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  “I know I’m not Shyla or Reggie, Dyana but you have to find your focus.”

  Shira’s words broke through the veil of chaos that surrounded her. Dyana shook her head and took several deep breaths. “I know, I know. I’m just so used to them being here.”

  Shira placed a hand on her arm. “They are with you, always. Always watching over you, supporting you, loving you.” She stepped closer and lowered her head so the words were solely between them. “They’ve forgiven you, you have to forgive yourself for their deaths.”

  Her jaw trembled. “It’s my fault they died. If they’d not come home with me because of Casimir following us they would still be alive.”

  “It’s not your fault. It’s that of the one who placed the explosives. Not yours, not your husband’s.”

  “Sure doesn’t feel that way.”

  “Of course it doesn’t, because you have a kind and loving heart, you think it’s all your fault and are trying to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You’re not Atlas.”

  She cracked a smile and squeezed her friend’s hand. “You say that like you believe he’s real.”

  “At one time you didn’t believe shifters were real.”

  She pulled back. “Are you saying…naw, never mind. Thank you for being here with me, Shira.”

  “It’s my honor. I’ve always been impressed with your sight and how well you shoot. You have eagle eyes.”

  “Not going to tell me I’m part eagle now, are you?”

  Shira winked. “Never know. You hid being wolf like we hide being eagle.” She jerked her head back to the target. “You need to practice. I’ll go see if I can get us some lunch. Be right back.”

  Left alone, she picked up her bow, the familiar composite smooth beneath her hand. She placed her ear buds in her ears and stepped up to the shooting line. Cracking her neck, she centered herself, took some deep breaths and began.

  First few rounds she did shitty by her standards. Sure they were in the nine and ten rings but she was used to having hers in the inner ten. The fact she was hitting where she was proved that her game was off. She changed the music she listened to and began again.

  Her leg ached by the time she finished. Better. She limped to the target to retrieve her arrows. As she put the last two back in her quiver, she turned around. Shira sat there on a stump, two brown bags at her feet.

  Dyana paused. How is it that no one else sees her as an eagle shifter? The way the sun is hitting her right now, I can totally see it. Regal. Haughty. Above everything. I swear the sun is doing this to me, making me envision things that aren’t really there.

  “Been waiting long?” she asked moving closer to her friend.

  Shira smiled. “Doesn’t matter. You seem to have found your lost stride. Looked as if you’d gotten back into your rhythm there.” She lifted up a bag. “Sandwiches.”

  “Thank you, I think I have. And thank you for the food. I’m famished.” Occupying the second stump, Dyana opened her bag with one hand and laid her bow beside her in the case with the other.

  As she unwrapped the cellophane around her turkey club sandwich, she tipped her face up to the clear sky. A few fluffy clouds floated along the otherwise brilliant blue. “Do you ever miss flying, Shira?”

  “Only every day. Sometimes I sneak away and go for one but it’s dangerous for us. Those who live amongst humans and other shifters. The scent of the pure air lingers on us even after we shift back. So if they’re people following us or anything of the sort, they would be able to learn who we truly are.”

  “If I can help in any way, you know come along and smell wolfy or whatever, let me know.”

  “Wolfy?”

  “However I smell. Not sure if it would mask you but I’m game if you are.”

  “It would be nice to fly. Such a perfect day for it.”

  “I’m free for the rest of the day, since prelims are done. We can drive up to the mountains and go. Or, wherever you want.” Dyana turned her head and saw the excitement in Shira’s eyes. Rewrapping her sandwich, Dyana stood. “Let’s go. I think we could both use some time away from here.”

  “What about Keane?”

  “Ranger? I’m sure he’s found some woman to keep him occupied.” She locked her case and hefted it along with her food. “Why do you call him Keane instead of Ranger?”

  “We’re not as close as you two. His nickname is reserved for close friends.”

  “So, do you have one?” They headed to her car where she stowed the case in the trunk before getting behind the wheel. “A nickname your friends know?”

  “You use it. The name family and close friends call me is Shira.”

  That information brought tears to Dyana’s eyes. She couldn’t explain why, it just did, to be considered close friends with her, well, it was something she needed. “Thank you. Can I ask you something else?” She started the engine then drove out of the parking lot.

  “Go ahead.”

  “If you’re so private and don’t share about being a shifter, in fact work so hard to keep others from knowing, how does Ranger know?”

  “A night long ago that we chalked up to a mistake.”

  Her hands slipped from the wheel. “You and Ranger? Have slept together and you still won’t call him Ranger?”

  “Seems so personal.”

  “He does like to get personal during sex. Makes it more fun that way,” she teased.

  From the corner of her eye she watched Shira grin. “It was fun, but we’re not meant to be.” She shifted on the seat and lowered the window. “It was a night where two people needed comfort that’s all.”

  “I’ve had those nights. Sometimes it is just what it is and there’s nothing else there.”

  “Exactly. Just because I sleep with someone doesn’t mean that I’m in love with him.”

  “For the record, I think you and he would have made a great pair.” She picked up speed once they left the city. “Which begs the question. How will you find your mate if you’re remaining hidden?”

  “It just happens. I’ll know. He will know. Like with you and Casimir.”

  She snorted. “No, not like with us, definitely not like with us. There is no mating there. We fucked. Granted it was amazing but that’s all it was. I’m not the one he wants.” It still tore at her to admit that and she didn’t want to contemplate the true reason behind that.

  “He’ll come for you.”

  “Nope. Well, okay, perhaps he will but this time he’ll be bringing the papers.”

  “You’re unique, Dyana. He won’t let you go. They will want to know what line you’re from, how you managed to stay hidden for so long. Face it, you’re a Lars now and to the end of time.”

  “I was just fine being a Vance, thank you very much.”

  “I know, just think how awesome you’ll be as a Lars.”

  “I’m confused. Ranger wasn’t pleased when I told him about Casimir but you seem, oh, I don’t know, excited that I am. Why is that?”

  Shira tucked some braids behind her ear. “You know how you root for the underdog. The small kid who was bullied all the time.”

  “Yes, I get that, he was undersized, sick, and not even expected to live.” Her car hugged the corner nicely as they continued on up the two lane road vanishing into the tall trees.

  “I was also like that. Not wedded to another but the small one. When you’re trying to remain invisible and keep your true nature to yourself, it’s even harder to defend yourself. I could have fought back but that would have risked our entire convocation. My family. So I took the beatings. Daily. And grew resentful.”

  “Didn’t the others protect you? The other children?”

  “No. They didn’t like me. Didn’t want us around.”

  “Wait a minute. If you’re so rare why wouldn’t they? I mean, I would think that fortifying your numbers would be the wise thing to do.”

  “You would think that wouldn’t you? Not this group. The leader at the time
was, difficult. He wanted the children to grow up hard and rough. Not expecting help from anyone. So that’s how it went. Anyway, hearing Casimir’s story, I think it’s impressive all he overcame to get to where he is. A lot of wolves are alpha but it takes a special one to be all their Alpha. You have to command respect and a bit of fear I would wager.”

  “So what his bitch did…”

  “Highly uncommon. Sure you’ll have those who challenge, but she I would chalk up to having a few screws loose upstairs.”

  Another corner and Dyana looked over at her friend only to gasp. It looked as if someone had melded an image of a human and eagle together, neither fully individual yet combined a complete whole. She was stunning.

  “What’s wrong?” Shira asked.

  Really, how did one tell her friend how fucking hot she was without coming off as trying to come on to her? She shook her head. “Nothing. Just thinking. And a few loose screws is an understatement.” She pulled off the road and parked the car.

  They climbed out and she lifted her head to the fresh sweet air that blew over her face. There was a thick swatch along the edge of a ravine covered with thick blades of grass.

  “You sure you’ll be okay if I go…”

  There was no way to hide the anticipation in her friend’s gaze. Dyana smiled and waved her on. “Go ahead. Do I need to turn around so you can undress or do you just—holy shit!”

  Shira had run and jumped off the edge.

  Dyana dashed to it and peered over only to lurch back as a golden eagle rose in front of her ascending to the sky with easy beats of strong wings. “Shift like that. Damn that’s amazing.” She stared after her until the sun’s glare took her from view. Dyana walked to the car and grabbed their food along with a blanket. While her friend flew, she would rest and perhaps even sleep, enjoying this sunlight.

  Chapter Twelve

  Casimir smiled over the pup’s energy the nearer they got to the competition. She was chatting her mom’s ear off as she explained how the competition went. He kept his focus on driving.

  They’d had to stop a few times, each one aggravating him more, but he understood Rainie was young. Not a warrior. So he tolerated it. They’d stopped the previous night and now he was even more anxious to reach Dyana. Checking the sign on the road, he figured he had three more hours before they got there.

  He took a deep breath, aware he’d find his mate soon. Then things would start over and they could move forward. He accelerated and they shot off even faster. Two and a half hours later he pulled into the parking lot of the competition. There were numerous cars parked while more arrived.

  Stepping from the vehicle, he inhaled deeply, bringing the compilation of scents to his nose to be filtered and identified. Shifters. Humans. Fear. Excitement. Anxiety and so many more. None, however, that were of his mate.

  He knew she was here, he could feel her presence. His wolf had as well, rising and pacing with renewed energy. He and Bethany strode to the entrance, Rainie between them. The city was supposed to be neutral ground, not any specific clan’s domain but the leopards had the majority of the area around the city.

  I can speak with their alpha while we’re here. He held the door for the women, constantly monitoring his surroundings. People after him was one thing but if they attempted to hurt Bethany or Rainie he would kill them without hesitation.

  “Welcome to the Grand Marquis.” The woman behind the counter smiled at them both, but mostly him.

  “I need a room for her and her daughter and I want to know what room my wife is in.”

  “I’m sorry, sir, policy forbids me from giving out guest information. But I’m more than happy to book a room for all three of you.”

  He ground his jaw. “She is my wife,” he bit out.

  She pasted a smile on her face even though he could scent her fear. “Policy sir. Can I book some rooms? We don’t have many left but I do have two on the same floor.”

  “Two.”

  His anger was mounting by the time they stepped off the elevator onto the fifth floor. He escorted Bethany and Rainie to their room then headed over to his own, just at the other end of the hall. It bothered him to not be so close to them but he wasn’t sharing a room with her.

  He walked to the window and stared out over the California landscape. Digging for his cell, he rested a forearm on the glass while dialing a number.

  “Yes, Alpha?” The female answered on the first ring.

  “Where are you?”

  “About to cross over at Tijuana. Did you need me somewhere?”

  “Yes. Come up to my location. I’m sending you coordinates. I have Bethany and Rainie here with me, I want another set of eyes on them while I get my wife.”

  “On my way, Alpha. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  A phrase which in Tora speak meant breaking every speed limit known to man. She would be there faster than should be humanly possible. He ended the call and closed his eyes for the moment.

  Dyana.

  No time to lose focus. I have to get things settled. He scrolled through the listing on his phone and found the number he needed. Then he dialed it.

  “Who is this?” A man with a graveled voice demanded.

  “Casimir Lars.”

  “Well fuck me, if it ain’t the reclusive Alpha to the Tatra Pack. What can I do for you?” Juan Rendón’s comment nearly had him smiling.

  “I’m in town for the archery competition. If you have some time to meet…” he allowed his words to trail off.

  “I’m not in the area but one of my lieutenants is near. Keane Patrick. If you don’t mind meeting with him, I will give him a call and set it up.”

  “That will be fine.” He ended the call, hiding his wolf’s instinctive dislike for those of the feline persuasion.

  He returned the phone to his pocket and stared out the window. Somewhere down there, not too far was his mate. Casimir checked his watch then strode to the door. It didn’t take long to be before Bethany’s door. He knocked.

  Rainie opened it. “Hi, Alpha,” she said a big smile on her face.

  In the back of his mind he couldn’t help but notice the change in her just in the short amount of time since Dyana had come into her life. She sparkled now, bouncing on the balls of her feet, like a pup who’d been kept inside far too long and longed to run free in the sun.

  “We can find our own way,” Bethany offered in a small voice.

  “I have tickets ready for us at the event. Let’s go.”

  Rainie slipped by him and ran to the window along the hall to the elevator bay peering out at whatever was down there. Bethany moved at a much calmer pace. His phone buzzed and he checked it as he closed the door behind them.

  After the event. Keane Patrick will meet you at the hotel bar, Casimir read.

  The man’s picture was attached to the text message. He’d seen him before and hadn’t realized how high up in the clan he was. Either way, he could do two things at once.

  They walked to the elevator when it opened and stepped in. Personally, he would have preferred to go down the stairs, but Rainie went to the silver doors and he held his tongue. As they crossed the grounds toward the area the competition was going to be held, Rainie dashed off once.

  “Rainie,” he spoke low, obedience tinging his tone.

  It was all he had to say and she moved back nearer. Pups were impetuous at times and he didn’t want anything to happen to her. People stole kids all the time. And shifter pups were good money in some circles.

  They reached the gate and he gave his name, showing his identification. The minute they walked out into the compound where the targets were set up, his entire body went on alert.

  Now, he could scent her. His wolf rose swiftly, wanting everyone away from her. His need to protect her and keep her safe from everything staggered him. Rainie bumped into him and he took a breath, a calming one.

  “Sorry,” she bubbled.

  “Don’t worry about it.” He caressed the back of her
head and smiled at her when she glanced up at him. “Here we are.” Bethany first then Rainie between them. He was between them and the steps, he was on guard, unfooled by the mere instance only humans were behind him. A good number of them weren’t friends to the shifters either.

  A few women walked by and sent him inviting smiles. He blinked and looked back down to the field his wife would soon be gracing. He heard people around him talking.

  “Do you think she’ll still be able to maintain her place on top?” a woman asked.

  “There’s not anyone better,” a man replied.

  “Yes, but look at what she’s gone through. Her best friends are dead. She’s as superstitious as the others, you know that. I don’t think she’s going to qualify this year, didn’t you see how poorly she did at the prelims? Her head’s not in the game.”

  “I think you’re wrong. She does have some friends with her I saw them. She’s been spending all her free time with them. She’ll be fine, you’ll see.”

  Rainie patted his hand. “Don’t worry, she’ll win.”

  The amount of belief in the girl’s tone amazed him. The excitement buzzed throughout the crowd when the contestants walked into view. He skimmed the others, not giving a damn about them and latching onto Dyana.

  Lust slammed him with the force of an eighteen-wheeler barreling down the interstate. His wolf howled from within, wanting its mate. So did he. Her expression was blank, he couldn’t read it one way or the other. Her green shirt had a moon and stars on it, the black pants hugged her curves. He longed to peel them off her and kiss his way along her skin.

  She walked with another woman, one he didn’t know but she listened to whatever that person told her, nodding occasionally. Manager perhaps? Coach? He wanted her to look at him. Wanted her to wave. But he understood she was in her zone before a competition. Most athletes did that. Her limp was almost invisible and yet, he still sneered. His wolf didn’t agree and he hated himself the second it happened.

  “Who’s with her?” he asked Rainie.

  “Not sure. Her friends were her managers; maybe she has a new one already.”