Treasured Find (Royal Pride Book 1) (27 page)

“Why would I fight you? If I’m committing to you, I’ll welcome your claim.”

“No matter how much you love me or want to stay with me, you’ll instinctively resist. Your trust in me is what will ensure our bond is successful. The process is”—he cracked his jaw—“painful. It’s also frightening for humans. I will be taking a piece of your soul and so will my animals. I will
know
you. Every intimate detail, Jasmine. Your memories. Your weaknesses. Your fears. I will experience it all. So will my cats.”

“And if you don’t like what you see?”

“I will. You are a beautiful, loving person. Strong and brave. Worthy. I am lucky to have found you.” His words rushed out.

She narrowed her eyes. “And if your cats don’t like what they see?”

He stared at her for a long moment, then rolled his shoulders. “They will. They—”

“And if your cats don’t like what they see?”

He grabbed a handful of his hair and tugged it hard. “Don’t make me say it.”

“Don’t make me ask again.”

“Any one of them can refuse you. They are individual entities with free will. I can’t force them to accept you, but they will. You are
our
true mate. I don’t doubt them. If I did, I wouldn’t have even brought up the subject of mating.”

“And if one of them refuses me, I die. For good. That’s what you’re telling me.”

“Yes. If I had been born a single shifter, it wouldn’t be so traumatic. I wouldn’t have to…” He balled his fists. “I wouldn’t have to kill you in order to mate you.”

When he said it like that, the idea of mating lost its romantic appeal. She reached for the wall to brace her suddenly shaky legs. Rafe got to her first. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and hugged her close. “This isn’t how I planned our conversation about mating to go.”

“And when exactly were you going to share that little detail?”

“After I knew for certain that you not only love me but would trust me with your life. Why do you think I’m so anxious to get rid of Jon? Yes, it’s because I want him to pay for his crimes, but I also want him out of the picture so that I can earn your trust. I guess I also want”—he sighed, and his warm breath stirred her hair—“to prove to myself that I can protect you. Knowing first Josh and then Devin protected you instead of me makes me doubt myself.”

He chuckled, the sound bitter and raw. “That’s not something many dominant males would admit, but for you, I will. I doubt that I am worthy of you, and if I fail you when we mate, I—”

“Shh, don’t say it. You won’t fail me. I trust you.”

He tightened his arms around her and simply held her. “My father cautioned each of his sons to not be in a rush to pick a mate. A breeding partner only warmed a male’s bed, not his heart. You do both.”

With that, he eased back. “I must do this. I need to prove to myself that I can be the mate you deserve.”

Love rushed up, and she blinked back tears. She nodded quickly. “Okay, but hurry home.”

His smile turned her heart over. “I will. Promise.”

She followed his retreating back with her gaze, then stood there until she heard the front door bang shut, before she rushed down the stairs.

Kade met her gaze. Going by the sympathetic expression he wore, he’d heard the fight she’d had with Rafe. Great.

She pinched the bridge of her nose. “How did you get stuck with inside babysitting duty? I thought it was Xander’s turn.”

Kade shoved his hands in his front pockets. “It was. Xander’s pulling double duty patrolling because Rafe ord—” He smirked. “Because Rafe asked me very nicely if I would stay.”

Ordered him, then. She shook her head. “And you agreed because?”

“Because Rafe is my twin, and if anything happened to you, he’d kill himself.” He leveled a hard look at her. “I don’t ever want to lose him. It’s why I’m in this damn role to begin with.”

“He didn’t want to lead your family.”

“No, and now I know why he convinced me to accept the spirit.” Kade motioned toward her with a jerk of his chin. “You.”

“Me?”

“Subconsciously, he must’ve known his mate would be a human. If he’d been leader, he wouldn’t have been able to claim you, even if he’d wanted to.”

“Because I can’t have his babies, and he’d need a son to pass on the spirit of your family if he died.”

Kade grinned. “Exactly, sure in desperate times, any male feline shifter can accept the spirit, but it wants to remain with its host’s son.”

“How long have you held the spirit? Aren’t you getting the urge to mate?”

“Not mate, breed. My cats could care less who I choose as long as she’ll birth us strong kids.” He glanced at her. “I don’t want to be that male who only touches his mate when he wants sex. My parents were true mates. I saw the difference. I see it with you and Rafe. Unless I’m in a position where I must mate a female in order to produce an heir, I’ll fight my stubbornness-ass cats until I meet my true mate.”

Josh walked into the room, stopping Jazz from asking Kade more questions. Josh leaned against the wall a few feet from Kade. “I saw Rafe leave. If you’re in here, who else is patrolling with Xander?”

“Nobody.”

Josh straightened. “What do you mean? We’ve always had two of you in the woods. One patrolling. One sitting and watching the house.”

“Zach’s on his way over. He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

“And that’s a few minutes too long.” Josh moved toward the door. “I’ll go sit outside and keep an eye on the woods.”

Kade grabbed his arm. “No, you won’t.”

“Why? Because I’m human?”

“Yes. I’m sorry if that hurts your pride, but it’s a fact you can’t change. You will never be faster or stronger than a shifter. Jon might be old by shifter standards, but he’d still gut you with one swipe of his claw.”

“I held my own against Devin.”

“You held your own against a male who was fighting the influence of his cats. If he’d given in to them immediately, you wouldn’t have even landed the first punch.”

“Fine. I won’t leave the front porch, and I’ll yell if I see something. I won’t move a damn ass cheek off my seat.”

Kade crossed his arms over his chest. “No.”

“Son of a bi—” Josh clamped his mouth shut and glanced at the hallway.

Josh’s parents, Mira and the kids shuffled in from the kitchen with bags of chips.

Jazz laid her hand on Josh’s arm. “Come on. Help me pick a movie for the kids.”

“Sure. Might as well. Doesn’t look like I’m good for anything else.”

Josh picked the first one on the shelf. With nothing else to do but worry, she sat on the arm of the sofa to watch an animated flick she’d seen dozens of times. The opening scene played. Singing filled the room, but her gaze kept straying to the door.

Kade motioned her over.

“Rafe loves you. That is why he’s so desperate to take out Jon. He doesn’t want to risk losing you to him. Nor does he want to spend the next several decades looking over his shoulder, waiting for Jon to die of old age.”

“Rafe told you he loves me?”

A lopsided smile spread on Kade’s face. “No, but I know my twin.” He rested his hand over his heart. “We’re connected. I feel his devotion to you. It’s a first for him.”

She glanced over her shoulder at where Josh sat. “Hasn’t Rafe ever been in love?”

“There are many types of love. Once you’ve lived a few centuries, you’ll realize that. Rafe was been infatuated with women. Lusted after them. Cared for them. Never has he loved. It wasn’t for lack of available women.” He shook his head. “Many single shifter fathers have paraded their daughters before him, hoping to entice him to choose one of them as his mate. Rafe refused to even kiss any of them, let alone mate them.”

She was glad, but couldn’t help asking, “Why?”

“There aren’t that many Royals. We just don’t reproduce well. It takes four conceptions to occur at once in order for a Royal to be born. So the female who snags one of us is prized and gets the social boost mating into royalty brings. And if the single shifter female can convince her Royal mate to soul-bond with her, she’ll have immortality.”

Kade’s annoyed tone suggested he didn’t like the constant female attention either. Honestly, if she had men interested in her only for what they could gain by being with her, she’d be irritated too.

“And that’s what the single shifters ultimately want. Immortality?”

He shook his head. “Not all. Many are content with their fate. They live several centuries, die and are then reborn to do it over again. For those who screw up the first time around, the promise of another try isn’t so bad. Hell, I wouldn’t mind a do-over.”

“A do-over?” She smiled. “I think I like you Kade.”

Kade squeezed her hand. “And I like you, Jazz.” He released her. “I’m going to go sit on the porch. I think I’ve watched this movie five times already. Besides, Josh is right. Somebody should be outside until Zach gets here. You’re safe with Mira. Devin might be protective of her, but she’s more vicious than many males I know.”

Josh jumped from the couch as Kade reached the front door. “Wait for me.”

Kade peered over his shoulder. “You’re coming too?”

“Yeah, unless it’s not safe for me sitting mere feet from the Alexander pride leader.”

Kade flung the door open. “Let’s go.”

She grinned at Josh’s eagerness to escape the musical torture session. Josh might love her boys, but he’d never been a big fan of television or cute kid shows. It’d be fun watching him adjust to living with Megan.

She made her way back to the couch, but Seth hopped from his spot on the floor and headed toward the kitchen.

“Hey, kiddo, where you going?”

“Need a soda,” he called out.

Her heart skipped a beat. She ran after him and grabbed his arm before he opened the fridge door.

“You know the rules, Seth. If you’re not in your room, you stay with an adult.”

He groaned and rolled his eyes. “But Mom, I’m only getting a soda.”

She swept her arm dramatically to encompass the room. “And where is the adult in here to watch you?”

He dropped his gaze. “I’m sorry.”

She gave him a quick hug. “I know this is hard. We only have to do this a little while longer. Just until the bad guy is caught.”

He peered at her through strands of brown hair that had fallen over one eye. “I’m tired of being in the house. I want to go outside and play.”

She hated keeping them cooped up too. Kids needed to run, to burn off energy, especially ones that housed animals. “I know, Seth. Soon. Okay?”

“Okay, Mom.”

She ruffled his hair, then opened the fridge. “Orange or cola?”

He didn’t answer.

“Seth?”

He stood at the patio door with his hands cupped to the glass.

“What do you see?”

Seth slid the door open and stepped onto the deck without responding. Her throat squeezed tight. She ran after him. Mist was falling. She slid across the wet boards but made it down the steps and grabbed him.

“Seth, where do you think you’re going?” She hated raising her voice but fear drove her temper. Instead of waiting for an answer, she tugged him to the steps. “Back inside, young man. It’s too dangerous out here.”

Seth pointed with a trembling hand. “Peggy Sue.”

She looked in the direction he indicated. Peggy Sue, who was supposed to be with another neighbor, was limping toward them through the woods. The older dog stumbled, and she gasped.

“Peggy Sue.” Seth wiggled out of her arms and took off.

“Seth, no!”

She followed and slipped on the wet leaves. Her knees hit the ground. Something sharp pressed into her skin, and she yelped. She pushed to her feet. Pain radiated through her leg. She ignored it and ran forward, following Seth into the shaded area, but skidded to a stop after only a few feet.

Jon held Seth flush to his chest with a hand wrapped around Seth’s neck. Seth’s wide-eyed gaze was locked on to her, while Jon’s leering one perused her body.

She curled her fingers, wishing she could unleash claws. She wanted to rip Jon’s neck out for daring to put his hands on Seth.

“Hey there, sweet thing. I’ve been waiting for my chance to get you alone.”

“Let him go,” she ordered.

Jon tightened his grip on Seth’s throat, and Seth whimpered.

Jazz stepped forward. “Don’t do it, Jon. It’s me you want, not the boy.”

Snarls came from behind her. She risked a quick peek and found an enraged lion crouched, huge fangs bared. Kade, she assumed, but it didn’t matter which shifter he was. He was on her side. A wolf approached behind Jon. She’d never felt so relieved in her life to be surrounded by snarling animals.

“See? Did you really think we’d be without protection? Let the child go, and you can have me.”

“No. He’s my brat. I’ll do anything I want with the kid, including selling his ass.” Jon gave Seth a little shake. “Or kill him. That’ll piss off his mom good. She’ll regret leaving me then.”