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bothered to put much effort into it.  Let s get our order and get out of here.
 Yeah. Let s do that. Gabe went to the counter and asked for their food. Bunny
stayed by the door and listened to the sound of motorcycles riding off into the
distance.
Ryan arrived shortly before Alex and Gabe got back and introduced himself to the
Pride leaders. He was just settling in near Simon when Gabe and Alex walked in
the front door carrying their burgers. Gabe had the strangest look on his face,
and Alex looked like someone had run over his dog. Tabby, concerned, sat
forward.  Alex? Gabe? What s wrong?
Gabe shot Tabby a wild look before handing the food over to Emma and Becky.
Alex shared a long look with Ryan.  Ran into Harry and his buddies over at
Frank s Diner.
Ryan groaned.  Shit. What were they doing here?
 Heading west. Far, far west.
 You think& ? Ryan let the rest of the sentence trail off.
 Nah. They re still terrified. They wouldn t risk it.
 True.
Tabby looked back and forth between them. There was something there that she
didn t understand.  What are you two talking about?
Alex had the weirdest look on his face. He looked almost apologetic. But why?
 Harry and his friends harassed one of our cousins years ago. Bunny taught
them not to do that anymore.
 Taught them how?
 He nearly ripped their leader s arms off.
Tabby blinked. He did not just say what I thought he said.  He what?
Alex turned on his heel and walked right back out the door.
 Alex? She got up and ran after him, ignoring Ryan s voice calling after her.
 Alex!
He stopped.  I know you think you understand what s going on.
 In what universe?
He turned. He looked harsh, drawn.  Fine. What do you think you know?
 Other than the fact that you seem to be turning into an idiot? Not much.
He took a deep breath, rotating his neck.  A long time ago, I had anger
management issues.
She waved her hand for him to keep going. The fact her mate seemed to have a
temper hadn t been lost on her.
 Some Bears went after my cousin, Heather, who s a Fox like Chloe. She was only
ten years old. They thought it would be fun to see if they could force her to shift.
Tabby winced. That was bad, very bad. Most shifters couldn t make the change
until puberty started.  Why would they do that?
 They were drunk, and& stupid. He raised an eyebrow at her, his expression
turning even harsher.
 Ew! Tabby shuddered.  A ten-year-old?
 They tried to force her into puberty. They thought it was a fucking joke. Of
course the idiots didn t realize that puberty isn t something you can force.
Heather was terrified.
 I bet. What happened?
 I found them. He sat on the front step and leaned against the porch rail. He
looked lost.  I almost killed them. All seven of them.
 Seven?
He nodded.  Seven. He patted the step and she sat next to him.  I maimed one of
them.
She snarled.  Good.
He stared at her, stunned.  Good?
 They traumatized a child. I d have maimed them too. Did you go for the balls?
Please tell me they aren t going to procreate.
His eyebrows shot up.  Um. No. I tried to rip the leader s arms off. Then I forced
all of them to their knees and made them beg for forgiveness. When the first one
said no, I snapped his arm like a twig. The rest fell into line after that.
 I bet. She grinned savagely and wriggled with excitement.  Did they whimper
like little babies?
His laugh sounded shocked.  Bloodthirsty little thing.
She cuddled up against him.  You protected your family, your Pack. There s
nothing wrong with that. I d have done exactly that if given the chance.
 Then you understand why I need to protect you.
She froze. Damn it, he would turn this around on her.  Pain in my ass.
He stuck his hand down the back of her jeans.  Yup. And you loved every minute
of it. He pinched, making her squeal.  Now stop changing the subject.
 Okay, fine. You could probably take on Gary and his idiot friends without too
much trouble.
 That s putting it mildly. Tabby, if Gary so much as gives you a papercut, he ll be
eating his own ass.
 Can I watch?
He snorted.  You just don t get it, do you?
 Alex.
 Hmm?
 I m not afraid of you.
He sighed.  You will be.
 Right, Yoda. Sure I will. She kicked his shin when he pinched her again.  You d
sooner chew off your own paw than hurt me.
 True. He pushed until her head was resting against his shoulder.  After lunch I
want some ink.
She cuddled close, loving the way he seemed to surround her.  Done.
 Food s getting cold. Emma stepped out onto the front porch.  And for the
record? I m not afraid of you either.
Alex stood slowly and pulled Tabby up alongside him. His hand nearly crushed
hers. Her big Bear was nervous.
 Neither am I. Max took up position next to his mate.  I heard all about what you
did. You protected your own. There s nothing to be ashamed of in that.
 Ditto. Adrian nodded respectfully to Alex.  Now come inside. Julian should be
here any minute and rumor has it he loves cantaloupe.
Alex chuffed out a laugh.  You re all nuts.
 Nope. I trust my people, and they tell me you re worth it. Max waved them into
his home.  Alex?
Alex stopped. He looked startled at the sound of his name on Max s lips.  Yeah?
 Welcome to Halle.
Tabby felt Alex tense beside her.  Thank you, Alpha.
Tabby nearly collapsed in relief. They weren t going to be turned away.
They were finally home.
Chapter Seven
 There s no change.
Tabby collapsed against the door, watching Alex visit his cousin. Chloe still
hadn t moved.
He sat by Chloe s side and picked up her hand. He watched his cousin, his
expression so full of sorrow Tabby s eyes filled with tears. The shades in the room
were drawn, hiding them from the night. They d stayed longer than planned at
the Cannon s house, and visiting hours were almost over.
 Where is her supposed mate?
 No clue. Last I heard, he wasn t in town yet. Gabe told me his plane got delayed.
She watched him run his hand over his bald head.  The longer she s in a coma,
the worse off she s going to be.
Chloe s mother stifled a sob.  She s going to be all right.
 I know she will, Aunt Laura.
A hand landed on Tabby s shoulder. She turned to find Julian standing behind
her. His eyes showed the strain of being in the hospital, even though his lips
smiled.  Hey, girlfriend. Long time no see.
She poked him in the side, knowing how ticklish he was. She d left him twenty
minutes ago sitting on the Cannon s couch, arguing with Emma about which
reality TV show was better, America s Next Top Model or American Idol. She wasn t
certain which one he d been for, only that he and Emma seemed to be having a
really good time. He d refused to discuss Cyn, giving the Pumas that weird,
secretive smile of his and changing the topic. Not even Max had been able to get
him to talk about his would-be mate.
Julian jumped and shimmied away, batting at her hand.  I have an idea, but I
need to talk it over with Chloe s family before I try.
Tabby stopped poking. Julian had his serious face on.
Alex stood.  What have you got?
Julian tugged his braid. It was a nervous habit and told her just how much he
really didn t want to be doing whatever it was he was about to propose.  I might
know a way to wake her up, but if it works, it will change her profoundly.
 Do it. Chloe s father, Steven, didn t even blink.
 She ll still be Chloe, but might also be something more. Are you willing to risk
that?
Steven s mouth opened, but he stopped at a touch from his wife.  Changed how?
Julian shook his head.  I don t know. What I do know is she and I will be
connected in some very strange ways. He stepped into the room, lowering his
voice.  What I m discussing is not done lightly, and can only be done by the
Kermode. Are you willing to risk having your daughter s life tied to mine?
Alex frowned.  She has a mate.
 This won t be a mate bond. This will be something a great deal more& spiritual. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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