Puma Pride, page 3
"You didn't tell us about your parents or your connection to the hounds," Mia said.
"Are you still harping on this," Jolyn sighed. "If you think there's a link between my past and the hounds now, you're wrong. You need to turn your attention elsewhere."
"I'll look where my instincts tell me to," Mia said. "You are not a guest."
"I'm your prisoner," Jolyn said. "Send your enforcer to finish me. It's what you want. It gives you blood to appease your need to protect. The only problem is it doesn't solve the problems behind what is making you angry and driving your need to protect."
"You know nothing about how we work, human," Mia said. "Don't think your time with the hounds makes you understand all shifters."
"Then send your enforcer," Jolyn said. She walked around Mia, leaving though the alpha didn't give her permission.
"Call off your protection," Mia called after her.
"Do you mean Uncle Willie," Jolyn asked turned to face her.
"He's claimed you as a cub," Mia said. "If we put you to death, as you deserve, he will come after us."
"All our actions have consequences," Jolyn attempted to leave.
“You should remember this when you lay down with fleabags,” Mia snarled.
“You’ve seen the file,” Jolyn asked.
“Yes, of course,” Mia said her temper frayed at seeing this woman.
“Do you know what it’s like to play with babies and then the next time you see them they are in pieces,” Jolyn asked her tone soft and filled with grief.
“You blame us for this,” Mia demanded.
“Not unless your preferred way to kill is with a high powered rifle,” Jolyn said. “After seeing those pups shredded by violence, I could not stand by to watch your kit hurt. Helping her is the extent of my involvement. I could no more see a kit hurt than I would want to see pups…” Jolyn stared at the ceiling to try to stop the flow of tears, to push back the grief always so close to the surface when she thought of those babies. “Children and babies are innocent regardless of species.” She walked away, didn’t look around even when she heard Mia snarl threateningly.
Turning a corner, she walked into a solid wall of muscle. She backed up, shook her head. “Sorry,” she said without looking up.
“Who’s upset you,” Brady asked tipping her chin to see her eyes.
“It’s nothing,” Jolyn said.
“You hide your feelings,” Brady said. “This is why there is no trust.”
“Because they are private and none of you have done anything to earn my trust,” Jolyn snapped at him, pulled away, and walked around.
Brady raised his eyebrows, put a gentle hand on her arm. “What would earn your trust,” he asked.
“I don’t know,” Jolyn said. “I’d like to go to my room.”
“You spend too much time in your room,” Brady said.
“It’s easier than joining all of you,” Jolyn said. “Have you made any progress on finding the hounds who took Minnie?”
“Why do you ask,” Brady said.
“This is why,” she said turning on him. “You want me to open up and tell you my secrets but when I ask a question, I’m treated with distrust and suspicion. When will you release me?”
“When it’s proven you weren’t involved or we catch those who were,” Brady said.
She shook her head and walked away.
He followed her. “How would you handle this?”
“Has anyone asked the hounds’ alpha,” Jolyn asked.
“We do not have the best relations with the hounds,” Brady said.
“Therein lies your biggest problem,” Jolyn said.
“Do you know who the hounds’ alpha is,” Brady asked.
“No but you do,” Jolyn said.
“What was your mother researching,” Brady asked.
“Nothing,” Jolyn said. He followed her into her room. She stood in the doorway wanting to close it. She wanted peace and quiet but he disturbed her on so many levels.
“This stubbornness is not helping you,” Brady said reaching out to touch her hair. He drew her closer to him, inhaled her scent. “Why do you always smell of lilacs?”
“I don’t,” Jolyn frowned at his question.
“You do to me,” he said. She put her hands on his chest to stop him pulling her closer.
“Why are you doing this,” she asked. The guards no longer stood outside her door but she knew they watched her.
“I’m drawn to you,” Brady said. He lowered his mouth to hers, needed a taste of her. With feather light touches, he brushed her lips, felt her sigh. He molded her body to his, deepened the caress on her lips.
“Uncle Brady,” Minnie called. “Uncle Brady?”
Brady leaned his forehead against hers. “Upstairs,” Brady called back. “Pity,” he murmured as he rubbed a thumb across her lips.
“You said we’d have tea,” Minnie said. She raced down the hall to leap at him. He turned in time to catch and lift her. “Hi Jolyn.”
“Hi,” Jolyn said smiling at the girl. She’d only seen her a couple times in the last month. “I’m betting you’re not supposed to be here.”
“Uncle Brady’s here,” Minnie said. “He’ll protect me, not that I need it.”
“Go have your tea,” Jolyn said backing into her room.
“Come with us,” Minnie said.
“I don’t think your mother,” Brady said.
“It’s better if I don’t,” Jolyn said sadness filling her eyes. “Maybe next time.” She closed the door.
“Is she mad at us,” Minnie asked softly.
“No,” Brady said. He hoped not. His cat purred at the contact and wanted more, much more.
Jolyn sat in the library again. She arrived in this room about thirty minutes ago. She tested a theory. In the week since her last confrontation with Mia, whenever she sat in the library, Mia showed up within half an hour. It was the only place she felt at peace. She knew Mia attempted to unsettle her.
She stood, ready to leave because the thirty minute mark passed. She planned to go back to her room. No Mia yet. Maybe she was wrong. She stepped into the big foyer to see Mia answering the door.
Seeing a flash of silver and black, Jolyn said, “Don’t.”
Through the crack, she saw a man dressed in black. She ran across the foyer, pushed Mia out of the way. “Run,” she said as she tried slamming the door closed. The man wedged his arm in the door, pushing with his full weight. A gun in his hand, he pushed against Jolyn, who pushed back with all her strength, bracing her feet on the tile floor
Mia let out a yowl, rushed away from the front door and down a hall Jolyn wasn’t allowed in. Jolyn struggled but the weight of a second man pushing sent her flying back. She fell backwards hitting her head against the wall. Two men, then another four, entered the Pride home. The first two grabbed Jolyn hauled her to her feet. “Where’s the Pride,” a gruff voice asked.
“Not here,” she said. The man shook her, slapped her across the face.
“Tell me the truth,” he said. “I smell the lie on you.”
A shifter, Jolyn thought. What kind of shifter? Why wouldn’t they come in their animal form? The animal forms were stronger. “I don’t know,” Jolyn said honestly. The man slapped her again, she felt darkness edging into her vision.
“She’s not a shifter,” the second man said. “Probably one of the filthy whores who like cats.”
“Whore,” the first man said eyeing her. “I don’t smell any of them on her.”
“Kill her and stop wasting time,” the second man said. “We have to get what we came for.”
“Where’s the nursery,” the first man demanded.
“That way,” Jolyn said pointing towards the kitchens. She hoped she misdirected them and hoped they couldn’t smell her lie.
“She might be useful,” the first man said. He dragged her close. “A good fuck before we kill her.”
“Don’t waste your seed,” the second man said. He sent the men in the direction she pointed. “Kill her and be done.”
Jolyn closed her eyes as the man pointed his gun at her head. She heard the gun cock, took a deep breath, and kneed the man in the groin. He went down, releasing her. His gun fell out of his hand. She kicked him before trying to run from him. He grabbed her legs, knocking her down. A shot went off. She ducked. The bullet ricocheted off the floor next to her. Fear gave her courage. She turned to the second man, saw the statue in the foyer and pushed it over.
It hit him but he stepped out of the way. “Bitch,” he growled.
Gun shots echoed from the direction the men had run. They came back firing behind them. Jolyn hoped it meant the Pride fought back. She stepped back to hide behind another statue but the second man grabbed her. “Sent us into a trap,” he growled. She grabbed his wrist and wrestled to keep the gun from pointing at her. His fist plowed into her side. She grunted but held onto his wrist with both of her hands. His men picked up the man lying on the floor. He hit her again and again, slammed her against the wall. His fist smashed her face and she fell to the floor. He took aim, was about to shoot when he heard others coming towards them. He hurried out the door, slamming it behind them.
Jolyn lay there trying to catch her breath. Brady, in panther form, ran towards the door. She leaned forward, pulled the door open, clutching her side as he flung himself after the intruders. Men and panthers joined him. Bryan pushed Jolyn back. “Who were they,” he demanded.
She shook her head. “I don’t know,” she said.
“You let them in,” Bryan said. His hands gripped her arms, shook her hard.
She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. “No,” she said. Where was Mia, she opened the door.
“You’re here,” Bryan said.
“She warned me,” Mia said touching her mate's face, knowing better than to get between him and his prey.
Bryan’s intense eyes shifted. “Warned you,” he asked. He let go of Jolyn. She stumbled back away from the second attack. He got a good look at her face.
“You need better security,” Jolyn said as she leaned against the wall. She struggled to stay upright. Would she have to fight the Puma Pride now too?
Brady returned, shifted, and stood naked in the foyer. Another man brought him pants. “They got away,” he growled stepping into the pants. As enforcer, he didn’t like losing his prey.
“You’re sure,” Bryan asked of Mia.
“It allowed me to get the warning off,” Mia said.
Brady said, “What are you talking about?” He focused on Bryan and Mia. He took a step towards them and saw Jolyn. A strangled growl issued from his throat as he stepped around the alphas towards her.
“No,” she said putting up her hands to ward off another attack. “I don’t know anything. I didn’t do it.”
“Sshh,” he murmured. His cat yowled she was hurt. Her face red and bruised, he wanted to lick it all better. He saw her face go white, paler than she already was. He saw fear darken her eyes as she tried to back away from him. “It’s all right,” he soothed. He touched her arms where Bryan had held her and she whimpered. “Let me take care of you,” he murmured. “You’re safe.” He picked her up. She whimpered again, moaned with the pain of movement.
“I tried to stop them,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sure you did,” he said. To his brother he said, “Get the healer.”
He took the stairs two at a time and only slowed when he realized the tears were because he jarred her.
Brady left her room when the healer forced him to. With no claim, he couldn’t stay while the healer examined her. His cat fought to stay, fought to come out to be with her.
“You’re pacing,” Bryan said. “Watch.” He pointed to the security footage of their foyer. “Damn. She fought them.”
“Fuckers,” Brady said. “I need to be with her.”
“Let the healer finish,” Bryan said. “Is she your mate?”
Brady growled, deep in his throat, he growled as if he were the one in pain. “Yes,” he ground out.
“A human,” Bryan smirked. “You like to play the field. How do you think the human will take you wandering?”
“Don’t need anyone but her,” Brady growled. Watching the footage, he saw the man point a gun at his mate. Pride welled in him as she fought him. “Look at how brave she is,” he hummed with pride.
“Yeah, but she pointed them towards us,” Bryan said. “How did she know where we were?”
“Does it matter,” Brady said. “We were ready for them.”
“Perhaps we should let her leave and face the hounds on her own,” Bryan suggested.
Brady grabbed his brother, forced him against the wall. “Brady, put Bryan down,” Mia demanded.
Brady tried. He knew Bryan was his alpha but he threatened his mate. Bryan laughed in his face. “Alley cat to mated,” he said. “Are you ready to give up everything for her?”
“There are others who have mated with humans,” Brady said letting his brother down.
“We’ll discuss this later,” Mia said. “The healer wants to talk to us.”
“You should have said,” Brady said. Turning on his heels, he stalked out of the room.
“Will you forbid the mating,” Bryan asked.
“I don’t know,” Mia said. “She saved my life.”
“We’ll lose him if you do,” Bryan said.
“Let’s go see what the healer says,” Mia said.
Brady stood over the healer as the woman blocked Jolyn’s door. “You can go in shortly,” Verity said. “I’ll have a word with you and the alphas first.”
“We’re here,” Mia said.
“She’s dehydrated, underweight,” Verity said. “She may be your prisoner, but you should feed her.”
“We have been,” Mia assured but she couldn’t remember the last time Jolyn joined any of their meals.
“Apparently not,” Verity said. “She has bruised ribs and face. She’s got a concussion. I’ve given her something for the pain and she’s resting.”
“These are defensive wounds,” Mia asked.
Verity said. “Those aren’t but she’s got bruised knuckles.”
“She fought,” Brady said pride echoing in his tone.
“Against shifters,” Verity said. “She’s lucky to have her throat. She needs care. Mia, I know you’re unhappy with her. Will she get care or do I need to remove her?”
“She’ll get care,” Brady said. He heard her stirring. “Let me in.”
“She’s not healthy enough to mate,” Verity said putting a hand on his chest. “You want to protect. I know how our males can be. She needs gentleness and tenderness.”
“I’ll be gentle,” Brady said. “Please, let me in.”
Verity stepped aside, let him in. “They should have declared,” she said. “I wouldn’t have put him out if I’d known.”
“It’s new,” Bryan said. He saw Brady kneel by the side of the bed and take Jolyn’s hand. “He wasn’t sure.”
“He is now,” Mia said as Brady leaned forward, kissed Jolyn’s hand. “This changes things.”
“If you kill her at this point, you will lose him,” Verity advised. “Here are some pain meds for her. The bruising is deep and will likely require the medication.”
“We need to let Willie know,” Bryan said.
Mia reached forward, closed the door quietly, and left with her mate.
Brady sat in a chair by her bed for hours as she slept. Her scent soothed him but her whimpers agitated him. Slowly she shifted, gasped, and opened her eyes. “You’re safe,” he said keeping his tone low and soothing.
“Bathroom,” she murmured.
He leaned down to pick her up but she cringed away from him. “I won’t hurt you,” he said.
“I can do it,” she said sliding to the edge of the bed.
Seeing her determination, he offered an arm for her to pull herself upright. She bit her lip, gasped several times and tears wet her eyes but she blinked them back. As she sat catching her breath, he asked, “Please let me carry you. I’ll be gentle. I promise.”
“Why,” she asked. “Bryan thought I brought them here. He thought I helped them.”
“We have footage,” Brady said. “Mia told him you saved her.”
“She must hate that,” Jolyn said. Her eye bruised, the side of her face purple from the blows she took.
Brady said, “I should have gotten to you sooner.”
“I’m a prisoner,” Jolyn said standing. She swayed as she fought the pain from the movement.
“No,” Brady said. He didn’t want to spring it on her.
She snorted and stepped away from him. His cat yowled at him to tend to her. He walked with her towards the bathroom. She wobbled and would have fallen but she grabbed his arm. “I’m still a prisoner,” she said. “If I open the door, will there be guards again?”
“No, you’re mine,” he said. In a quick movement, he lifted her making sure her bruised side was not touched. “No one will hurt you and I’ll protect you from here on.”
She sighed in his arms. “You’re the enforcer. The alpha grabbed me,” she asked.
“He was mistaken,” Brady said setting her down in the bathroom. He wanted to stay but she pushed him towards the door. She closed the door in his face. He paced away. “Mia stopped him.”
“I’m surprised she didn’t let him,” she stopped speaking, her voice hitched.
“Are you all right,” he said resting his head on the door.
“Bumped my ribs,” she said softly, tears thick in her voice.
“Jolyn,” he growled low. He needed to be in with her. “Please.” He heard water running and then whimpers before the door opened. She turned her face up to him. Tears glistened in her eyes. “Let me carry you,” he begged edging closer to her.
Closing her eyes, tears fell but she reached for him. Tenderly, he lifted her, held her close to him. She surprised him when she buried her face in his shoulder. He felt her tears, felt her breath catch as she tried not to cry. “Shh,” he murmured taking her back to bed. He sat on the bed, held her close to him. “I know it hurts,” he said rocking with her. “I’m sorry. I should have been faster.”
“I didn’t know where anyone was,” she whispered. “The one kept telling the other to kill me and be done with it. I… I...”
"Are you still harping on this," Jolyn sighed. "If you think there's a link between my past and the hounds now, you're wrong. You need to turn your attention elsewhere."
"I'll look where my instincts tell me to," Mia said. "You are not a guest."
"I'm your prisoner," Jolyn said. "Send your enforcer to finish me. It's what you want. It gives you blood to appease your need to protect. The only problem is it doesn't solve the problems behind what is making you angry and driving your need to protect."
"You know nothing about how we work, human," Mia said. "Don't think your time with the hounds makes you understand all shifters."
"Then send your enforcer," Jolyn said. She walked around Mia, leaving though the alpha didn't give her permission.
"Call off your protection," Mia called after her.
"Do you mean Uncle Willie," Jolyn asked turned to face her.
"He's claimed you as a cub," Mia said. "If we put you to death, as you deserve, he will come after us."
"All our actions have consequences," Jolyn attempted to leave.
“You should remember this when you lay down with fleabags,” Mia snarled.
“You’ve seen the file,” Jolyn asked.
“Yes, of course,” Mia said her temper frayed at seeing this woman.
“Do you know what it’s like to play with babies and then the next time you see them they are in pieces,” Jolyn asked her tone soft and filled with grief.
“You blame us for this,” Mia demanded.
“Not unless your preferred way to kill is with a high powered rifle,” Jolyn said. “After seeing those pups shredded by violence, I could not stand by to watch your kit hurt. Helping her is the extent of my involvement. I could no more see a kit hurt than I would want to see pups…” Jolyn stared at the ceiling to try to stop the flow of tears, to push back the grief always so close to the surface when she thought of those babies. “Children and babies are innocent regardless of species.” She walked away, didn’t look around even when she heard Mia snarl threateningly.
Turning a corner, she walked into a solid wall of muscle. She backed up, shook her head. “Sorry,” she said without looking up.
“Who’s upset you,” Brady asked tipping her chin to see her eyes.
“It’s nothing,” Jolyn said.
“You hide your feelings,” Brady said. “This is why there is no trust.”
“Because they are private and none of you have done anything to earn my trust,” Jolyn snapped at him, pulled away, and walked around.
Brady raised his eyebrows, put a gentle hand on her arm. “What would earn your trust,” he asked.
“I don’t know,” Jolyn said. “I’d like to go to my room.”
“You spend too much time in your room,” Brady said.
“It’s easier than joining all of you,” Jolyn said. “Have you made any progress on finding the hounds who took Minnie?”
“Why do you ask,” Brady said.
“This is why,” she said turning on him. “You want me to open up and tell you my secrets but when I ask a question, I’m treated with distrust and suspicion. When will you release me?”
“When it’s proven you weren’t involved or we catch those who were,” Brady said.
She shook her head and walked away.
He followed her. “How would you handle this?”
“Has anyone asked the hounds’ alpha,” Jolyn asked.
“We do not have the best relations with the hounds,” Brady said.
“Therein lies your biggest problem,” Jolyn said.
“Do you know who the hounds’ alpha is,” Brady asked.
“No but you do,” Jolyn said.
“What was your mother researching,” Brady asked.
“Nothing,” Jolyn said. He followed her into her room. She stood in the doorway wanting to close it. She wanted peace and quiet but he disturbed her on so many levels.
“This stubbornness is not helping you,” Brady said reaching out to touch her hair. He drew her closer to him, inhaled her scent. “Why do you always smell of lilacs?”
“I don’t,” Jolyn frowned at his question.
“You do to me,” he said. She put her hands on his chest to stop him pulling her closer.
“Why are you doing this,” she asked. The guards no longer stood outside her door but she knew they watched her.
“I’m drawn to you,” Brady said. He lowered his mouth to hers, needed a taste of her. With feather light touches, he brushed her lips, felt her sigh. He molded her body to his, deepened the caress on her lips.
“Uncle Brady,” Minnie called. “Uncle Brady?”
Brady leaned his forehead against hers. “Upstairs,” Brady called back. “Pity,” he murmured as he rubbed a thumb across her lips.
“You said we’d have tea,” Minnie said. She raced down the hall to leap at him. He turned in time to catch and lift her. “Hi Jolyn.”
“Hi,” Jolyn said smiling at the girl. She’d only seen her a couple times in the last month. “I’m betting you’re not supposed to be here.”
“Uncle Brady’s here,” Minnie said. “He’ll protect me, not that I need it.”
“Go have your tea,” Jolyn said backing into her room.
“Come with us,” Minnie said.
“I don’t think your mother,” Brady said.
“It’s better if I don’t,” Jolyn said sadness filling her eyes. “Maybe next time.” She closed the door.
“Is she mad at us,” Minnie asked softly.
“No,” Brady said. He hoped not. His cat purred at the contact and wanted more, much more.
Jolyn sat in the library again. She arrived in this room about thirty minutes ago. She tested a theory. In the week since her last confrontation with Mia, whenever she sat in the library, Mia showed up within half an hour. It was the only place she felt at peace. She knew Mia attempted to unsettle her.
She stood, ready to leave because the thirty minute mark passed. She planned to go back to her room. No Mia yet. Maybe she was wrong. She stepped into the big foyer to see Mia answering the door.
Seeing a flash of silver and black, Jolyn said, “Don’t.”
Through the crack, she saw a man dressed in black. She ran across the foyer, pushed Mia out of the way. “Run,” she said as she tried slamming the door closed. The man wedged his arm in the door, pushing with his full weight. A gun in his hand, he pushed against Jolyn, who pushed back with all her strength, bracing her feet on the tile floor
Mia let out a yowl, rushed away from the front door and down a hall Jolyn wasn’t allowed in. Jolyn struggled but the weight of a second man pushing sent her flying back. She fell backwards hitting her head against the wall. Two men, then another four, entered the Pride home. The first two grabbed Jolyn hauled her to her feet. “Where’s the Pride,” a gruff voice asked.
“Not here,” she said. The man shook her, slapped her across the face.
“Tell me the truth,” he said. “I smell the lie on you.”
A shifter, Jolyn thought. What kind of shifter? Why wouldn’t they come in their animal form? The animal forms were stronger. “I don’t know,” Jolyn said honestly. The man slapped her again, she felt darkness edging into her vision.
“She’s not a shifter,” the second man said. “Probably one of the filthy whores who like cats.”
“Whore,” the first man said eyeing her. “I don’t smell any of them on her.”
“Kill her and stop wasting time,” the second man said. “We have to get what we came for.”
“Where’s the nursery,” the first man demanded.
“That way,” Jolyn said pointing towards the kitchens. She hoped she misdirected them and hoped they couldn’t smell her lie.
“She might be useful,” the first man said. He dragged her close. “A good fuck before we kill her.”
“Don’t waste your seed,” the second man said. He sent the men in the direction she pointed. “Kill her and be done.”
Jolyn closed her eyes as the man pointed his gun at her head. She heard the gun cock, took a deep breath, and kneed the man in the groin. He went down, releasing her. His gun fell out of his hand. She kicked him before trying to run from him. He grabbed her legs, knocking her down. A shot went off. She ducked. The bullet ricocheted off the floor next to her. Fear gave her courage. She turned to the second man, saw the statue in the foyer and pushed it over.
It hit him but he stepped out of the way. “Bitch,” he growled.
Gun shots echoed from the direction the men had run. They came back firing behind them. Jolyn hoped it meant the Pride fought back. She stepped back to hide behind another statue but the second man grabbed her. “Sent us into a trap,” he growled. She grabbed his wrist and wrestled to keep the gun from pointing at her. His fist plowed into her side. She grunted but held onto his wrist with both of her hands. His men picked up the man lying on the floor. He hit her again and again, slammed her against the wall. His fist smashed her face and she fell to the floor. He took aim, was about to shoot when he heard others coming towards them. He hurried out the door, slamming it behind them.
Jolyn lay there trying to catch her breath. Brady, in panther form, ran towards the door. She leaned forward, pulled the door open, clutching her side as he flung himself after the intruders. Men and panthers joined him. Bryan pushed Jolyn back. “Who were they,” he demanded.
She shook her head. “I don’t know,” she said.
“You let them in,” Bryan said. His hands gripped her arms, shook her hard.
She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. “No,” she said. Where was Mia, she opened the door.
“You’re here,” Bryan said.
“She warned me,” Mia said touching her mate's face, knowing better than to get between him and his prey.
Bryan’s intense eyes shifted. “Warned you,” he asked. He let go of Jolyn. She stumbled back away from the second attack. He got a good look at her face.
“You need better security,” Jolyn said as she leaned against the wall. She struggled to stay upright. Would she have to fight the Puma Pride now too?
Brady returned, shifted, and stood naked in the foyer. Another man brought him pants. “They got away,” he growled stepping into the pants. As enforcer, he didn’t like losing his prey.
“You’re sure,” Bryan asked of Mia.
“It allowed me to get the warning off,” Mia said.
Brady said, “What are you talking about?” He focused on Bryan and Mia. He took a step towards them and saw Jolyn. A strangled growl issued from his throat as he stepped around the alphas towards her.
“No,” she said putting up her hands to ward off another attack. “I don’t know anything. I didn’t do it.”
“Sshh,” he murmured. His cat yowled she was hurt. Her face red and bruised, he wanted to lick it all better. He saw her face go white, paler than she already was. He saw fear darken her eyes as she tried to back away from him. “It’s all right,” he soothed. He touched her arms where Bryan had held her and she whimpered. “Let me take care of you,” he murmured. “You’re safe.” He picked her up. She whimpered again, moaned with the pain of movement.
“I tried to stop them,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sure you did,” he said. To his brother he said, “Get the healer.”
He took the stairs two at a time and only slowed when he realized the tears were because he jarred her.
Brady left her room when the healer forced him to. With no claim, he couldn’t stay while the healer examined her. His cat fought to stay, fought to come out to be with her.
“You’re pacing,” Bryan said. “Watch.” He pointed to the security footage of their foyer. “Damn. She fought them.”
“Fuckers,” Brady said. “I need to be with her.”
“Let the healer finish,” Bryan said. “Is she your mate?”
Brady growled, deep in his throat, he growled as if he were the one in pain. “Yes,” he ground out.
“A human,” Bryan smirked. “You like to play the field. How do you think the human will take you wandering?”
“Don’t need anyone but her,” Brady growled. Watching the footage, he saw the man point a gun at his mate. Pride welled in him as she fought him. “Look at how brave she is,” he hummed with pride.
“Yeah, but she pointed them towards us,” Bryan said. “How did she know where we were?”
“Does it matter,” Brady said. “We were ready for them.”
“Perhaps we should let her leave and face the hounds on her own,” Bryan suggested.
Brady grabbed his brother, forced him against the wall. “Brady, put Bryan down,” Mia demanded.
Brady tried. He knew Bryan was his alpha but he threatened his mate. Bryan laughed in his face. “Alley cat to mated,” he said. “Are you ready to give up everything for her?”
“There are others who have mated with humans,” Brady said letting his brother down.
“We’ll discuss this later,” Mia said. “The healer wants to talk to us.”
“You should have said,” Brady said. Turning on his heels, he stalked out of the room.
“Will you forbid the mating,” Bryan asked.
“I don’t know,” Mia said. “She saved my life.”
“We’ll lose him if you do,” Bryan said.
“Let’s go see what the healer says,” Mia said.
Brady stood over the healer as the woman blocked Jolyn’s door. “You can go in shortly,” Verity said. “I’ll have a word with you and the alphas first.”
“We’re here,” Mia said.
“She’s dehydrated, underweight,” Verity said. “She may be your prisoner, but you should feed her.”
“We have been,” Mia assured but she couldn’t remember the last time Jolyn joined any of their meals.
“Apparently not,” Verity said. “She has bruised ribs and face. She’s got a concussion. I’ve given her something for the pain and she’s resting.”
“These are defensive wounds,” Mia asked.
Verity said. “Those aren’t but she’s got bruised knuckles.”
“She fought,” Brady said pride echoing in his tone.
“Against shifters,” Verity said. “She’s lucky to have her throat. She needs care. Mia, I know you’re unhappy with her. Will she get care or do I need to remove her?”
“She’ll get care,” Brady said. He heard her stirring. “Let me in.”
“She’s not healthy enough to mate,” Verity said putting a hand on his chest. “You want to protect. I know how our males can be. She needs gentleness and tenderness.”
“I’ll be gentle,” Brady said. “Please, let me in.”
Verity stepped aside, let him in. “They should have declared,” she said. “I wouldn’t have put him out if I’d known.”
“It’s new,” Bryan said. He saw Brady kneel by the side of the bed and take Jolyn’s hand. “He wasn’t sure.”
“He is now,” Mia said as Brady leaned forward, kissed Jolyn’s hand. “This changes things.”
“If you kill her at this point, you will lose him,” Verity advised. “Here are some pain meds for her. The bruising is deep and will likely require the medication.”
“We need to let Willie know,” Bryan said.
Mia reached forward, closed the door quietly, and left with her mate.
Brady sat in a chair by her bed for hours as she slept. Her scent soothed him but her whimpers agitated him. Slowly she shifted, gasped, and opened her eyes. “You’re safe,” he said keeping his tone low and soothing.
“Bathroom,” she murmured.
He leaned down to pick her up but she cringed away from him. “I won’t hurt you,” he said.
“I can do it,” she said sliding to the edge of the bed.
Seeing her determination, he offered an arm for her to pull herself upright. She bit her lip, gasped several times and tears wet her eyes but she blinked them back. As she sat catching her breath, he asked, “Please let me carry you. I’ll be gentle. I promise.”
“Why,” she asked. “Bryan thought I brought them here. He thought I helped them.”
“We have footage,” Brady said. “Mia told him you saved her.”
“She must hate that,” Jolyn said. Her eye bruised, the side of her face purple from the blows she took.
Brady said, “I should have gotten to you sooner.”
“I’m a prisoner,” Jolyn said standing. She swayed as she fought the pain from the movement.
“No,” Brady said. He didn’t want to spring it on her.
She snorted and stepped away from him. His cat yowled at him to tend to her. He walked with her towards the bathroom. She wobbled and would have fallen but she grabbed his arm. “I’m still a prisoner,” she said. “If I open the door, will there be guards again?”
“No, you’re mine,” he said. In a quick movement, he lifted her making sure her bruised side was not touched. “No one will hurt you and I’ll protect you from here on.”
She sighed in his arms. “You’re the enforcer. The alpha grabbed me,” she asked.
“He was mistaken,” Brady said setting her down in the bathroom. He wanted to stay but she pushed him towards the door. She closed the door in his face. He paced away. “Mia stopped him.”
“I’m surprised she didn’t let him,” she stopped speaking, her voice hitched.
“Are you all right,” he said resting his head on the door.
“Bumped my ribs,” she said softly, tears thick in her voice.
“Jolyn,” he growled low. He needed to be in with her. “Please.” He heard water running and then whimpers before the door opened. She turned her face up to him. Tears glistened in her eyes. “Let me carry you,” he begged edging closer to her.
Closing her eyes, tears fell but she reached for him. Tenderly, he lifted her, held her close to him. She surprised him when she buried her face in his shoulder. He felt her tears, felt her breath catch as she tried not to cry. “Shh,” he murmured taking her back to bed. He sat on the bed, held her close to him. “I know it hurts,” he said rocking with her. “I’m sorry. I should have been faster.”
“I didn’t know where anyone was,” she whispered. “The one kept telling the other to kill me and be done with it. I… I...”
