Echoes of Fire (The Mercury Pack #4)(72)

He still had his episodes. Still woke sweating and totally disoriented, as if thrown from a nightmare. Still had that dull feeling in the pit of his stomach until he opened his eyes and saw her right there. True to her word, she hadn’t again gotten out of bed in the morning without waking him first. Not until this particular morning anyway. But then, they’d both been in their animal forms, so it hadn’t really been a problem. His wolf didn’t have that issue upon waking.

Bracken downed his second coffee of the morning, placed the mug on the porch swing, and followed his mate’s scent into the trees. He noticed that she’d left territorial marks on some of them. That made him smile. The cat had already claimed the land, even if she didn’t quite think of it as her home just yet.

Since contentment was pulsing down their bond, he expected to find her sleeping on a branch or relaxing on the rocks near the ravine. He didn’t. He found her in the hollow of an old log. Playing with a dead vole. One she’d probably killed herself.

Squatting in front of the log, Bracken tilted his head. “Morning,” he greeted lightly, feeling a rush of relief that he could see her with his own eyes . . . even if she didn’t look all that happy to be interrupted. In fact, the little cat gave him a look that dared him to try and snatch her prize. His mouth twitched into a smile. “I don’t want the vole,” he assured her. “I just want you.” He tapped the ground, coaxing softly, “Come on out here.”

Upper lip quivering, she gave a low gurgle. It sounded like a cross between a reprimand and a warning.

“Yeah, I know, I’m always disturbing you. But I want a little cuddle.”

There was that “Lord, give me strength” look again. He was guessing that Madisyn was communicating what he wanted the cat to do. Evidently, she found his wish for cuddles just a little pathetic.

Chuckling, he drummed his fingers on the ground. “Come on. Come to me.”

Finally, she reluctantly abandoned the vole and very slowly padded out of the log with a long, droning growl that made her displeasure clear.

Bracken shook his head. “I’m not buying that shit. I know you like it when I pet and cuddle you.” She was used to him handling her now, so she didn’t claw at him for lifting her and holding her against his chest. He dropped a kiss on her head and nuzzled her. “My kitty.” That earned him another lip quiver.

Murmuring sweet nothings to her, he stroked her thick, soft fur as he walked back to the lodge. She purred, relaxing into him, and there was something about that sound of absolute contentment that warmed him. So it was a real shame that the moment was ruined when they stepped out of the trees only to find the Alpha pair waiting on the front porch.

Snapping to full alertness, the cat went stiff as a board, a growl vibrating in her chest.

Shaya’s face went all soft when she spotted the feline. “Oh, Nick, look! She’s so—”

Nick grabbed his mate when she tried stepping off the porch. “Do you not like your face as it is? Do you not want to keep your eyelids? Give the cat her space.”

“But she’s—”

“Ready to rip you to shreds if you make a wrong move.”

Stopping a few feet away from the couple, Bracken said, “He’s right, Shaya. She’s no house cat. She lets me pet her—but never for long. And right now, she’s raring to spring.” She no doubt sensed the pair’s level of strength, knew they were Alphas, but she was far too crazy to let it hold her back from attacking if she felt the need to defend herself or Madisyn. He suspected that this vigorous need to protect stemmed from the fact that she’d been the only protection that Madisyn had had for a very long time. Well, now both woman and cat also had him.

Bracken gently scratched under the cat’s chin, hoping to relax her. “She doesn’t recognize you as her Alphas yet. To her, you’re just trespassers. If she didn’t know you, she’d be doing a lot more than letting out a warning growl.”

Shaya sighed. “I just wanted to give her a little stroke. And maybe even a snuggle.”

Nick gave his mate a look of utter exasperation. “You don’t snuggle a pallas cat.”

“Yeah? He does.”

“Bracken’s her mate, so she’ll allow it. Just keep your distance.”

Shaya huffed. “Fine. Anyway, Bracken, we wanted to . . .” She trailed off as she noticed the claiming mark on his neck. “You’re mated? Oh my God, you’re mated!”

“No squealing,” said Bracken, tightening his hold on the cat, who tried to spring out of his arms and launch herself at the source of the high-pitched sound.

Shaya winced, still beaming at him. “Sorry, sorry, I’m just so happy for you both.” She looked close to bouncing on the spot with glee.

Nick pulled his mate back a step, watching the cat carefully. “Seriously, Brack, the crazed look in her eyes doesn’t freak you out at all?”

Bracken blinked. “Why would it?”

The Alpha just shook his head. “Forget it. I’m not gonna judge.”

“Considering your mate has chased you with a shotgun more than once and has a tendency to throw knives at you, I’m not sure you’re in a position to judge,” said Bracken.

Shaya laughed. “He has a point, Nick. You can’t deny that.”

The Alpha male just grunted.