“You’re taking me home?” She looked around in surprise once she recognized the route to her neighborhood.
“I would prefer you go to the prowl house, but I know how you are with Jamie.”
She was happy he respected her wishes with regard to her son, but disappointed their night had ended so abruptly. He drove her home, his gaze darting to the mirrors.
“What’s happened?”
“Unknown cats in the area. Circling the parking lot.”
She frowned, and thought of the eerie feeling she’d had when she first arrived at the movies. “What were they looking for, you think? There are always rogues that pass through town.”
“These were not rogues. They were from the same pack.”
She bit her lip. “Who were they?”
“I’ll find out soon enough,amor.” He murmured.
She left him to concentrate on driving. He pulled into her driveway minutes later. “Will Jamie and I be safe here?”
He walked around the car and helped her out. He guided her to the front door with his hand on the small of her back. He leaned her against it, his gaze tracing her face.
“To be honest, Savi, though I have someone here watching your house, I want you in my building, under our protection. But, I’m working to respect your decisions.”
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. He pulled her closer into his body.
“We’ll have to talk about security soon though, love. You’re alpha female and we’re currently on high alert.”
She nodded, her stomach pitching in nervousness. “Will they have to follow me around?”
He didn’t answer, simply reaching down and nibbling at her lips. “We’ll discuss it later.”
She kissed him, knowing he was too preoccupied for her to push him for answers. “Goodnight then?”
“Who did you get to babysit?” He asked suddenly lifting his head and sniffing the air.
“My cousin, Naomi.”
He sniffed the air again, his brows bunched in confusion.
“Is there a problem?” She moved her head to catch his eye.
“I’m sorry, there is something…” He shook his head. “Call me if at any point you feel unsafe.”
“I will.” She promised.
He kissed her, taking possession of her mouth before leaving. She went inside, but watched from the window next to her door. Two cats moved from the shadows and followed Carlos. Derrick pulled up and the men shifted from their panther form and talked to them both, naked as the day they were born. It was too dark for her to see anything, and she was too preoccupied to care. Carlos was still in the yard, and yet, she felt bereft at his absence at her side.
She sighed and released the curtain. Naomi walked up next to her.
“Still juggling?” Her cousin asked quietly.
“It’s dumb, Nay. I know it is, but I’m so scared to screw this up.”
Without even looking outside, she knew when her mates finally left her street. Her heart clenched and loneliness crashed down on her. What was her indecision costing them?
***
Carlos wiped a hand down his face and hung up the phone. He spun in his desk chair and looked out to the dark street below. False alarm. The cats that had been at the movie theater were passing through. And after the scare his enforcers had given them, would not be making the same mistake twice. It was customary for any group of shifters going through claimed territory to make their movements known to the local alpha. Those cats had not done so.