Page 51 of Whisker me Away
"Hand her over?" Kieran's voice dropped to a threatening growl that made several people take nervous steps backward. "You're talking about banishing someone who's lived here her entire life."
"I'm talking about protecting the people who are left," Henderson shot back. "The people who matter more than one girl's feelings."
That's when Kieran's control snapped.
He moved faster than human perception, crossing the space between them in a blur of motion that brought him nose-to-nose with Henderson. His eyes flashed gold as his tiger surged toward the surface, and his voice carried enough predatory menace to make the entire room go silent.
"Let me make something crystal clear," he said softly. "Freya Bloom is under my protection. Anyone who suggests harming her, banishing her, or handing her over to government bureaucrats will deal with me. And I promise you, that's not a conversation you want to have."
Henderson's face went pale, but he stood his ground. "Are you threatening us?"
"What does it sound like?" Kieran's partial shift brought claws and enhanced strength, making his presence fill the small room like a physical force. "Touch my mate, and I'll show you exactly what a territorial tiger is capable of."
"Kieran." Maeve's voice cut through the tension like a blade. She appeared at his elbow with the silent grace that made her such an effective council guard. "Step back. Now."
The command in her voice penetrated him just enough to make him recognize how close he'd come to violence. Henderson was pressed against the wall, his eyes wide with terror, while therest of the crowd huddled together like prey animals facing a predator.
"Everyone out," Maeve announced with lioness authority. "This meeting's over. Go home, lock your doors, and remember that we're all on the same side here."
People filed out quickly, shooting nervous glances at Kieran as they passed. Henderson lingered just long enough to mutter something about "dangerous shifters" before hurrying after the others.
When the hall was empty except for the two of them, Maeve turned on Kieran with barely controlled fury.
"What the hell was that?" she demanded. "You nearly shifted in a room full of terrified people."
"They were talking about banishing Freya." Kieran's tiger still prowled beneath his skin, unsatisfied with letting the threat walk away. "Suggesting we hand her over like she's some kind of criminal."
"And your response was to threaten violence against people who are scared out of their minds?" Maeve's dark eyes blazed with disappointment. "You think that's protecting her?"
"I think it's making sure everyone understands she's not alone."
"What it's doing is proving Henderson's point about dangerous shifters." Maeve's voice softened slightly. "I get it. When people threaten your mate, every instinct screams at you to tear them apart. But you can't protect Freya by terrorizing the people she's trying to save."
In his fury to defend Freya's honor, he'd just made things worse for her. Given the scared residents more reason to see her as a threat that needed to be contained.
"Shit," he muttered, running his hands through his hair. "I screwed up."
"Yeah, you did. But it's fixable." Maeve's expression grew thoughtful. "The real question is, what are you going to do differently when this kind of thing happens again? Because it will happen again, especially if Freya's next attempt at the binding ritual goes wrong."
Kieran stared out the town hall window at the devastated landscape, seeing the problem clearly now. Physical protection was only part of what his mate needed. She also needed him to shield her from the community's fear, to manage the political fallout of her magical struggles, to be the steady presence that helped her navigate challenges beyond supernatural threats.
"I need to be smarter," he said finally. "More strategic. Protecting her means thinking three steps ahead, not just reacting to immediate threats."
"Now you're getting it." Maeve clapped him on the shoulder. "Being a mate isn't just about the claiming ceremony or magical bonds. It's about becoming a true partner in every sense of the word."
"Speaking of which." Kieran checked his watch, noting how the afternoon shadows were lengthening. "We're completing the bond."
"About time." Maeve's grin was sharp with approval. "You two have been dancing around it long enough. Maybe once you're properly mated, you'll stop making territorial mistakes that give Henderson ammunition."
"Maybe." Kieran headed toward the door, his tiger finally settling into calm determination. "Or maybe I'll just get better at hiding the bodies."
"Kieran..."
"Kidding." He paused at the threshold. "Mostly."
The walk back to Freya's cottage gave him time to process Emmett's advice and Maeve's criticism. Soon, he'd bind his lifeto a woman who meant everything to him. Tomorrow, they'd attempt magic that could save their home or destroy them both.
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