Page 14 of Catnip

Ava shrugged. “I think so. I might be wrong,but…”

“Oh, no,” Ace replied, vehemently shaking her head. “If you’re not insane, you’re definitely not wrong. It’s just so fucking typical. Basically, you’re right. He really doesn’t hideit.”

On that confusing note, she pulled her phone out, and started playing withit.

“Wait, what are you doing? We have to discussthis…”

“Yada, yada, yada,” she rolled her eyes at her mate. “Conclusion of the pointless discussion: we need to call him and get his ass down here. We had this whole episode with Tria just a few weeks back. I’m just fast-forwarding theprocess.”

Ava was seriously chewing at her lip. Coveney moved without thinking, cupping her face, and running his thumb over the red lowerlip.

“Don’t do that,” he growled at her. If anyone was going to bite those lips, it was him. “It’ll be justfine.”

He didn’t have to look at them to feel his pridematesstaring.

“Did I miss something?” Daunte whispered, before groaning when someone - probably his mate, or Ace - elbowed hisstomach.

“Okay, we need to speak to the rest of the pride,” the Alpha female said. “And my parents. And everyone I fucking know. If there’s a First Shifter family in the feline world, we need to learn what we can. You get better,” she added, addressing Ava, nodoubt.

Although Coveney didn’t see her, because he was still looking right into the eagle’seyes.

They were so strange. Purple,almost.

“And, Coveney, you’re in charge of her, so your usualduties…”

“I’m taking some of my time off,” heretorted.

A short silenceensued.

“Right. That makes sense. Alienabduction.”

“Shut it, Daunte,” Ace retorted. “And let’s get out ofhere.”

He’d thank the woman later for that. He’d wanted and needed them allgone.

Fuck, what was she doing to him? The girl was a small thing; five foot two at most, but packing one hell of apunch.

He wanted her, that much had been clear at first glance. That part, he understood. He was a goddamn shifter; it might have started late for him, but he still wanted sex just like the rest ofthem.

He didn’t get the rest, though. He didn’t get why he felt the need to touch her, touch her lips, even in front of other people. Public displays of affection weren’t part of his M.O. Affection wasn’t part of his M.O. He didn’t understand why he needed her to stop worrying about Knox. Why he needed her to believe there was nothing to worry about, because he’d be right there, next to her, and ready to lunge at the wolf - immortal or not - if he made a wrong move towardsher.

So, he was back to pondering aboutwitchcraft.

“How’s the wound?” heasked.

Her cheeks heated up as she lowered the bedding to let him see her torso. He took in the angry red patch of skin, which had done a complete 180 in a few hours, then went a little higher, to look at her breasts. They weren’t huge, just a handful, but standing proudly, firm as fuck. The dark nipples were practically begging toplay.

But she was self-conscious, more so than shifters usually were. He found it both endearing and strange, because the woman was gorgeous. The dark blond, highlighted waves, the fucking purple eyes, and the curves she’d managed to pack on her slim frame must have turned heads wherever shewent.

“Better. Good. I guess I should think about getting you clothes now,” he commented out loud, which surprisedhim.

As he’d told her, he really wasn’t atalker.

But she wanted him to talk, she’d said as much. So, he did. Although it seemedirrelevant.

Witchcraft…

“Yeah. Clothes would benice.”

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