A shiver licked at my spine as I recognized the area we approached. Two trees beside the creek, one fallen to create a natural bridge across the meandering water. My focus turned toward our right—toward the slight fall of land that hid the depression Bryce had found me lying in.
“Bryce,” I whispered his name as my stomach pitched and rolled. Anger bit at my emotions, but not toward my mate—toward the wet dogs that had taken from me.
The purr inside me growled.
“Feel that anger, Ashlyn,” he said while pulling up to a stop along the dip’s edge, his face in a deep scowl. “Feel it and hold onto it.”
I swallowed against the tightness rising to choke off my air.
“Focus on your cat’s need to protect you,” he said, lowering his voice. “Relax and let her come.”
“I can’t.” I swallowed and shook my head, wrapping my arms around myself as he dropped my hand. “I can’t,” I whispered, staring at the disturbed dirt, leaves, and moss below.
“If you want revenge on the fuckers who did that to you, then you need to learn.”
A tremble rippled through me as assurance—encouragement—came emanating from my mate.
I jerked my head toward Bryce to find him stripped down, naked. “What are you—”
He shifted, black fur replacing skin I’d become obsessed with.
I stared, blinking as he took cat form within heartbeats—leaving me gasping at his beauty, the form I’d seen countless times, but still couldn’t get enough of.
“Bryce...”
His fur shivered as he peered up at me with onyx-like eyes.
Yes.
His body rippled—and winked from sight.
I gasped, stumbling backward, my heart seizing in my chest.
Alone...
I whipped around in a circle. No Bryce, no black panther-like cat. “Bryce?” I whispered, my voice nearly failing me as my focus returned to the depression in the land.
Revenge.
My inner cat managed to vocalize her desire loud and clear. If I wanted it, I needed to relax. Let go of my fear. I couldn’t see my mate, but closing my eyes, I could feel him close by.
My instincts told me to let go, to do as he’d said.
But again, I failed.
“There’s something wrong with me,” I muttered while climbing off the back of Bryce’s Fat Boy two hours later. I handed him my helmet, and he scowled at me while taking it from my outstretched hand.
“There’s not a goddamn thing wrong with you—don’t say shit like that.”
“Then why can’t I shift?” I huffed with annoyance rather than throwing the pity party for myself I wanted to.
He hung our helmets by their straps on his handlebars before lacing his fingers through mine and pulling me toward the front door to his small ranch house—our home, he’d told me almost a week earlier.
“You know what it took for my cat to come out,” he said, his voice low while letting us inside. “Fucking traumatic—and even though I want you to learn more than anything, I’m sorry I even took you into those woods. I wouldn’t wish that kind of experience on anyone, most of all, you.”
“Even if a similar event helps me to become the best me, I can be?”
He kicked the door shut and pulled me into his arms, resting his forehead against mine. “It would kill me, iubita. Fucking slay me. I hated taking you back there, but I felt sure just the reminder of what happened that day would be enough. I won’t take it any further. Won’t allow it.”
“So, I’ll be left behind when you go to face the club’s enemies.” I didn’t bother asking—I knew the truth of my situation in the pit of my stomach.
He nodded.
“You’ll leave me behind—alone.”
“Others will be staying behind as well.”
I stepped from his arms, wrapping my own around me, hating yet unable to stop the insecurities, the fears stirring to life in my head. “Angel and Shyla?”
“Doubt it.”
My lips turned downward. “Trampy Trixie or whatever her name is?”
He shot a scowl my way before bending to take off his boots. “There will be other old ladies—Slash’s Molly, too. You haven’t met her yet, but she’s nice like Angel and Shyla.”
“Why don’t you stay behind and allow your brothers to take revenge in our place?”
He kicked his boots into the tiny coat closet. “Because it’s personal.”
“You don’t think this is personal to me?” My voice raised as I shot back with annoyance.
Lips pursed, he stood to full height to peer down at me, his dark eyes fathomless—and closed off of all emotion. “You’re my mate. It’s my responsibility to protect you. If you go along in human form, it’ll drive my inner cat insane with worry—I told you the monster I became all those years ago. The struggle I endured to break free. If you don’t shift, I can’t have you there.”
“But you’ve claimed I’m your peace.”
“Being faced with those fuckers who hurt you...” He shook his head. “It’ll be a blood lust. There won’t be any peace inside me. I’ll need you safe at the club—to help me return fully once we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.”
“And what about my desire to protect you? I can’t shift, but I have instincts, too, you know.”
“My brothers will have my back.” He walked off toward the kitchen, and I hugged myself even tighter.
He spoke truth, but I felt it wasn’t enough. A tingling in my spine, whispers in my head convinced me I needed to be there—almost like an unspoken, unseen premonition of sure heartache should I be left behind.
Instinct to protect my mate … or something more?
Shaking my head, I followed after him, deciding to keep my peace for the time being.
180
Bryce
“She can’t shift.” I paced Wraith’s office, hands fisting and un-fisting at my sides.
“She needs to go along to keep you with us, Big Bry.”
“No!” I rounded toward Wraith’s desk, fire licking at my skin. “She stays. Here.” I smashed the tip of my index finger into my opposite palm. “Safe at the club with the other old ladies who have no wish to go. You can toss
