Chapter Three
Sisu stared at the three shifters entering the bar. Two of them he knew: Alkaline and Kade, the brothers.
The former was the leader of the Claw Gang, a pack of feline shifters involved in shady business practices. He and Alkaline had tried establishing a partnership a few years ago, but it hadn’t worked out. The six-foot-five brute with a golden-red mane had believed he could submit Sisu to his will. He’d quickly learned he’d barked up the wrong tree.
“Claws,” Lee whispered. “What do you think they’re doing here?”
“I have no idea.”
The Claws rarely came into this particular neighborhood. Moon’s Point welcomed all shifters, but cats were not at the top of the list of their frequent customers. Most of the sleek beasts preferred to keep other company.
“I think—”
Sisu cut him off by raising his hand. He watched the scene before him unfold in slow motion, his blood turning cold at the sight. May’s date welcomed the lions warmly, a sickeningly fake smile on his face. Then, May greeted them. Kade and the other guy shook her hand, but Alkaline bowed and brushed his lips over the back of her palm.
Sisu’s vision blurred, and red spots danced before him.
Mine.
He would destroy the shifter. Alkaline would never see the light of day. How dare he kiss what belonged to him?
“Damn lion,” Lee murmured. “She doesn’t look too happy to see them, though, right, Sisu? Sisu?”
Sisu ignored his friend. He jumped over the counter and strode toward the group. He could feel his jaw snap as his canines sprung forth. His nostrils flared. May’s scent intensified. The wolf clawed at him. He rolled his neck. His bones cracked. His paws hit the floor and he set off at a run.
The sounds around him transformed, becoming more acute. Someone screamed. Chairs scraped against the floor. Glass crashed into a million pieces.
Sisu planted himself in front of the group, growling. The cats hissed but didn’t retract.
“Get out,” he said. His voice came out guttural, unnatural.
“Or what?” Alkaline asked.
Sisu’s hackles rose. He took a menacing step toward them.
“I’ll kill you,” he snarled.
“Bring it on, dog.”
Sisu barked. He licked his jowls. He could already taste his enemy’s blood. He would destroy the lion and claim his woman. He glanced in her direction. May stood behind the group, eyes closed, clutching her bag to her chest like a shield. The scent of terror hung in the air like a thick cloud full of rain. No. He didn’t want that.
He stepped in her direction just as a body hurled into him. He skidded across the floor knocking over a table. Large, yellow paws pressed down on him, pinning him to the ground.
“You’re scaring her off.”
Sisu recognized Lee’s voice behind the emerald puma eyes.
“Is that what you want?” he insisted. “She’s human, Sisu. You’re destroying your chances at happiness. Control the animal.”
Sisu’s gaze darted toward his mate. He whimpered. Lee was right. What the hell was he doing? He was an alpha. Always in control. Leader of a pack. Quiet. Thoughtful. Deadly. Having his enemy touch May had caused the animal to break loose. It was taking over him.
“Shift back to your human form and I’ll fix this fucking mess.”
Lee stepped off him. Sisu rolled to his feet and watched the puma shifter saunter to the group and bow, offering his neck. Sisu swallowed the bile. Lee was an alpha like him, and he was debasing himself. By exposing his most vulnerable point, he was communicating to the Claws that they were above him and they could do with him whatever they pleased.
Sisu turned away. Somehow, he’d repay Lee, but he couldn’t continue watching. He rushed to the back of the bar into Lee’s office. Shifting back to his human form, he rummaged through the room, desperately searching for some clothes. He had to go back out there, help Lee and see to May.
“Fuck,” he swore and dug his fingers into his scalp, tugging hard.
Lee didn’t have a single item he could use and he sure as hell couldn’t go out there naked. He’d already created enough of a commotion.
May.
Her beautiful face flashed before his mind. The wolf within him stirred, causing his chest to constrict painfully. Shame made his ears burn. His primal recklessness could have ruined everything.
Sisu sunk into one of the chairs in front of Lee’s Ikea-model desk and buried his head in his hands. What was he going to do?
The door creaked loudly and he spun around. Lee peeked from the opening. Apparently satisfied at what he saw within, the puma shifter entered.
“Here, put this on. You busted the button on your jeans, but I think you can still use them. The t-shirt is from an old uniform we had in storage, but I think it’ll fit you.” He threw the folded garments at him.
“Thanks,” Sisu said. “Where is she? Is she okay?” he asked, while tugging on the black t-shirt with the bar’s logo.
“Kara is speaking to her and giving her some cool water. Alkaline and the rest have left.”
“Her companion, too?”
“Yes. I think he ran as soon as you took shape.” Lee chuckled.
“Coward,” Sisu muttered.
“Agreed.” Lee sighed. “In any case, you’re going to have to talk to her. I suggest doing it in here. She’ll feel safer than if you whisk her away to your Neanderthal cave.”
Sisu frowned. There was little humor in his friend’s tone.
“Wait, Lee. Come on, if you had been in my position wouldn’t you have done the same? Alkaline had his hands on her.”
Lee spun around.
“No,” he shouted. Lee gesticulated widely. “I wouldn’t have. I’d have acted human. I would have waited to see what was happening and I wouldn’t have jumped on them like a rabid animal.”
Sisu’s jaw dropped. He’d known Lee for most of his life and the puma had never shouted at him.
“Lee, what’s wrong? What happened out there? Why did the Claws leave without a fight? I saw you bowing to them, I know the sacrifice you must have made, but—”
Lee’s shoulders sagged.
“You have no idea, Sisu, but it’s not important.”
“It is to me,” Sisu said.
“No, you have other priorities now. You have a girl out there, basically held hostage, waiting for an explanation. Deal with it.”
“Lee—”
“It’s not important, Sisu. It’s done. I’ll go get May,” Lee said.
“Lee.”
But the other man didn’t turn back.