Page 37 of Stray Cat

Lindsay beamed her a smile. “Let’s do it.”

“I’ll call you,” Emma promised. “I have your number—Xav gave it to me for emergencies. See you, Lindsay.”

Lindsay blinked at that information, but she sensed Emma impatient to get on with her day, so she stepped back with a quick good-bye. Emma lifted a hand as she pulled away, then she rounded the corner and was gone.

Lindsay sighed as she made her way into the house, rehearsing her explanation for being out all night, if necessary. Her parents were Shifters—they’d understand.

Her mother, in fact, intercepted Lindsay before she could dart down the hall to her bedroom.

“Lindsay, honey.” Leah enfolded Lindsay in a motherly hug, holding her daughter close. Lindsay returned the embrace, sinking into the comfort her mom had given her all her life.

Leah eased away after a time but held Lindsay’s shoulders as she gazed at her, Leah’s eyes as green as Lindsay’s own.

“I think we need to talk,” Leah said. “Come on. Your dad wants to say something too.”

Lindsay’s alarm rose as her mother took her by the hand and led her deeper into the house.

CHAPTERELEVEN

Leah took Lindsay not to the living room but opened the door behind the paneling in the hall that hid a staircase going down. Lindsay’s uneasiness increased as they descended.

The staircase ended in a small space where another concealed door opened into a comfortable sitting area with a kitchenette. A large television, soft furniture, and lots of shelving with books and nicknacks made the place cozy.

Lindsay had spent much time in this basement when they’d first arrived in this Shiftertown, comforting herself with things she’d grown up with. Few of the other Shifters would believe that the outgoing and wild Lindsay had once been very shy.

Lindsay’s father rose from a sofa, setting aside his coffee and newspaper.

“Sorry I didn’t call,” Lindsay said. She hadn’t felt so nervous under her parents’ gazes since she’d been in her Transition and worried them sick. “It was a spur-of-the-moment thing.”

Martin shook his head. “Lindsay, you’re a grown Shifter and can come and go as you please. We knew you were with Xavier, and safe.”

Bewilderment entered Lindsay’s apprehension. “Then what’s the problem? Why are we down here where no other Shifter will hear us?”

Leah slid her arm around her daughter. “Eric came to see us this morning.”

Panic joined Lindsay’s mix of emotions. “What happened? Is Cassidy okay? Is it the cub?”

“No, no, nothing like that.” Leah squeezed Lindsay’s waist, her touch instantly soothing. “Cassidy is fine and well, as are all of Eric’s family. The subject was your mating.”

Lindsay abruptly pulled away from her mother. “Seriously? Why is it anyone’s business, especially Eric’s? I have plenty of time to choose a mate, right? And no, I’m not picking one of Graham’s annoying wolves.”

The Lupines who’d been forcibly moved here from Graham’s Shiftertown in northern Nevada had been clamoring for the single women of this Shiftertown to mate with them. The ladies had mostly refused.

Shifter Bureau had truly fucked over Graham and his Lupines, but that didn’t mean Lindsay and every other unmated female would sacrifice themselves for them.

“Of course it’s your choice,” Martin said patiently. “But a couple of the Lupines are talking about Challenging Xavier for you. Eric came to warn us.”

Lindsay’s agitation sprang high again. “They can’t Challenge him. Xav has never made a mate-claim. What are they talking about?”

A Challenge was basically trial by combat when another male Shifter wanted the female in question. It was usually only issued once a mate-claim had been formally made in the presence of witnesses.

“They believe the claim will come soon,” Leah said. “You staying with Xav last night will convince them they’re right. They’re trying to get rid of a rival before he’s too entrenched. Eric says Graham’s Lupines did such things when they lived in their former Shiftertown.”

“Well, they don’t live there now.” Lindsay’s heart banged, and she felt ill. Xav was no pushover, but a Challenge was traditionally to the death, and any human would lose in a direct fight with a Shifter. Plus, Graham’s Lupines fought dirty.

“Graham is trying to make them see reason,” Martin said. “He and Eric are on top of it—Eric doesn’t want to see Xavier hurt either.”

“What does Diego say about it?” Lindsay demanded.

---