Damn the woman! Adopt his daughter? Take her away from him? He simmered, his fists balled and his claws digging into his palms. He was angry enough to…to…

Deep breath. It doesn’t have to be that way. All he had to do was make sure the meeting with Meredith went well. Catherine was looking out for her—he should be grateful for that.

Of course, her tone had been…abrasive. But then he shook his head, asking himself if he or Jessica would have reacted differently.

Catherine was, for all intents and purposes, Meredith’s guardian. It made sense that she was protective. If anything, he should be grateful. The meeting would go well. He would make sure of it.

He glanced down at the old sweats. How the hell was he going to get different clothing? He had money—in the bank. He had credit cards—a few hundred miles away. Daniel wracked his brain, determined to figure something out.

He could try to find some clothes hung out on a line somewhere. The fleeting thought amused him, but he immediately discarded it. Theft would only draw unwanted attention. What he needed was his money.

Catherine had left the bag, and after she’d left, Daniel stripped, stowed his outfit, and shifted, running to the nearest place he could reasonably hail a taxi. Not an Uber—those required a phone, which he lacked. So, the local bus station it was.

This time of night, no one was around to see him in tiger form. Once there, he shifted back, dressed, then snoozed a bit in a hard chair as he waited. The banks would open around nine, and he needed to be there pronto. When the sky started to lighten, he hailed a cab. The cabbie was suspicious, but Daniel promised him a fat tip, inventing a story about being kicked out by an angry wife without his wallet. “I just need to get to the bank,” he’d told him. “Would an extra forty be enough for your trouble?”

The cabbie eventually agreed, and drove him to a bank in the next town, with the hope of throwing John off his trail. He was still closer to Windham than he liked, but it couldn’t be helped. The cabby kept the meter running, and Daniel went back into the bank.

It took answering a few security questions and a meeting with a personal banker, but he’d soon convinced them to let him access his accounts.

Flush with money, he took the same cab back to town, and went shopping.

* * *

Meredith paced. The girl’s eyes ran a continuous circuit around the parking lot, her attention unwavering. They’d chosen a bench near the trail entrance. Unless Daniel came at them from behind, there was no way they’d miss him.

Catherine watched, paper coffee cup in hand, and wondered if she’d done the right thing. She hadn’t been lying when she’d said Daniel’s intentions seemed honest. Meredith was eighteen, a legal adult…there was no reason she couldn’t meet her father if she wanted to.

But that didn’t mean Catherine was ready to let her go.

Their relationship had begun as a way to keep herself busy. Joining the Big Brothers Big Sisters program was a distraction she’d badly needed after the death of her mate. Their match had been pleasant, though not life-changing. Catherine had loved him, and had grieved his passing, but they’d been married only a year when he was killed. Brandon had been a good man, but that was all. It had been a touch heartbreaking, not finding her true mate among the pride, but it didn’t always happen. There had been no children, and joining the mentoring program had helped fill a hole in Catherine’s heart.

Two years after joining, she’d met Meredith. A group event had led her to the cub, who hadn’t known her origins. Not yet. And thank goodness for that. Catherine could only imagine how disastrous things might have been for her if she’d had to undergo her first shift all alone.

It had taken some doing, but she’d arranged to switch littles with the woman who’d previously been Meredith’s big sister. It wasn’t just their similar genetics that had drawn Catherine to her, but rather something about Meredith herself. Like calling to like. After meeting her, Catherine couldn’t stay away. And Meredith seemed to feel the same. They were closer than friends, closer than sisters. It was the sort of relationship that Catherine imagined she might have had with a daughter, if she’d ever had one.

Which was why she refused to let Daniel hurt Meredith. And given the situation with his employer, Catherine was ready to take Meredith and run across the country.

But.

Supposing he turned out to be a decent guy, as opposed to the dirtbag she’d first assumed. Supposing he could fill the void in Meredith’s life as only a father could.

Supposing the attraction between them turned out to be what she suspected.

Closing her eyes, she forced that thought away. Mates? It hardly seemed likely that her destined match was a tiger and not a lion. What sort of sense did that make?

But she couldn’t deny the pull toward him, or that he woke something in her she hadn’t even known was sleeping. His very scent made her cat stretch and purr and think lascivious thoughts.

She couldn’t afford those feelings, though. If things between him and Meredith didn’t work out…

Meredith suddenly stopped pacing, her head whipping toward the parking lot. “Do you smell that?”

Catherine put her coffee cup to her lips, smothering the arousing scent with the odor of fresh coffee. “Mmm,” she hummed noncommittally.

“Is that my dad?” Meredith’s eyes were wide, her lithe body tense. She turned back to Catherine. “What if he doesn’t like me?”

“Then I’ll kill him,” Catherine said simply.

Meredith began to giggle, some of the anxiety ebbing from her face.

“He’ll love you, darling. He does love you. That much I know.” It was true. And with every bit of her being, Catherine was hoping it would be enough. Plenty of parents who loved their children were incapable assholes.

A cab swung into the parking lot, and Catherine stared at the man who slid out of the back seat.

His hair was darker than Meredith’s. His entire ensemble was black, from his sport coat, right down to his shoes. He’d certainly managed something better than the old sweats she’d thrown at him. The clothes hugged a lean, muscled frame. Catherine already knew what sort of body lay beneath the fabric. She’d been hard pressed to keep her cool when he’d lain beneath her, and then again when he was human, disheveled and naked.

Damn, he cleaned up well.

Meredith rocked onto her toes, then back down again, shiftless and nervous as a kitten. “Cat?” she asked. “Is that him?”

Catherine stood and slipped her arm around Meredith’s waist. “That’s him, sweetheart.”

“Wow. He’s really handsome.” She seemed in awe. Catherine couldn’t blame her.

Daniel crossed the grass, pulling off his dark sunglasses as he came. Ice-blue eyes bored into hers for a fraction of a second, then locked onto Meredith’s. A bewildered smile lit his face, transforming him from stern to…younger. Freer. Happier.

“Meredith,” he said softly.

With a cry, she flung herself into his arms. It was like Catherine’s own flesh had been ripped away, and the yearning that filled her heart staggered her.

Daniel wrapped his daughter into a tight hug, his brilliant eyes closing as he stroked her hair. “Oh my god. Meredith,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

Meredith was crying, her sobs breathless and uneven as she clung to him. Slowly, Catherine stepped forward and rested her hand on Meredith’s shoulder.

Daniel’s eyes met hers, alight with longing. As though reading both their minds, Meredith pulled Catherine in, still crying with abandon.

It felt like the most natural thing in the world when Daniel’s arm circled them both, holding them tight. Catherine’s soul sang. For the first time in forever, she felt as though she was home.

* * *

It didn’t take long for them to find their way back to Catherine’s house. A lot of talk was needed, and after the reunion between father and daughter, there seemed to be no reason to keep their meeting public.

She kept herself busy in the kitchen while the two of them sat in the living room. Meredith chattered, filling Daniel’s ears with everything from school to boys to her favorite books and movies. Daniel listened, his eyes glued to his daughter’s face, looking for all the world like a starving man presented with a buffet. It made Catherine feel ashamed for doubting him.

“Wait ’til you meet the pride,” Meredith babbled. “I can’t believe you’ve never had a group of your own! They’ll love him, don’t you think, Cat?”

Luckily for Catherine, Meredith kept talking before she had to come up with an answer. Piling sandwiches on a tray and ladling soup into mugs, she carried lunch out to the living room.

“Graduation is in two weeks,” Meredith went on. “You’ll come, right?”

Daniel glanced at Catherine, who handed him a mug. “How much does she know?”

“What do I know about what? Oh, the killers?” Meredith nabbed herself a sandwich. “Everything. Well, I know a bunch, anyway. How much do I know, Cat?”

“A bunch,” Catherine said with a small grin. “I told her most of what you told me, Daniel. But I think it would be for the best if you started from the beginning. We need a plan, and Meredith is right…you need to meet the pride.”

Daniel’s lanky frame had gone rigid, his soup spoon stilled in his hand. “Why do I have to meet them?”

Catherine frowned at him, disliking his demeanor. “Because you can’t expect to take on your associates alone and survive. They’re coming, and you need help.”

He gave a light chuckle. “No. I don’t. What I need is for you to get Meredith out of the country. We discussed this last night.”

Catherine shook her head, her brows knitting though her mouth smiled. “No, Daniel. Meredith can go if she wants, but that has nothing to do with you meeting the pride. You have to meet them and make your case to them.”

“I’m sorry, what? My case?” His voice had gone frosty. “Is there something I need to defend myself over?”

“You’re bringing killers to Windham. Killers who want her.” Catherine stared, unable to believe her ears. “That’s not a small thing.”

“No, it’s not. But it’s no one’s business but mine. No one else needs to be involved.”

Catherine guffawed. “Excuse me?”

Meredith stared between them, her eyes big.

“Meredith’s life is on the line here,” Catherine continued. “I’ll be damned if I take chances with it.”

“Who’s taking chances here, you or me?” Daniel snapped. “You want to bring more people in, risk more lives. I can handle this.”

“You don’t even know whether they tracked you here!” Catherine exclaimed. How could he be so obtuse? “You’re being ridiculous.”

“I’m being ridiculous? You want to expose your whole pride to these men!”

“Safety in numbers, Daniel!”

“I’ve stayed alive for almost two decades without a pride, Catherine,” he snarled. “If you think I’m going to start relying on anyone else now—”

“And how well has that worked out for you, huh? Are you loving life all on your own?”

He paused, his eyes hard.

“Dad,” came Meredith’s tremulous voice. “Cat. Please.”

Catherine closed her eyes. “I’m sorry, Meredith.”

“Me too.” Daniel reached for Meredith’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I just want to keep you safe. I think you and Catherine should go to Europe for the summer.”

“Oh wow, are you serious?” Meredith squealed. “Europe!”

“Absolutely. We’ll talk to a travel agent today, get the whole tour set up.” Daniel stared at Catherine, as though daring her to disagree with him and break Meredith’s heart.

“That’s a great idea,” Catherine said evenly. “In fact, you should come with us.”

Daniel glared at her.

“Yes, Dad! Please!” Meredith clung to his hand, her eyes shining. “Oh my gosh. Europe! My friends are going to be so jealous!”

Pursing his lips, Daniel squeezed Meredith’s hand. “Okay. We’ll all go. But that means I have a lot to do over the next few weeks.”

“The first of which can be meeting the pride,” Catherine interjected. “Just meet them, Daniel.”

He sighed, the sound aggravated. “Fine. But it won’t make a difference. I need to do this alone.”

“We’ll see.” Catherine leveled him with her sternest stare. Every moment she spent with him made her more certain. Daniel was meant to be her mate. She’d be damned if she lost him so soon after finally, finally finding him.

* * *

The day passed too quickly, with the plans for their summer trip taking up a good portion. The sun had set, and the three of them stepped out to the porch to say goodnight, but not goodbye.

Daniel hugged his daughter tight, amazed at what a wonderful young woman she’d turned out to be. So like her mother, but so different, too. Jessica’s brown hair, her bright smile, her organized mind. Meredith had his stubbornness, though…it was easy to tell. There was a certain way she twisted her mouth that was all too familiar.

The subject of Jessica’s death hadn’t come up. Whether that was because Meredith wasn’t aware, or it just hadn’t been discussed yet, Daniel didn’t know, nor did he want to ask. He wanted to bask in idyllic denial a bit longer.

“You’ll come back tomorrow, right?” Meredith pulled away from their hug, her face fierce. “You have to.”

“Wild horses couldn’t keep me away,” he promised with a smile.

“Go inside, hon,” Catherine urged. “I need to chat with your dad a minute.”

Meredith squeezed Daniel’s hand, then gave him an impish grin before scampering back into the house.

“She’s so happy,” Daniel observed. “It’s wonderful.”

“You made her dream come true today. You did really good.” Catherine gestured to the sidewalk. “Walk with me?”

He fell in beside her as they ambled down the driveway and onto the sidewalk. It was so easy to do. Everything about her felt familiar and right.

“There’s another reason why I think you should meet the pride,” Catherine began.

“Okay, we need to talk about that,” Daniel cut her off. “You don’t seriously expect me to rely on someone else to solve this for me.”

“Oh my God, will you shut up about that?” Catherine’s eyes flashed dangerously. “What the hell is your problem with asking for help? No, don’t answer that,” she said, stopping him before he began. “You think you’re so big and tough. I have news for you, buddy. You’re a single person. You can be trapped, overwhelmed, tricked, surrounded. Tell me about your capture. How did you end up in that place?”

“…they ambushed me,” Daniel admitted. “But—”

“But nothing,” Catherine said firmly. “Why don’t you want our help?”

Daniel said nothing for a moment, then finally asked, “Why do you want to help me so badly?”

They’d traveled a bit down the sidewalk, and were now out of sight of the house. Catherine glanced backward, then took a deep breath. “Don’t you feel it?” she asked, her voice suddenly soft and shy.

“Feel what?” He blinked at her, losing focus as her eyes drew him in. It was hard to think when those sea-green eyes were locked with his. He swallowed, then stepped back, vaguely aware of her hand barely brushing his. “I’m worried about putting you in danger,” he said after a moment. “I don’t want anything to happen to you or Meredith.”

She gave a quick nod, her teeth scraping against her bottom lip. They began walking again, the silence stretching. “I don’t want anything to happen to you, either,” she said after a time. “Obviously, Meredith is over the moon, and she means a lot to me. So, I want to keep you safe. For her sake.”

He gave a slow nod. “Then you understand why I don’t want either of you involved.”

Catherine slipped her hands into her back pockets. He itched to take her hands. To draw her close. To kiss her senseless.

Christ. He’d lost his mind. He reined himself in, positive she would think him insane. He recalled her icy behavior from the night before. Likely, she wouldn’t appreciate his attention. It had been too many years since he’d been with a woman, and clearly, his hormones were messing with him. Though, someone like Catherine would be his first choice.

Not that he could go there. What would Meredith think?

“I’m calling my pride leader,” Catherine said. “Whether you realize it or not, you’ve brought danger to us here. Your boss will come, and he won’t care which shifter he finds. We need to be prepared. I’d be doing my pride a disservice if I didn’t warn them.”

He nodded, though it grated to admit that she was right. “That’s fair.”

“So, we may as well help you,” she went on. “Seventeen lions and two tigers—”

“Two tigers?” He frowned. “You don’t mean Meredith, do you?”

She sighed. “One tiger, then. But you haven’t seen her. She’s a grown woman, Daniel. Not only is she powerful and logical, but she’s a good fighter.”

His brow creased. “She fights?”

Catherine gave a soft laugh. “Come for a run with us tonight. You won’t believe what she can do.”

Run with his daughter. Daniel’s heart twanged, the thought almost unbearably sweet. And run with Catherine, too…his cat rumbled in response, the thought of her primal form doing a number on his emotions.

Her eyes brightened, her lips curving upward as her eyes flashed feline. She stepped close, her lithe body brushing his. “There’s a mountain run that Meredith and I love to do,” she murmured. “Come with us.”

Trapped in her gaze, Daniel lifted a hand and cradled her cheek. To his surprise, her lashes fluttered, eyes closing as she leaned into his touch. One slim arm circled his waist, her nails tracing a path up his back. “Daniel,” she whispered.

It was too much. He swooped in, claiming her mouth for his own. She melted against him, her lips parting under his. His arms wrapped around her, molding her to him. She met him eagerly, her kiss hungry and her breath quick.

Daniel groaned, his body’s response almost crippling. Jesus, he wanted this woman. Years of abstinence had him primed, and never since Jessica had he desired someone the way he wanted Catherine.

She snagged the lapels of his jacket, pulling him closer. The warmth of her body was driving him mad. Breaking the kiss, he stared into her eyes, his breath shuddering. “Jesus, woman,” he panted.

“You feel it, don’t you,” she whispered breathlessly, her eyes deep enough to drown in. “You can’t tell me you don’t.”

“I know I want you more than anything,” he said. “If that’s what you’re talking about…then yeah. I feel it.”

“The call,” she insisted. Her hips shifted against his, the movement driving his ache higher. “You’re the one, Daniel. The one I’m meant for. You’re the one that’s meant for me.”

Wait. What? He drew back. “Catherine…”

“Oh, for Pete’s sake,” she exclaimed. “Daniel…Jesus. The fucking mating call. You. Me. You’re ruining this whole thing, you know. Damn you.”

He stared. “Mating call?”

She sighed, then slipped her hands beneath his jacket and around his waist, closing the distance between them. He closed his eyes, her scent and the warmth of her body pushing him to the brink. “This is a thing that happens to shifters,” she said in a gentle voice. “When we meet our true mates, the response is instantaneous. You’ve heard of soulmates, right?”

He nodded, captivated by both her voice and her touch.

“You’re my soulmate,” she said in a slow, clear voice. “That’s why I don’t want you doing this alone. That’s why I want you to meet the pride. That’s why I wanted to jump your bones the first time we met. Because you’re meant for me.” Her nose brushed his. “I don’t want to lose you so soon.”

Stunned, he started to object, but stopped as her lips closed with his.