Page 6 of Refuge

No, she hadn’t been raped, but witnessing a friend, someone as close as a sister being violated was something she hoped to never have to experience again.

Feeling something cold on her hand, Leeza jumped, surprised. Ari was nosing the hand that held the pill hidden inside the cheese.

“Ah, still hungry or is it just the cheese?” she teased, a smile forming on her lips. Holding the pill out in the palm of her hand, Ari gently took it from her then moved his massive head to her other hand, making Leeza laugh. Giving him the extra slice of cheese after tearing it apart, with measured slowness, she ran her fingers through the fur on his head before rubbing his ears. “Feels good, doesn’t it,” she whispered when he let out a low moan. She fed him the rest of the cheese, then stayed by his side for a few more minutes. She liked his company, and it seemed he liked hers.

“You done in there?” Larry’s voice carried to her.

Leeza nodded as she hurried out of the enclosure. Larry was carrying two buckets filled with meat. She took one as she stepped in line with him.

“You start on that side and I’ll start on this one,” Larry instructed as he split from her. “Watch Samson. He’s a little pissy in the mornings. Kinda like me before I have my coffee.”

Leeza laughed, knowing all too well what he meant. She wasn’t typically a morning person and having zero sleep was not a good way to start the day. But she had no way to make coffee and no way to get some if she wanted it.

Opening the door to Samson’s enclosure, she eased herself in slowly. Samson stood tall and proud, his head tilting as he gauged her. She did the same. She showed no fear as she closed the gate and walked with measured purpose.

“Your breakfast as ordered,” she said, her voice even and controlled. Tossing the meat down, she stepped back, giving Samson room so he wouldn’t feel crowded. He stepped toward the meat, but his eyes never left her. She knew without a doubt it was going to take time to gain the trust of the animals, but time was all she had.

Suddenly, Samson’s head snapped around as he released a low, aggressive growl, putting Leeza on guard. She quickly glanced to see what had set the large wolf-dog off, to see a man heading their way.

“Do you need assistance?” the man asked, his cowboy hat slanted low over his eyes. His voice was deep with authority.

“No,” Leeza replied, still staring at the man and wondering about Samson’s reaction to him. Unlike Eric, their alpha, she couldn’t read non-shifters, only a few could. She wasn’t one of them unfortunately. The man was very tall and somewhat older than her; she guessed by a few years. He was very handsome and human.

Samson snapped at the man, but the man stayed put and didn’t flinch. “I really think you need to step out of there. He seems way too aggressive for my liking.”

Leeza cocked her eyebrow at him then looked at Samson, who snarled at him, his sharp teeth gleaming white. “I don’t think I have anything to worry about since the aggression is obviously directed toward you.”

The man’s eyes snapped toward hers as a smile curved his lips. “Guess you got a point there.”

“Is there something I can help you with?” Leeza backed toward the enclosure door, letting herself out.

“Lance Cutter.” He stuck out his hand toward her.

“Leeza Snow.” She took his hand in a tight shake.

“You new here?” Lance asked, his gaze staying on her face, which she had to give him credit for. Usually, men who first met her talked to her large breasts, something she dealt with for a long while, being an early bloomer at a young age.

“Yes” was all she gave him. She didn’t know this man, and until she did, that was all he was getting. Her trust of strangers went only so far, and being nice and pleasant was easy for her… until it wasn’t time to be nice and pleasant.

“So that’s all I get?” Lance’s smile grew, and then he nodded. “That’s fine. I’m really good at solving mysteries.”

Leeza chuckled. If he only knew what mysteries surrounded her. “Yeah well, good luck with that.”

Lance leaned his head back and laughed. “It’s really nice to have met you, Leeza Snow.”

Still curious about Samson’s reaction, she asked, “So why is Samson still growling at you?” Leeza threw that out there since Samson seemed like he wanted nothing more than to rip through the enclosure. She trusted animal instincts more than human’s, so she didn’t take Samson’s obvious dislike lightly.

“Yeah, Cutter.” Cole’s voice came from behind her. “Why don’t you tell her why Samson wants to have you for lunch?”

Chapter 4

Cole had been heading to find Leeza only to see her talking to Lance Cutter. He didn’t know much about the man, but from what he’d heard, he wasn’t sure if he liked the guy or not. Obviously, Samson wasn’t taking to him, and that said a lot. He trusted animals before humans any day.

“Well, let’s just say I misunderstood what Gemma’s been doing over here,” Lance replied, eyeing Cole. “And you are?”

“Misunderstood my old saggy ass.” Larry walked up with a frown. “You made her life miserable, Cutter.”

Cole watched Lance closely and was surprised when he saw regret in the man’s eyes. So what he’d heard was right. This man had tried to shut Gemma’s sanctuary down repeatedly. When Lance glanced quickly at Leeza, Cole wanted to punch him in the face… hard… knockout hard.

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