“Mind if I sit with you? I need to talk.” I’m serious, avoiding eye contact with Tyson since I know I’m about to be scolded.
“What did you do?” Tyson’s gruff voice is dad-like.
“I may have been in panther form, and someone saw me.” I bite my lower lip.
Tyson slams his fists on the table, causing it to shake and spill my beer. “How could you be so damn careless? There is already a lot of heat on the animal attacks. Why were you even in cat form?”
“There was this guy following a girl. He was trying to rape her. I couldn’t let him do that to her, especially since…” I allow my voice to fade.
“Jackson, especially since what?” He points at me.
“For the last two years, I’ve been following her. I picked up her scent one night when we were out dealing with that rival gang from Ohio trying to take over our territory. They didn’t get a chance to live long enough for us to get their names. I’ve been drawn to her. I imprinted on her when I first saw her, and now I want to claim her as my mate, to make her mine forever.”
“Jackson, you’re my enforcer. You’re supposed to be setting an example for the members and prospects. You know better. Did you clean up the body?” I nod. “Good, at least you’re doing something right. Who saw you? Did you dispose of them?”
“No. She’s staying in my apartment away from the beast.”
Tyson laughs so loudly, some of the patrons turn to stare at us. “That’s rich,” he chortles. “Does she not realize you’re the creature that killed the would-be rapist?”
“No, because I quickly shifted back into my human form. I had my clothes in a bag near me, so she didn’t suspect a thing. How am I going to tell her?”
“Good luck with that. I’m sure you’ll do it on your own time, but remember, it’s going to be a lot for her to handle, so expect her to run screaming but—and this is the most important part of making it known that you imprinted on someone—make sure she doesn’t run and tell other people about it. It would be deadly to whoever finds out.”
I sigh. “I know. How am I going to tell her?”
“Don’t know, shithead, but good luck.”
“Thanks a lot, fucker.” We laugh.
Sitting for a few hours with him, we talk about what he needs from me regarding the drug dealers who are trying to move in on our territory. “August is making a run to Chicago to pick up some supplies for our customers,” I inform him.
“Let me know when, but we need to get that other drug gang under control first.”
“Yes, sir.” I get out of the booth. “I’m heading home.” I start walking toward the door when my phone rings, and it’s Tyson.
“Be careful with this girl. Before you do anything, feel her out,” he orders, and I reply with a yeah.
“Jackson!” I hear someone saying my name, dragging me out of my thoughts. “Earth to Jackson.”
“Sorry, what did you need?”
“Are you going to eat those fries?” Polly seems timid when asking for food. Does she not eat?
I let her have them and get up to grab a shower before bed.
“Jackson, thank you. I’ll pay rent and bills. Let me know how much.”
I move into the kitchen. “You don’t need to pay for anything. If you want to do something around here, grab some food for you to eat. I eat out a lot or am at the bar or clubhouse. It just depends on where I find myself at the time.”
“Okay. Do you think you could come with me to get my stuff from the encampment? I’d feel safer if you did.”
“Sure. What time?”
“I work the two p.m. to ten p.m. shift,” she shares.
“Okay.” I head toward my bedroom. “Good night.”
“Night,” she mutters as she cleans the kitchen.
After my shower, I lay on my black silk sheets, wondering if I can actually tell Polly the truth about the beast she’s so afraid of and the fact we are one. How do I tell her? I close my eyes and fall asleep until I’m awakened by screams coming from the other side of the apartment.
270
Polly Lawrence
I’m comfortable and in a bed for the first time in months, and I feel like I’m floating on a cloud. Sleep comes to me quickly, and my dreams take me back to the bridge earlier tonight.
“Bobby, be careful. There’s something out there.” My voice shakes.
Bobby scoffs. “Nothing can stop me,” he boasts. The panther jumps at him and rips his head off. I try to scream, but nothing comes out. I escape in the opposite direction of the beast. This panther is at least twice the size of a standard panther. Its eyes are a shade of green that I think is mesmerizing.
I run as fast as I can, but I feel something hard hit me, knocking me to the ground. Claws scrape my back, and I feel a burning sensation. I beg it to stop, but the hissing sound coming from its mouth sounds more like a growl than anything, and my body trembles in fear.
As the panther bites my shoulder, the pain I feel is like nothing I’ve ever felt in my entire life. My blood is boiling, and my muscles are stretching like rubber bands. I begin to shake as if I’m having a seizure, then my body lies still. Suddenly, the burning sensation I felt is gone. It’s like my body is healing itself from within. The panther gets off me, and it sounds as if he’s laughing at me.
“Now, you’re one of us.” He lingers over me as something like a growl builds inside my soul.
My bones start to crack, making me scream, forcing me down on all fours. I hiss at my reflection in a mud puddle, seeing myself as a panther.
“You were destined to be mine.”
I’m
