“Plenty of it,” Mammoth states. “Just got a new shipment in.”
“It’s too bad you don’t have something of his,” Thian remarks to me. “Then you could get into his head and maybe give us another advantage.”
“I can see what I can grab,” Pidge murmurs. “There’s a doggy door in the kitchen and I can go through it and snag something of his.”
“Be careful,” I retort. “You’re too important to us, brother, to risk yourself like that.”
“He’ll be out during the day as he needs the wind gusts in order to fly. I can slip in then and once I’ve found something and left, shift back to human and bring it back here,” Pidge asserts.
“Then let’s get to it. We’ll plan our attack for nightfall when he goes back home,” I reply.
We spend the rest of the day getting ready. Pidge was successful with his mission and I was able to discern the plans that Roberts has. Disgust rolls over me when I see what he wants to accomplish. This is far worse than what the West Texas branch dealt with, because he plans to keep some of the women and breed them to create certain colored pelts, then skin them once they’re past their usefulness. You’re going down, motherfucker!
He’s despicable, my leopard states, growling.
Beyond that, if there is such a thing, I reply.
I like our mate, by the way, he says. She’s scrumptious.
Oh Jesus fucking Christ, where did he come up with that word? Although, I have to agree. She’s everything I never knew I needed.
We need to focus right now, I remind him.
I am focused, just making an observation. I don’t like that our mate wants to be part of this, though.
I don’t either, but she needs this to help her heal and I’ll give her anything, you know this!
She really is something, isn’t she? I can’t wait to see what color our cubs will be!
Again, focus, for fuck’s sake! We’re badass cats, and right now, you sound like a domesticated house cat.
Take that back!
Nope, I call them like I see them. I smirk when he stomps off to the back of my head and turns his back on me. I know when the time comes, he’ll be ready to fight. For our mate and for my brothers.
Jayda
I haven’t said anything to Knox, but I’m nervous about tonight. What if I freeze up and get someone hurt or even worse, killed? I know I’ll be in my leopard form and hopefully, she’ll take over, but what if she doesn’t?
I would never let you get hurt, she says reassuringly. I’ve got you. We’re going to make this bastard pay for trying to kill us. I’m still pissed that he gave us scars!
I’m just worried, I tell her.
We’ve got a good team behind us. Didn’t you say one of them is a dragon? I’ve always wanted to ride on a dragon!
I’m not asking Bomber if we can ride on him! That’s just rude!
What if he offers? she asks.
Okay, if he offers, then we can, but we aren’t going to ask. You hear me?
Fine. She huffs and flicks her tail at me before plopping down in the corner to lick her paws.
“Jayda?” Knox calls out as he enters the room. “What’s got you distressed?”
“How did you know I was?” I question.
“I didn’t hear anything, but could sense it so I came to check,” he replies.
“I’m worried that I’ll freeze up,” I tell him, walking toward him and throwing my arms around his waist.
“You won’t freeze up, baby,” he whispers. “We’ve got this, I promise.”
“I hope so because the thought of him carrying on with other women is scary as hell.”
“We’re getting ready now. Come down and get yourself situated. Except for Wooly and Mammoth, we’re all going to use the lotion to disguise ourselves. He’ll smell them and come out to investigate and that’s when we’ll come out of the trees and disable him. Bomber will be above us and swoop in should he break free and try to make a run for it.”
“Lead the way, handsome,” I reply. “But first, a kiss.”
Being back at this cabin gives me the creeps. All the terror I experienced, the beatings, the verbal degradation; it’s all coming back to me and I can feel my leopard shredding my skin wanting out. “Okay, y’all, let’s shift and get into place,” Knox whispers. We’re far enough back that hopefully, the fucker behind all of this can’t hear us. Regardless, I quickly strip then shift, allowing my leopard to take the lead. Knox nudges me and when I look in his direction, he nuzzles my neck then motions with his head to follow him.
Padding softly through the woods, I stop at a tree and Knox nods. Climbing silently, I camouflage myself in the leaves and wait. Knox jumps up into a tree next to me and I see Gray and his mate move across the yard to some trees on the other side. Wooly and Mammoth are lumbering about, and Brace has found yet another expanse of trees to hole up in. I know that several of the guys are still at the clubhouse, monitoring stuff and somehow, letting Knox know what’s going on. I don’t fully understand it all since I left my pride at such a young age, but apparently, at his discretion, he has a telepathic link to all of us and can keep us apprised of what’s happening.
For now, we wait.
Jayda, calm down! His voice resonates in my head and I pray that this is our link, not the ‘group’ channel.
Is anyone else hearing you chastise me right now? I ask. I know my tone is on the snide side, but give me a break! This shit is harder than I thought it would be!
No, baby, it’s just us. But I can see the leaves rustling and since the wind has died down, you’re showing exactly where you’re located. Just breathe, Jayda. This’ll all be over soon.
I
