Page 7 of Pretty Little Kitty

He glanced around the brightly lit room, noticing the open windows with sheer curtains gently swaying in the breeze.

“Kia?” Jared checked the adjoining bathroom, only to find it empty and unusually tidy. His cousin was usually messy, leaving clothes scattered everywhere.

Yet, there were no pajamas on the bathroom floor, and the toothpaste cap was actually on for once.

Turning back around, Jared’s gaze flicked toward the made bed. Since when did Kia start making his bed?

The only time he cleaned was when he was up to something he shouldn’t be. It was as if his subconscious compelled him to pick up a broom and dustpan, as though he could sweep away his guilt.

For the last few weeks, Kia had been pining over some guy. Jared had never seen him so miserable. His cousin had also made Jared promise to keep it secret since the guy was a wolf shifter.

Had Kia finally given in and gone to see Suero? Oh, this was bad. If Xavier found out, shit would hit the fan. Everyone knew their alpha despised wolves.

What had Kia been thinking? Then again, his cousin had tried to infiltrate a pack of hyenas to figure out their plans.

His cousin. A man who couldn’t infiltrate a bathroom at night without stubbing a toe or smacking his hand or knee on the doorframe.

Jared slipped out of the room, gently closing the door behind him, hoping to leave without Xavier noticing he was even there.

Fat chance. His uncle noticed everything. The man’s eye was sharper than a hawk’s. Kia could’ve at least given him a heads-up that he was about to do something colossally stupid so Jared could’ve steered clear of their uncle.

He tiptoed down the stairs and headed for the front door.

“Is Kia up and about?”

Jared froze mid-step, closing his eyes briefly as he muttered a curse under his breath. Kia was going to owe him big for this. Jared was terrible at lying and even worse at acting.

“Oh, I completely forgot he had something to do.” He turned, forcing a smile that stretched his cheeks painfully. A nervous laugh escaped him. “I’ll catch him later, I guess.”

Xavier crossed the room, leaving the men he’d been talking to standing there. “What thing? Kia didn’t mention it to me.”

You’d be surprised what he doesn’t tell you. Unlike Jared, who’d been raised by his parents, Xavier kept a tight hold on Kia. Too tight, if you asked him.

Though he understood the importance of family protection, especially with hyenas encroaching on everyone’s territory, Xavier’s strict control over Kia seemed overboard excessive.

His cousin couldn’t spend a night away without their uncle’s explicit consent. Jared was surprised Kia didn’t have to report in just to use the bathroom. It was a miracle Xavier let him outside the house without an ankle monitor and personal bodyguards.

“What thing?” Jared echoed, scrambling for an excuse before blurting out, “He’s in a video game competition with some friends.”

Please don’t ask for details.

Xavier shook his head, as if video games were a waste of time. “Tell him to be home by dinner.”

“Yes, sir.” Jared hauled ass, pulling out his phone to call Kia once he was safely out of earshot.

“Hello?”

“You could’ve warned me about your little adventure. I just left your house!” Jared moved so fast, his thighs should’ve caused a friction burn and set him on fire.

“What happened?” Kia’s voice was tense. “What did you tell Xavier?”

“I said you were in some video game competition.”

“But I don’t even play video games!” Kia’s breathing was rapid, as if he was hyperventilating. “You couldn’t think of a better excuse?”

“Maybe if you’d clued me in on your plan,” he replied, equally panicked. If Xavier discovered Jared’s lie, the fallout would be apocalyptic. Being on the bad side of his alpha was the last thing he wanted.

Family or not, Xavier was scary as hell when pissed off.

---