Page 36 of Kitty Cat

“So, you’re not going to go after her?”

Jas shrugged. “No. This pride is my home.” She didn’t elaborate but he saw what she meant: it had never been Kim’s.

“I’m sorry we didn’t manage to make her feel welcome.”

“We did,” Ian replied growling. “She just wasn’t into the pride thing. She preferred doing what she liked, when she liked. Living in the human world. That’s fine. That’s how she was raised, and pride life just doesn’t suit everyone.”

It wasn’t the Enforcer’s fault, but Rye could have strangled him for saying it in front of Ace; she tensed, feeling that the words could apply to her, too. Another problem for another time.

“Right. Well, as your sister, she’ll have our protection if she ever needs it. We have bigger issues - the Vergas wolves. Three of Ace’s friends have joined us; did Daunte introduce you?”

Jas smiled. “Yeah, they’re fun.”

Oh dear. If Jas liked them, theywereseriously dangerous then.

“Good. We’re still outnumbered, though. Any news from our allies?”

“I have to check our messages, but three Alphas answered yesterday. We have their backing. Your brother said he’s passed the message on to your dad.” Which could mean anything.

“Right. Better get ready, then.”

Scouts

They hada solid plan and every day more allies pledged their help, so Rygan learned to relax, more or less.

He, Ace, and their Enforcers patrolled around the clock, barely taking the time to sleep. Ace still popped her head in at her bakery, which meant that she was more exhausted than all of them combined, although she did leave quite a few responsibilities up to her assistant.

The nice, always cheerful girl actually became an important part of the pride. The day after their claiming, Rygan was with her when Ace went to dismiss her, regretfully.

“You’re an awesome employee, but we’re in the middle of a fucking mess, and you can’t get involved. I’m not firing you; let’s just call it a paid leave.”

“No fucking way,” the girl had replied.

Ace reasoned with her, making her understand that just working for her, having their scent around her, was putting a target on her back because, for lack of better word, she was weak.

“I’m not letting those fanatics fuck with my life,” she replied, stubbornly crossing her arms on her torso. “And if you’re going to concentrate on the security around town, you need me here.”

She didn’t budge, so Rygan ordered that someone would guard the bakery at all times when Ace wasn’t in.

Clarissa learned some of Ace’s most popular recipes and took over the accounting; they hired a driver to do the rounds she used to do before. She also updated the website and he was infinitely grateful to her for taking some stuff off his mate’s shoulders.

The girl also was popular with the rest of his pride because every day before going home, she stopped by their homes with all the leftovers.

The only one who didn’t seem to have taken to her was, strangely, Daunte. The guy was normally easygoing, but he constantly glared at the poor kid.

“Hey everyone!” she sang out, walking in their lounge, a large tray in hand.

The kids were already halfway down the stairs, running to her.

“We had an awesome day at the shop, so there wasn’t much left. I’ve just made a batch of pies for you guys, though.”

Everyone thanked her; Daunte grunted.

“You look nice today,” Ola complimented her.

She did; Clary was normally a jeans and t-shirt gal, but today she wore a sundress, and some make up, too.

“I had a lunch date.”

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