Page 46 of Elusive Mate

“The Shadow Sisters aren’t big on names.”

“Caye doesn’t much give a damn who knows who she is. In fact, I rather suspect she likes the notoriety.” Hayden took her by the elbow and steered her toward Colby’s office. “You shifters really need to do a better job keeping up with your females.”

Colby looked up. “Probably. This one isn’t mine, more’s the pity. Zenya, why don’t you and I have a little chat? Thanks, Hayden. Help yourself to supper.”

Hayden left the room.

Colby gestured to a chair, where Zenya took a seat. “I don’t want to chat. I want to leave.”

“I’m quite sure you think you do, but do you really?” asked Colby.

“I know my own mind, Reynolds. I don’t need any of your patriarchal bullshit.”

Colby sighed. “I guess I can’t blame you for feeling that way. I can’t really blame any of you. The men in our society aren’t as enlightened as they might be. But I do have a track record for being on the wrong side as far as most alpha males are concerned.”

“Then let me go.”

“At least hear me out.” Colby waited for her to say something, and when she didn’t, he continued. “I think Hendrix cares for you.” Zenya snorted. Colby ignored her and continued. “In fact, I believe he loves you, and I wonder if you don’t care for him, as well. If you’ll agree to just think about that and decide how you really feel, I’ll turn a blind eye if you still want to go. But if you think you want to give it a chance, you can stay at Windsong, and I’ll play peacemaker for you. I’ll make the sonofabitch toe the line and court you properly.”

“Why would you do that? I can tell you that it wouldn’t score you any points with Lucian to try and get him to commit the Baihu Clan’s resources to your cause.”

“Agreed. I told him a while back that I didn’t peddle in flesh, and I don’t. Why would I do it? I guess because I’m just something of a romantic, and maybe…just maybe…if he’s happy and can see all he stands to lose, he’ll see he has no choice but to join the Resistance.”

“And if I won’t agree?”

“Then I will at least be able to tell your mate I tried to reason with you on his behalf.”

“No threat of just turning me over?”

“Have you met the women I surround myself with?” he laughed. “I do like to sleep with at least one eye closed.”

She smiled, looked him straight in the eye, and lied. “All right. I’ll think about it. I’ll give you my answer in the morning.”

Zenya left his office and wandered back toward the kitchen—at least the delicious aromas coming from it made her think it was the kitchen. She started to ask for some coffee but caught a brief glimpse of a woman outside the door in the darkness who inclined her head in a way that made Zenya think she wanted her to join her in the soft, concealing gloom of the night.

COLBY

"Do you believe her?” Hayden said as he shimmered out of nothing.

“I’d like to. I’d really like to, but I don’t think I do, not even for a second. Brie is already here and I’m fairly sure she’s here not just to share my bed. Zenya is important to them. They lost her, and that doesn’t sit right with any of them—my mate and your sister, especially.”

Hayden nodded. “I know.”

“Try to keep tabs on them and make sure they’re safe.”

“Will do. I think I have the easier job. Hendrix is going to be pissed. He’s marked and claimed her. I doubt he’s going to be reasonable.”

“Agreed, but I do believe what I told her. Maybe if he can just give her some time…”

“If you had marked Brie, and she was yours—would you? I know I wouldn’t where my mate was concerned.”

“They’re more right than wrong,” said Colby. “We really are, for the most part, insufferable patriarchal bastards.”

“Well, maybe about the insufferable and patriarchal part, but most of us aren’t technically bastards.”

Colby laughed. Hayden had an irreverent sense of humor that usually made him laugh. “Get out of here.”

The following morning, Colby Reynolds, alpha of the lynx-shifters at Mystic River, received unwanted, but not altogether unexpected news: Zenya Hendrix was gone. He saw his cell phone light up with Lucian Hendrix as the identified caller and he groaned. This was not going to be pleasant. Even though the call was not unexpected, it was not one he wanted to answer. Unfortunately, that was not an option.

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