there?”

“About a dozen of us right now. They rotate us out periodically.”

“What do they do with the other shifters?”

“We’re all volunteers. Lately, though, I’ve wondered if they are really letting the shifters free. I think that cow Melinda is selling us to the highest bidder. I can’t prove anything but I’ve heard a few suspicious conversations lately.” He looked at James. “It would probably be easier to escape without the giant lion following us.”

Lou shrugged. “He has control issues. This is only the second time he’s shifted.”

“Really.” Surprise lit the Puma’s face. “Why?”

“His father suppressed it.”

The puma gave James a distasteful look as if he’d accidentally stepped in something slimy. “He’s Dr Everett’s son, isn’t he?”

Lou stepped protectively in front of the lion. He didn’t like the look in the other man’s eyes. “Why do you ask?”

“They talk about him a lot. He’s trying to perfect a formula to prevent shifting. Why would anyone not want to shift? I only came here because they said they’d pay me for my blood for scientific experiments.”

“James is a half-breed. His father was worried he’d tear himself apart.”

“So better to destroy an entire species than let his son die?”

“I don’t think that was his original goal.”

Cameron looked sad for a moment. “It doesn’t excuse his actions but I wouldn’t mind someone loving me that much. Besides, lately I get the impression Melinda is in charge now.”

“I doubt it. Dr Everett broke up with her. I think he’s finally seen her true colours.”

“We can only hope.”

“Let’s see if there are other people to rescue.”

They walked through the strangely circular corridor to discover five more shifters tying up some workers. None of them knew why the cells were unlocked or where the guards had gone. There were mostly medical workers around.

“This gets weirder and weirder,” Lou said. He looked back and forth to the group of shifters, two males and three females. They were all golden with matching gold eyes. “Lions?”

They nodded with an eerie synchronicity.

“Who’s the leader?”

“He’s gone,” one of the female felines offered. “He disappeared one day after he challenged Melinda about lying.”

“They said he left.”

“But he would never just leave us,” one of the male lions said. “He was a good leader.”

The other lions nodded.

“Come with me. If we get out of here we can try and find your alpha.”

Smiles all around. He felt like he just offered candy to a group of kids. They all looked so damn young. It made sense that Andrew would want to experiment on lions the most. It was the closest he could get to his own son’s DNA.

“I’m Lou.”

“I’m Danice,” the most vocal of the females spoke. “This is Liza, Jane, Arturo and Rickey. Our alpha is Cesar.”

Lou’s mouth twitched at the alpha’s name but he resisted comment. “Do you know if there are any more shifters around?”

They all shook their heads.

“Grab their door keys.” The humans looked pretty calm for people trussed up. “We could interrogate them?”

Worry crossed their faces.

“No, Melinda wouldn’t have told them anything. They’re worker drones,” the puma said, watching their expressions.

From the little he knew of Melinda that was probably true. “We need to find out what’s going on. We’ll do better if we stick together.”

“Or we’ll get recaptured together,” Cameron piped up.

James growled at the puma. Lou watched with amusement as the other shifters stepped away from the annoyed cat.

“Together, I meant that was a great idea. We should travel together. Safer,” Cameron said stepping carefully backwards.

“Good. Stick with me.” Lou nodded for the others to go ahead. They were only too eager to get away from the growling kitty.

“Easy, babe. No reason to scare the sweet ones.”

He got a flash of fang from the white lion.

Chuckling, Lou followed the others, completely confident his mate would come after him. Lou was marked with James’ scent and he knew the lion wouldn’t let him go no matter what. As soon as they got back to his house and his lover returned to his human form he was going to return the favour and mark the man until he knew he was claimed in return.

The others ran like they knew where they were going—a path that came to a screeching halt when a dozen dead soldiers lined the hall.

“Oh, shit, the coyote got out,” Cameron said with a whistle.

“What coyote?” Lou asked though he was afraid he knew where Dennis’ sister went, but memories of Dennis’ sad eyes made him ask, “What was her name?”

“Who?” Danice asked.

“The coyote.”

“Crazy lady,” Cameron said. “She never talked to the rest of us. She was kind of damaged. They usually left her in her cell. I think they were afraid of her.”

Looking down at the pile of ravaged bodies Lou decided they had more than a little reason to be. “Where do you think she’d go once released?”

“Who knows?”

He watched James sniff the mauled bodies holding back the bile rising in his throat. If his lover ate the humans he didn’t think he’d be able to ever look at the man the same again. It wasn’t unusual for a newly changed shifter to lose control. His relief was enormous when James lifted his head and wandered away from the dead humans without further interaction.

“Is there anything you guys need before we leave? Because I’m not coming back here.” It occurred to Lou he didn’t know what was on the outside. Would they even be able to find anyone to help and how would he explain about a white lion?

As it was they barely made it outside before a big van pulled up and Andrew jumped out of the back.

“Oh, thank god you found him. I went to your house and no one was there but I saw the dart on your floor. Melinda never returned to the hotel so I got suspicious. Once I found James missing I guessed she’d bring him here.” As he babbled his eyes took in his son’s new form.

Talan and Adrian came out of the front seats of the van.

The lions all looked immediately to the left, tilting their necks in deference to the presence of an alpha. All except James, who trotted up to Talan and butted his head into the alpha’s thigh.

“I think he wants a pet,” Adrian said with a laugh.

“You’re kidding me!” Talan stared at the white lion in astonishment. “You are not a housecat. I’m not petting you.”

James gave a low, mean growl.

“Fine. I’m scratching.” Talan scratched the white lion behind the ears, under the chin and in the middle of the forehead until the big cat started purring.

“Have you no dignity?” the alpha scolded, lightly.

James stood on his back feet and licked Talan’s cheek.

“Stop that.” The lion shifter shoved James away with a laugh. Unperturbed, the white lion went over to sit by Lou’s feet.

“Everyone in the van, we’ll straighten everything out later.”

“I think Dennis’ sister escaped.”

“What do you mean escaped?” Andrew asked. “People can leave whenever they want.”

Cameron laughed. “Unless crazy Melinda sold you.”

“What?” Andrew paled.

“It sounds like you weren’t aware of a lot of things,” Lou said not unsympathetically.

“Yeah.” Andrew nodded. “Apparently there’s a lot I missed while I was concentrating on my research.”

Adrian patted the man on his back. “Come on. We’ll talk at the pack house.”

Chapter Six

James crouched at the end of the bed, watching the large human with confusion. He kept making odd gestures, waving his arms around, pointing fingers and making odd noises that made less and less sense over time.

Maybe he should’ve gone with the other cats. Unfortunately, he couldn’t leave the big man-bear. He smelt too good, like he belonged to James.

Giving a big lion sigh, he laid his giant head down on his paws and watched the other man pace. Maybe it was time for another nap.

Ow.

He blinked up at the good-smelling man with the bad fur-pulling fingers.

“Stay awake!”

What was the point of being awake? The sun was much more enjoyable absorbing while he napped. He wasn’t going to mention that to the fur-puller though. He gave the man a disgruntled look that had no discernible effect.

The big human-bear man glared back.

A knock at the door had him growling. He knew the smell of another lion in his territory.

“Stop that now,” fur-pulling man-bear said.

Bossy.

The door opened, revealing a lion and a wolf in human form. He growled at the lion-man, baring his fangs, and went over to smell at the wolf-man. The lion-man growled at him, pushing the wolf behind him.

James plopped his head back on his paws, swiping his tail back and forth. Maybe lion-man wanted to play since he couldn’t play with the wolf.

Lou gave a sad sigh.

Talan laughed. “I think the pretty kitty wants to play.”

“Just get him to shift back!” Lou shouted. “He’s gone too deep. He doesn’t even know me anymore. He’s feral.”

“Calm down.” Talan patted Lou’s arm. The bear wanted to rip it off and beat him with it. He would’ve done it too if he didn’t know the sweet-looking wolf would promptly tear out his throat before he could blink.

Looking over Talan’s shoulder the cold look in the wolf’s eyes sent icy chills bone deep. He took a careful step away from Talan who was idiotically protecting his mate from the playful white lion.

“I’m going to see if I can communicate with him as a lion.”

“Okay.” Lou took a deep breath to calm down. He couldn’t lose control right now. He needed to keep it together for his mate.

He looked away as Talan undressed. It wasn’t that he hadn’t seen the other man strip to shift before, but not with the lion’s mate standing a few feet away.

“You can look now.” Adrian’s amused voice told him the other man wasn’t upset with him anymore. He gave the wolf shifter an apologetic smile.

Adrian shrugged. “Sometimes our beast gets the better of us.”

He turned to see the golden lion approach the white lion. James stood up to confront the other cat but his approach was more cautious than adversarial. He leant forward and gave the other cat a sniff. They were evenly matched in height and breadth with powerful chests, but where Talan vibrated with animalistic power, James had more of the curious kitty about him. Lou laughed out loud when James planted his enormous paw on Talan’s nose.

“Ooh, Talan’s not going to like that,” Adrian’s chuckled.

The golden lion gave a snort before smacking James with a big paw, brushing the white paw off his nose. Talan gave a low warning growl at the other cat. James crouched down low, his lion butt wiggling in the air, tailing swinging back and forth with kitty excitement.

“Oh dear, he wants to play,” Adrian said. Lou saw the wolf shifter watching the entire situation with avid fascination, his eyes lit with excitement.

“He’s going to get his cute butt handed to him.” As soon as the words left his mouth, Talan leapt, taking down the other cat with his mouth on James’ throat. Lou would’ve interfered if he hadn’t seen the great care the alpha cat took in pinning the white lion.

James went limp in surrender and Talan released him. The alpha shifted back to human form. Quickly dressing, Talan watched James as he pulled on his clothing.

“He’s stuck.”

“What do you mean he’s stuck?” Lou asked. He spun around to look at the white lion. James tilted his head and returned the regard. Some scrap of humanity inside the beast must be aware of Lou or the lion wouldn’t stick around. He wanted his mate back! “He can’t stay like that!”

“I can’t make him shift. Normally if I pegged one of my pride like that they’d shift. He didn’t shift. I think he still wants to play. You are going to need something to shock him out of his lion form.”

“Like what?”

Talan shrugged. “If I knew I’d tell you. I’ve never seen anyone meshed so deeply into his form. There’s almost no human part left.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive. Look, James was really into you. And you say you bonded, right?”

“He bonded with me. I didn’t get the chance to return the bond.”

“Damn.” Adrian winced.

“What?” Lou asked. “What’s wrong now?” What else could be wrong? His lover was a lion!

“If you’d bonded completely it might’ve been easier to snap him out of the shift. I think you need to talk to him a lot. Maybe after a while he’ll change back. Do you know if he suffered any trauma at the centre?”

Lou shook his head. “He looked fine when I saw him but he was already in this form. He killed some of the security people but I didn’t get there was any trauma from him.”

“Huh.” Talan looked down at James. “I’ll make some phone calls and find out if anyone else has had this happen before.”

“Thanks. I really appreciate any help you can give me. I know it isn’t your problem…”

Talen clamped a hand on his shoulder. “Lou, I’ve known you most of my life. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

Relief rushed through him. It was stupid since Talan hadn’t been able to help but just the thought of having someone to lean on relieved some of his stress.

“Thanks, Talan.” He looked over at the wolf shifter. “Thanks to you, too, Adrian. I really appreciate your help.”

Adrian nodded “I’m glad to, though we haven’t been much help so far.” He got a sympathetic smile from the handsome wolf before the pair left with promises to call if they learned anything.

Lou sat on the couch. To his amusement James jumped up beside him and laid his giant maned head on his lap.

“At least you know where you belong. Though I’d like it better if you were in human form. Don’t you want to be human? We could have such fun.”

The lion tilted his head, rolling his eyes up at Lou as if he were listening.

“Oh, you want to know what kind of fun?”

The lion gave a low growl of agreement.

“Well, humans can be together in all kinds of exciting ways. We can have conversations.”

The lion yawned.

“We could have sex.”

He got a purr but no sign of shifting. “Well, I’m not having sex unless you’re human. I’m not into interspecies copulation, that’s just ten kinds of wrong.”

The doorbell rang, distracting him from the strange look in the lion’s eyes.

Looking through the peephole, he spotted James’ father. He quickly unlocked the door and let the other man inside. “How are you doing, Andrew?”

“I’m doing fine. It’s James I’m worried about. Still hasn’t shifted yet?”

“Not yet.”

“I wonder if it’s because he feels stronger as a lion? He always suffered as a human. It might be too tempting to stay a strong cat then a weak human.”

“But if he shifted now he’d be a strong human,” Lou argued.

“You and I know that but the cat may have a different idea.”

“Maybe. Did you hear anything about Melinda or the escaped coyote?”

Andrew shook his head. “I reported my car as stolen so we could hear from the police if she showed up in the area. I went to your office and talked to Dennis about his sister since he was there with KC trying to find information. I checked the records and a coyote was never one of my test subjects so I don’t know what Melinda might have done to her while she was there. Your assistant said he’d help find James’ mother when we were ready but I want to check with James before I do any looking. I’ve made so many mistakes with him already, I didn’t want to open up any wounds if he wasn’t ready. I don’t know if I can ever be the father he deserves.”

Lou thought over everything the man had done to give his son the best life possible, and despite going about it in an unorthodox way, he knew Andrew Everett did everything he could to keep his son safe from his shifter genes.

“I think James understands you were only trying to keep him safe. You might have some errors in judgement but none in your love for your son.”

Andrew looked sadly at his son. “Hopefully he’ll shift back to human so I can tell him soon.”

Lou gave the oblivious lion a sad smile. “I hope so too.”

Andrew walked carefully towards the lion. “Does he bite?”

“I suppose he could but he hasn’t so far. He’s been very tame.”

A low growling came from James as his father approached.

“I think he knows I kept him hidden for so long. The lion probably hates me.”

As much as he wanted to hate Andrew Everett for all of his son’s suffering, Lou found himself feeling sorry for the man. “His human half knows you tried to do your best. His lion half might have a different opinion.”

“I think his lion half wants to eat me.”

The feral look in James’ eyes said he might be right. “Do you think injecting him with the antidote will help him shift back?”

Andrew shook his head. “It only worked to prevent shifting. Once shifted it won’t have any effect. Your bodies are extremely complex and he would purge himself of the medication before it had any affect.” There were tears in the older man’s eyes when he said, “He’s beautiful. I kept this from him. This part of himself, because I thought I knew better than nature. What have I done?”

“You saved him. No one knows if he would’ve been able to withstand the transition when he was younger. From what you described it sounds like complete shifting would’ve killed him. The first full shift is the most violent one and if he was already shifting in parts, there was something wrong. I think in his case he was so used to dealing with pain he had built in coping mechanisms that our kind usually have to be taught. In some ways you made him a stronger shifter.”

“And a weaker human,” Andrew said, passing a hand over his eyes. “I understand if he doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

Lou watched as the white lion made his way over to the older man. He sidled close enough to intervene if the lion lunged for Andrew.

“What did you come for?” He didn’t want to be rude but the other man wasn’t really helping anything. In fact, he was probably seconds from having his throat ripped out.

Andrew gave him a sheepish smile. “I wanted to see James’ form again. I only got a brief look at the compound. His mother was a regular lion. I guess there is a genetic anomaly in the family. That’s why she left him. Her lion sensed there was something wrong and she couldn’t overcome her instincts. Once she left I never heard from her again.”

There was a sad look in the other man’s eyes, telling Lou that James wasn’t the only one hurt by his mother’s defection.

“Have you spoken with the other shifters?”

Andrew nodded. “I had no idea Melinda kept them after I took their blood. They were supposed to only come for basic tests and then be released. I’m having an investigator go through her records to find out where the shifters are she sold. The others are looking for their alpha and I promised to help them. Do you know if there’s a place in town to rent for a while? I’d like to get to know my son again.”

“Even if he never turns back to a human?”

“It is my own prejudice against shifters that caused all these problems. My personal issues led to the persecution of a race of creatures my own son is a member of. I feel a responsibility to try and fix the problem I created.”

“I can talk to James’ old landlady. She’ll have an opening as soon as I grab James’ stuff from the place. I’m sure she’d be happy to have someone take over payments.”

“Great.” Relief was bright on the man’s face. There weren’t a lot of places to rent in town.

A shot rang out. Lou grabbed Andrew and pushed him to the ground as bullets riddled the living room wall.

“I’ll kill you!” a woman screeched outside.

“Melinda?” Andrew shouted.

“How dare you ruin everything!” More bullets followed her screaming.

“Keep her distracted,” Lou said. With years of experience he quickly removed his top and pants. Reaching deep into his psyche he pulled out his bear. Imagining the creature in his mind until his bones crackled, his skin sprouted fur, and his body elongated.

Heading for the back door he hit the switch that allowed a bear an exit without being human. It wasn’t possible for a nine-foot bear to be subtle so he didn’t even try to sneak up on the woman shooting her rifle into his home. He ran towards her at full force. He saw her turn, felt her shoot her rifle and as the pain shot through his system he used his massive paw to swipe at the intruder. The bear wanted the evil one to leave his territory. She might accidentally shoot his mate. The little lion couldn’t be harmed.

The bear roared when the stupid creature shot at him again. Enraged, he stomped the evil woman, ripping and tearing with his claws until finally she stopped moving.

As his rage passed, the pain took over and Lou gave himself up to the change. Injured, all shifters converted to their human form.

The lion roared when the bear fell to the ground and shifted to a pale, naked human.

His human.

He ran out the open back door and leapt over the downed woman to sniff at the human. The human opened its eyes. He could see red stuff all over, and a memory in the distant part of his mind told him that wasn’t good.

“James, we have to get him to a hospital. I can’t move him by myself.”

James?

A light flashed in his mind. He was James!

Mate of Lou.

Lou?

The part of him who knew his humanity looked down at the human and flinched. He must return. Think human. He struggled to remember the feel of fingers, the wiggling of toes, the smoothness of his non-lion form.

For Lou he had to return.

A burning went through his body as he shifted from lion to human.

“Lou.” His voice was rusty with disuse, rough for not speaking except in a roar.

“I’ve called the ambulance, they’re on their way.”

“Don’t leave me,” he pleaded, ignoring his father to focus on his mate. He could almost feel his mate’s pain.

Lou gave him a shadow of his usual smile. “I won’t leave you, love. Don’t be dramatic.”

James gave a relieved laugh. A pair of jeans dropped by his knees. Looking up, he saw his father standing over him.

“I thought you might want pants. I called the ambulance.”

“Oh, thanks.” He quickly dressed as the noise of sirens came closer.

He crouched back by his lover’s side. “They’re coming, love.”

“I know.”

The next few minutes rushed by in the confusion of the paramedics. James learned later they were hawk shifters. They ran to Lou’s side and pulled out a box that looked more like a tool chest than medical paraphernalia.

One of the medics pulled out a pair of tweezers and a scalpel.

“What are you doing?”

“We’ve got to get the bullets out before he heals over them.”

The other paramedic nodded. “Sherriff’s a fast healer.”

James didn’t want to know how the pair knew that.

He stepped back so they could do their job, wincing when they cut Lou again and again to pick out bullets. They removed five before stopping.

James let out the breath he hadn’t even realised he was holding.

They stepped back.

“Aren’t you going to take him to the hospital?”

“What for?” one of the paramedics asked. “He’d heal before we got him loaded.”

“Doesn’t he need blood?”

“Naw, I don’t think most of this is his. We’ll take the lady with us for the morgue but Lou will be fine. He’s a tough old bear.”

James growled, a low lion roar that had the medics stepping back.

“We promise, he’ll be fine.”

The pair grabbed the pieces of Melinda they could find and left.

James went back to Lou’s side.

“You didn’t have to scare them. They only meant the best,” Lou said with a smile that was already gaining his former glory.

“They need to work on their bedside manner.”

“I’m sure you scared them into improving. Help me up.”

“Are you insane? You’re injured.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Despite his fine words, even with his father’s help, Lou gave a soft gasp as he got to his feet.

“Told you.”

“Hush now,” Lou said in a soft voice. “You’ll make me think it’s worse than it is.”

“You had five bullets taken out of you. It is bad.”

Lou wrapped an arm around James, leaning into his body. He noticed the other man didn’t put much pressure on him despite limping as they walked.

“I can take more pressure.” As soon as he said the words he realised he could. His body felt fit and strong as if it belonged to someone else entirely. The pain in his hands and feet, the aches in his knees, were all gone.

He felt great.

A wide smile spread across his lips.

“You all right, James?” his father asked.

“Yeah, for the first time. I think I am.”

As he helped his mate back to his house he knew everything was going to be fine.

Chapter Seven

“Are you sure you’re ready?” Lou asked his nervous-looking mate. Without his cane, James usually stood tall and proud but right now he looked more like a scared cat than a powerful lion.

“I want to be your mate. I’m not scared about that. I’m scared about the other thing.”

Lou tried not to smile, he really did, but damn the man was adorable. “You mean penetration?”

“Yes, that.” James blushed so bright Lou was surprised he didn’t land planes from the glow on his face.

“Are you sure you’re ready for anal penetration?” Lou asked. He couldn’t help himself—his lover was too fucking adorable.

James scowled. “Don’t you want to have sex with me?”

Lou jumped in to reassure. This definitely wasn’t the direction he wanted the conversation to go. “I definitely want to have sex with you.” He walked over to enfold James into his arms. They stood silently for a moment, absorbing each other’s touch. A soft sigh filled the air. He didn’t know if it came from him or his mate but it was a shared moment of delight.

“Come on, let’s get you prepared.” They were both already naked but he needed to do something to bring James’ erection back. He wanted his mate to be excited when he was claimed. Lou didn’t want it to be a duty. He wanted this to be something that stayed in James’ head as one of the top romantic moments in his life. Considering his mate’s background it shouldn’t be that hard to top. He helped James onto the bed, not because he needed to but because he knew his mate liked the attention. Now that he didn’t actually need help he didn’t mind the assistance. His lover was a contrary creature.

“Do you think father can help find Dennis’ sister?”

“I don’t think I care right now!” Lou growled. He was definitely doing something wrong if James could focus on other people.

James laughed. “Sorry.”

“So you should be.” He crawled on the bed, pressing his body alongside his lover, making sure not to put his weight on top. James might be fit and healthy now but he was still about fifty pounds lighter than Lou.

He ran his hands up and down his mate’s body, pleased when James responded by sliding his hands through Lou’s hair and kissing him. James’ kisses were as strong as any drug. Lou’s body hardened tighter than ever before. The idea of being inside his lover made him ache with need. Wrapping his arms around James he rolled until he was resting on top. He loved the feel of his mate on top of him.

James lifted his head, breaking their kiss.

Lou growled.

“I don’t think we can do it like this.”

A wide smile spread across Lou’s face. “This is the perfect way to do it. Come on, mate, grab the lube out of the drawer.”

Flashing him a dubious look, James pulled open the drawer and grabbed the tube. “I hope this works.”

Lou laughed. “It will work. Trust me. You do trust me?”

“Of course I trust you. Don’t be an idiot.”

Relief rushed through his body. They’d had enough of a rocky start to their relationship. Lou didn’t want trust to be one of their issues.

Lou took the lube from his lover and coated his cock thoroughly. James’ body took interest in his actions, rising to the occasion.

“Feed me your cock.”

“What?”

“You heard me, come up here and feed me your cock.”

There wasn’t a man alive who would refuse a blow job. James proved that axiom true by sliding up. Lou sucked on the tip, absorbing the flavour of his mate. Humming his enjoyment he slicked up his fingers and slipped one inside. Concentrating on what Lou was doing James barely reacted to the invasion, only moving deeper into Lou’s mouth.

Intent on sucking his mate, Lou slid in another finger, spreading them apart as he twisted and turned inside his lover.

James’ movements became frantic. Lou grabbed his hips so he couldn’t plunge too deeply.

He pulled off James’ cock. “Easy, mate. I can’t get you ready if you choke me.”

“I’m ready. Enough.”

“Slide down slowly. Take your time. There’s no hurry.”

James gave a choked laugh. “Maybe for you. I’m dying for you to get inside.”

Lou smiled. These days he could barely contain his happiness inside. His mate was whole and healthy and his mate’s father accepted their relationship and had come to terms with James’ shifter half. If only they could find the missing shifters, life would be complete. As it was, life was pretty damn good.

James was hot and amazing as his body slowly swallowed Lou’s cock. When he said for his lover to take his time he hadn’t counted on the insane urge he would feel to fuck his mate and claim him as his own.

He watched his lover for signs of discomfort but all he saw was bliss.

James’ head was thrown back, exposing the long line of his neck as he moved up and down on Lou’s cock. He’d never seen anything more beautiful in his life. In that moment of distraction his bear slipped the leash. He rose up, flipping James beneath him as his fangs slid out. Unable to stop his beast, he bit his mate on the throat, marking him by pumping his mating pheromones into the man beneath him.

James’ body convulsed and the smell of spunk filled the air. Urged on by his mate’s completion, Lou pumped his lover full of his fluid, binding them together forever.

After a moment his fangs retracted. He absently licked at the remaining fang holes. “You are now mine forever.”

Sweat beaded his forehead as James gave him a loopy grin. “I was yours when you first smiled at me.”

Lou laughed, pulling his mate close until the other man rested his head against his heart. “And I will be yours until the last. Sleep. We’ll get cleaned up in a little bit.”

“Okay.” The rhythm of his lover’s breathing mirrored his own and for the first time in his life, Lou felt complete and utter contentment.

About the Author

Amber is one of those quiet people they always tell you to watch out for. She lives in Dallas with her husband, two sons, two cats and one extremely stupid dog.

Email: amberkellwrites@gmail.com

Amber loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.

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