Forever's Fight (25 page)

“His body is fighting an infection. Patrick drugged him up, and he’s resting,” Clarissa supplied. “Patrick and I will speak with him, but I want you all to know that he’s on our side. He’s risked himself so much already, there’s no way he’s going to turn his back on any of us now.”

As if trying to change the subject, Luke cleared his throat. “What did you decide about the Barrows? Did you include them in the proposal?”

Patrick shook his head. “I’ve left Mallory and her daughter out of it so far. We’ll hold that card for now, and see how things go. Once we have her protected, if we need to, we’ll expose Hathaway Medical and the other labs for what they are. That will take the government with them since these labs are operating on their backing.”

“Are you any closer to finding them?” Austin set his glass aside and leaned forward.

“I’ve found the location she was at five weeks ago,” Luke said. “So, I’m gaining on them. It’s only a matter of time. Give me a little bit longer and I’ll have a location for you.”

“You seem to carry more urgency about this than other missions. Do you know something we don’t?” Chase finally spoke.

“I can’t explain it, but I know that child needs our help. The mother must be out of her mind with worry as well. We don’t even know if she completely understands what’s happening to her child. Think about it, at least our parents knew we were shifters. Mallory is human and most likely has very little knowledge on shifters.”

“Wait, I thought you didn’t shift until you were a year or two old?” She rose her eyebrows at Austin’s suggestion that there were changes that were noticeable in their childhood.

“True, but there are still abilities that are noticeable at a young age,” Austin started before Patrick cut him off.

“Each breed is different, but for lions and most cats, when we’re young we purr. We do it in our sleep but also sometimes when we’re awake and content. Some kids lay down and watch a movie with their thumb in their mouth. We might lay down and watch a movie but instead we purr. There are other signs, too. We’re faster, even at a young age. We crawl, walk, and even speak before other children do.”

“But the transition isn’t complete until puberty.”

Patrick nodded. “During childhood, the beast grows and matures with us and when we hit puberty it’s finished. We’re then able to shift at will and can control our beast better than ever before. That said, we don’t even know the child will go through the transition. As I explained to you before, shifters can’t be created by a bite or a chemical, they are only born. However, I believe it’s possible that depending on their methods she might have some of our qualities. For all we know, she might only purr for the rest of her life. Or maybe she’s faster than the average child.”

“Has anyone been able to determine the child’s name?”

“Not yet, angel. We wouldn’t even have Mallory’s name without your brother. All Songborn had in his files were test results, and he only referred to them by number.”

Her lips curled down in a frown. “It would just be nice if we had a name or something.”

“Soon,” he reassured her.

“Anything else?” Jade asked as she stretched her arms above her head.

“One more thing. Clarissa, I’ve looked over the map you’ve been working on, with the highlighted areas where you remember the shifter camps to be. But until we have the government’s decision, we need to lay low. That means no missions to scope out the camps, and we’ve got to put off going after any more labs.” With an echo of growls from his siblings, Patrick sighed. “I understand, but if we demolish another lab right now, they might deny our proposal just out of spite. Hopefully, we’ll know something quickly and can move forward with whatever the next step of the plan will be.”

“I figured the camps would be put on the back burner right now. Particularly after what happened with Andrew and SFW, but I wanted to mark the map as I remembered.”

She had come to accept they’d have to choose their battles. Their numbers were too small, and there was too much happening in the world. There was no way they could be everywhere. She had gone from living her life like everyone else to wanting to just survive the day, to live to see the next. Even so, she knew she would rather fight for every breath if it meant being with Patrick and the rest of her family. She didn’t want to be alone.

Days had passed in quick secession, each one past slower than the last, as they waited for word from the president. Even as the days went by and no one showed up to kill them, it didn’t put any of them at ease, least of all Patrick. He had been anxious ever since he clicked send, and as the days went by it only made things worse. With each passing hour, his doubts grew. Every time he hit the refresh button on his inbox, he began to expect a flat-out denial or no reply at all.

Clarissa had taken to pulling him away from the office, so he wasn’t constantly stalking his inbox. Part of him had wished he had included a phone number in the email, but it was too late. He had to wait and see how things turned out.

One last check, then I’ll go for a run and let my lion roam the grounds for a bit.
His index finger slid over the mouse and clicked the refresh button. That’s when he saw the email and his stomach dropped. All of a sudden he wanted those days of blissful ignorance back.

Lead the pride.
He had a duty to his pride. Instead of closing the laptop and pretending he had never seen the email, he opened it and read it.

Mr. O,

I won’t waste time on pleasantries, instead I’ll get straight to the point. After all, judging by your very detailed proposal, I’d say you’re a man who likes to get right down to business and for that I can admire you.

When I first came into office, most of this was already happening. I’m not passing the blame onto my predecessor but instead explaining the situation. I’ve met with a number of your kind over the years, and just like humans there’s good and bad among both species. Many times I’ve considered the fact there seems to be more good than bad, and that fear is what got us into this situation. Those hired to keep this issue under control, and keep shifters away from humans, have gotten out of control. Some of that is my fault for not overseeing the project as I should have. Some of the blame must fall on the shoulders of your species for what has happened since this began. There was nothing peaceful about the way they’ve handled things.

While LUNA has both helped and hurt the situation, it was something that would give first responders a chance to determine if they could put the subject into handcuffs and be safe, or expect to have more dead bodies on their hands. The labs were never supposed to become what they are, and while the department has pushed for more, I have not granted them permission to expand. At least not until changes are made. As you so clearly pointed out, this should be done with volunteers as we do for human case studies. Instead, shifters are being treated like the animals you shift into and used like the dogs some manufacturers test their products on.

A change as great as the one you’re asking for will take time. It will also take both of our efforts, a lot of work from everyone involved, and most importantly truth. Can I trust you, Mr. O? Trust is hard to come by, but when you won’t even tell me your name, and your location has been untraceable, trust is even harder.

I’m making no promises, but we will discuss this further. I’ve started a list of negotiable topics that need to be covered for both sides of your proposal. Some are more for your benefit, while others are for mine. I think if we are all willing to compromise, we might be able to work out something that will keep your kind from being hunted. However, if you backstab me, I’ll be sure that you and everyone you love are executed. Think about how much you are willing to risk before you go any further.

While you consider the things I’ve mentioned above, I’ll finish my list of points and should have it to you shortly. Meanwhile, only those who need to know will be informed of this development, and I would hope you would do the same—that includes going to the media or any other scare tactic designed to expand your audience. I’m willing to negotiate, but I will not be blackmailed, or backed into a corner so that you can get what you want. Remember that when you look at your family and decide just how much you’re willing to risk them. Don’t forget you have a little woman to think about now…

We’ll speak soon.

President S. Ashworth

Patrick read the email a second and third time, and each time it was that last line that tickled the hairs on the back of his neck.
A little woman.
Was he reading too much into it, or did President Ashworth know more about Patrick and his pride than he was letting on? Or, was it a bluff? Either way, it gave him an uneasy feeling. There had to be something in the proposal that hinted at who he was. How did he know about Clarissa already?

He had to fight the urge to pack up his pride and run again. Only, this time, he had no idea where they’d go. When they’d left their home, he knew they’d work their way west and eventually come to Colorado and the castle. They had no other such location to flee to. At least not like this, not where they had room for others as well.

“Hey, mate.” Clarissa strolled into the office in a bikini that barely covered her body.

The lion within him growled, wanting to cover her before others could see how little she was wearing. He drank in the sight of her. Her long brown hair fell down around her shoulders like a curtain, making him want to brush it back to reveal every inch of her. He had seen her naked, many times, but as she stood there barely hiding a thing from him, she was more beautiful than ever.

“Close your mouth and let’s go.”

“Go?” He blinked and tried to remember what plans he had with her.

“Swimming. You said you’d join me for my laps after lunch. Since you skipped lunch, I figured you were working, but you’re not getting out of this. You’ve been stalking your email since you sent it. An hour, that’s all I’m asking. Now, come on.” She ran her hands down the curve of her hips. “You really don’t want to miss it. I’ve threatened everyone here to stay the hell away from the pool. So, we’ll be all alone, and I have a few ideas on how we can spend the time.”

“What did you threaten them with?” He smirked at his mate and wondered just how much of a dark side his angel had.

“This and that.” She winked. “Each of them will suffer immensely if we’re interrupted and it’s not an emergency.”

“I’ve no doubt.” He glanced back at the laptop screen and debated for a moment. “Umm…”

“What is it?” She came around the desk. “Did you hear something?”

She caressed his arm as he minimized the tab with his email. “It’s nothing…let’s go.”

She didn’t move. Instead, she used her free hand to bring back the minimized tab in his email. “Lying with this connection between us is impossible, so why don’t you just tell me what’s going on?”

“No reason to spoil our fun. Come on.” He leaned forward and kissed his way up her arm, all the while hoping to distract her.

“Shit, Patrick.” Her gaze was still on the screen and her body stilled under his fingers.

“It’s going to be okay.”

She leaned against the desk and watched him. “How do you figure that? He has to know who you are. Your family…the little woman. By the way, if I ever hear you referring to me as that, I’ll hand you your balls for your trophy wall.”

“Maybe it’s a bluff,” he offered, but every cell in his body knew that was a lie. “Either way, there’s no way he knows our location. Luke ensured it couldn’t be traced.”

She sat there silently for a moment before letting out the breath she had been holding. “I guess this is the increased danger we were concerned with. What are we going to do?”

“We’re going to stick to the plan. Everyone on guard and ready if something happens, but most of all we stay here
together
. We’re going to get through this and in the end things will be better.” He took her hands into his. “I promise I’ll keep you safe.”

“I know you will.” She shot him a half-hearted smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Do you think he’ll be back in touch?”

“I do, but I’m not sure we’re going to like all his demands.”

“We knew there’d be cost for what we’re asking for. It’s got to be better than living in fear, right?”

He’d have loved to tell her yes, to eliminate any trepidation rising within her, but that would have been a lie. He didn’t know what the future would hold, or what President Ashworth would ask for, and that was enough to bring his lion close to the surface. “Both sides will have to work together.”

“What if the rest of the shifters aren’t willing to go along with this?”

“I’ve no doubt there will be some, possibly many who are unwilling, but with some luck on our side, most will see this is better than how things are. As the government begins to trust us, they’ll give us more and more freedom.” He pulled her off the desk and onto his lap. “It’s better than being hunted down for the labs, or camps, or even killed. The ones who refuse to live in shifter towns will most likely be imprisoned in the government camps, but that will be their choice.”

“They’d have to be caught first.”

He nodded in agreement. “There will be some who will want to live under the radar. I can’t fix things for everyone, but I’m trying to make this better for those who want the life we once had. For us. It’s possible many of us will be able to return to the careers we had in the past. There’ll be jobs within the shifter towns that will need to be filled. If the government stops hunting us down, we might be able to return to the jobs we left.”

“What about you? Do you want to set up your medical practice again?”

“Maybe, but I suspect there will be other things that will require my attention. If we can set up a town here, then we’ll have a lot to do. What about you?” He hated the concern the idea brought him. Fear of her leaving the castle each day for work, and the danger their connection caused, rose within him. She was his mate, and it was his duty to protect her, but to keep her stuck within the walls of the castle could suffocate her.

“I worked hard to become a scientist, and before I met you I didn’t believe there was room for anything else in my life.” She ran her hand along the curve of his cheek. “Now, I realize there’s so much more to life. I’ll do what needs to be done. If I need to go back to work, I will, but if I can stay here with you and do good, I would prefer that. I’m assuming you’d still be Alpha of Forever Creek, correct? Then, as more people come here, you’re going to need help.”

“This is my land, and yes I plan to remain in charge.” He hugged her tight against his body and knew he could never submit to another’s authority. Doing so could cost them their home.

“Then you’re going to need my help. Unless…”

“Don’t even say it, angel.”

“Hmm?” She averted her gaze, a clear sign she knew what he meant.

“There’s no one else I’d rather have by my side. You’re my mate, and in this pride the only one who has more authority than you is me.” He nuzzled her neck. Even though she smelled of him, his lion demanded to mark her to ensure everyone knew she was his. It was the lack of clothing that had sent his beast on the path to ward off all others. “I’m planning on officially naming Austin my Lieutenant.”

“Your what? What would he do?”

“Lieutenant, he’d be my second in command. He’d help us with the pride, and deal with the government if we need to. Basically, everything he’s already doing but this way he’ll be officially recognized within the pride and the shifter town once it’s set up. That way, no one else will try angling for the job because it would be officially taken.”

“Is this like if they wanted to be Alpha? They’d have to fight to the death to take the job from him?”

His lips curled up into a smile. “Yes, unless the Alpha demoted him.”

“He’d make you proud, and his military experience will be a benefit in that position.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “So, I’m assuming we’re not going swimming. Call Austin up, let’s bring him to speed, and you can promote him. Then, if you haven’t received a new email, we’ll find a better way to occupy our time while we wait.”

He reached past her and hit the intercom button. “Austin, I need to see you upstairs.”

A second later, Blake’s voice came through the speaker. “He’s on his way.”

“Are you going to tell the rest of the family about the email?” she asked.

He leaned back and shook his head. “Not yet. I’m going to wait and see if we get anything more from him before the end of the business day. Otherwise, tonight, we’ll let them know.” His gaze traveled down her body. “Did you bring a robe with you?”

“Why, sweetie, ashamed of my body?”  She raised an eyebrow at him.

“The complete opposite. You’re beautiful and all mine.” He growled the last word as he ran his hands down her stomach.

“Like your brother has any interest in me, and even if he did, he knows you’d kill him for looking at me the wrong way.”

“Never mind, stand up.” He rose, taking her with him. “You can have my shirt.”

“You can’t be serious.”

He was completely serious, but she just stood there shaking her head as he unbuttoned his shirt. He slid it down his arms and held it out to her. “Just put it on for me.”

She took the shirt and shrugged it on. “I can see the way this outfit affects you. Your eyes are more of a honey brown than normal, meaning your beast is closer to the surface. I’ve seen it before when you’ve shifted. Your voice has a trace of a growl. Protective and possessive. While some might not like it, I think it’s somewhat of a turn-on. As long as you don’t take it too far. Remember, you don’t own me.”