Bastian jumped off the bed and walked out of the room. I heard him head toward Darla and figured he’d just sleep with her tonight. That was fine. In contrast to actual panthers, were-cats liked to be together when they shifted. It would probably be a comfort, since they were so freaked out at the moment. Truth be told, so was I, but my anger at my brother was strong enough that it currently outweighed the weirdness of the cats shifting early.
I’d been so worried about Bryce, and this whole time, he’d been just a day’s drive away, locked up in a shack with our recluse grandfather. And now, he was calling to the clan. Was he trying to take them away from me, too? Was he purposely calling Sebastian’s beast because he knew he had a hold over that part of him? I was going to shoot him. Not kill him or anything, but maim him, maybe.
My phone started ringing, and I ran to the kitchen to grab it, looking to see Bryce’s number on the home screen.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I yelled into the receiver.
“That how you talk to your grandfather, boy?”
“Pops? What’s going on?”
“Your brother can’t come to the phone right now, but I figured I’d better call you.” The reception was terrible, and I barely heard Pops over the static on the line. “Bryce is going a little nuts out here.”
“Yeah, so are the rest of the cats,” I said.
Sebastian and Darla ran down the hall, both skidding to a stop in front of me. I nodded once to let them know it was about Bryce.
“I think you need to get out here,” Pops yelled over the crackling. “I don’t know anything about calming down shifters. In my day, we just shot ‘em. I’d rather not do that to your brother if I can help it.”
“Oh no,” I countered. “Feel free. He’s earned it.”
“Cole. Look, I’m losing you. How soon can you get here?”
“We’re leaving at first light,” I said.
“Make it sooner if you can,” he responded. “See you tomorrow.”
The phone went dead, and I stared at it for a few minutes before shaking my head and looking back at the panthers.
“Bryce?” Bastian asked, his tone cautiously hopeful.
“Yeah,” I said with a nod. “Look, it’s at least an eight hour drive then another hour on foot to reach the cabin. I have to get some sleep. I’m gonna pop a sleeping pill and knock myself out, okay? You two stick together. If anything happens, come get me up, but try to let me rest. I know you’re both anxious to get to him.” So was I. “But I’ll be no good to anyone if I’m a zombie tomorrow.”
They both nodded their large block heads before walking back to Bryce’s room. I headed for the kitchen and took a PM pain reliever with a shot of honey whiskey then went to bed.
Thoughts kept trying to creep in and keep me awake, but I forced them away, focusing on breathing deeply until the pill took effect. I hadn’t been lying. I would be useless if I didn’t get some shuteye. Finally, after what felt like an hour I drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Three
A heavy weight on my lungs woke me from dreamless sleep. When I cracked open an eye, I saw two massive black, furry heads resting on my chest. At some point during the night, Darla and Sebastian must have crawled into bed with me. They were a warm comfort for the moment, Bastian purring contentedly and Darla curled up against my side like an electric blanket. In a half-sleep haze, I ran hands over their heads.
The sun began to peek through the bedroom window, and suddenly, I was lying between two very undressed humans instead. Not quite as comfortable.
“Hey, guys,” I said softly. When they didn’t react, I raised my voice. “Rise and shine, naked persons.”
Darla stirred first, turning to look at me then down at herself.
“Shit,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. It was Bastian’s idea. I didn’t know we’d shift back.”
“It’s okay,” I assured her. “But we should probably get going. Do we need to pick up clothes for you on the way out of town?”
“Nah, I’ll just take something of Sebastian’s. You’re right; I want to get on the road.” She slipped out of bed and headed into the hallway. A minute later, I heard the bathroom door close.
“You’re bringing girls into my bed, now?” I asked, wrapping my arms around Sebastian and holding him closer. “Am I just not enough for you anymore?”
“Your jokes aren’t funny,” he said, snuggling into me. “I wanted to be with you, and she wanted to stick close to me. That’s all.”
“I’m glad you shifted back,” I told him. “I was scared you were going to be stuck for a while.”
“Me, too,” he admitted. He yawned, rolling out of my arms before sliding off the end of the bed. He pulled on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt then rummaged through a basket of clothes he’d never gotten around to putting away. “Can I borrow a belt for Darla? Any of our pants are going to be too big for her.”
“Yeah, take the one out of the drawer,” I said, pointing toward the dresser.
“No,” he argued. “That’s… She can’t wear that one.”
“Why not?”
“Because every time I look at her in it, I’ll think about you
