“Hey,” Ronnie said in a raspier voice than her normal tone.
Oz’s head popped up. “You’re awake.”
She shifted to raise up, using her arms to push up. “Ow, ow, ow.”
Oz’s hands flew out to help her. “Go slow.”
Her thigh bumped against the small tiger in the bed. “Ouch.” She moved slower, then rested against the headboard. “Wow. Is that…?”
“Yep, that’s your baby sister.”
Golden’s head popped up. Ronnie sank her fingers into the little tiger’s soft fur.
“My mom always said you were special, I never thought you’d be rare too.” She scratched her behind the ears. “Why is she still a tiger?”
“The first turn is always the hardest and being stressed hasn’t helped. It may take her a few more days before she can turn back.”
Ronnie looked around the room. “Where are we? This isn’t the motel.”
“It’s my place. After you were stable, I brought you to San Antonio. I hope that’s all right?”
“Yeah.” She nodded in approval. “It’s a nice place, thank you. Oz, tell me what happened. I remember driving the girls… Oh, my God! Are the kids okay? Did I crash?”
“No, Baby-girl, calm down. Almost all of the kids are back home, now.”
Ronnie brow creased. “How long have I been out?”
“About a week.”
“Tell me exactly what happened.”
“We’re pretty sure the guy who stabbed you had an anticoagulant on his blades. So, the cut wasn’t deep, but you just kept bleeding.”
“Jesus, I could have died. I feel good now - a little sore. Who do I have to thank?” Ronnie asked with a huge smile.
She was killing him. He patted her hand.
Golden, could you give us a minute?
No. I want to hear it. I know what you did. I can smell it on her.
Oz didn’t roll his eyes, but he wanted to. “Ronnie, in order to save you I had to do something. Something… I, um.”
Ronnie squeezed his hand. “Just say it. It can’t be that bad.”
“In order to save your life, I had to bite you… convert you.”
Ronnie’s eyes went wide. “Into what?”
The small tiger jumped off the bed. Through a host of growls and grunts, the small tiger’s back bowed as the white and golden hair rippled away.
Ronnie pushed up to see. “What’s happening to her?”
“Looks like she’s changing back.” Oz grabbed the blanket from the end of the bed and held it wide. A very naked Golden grabbed the corners and tucked it tightly around her, like a strapless dress.
“Damn that hurt.” Golden rolled her shoulders. “Ronnie. He bit you to save you. You’re one of us now.” Golden grabbed Ronnie’s hand.
“I’m a tiger?” Ronnie looked between Golden and Oz.
“No.” Golden reached out behind her and Oz took her hand. “Tell her.” She pulled him closer.
“To save you, I made you a shifter.”
“You made me a… leopard.” Ronnie said slowly. “A snow leopard… like you?”
Oz nodded, then waited with bated breath on how she was going to take this. He’d decided to leave the mate part out until later.
“Please don’t be mad, Ronela.”
“Yeah, Ronela,” Oz said with a hopeful smile.
Ronnie lifted one brow. “Don’t you dare.”
Oz lifted his hands in surrender.
“I’m not mad. I’m taking it all in. I’m alive and a big cat, now.”
“So, we can stay. Kit said he’d teach me all about being a tiger.”
“That’s kind of scary, but tigers are my favorite.”
Oz growled. “Woman, I’m standing right here.”
The girls laughed.
“But there’s this one snow leopard I know who is cool, gorgeous, and pretty damned awesome.” Ronnie stared at Oz, then lifted a brow. “Goldie, can you excuse us, please?”
Golden leaned in and whispered, “Be nice to him.” Then kissed her on the cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you too, kid,” Ronnie said as Golden jumped off the bed.
Golden stopped next to Oz’s shoulder. “Remember what I told you when we first met. Now would be a good time.” She winked, then left the room.
Oz stepped closer. Ronnie patted the spot beside her, and he sat down. “What was that about?”
“I’ll tell you in a minute.” Oz touched her cheek and got lost in her eyes.
“I want to thank you for saving Golden,” Ronnie said as she touched his fingers. “And me.”
“I was happy to do it. We saved so many lives.” Oz intertwined his fingers in hers and laid them in her lap.
“You’re a great man, Oz Zhang.”
He began to shake his head before she finished. “Not really.”
“I think so. Now tell me. What did my sister say to you? Something embarrassing, I bet.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. It actually made his toes curl, but he wasn’t going to tell her that. When they pulled apart, he pressed his forehead to hers.
“She told me you hadn’t been properly kissed in a really long while.”
“That brat!”
“I’m beginning to see that.” Oz smiled.
“Hey, Oz.”
He murmured something like a, “Hmmm,” as he nuzzled her neck.
“I’m your mate, huh?”
THE END
About R. R. Born
R.R. Born is the author of the highly popular, Gray Witch series. She lives in Texas with her husband, and an orange tabby terror named, Pele. She graduated from Houston Community College where she studied Photography, then graduated with a degree in Film and screenwriting from Long Island University in Brookville, NY. She’s worked as a Production Coordinator, Second Assistant Director on local commercials, TLC & HGTV shows, and movies.
www.rrborn.com
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Part VIII
Beholden
Dark Leopard MC Series
By
C.J. Pinard
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 C.J. Pinard
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another
