Page 7 of Whisker me Away
"How's the investigation going?" Rowan's attention shifted between them with the polite interest of someone who clearly felt he belonged in their conversation.
Kieran's tiger snarled silently at the intrusion, his hackles raised with territorial instincts he didn't recognize. The reaction caught him completely off guard. He'd never been possessive about women before, never felt the urge to mark territory or warn off competition. The intensity of his response to Rowan's presence made him take a mental step back.
What the hell is wrong with you?
"We're making progress," Freya answered when Kieran remained silent. "The corruption pattern suggests deliberate magical interference."
"Deliberate?" Rowan's expression darkened. "You mean someone did this on purpose?"
"We're still investigating," Kieran said, his tone carrying enough authority to make it clear the conversation was over. "Nothing's confirmed yet."
Rowan blinked at the dismissal, clearly not used to being shut down so effectively. "But if someone is targeting Freya's family..." He moved closer to her, his protective instincts obviously triggered. "Maybe you should stay with friends until this is resolved. My mother has plenty of room."
Kieran's hands clenched involuntarily. The idea of Freya leaving her cottage, moving in with Rowan's family where he could hover and protect and play the devoted suitor, made his tiger pace with agitation that bordered on fury.
"I'm not running away from my own home," Freya said firmly. "Besides, I need to be here to help with the investigation."
"Of course." Rowan's smile was understanding and patient. "I just worry about you."
The domesticity of it made Kieran want to shift and run until his tiger stopped snarling. He stood abruptly, his movement sharp enough to make both Rowan and Freya look at him with surprise.
"I need to file an update with the council," he said with the kind of command that didn't invite argument. "We can continue this tomorrow."
"But we haven't finished mapping the spread pattern," Freya protested.
"I've got enough data to start with." He needed distance before he did something stupid like challenge Rowan to a fight over a woman who'd made her preference clear years ago. "Eight sharp tomorrow, remember?"
He left before either of them could respond, stalking toward town with his tiger prowling underneath his skin. What was it about Freya Bloom that turned him into a territorial idiot? She'd rejected him once already. She was clearly involved with Rowan, or at least considering it. And even if she wasn't, working together didn't mean she'd suddenly changed her opinion of his character.
The Silver Fang Tavern appeared ahead like salvation, its rustic wooden sign promising alcohol and the kind of atmosphere that didn't require polite conversation. Kieran pushed through the heavy door into familiar dimness, breathing in the scent of aged whiskey and the lingering musk of shifter patrons.
"Well, well." Maeve Cross looked up from polishing glasses behind the bar, her sharp eyes taking in his obvious agitation. Her short black hair was perfectly styled as always, and herexpression held the kind of knowing amusement that meant he was about to get lectured. "Look what the cat dragged in. Rough day at the office, consultant?"
"Don't start." Kieran slumped onto a barstool and gestured for his usual, his tone sharp enough to make most people back off. "And don't call me consultant."
"Touched a nerve, did I?" Maeve poured two fingers of bourbon and slid the glass across the polished wood, completely unimpressed by his alpha posturing. "Let me guess. Miss Bloom isn't properly impressed by your expertise?"
"Miss Bloom thinks she knows better than everyone else." Kieran took a sip and let the burn focus his thoughts. "Including the people trying to help her."
"Uh-huh." Maeve's grin was predatory. "And that bothers you because...?"
"Because it makes the investigation harder."
"Right. The investigation." Maeve leaned against the bar, dark eyes dancing with amusement. "Nothing to do with the fact that Freya Bloom is beautiful, intelligent, and completely immune to your usual charm."
"She's involved with Rowan Ashford."
"Is she?" Maeve's eyebrows rose. "Funny. Word around town is he's been trying to propose for months, but she keeps finding excuses to put him off."
Kieran's tiger perked up with interest he immediately squashed. "Not my business either way."
"Of course not." Maeve's laugh was rich and knowing. "Because the great Kieran Holt never gets attached. Just enjoys the company and moves on when things get complicated."
"Exactly."
"Except you're sitting in my bar looking like someone kicked your tiger, all because another man brought your investigationpartner lunch." Maeve's grin widened. "Face it, Holt. You're caught."
"I'm not caught."
