Shadow Mated(14)

Gash went stiff. He recognized a threat when he heard one. Your heart.

“What the fuck does that mean?” he spat, nodding to Mason. The man shifted in an instant, his cougar coming forth a second before darting into the woods.

Felix let out a derogatory chuckle. “Oh, now. Don’t play dumb with me, brother. You know what I’m talking about. Pops always said your heart was too soft, and he was right.”

“We’re protected here. We have bears. And our cats aren’t helpless. You can try to hurt my clan, but you’ll have a fight on your hands like nothing you’ve ever seen.”

Felix’s voice went deadly quiet. “I’m not talking about your clan.”

Gash stared hard at Bailey’s cabin, his brain scrambling to get a read on Felix.

He knows.

His throat closed up and his mouth went dry at the realization.

He knows about mate.

“Yeah, brother. Is it making sense now? I know about your little bitch.”

“Rigor told you,” Gash rasped, but Felix just laughed.

“You think I sent Rigor up there alone? You think I’d trust the fate of my very own brother to a fucking wolf? Naw. I didn’t become the leader of this clan by trusting people, Gash.”

But no, that couldn’t be right. There’d only been two wreckers and every man there was a dog. No cats. He’d made sure of that from the beginning.

“You’re lying.”

“I wouldn’t waste my time lying to you. There was a third truck. Rigor was supposed to pass you off to them as soon as you were clear of Ouachita land.”

A third truck. Gash’s mind raced, and the sound of big cats roaming the woods registered in his ears. He scented the air but there was nothing strange. Magic, Mason, and Renner. Others would be patrolling soon. He could see lights flipping on inside cabins down the path even hidden by thick foliage.

“I’m going to kill her,” Felix growled, his fury whipping through the phone to lash Gash’s cat. “I’m going to flay you, and then I’m going to make you watch as I destroy your mate. I owe you a life.” And then the line clicked dead.

Gash shook with rage. I owe you a life. The phrase was used by the shadow clan to declare that you owed someone bigtime. A pledge to return the favor when someone had your back. In short, that you’d give your life to pay the debt.

Felix’s parting words were a twisted version. They were a promise that he’d take the life Gash had made for himself here. Starting with Bailey.

Gash dropped his phone and ran for his mate’s cabin. But before he got far, a pale cougar with dark markings on his face bounded out from the trees. Mason. Gash skidded to a stop before the snarling animal.

“Bailey,” he snapped. “He’s going to get Bailey.”

Mason shifted to his human form, breathing heavy, his eyes still reflecting those of his cat. “Our land is clear. There’s no one around.”

Gash shook his head, trying to step past the man. “Have to check my Bailey.”

Something painful flashed over Mason’s eyes, but he stopped Gash once again. “I checked the perimeter of her place. There are no strange scents. Check on her, fine, but after we talk. It’s important.”

Gash looked at Bailey’s cabin, and back to Mason. Shit.

Need to see mate. See that she’s well.

Shit.

“Make it fast,” he snarled.

“Fine. But I’m not having this conversation with my dick hanging out.” Mason jogged over to where he’d left his clothes and quickly yanked on his jeans. “As I was saying before your asshole brother called, I’m not interesting in fighting you for Bailey.”

Good. Because Gash would win that fight hands down. Not because Mason couldn’t throw one down, but because no one, would win that particular fight against Gash.

“I was watching you two—like I have all the others—trying my damndest to figure out how to get you together. Not to mention, I had a certain little whiny bobcat screeching in my brain because I refused to do things her way. But we’re running out of time here, and it looks like she might be right.” He jerked his head, bringing a hand up to one ear to cover it. “Goddamn it, Destiny. I agreed with you, okay? You don’t have to yell anymore. Let me handle this.”

Gash stared at his friend, unable to comprehend what was happening. Was he losing his mind?

Mason tilted his head like he was listening, and then let out his breath in a rush. “Okay. She’s gone. Thank fuck. I mean, I appreciate her help and everything. I really do. But she can be very, very loud. And bossy. And I never know when it’s safe to, you know… be with a female. Because it’s not like she ever knocks before she just barges into my mind. Shit, I can’t even get comfy enough to give myself a handy-snack. What if I was like, mid-stroke and she decided to pop over unannounced? Awwwwkward.”