Freeing A Lion: BBW Paranormal Lion Shape Shifter Romance (Sleeping Lions - Shifters Prime Book 2)
Author: Raines, Harmony
Date: 2016-02-11
Keywords: General Fiction

Table of Contents

Copyright

Foreword

Chapter One – Lottie

Chapter Two – Daniel

Chapter Three – Lottie

Chapter Four – Daniel

Chapter Five – Lottie

Chapter Six – Daniel

Chapter Seven – Lottie

Chapter Eight – Daniel

Chapter Nine – Lottie

Chapter Ten – Daniel

Chapter Eleven – Lottie

Chapter Twelve – Daniel

Chapter Thirteen – Lottie

Chapter Fourteen – Daniel

Chapter Fifteen – Lottie

Chapter Sixteen – Daniel

Chapter Seventeen – Lottie

Chapter Eighteen – Daniel

Chapter Nineteen – Lottie

Chapter Twenty – Daniel

Chapter Twenty-One – Lottie

Chapter Twenty-Two – Daniel

Chapter Twenty-Three – Lottie

Chapter Twenty-Four – Daniel

Chapter Twenty-Five – Lottie

Chapter Twenty-Six – Daniel

Also By Harmony Raines

Freeing A Lion

Sleeping Lions

(Book Two)

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Note from the author: My books are written, produced and edited in the UK where spellings and word usage can vary from U.S. English. The use of quotes in dialogue and other punctuation can also differ.

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All rights reserved. This book, or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written consent of the author or publisher.

This is a work of fiction and is intended for mature audiences only. All characters within are eighteen years of age or older. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, actual events or places is purely coincidental.

© 2016 Harmony Raines

Kindle Edition

Foreword

Despite a past she has been hiding from for two years, curvy girl Lottie joins an animal rights group to help the animals kept in appalling conditions in a nearby circus. But when she lifts the tarp, and takes a photo of the caged lion, what she sees will change her life forever.

Or should that be shift her life forever!

Tricked into being a circus lion by a sadistic lion tamer, Daniel is trapped, with no end to his suffering in sight. They have exactly the right kind of leverage over him to keep him under control.

But he longs to be free, to go across the border to Shifters Prime, and live like a normal shifter.

However, Daniel is about to find out that fate moves in very mysterious ways, and when a stranger looks into is cage, he knows she is his mate.

Can she help him escape? Can she help him achieve the impossible, and return to Shifters Prime?

When her past catches up with Lottie, it seems the rescuer will be the one in need of rescue, and who better to do so than a handsome hunk of lion flesh.

The only problem; you can only enter Shifters Prime with a visa, which she doesn’t have … unless you are a shifter … which she isn’t …yet!

This is the second book in the Sleeping Lions Series, Living a Lion is already on sale.

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Chapter One – Lottie

After waiting outside for over an hour, the rain had finally soaked through Lottie’s coat. So much for its claim to be waterproof.

However, nothing was going to deter her from what she had come here to do. Animal cruelty was not a thing she could tolerate, and she planned to take pictures of the lion the despicable Cartwright Brothers used in their shows.

Animal Respect Not Cruelty, the action group she belonged to, had been monitoring the circus for some time. None of the animals were kept in ideal conditions, but the lion was the most shocking of all. When not being forced to do tricks in the ring, he was kept in a small cage, which was permanently covered.

Tonight, Lottie had volunteered to sneak into the secure area where the animals were kept and take photos. The plan was to go to the media, social media. If they could get enough people to sign a petition, then the circus would have to act, or risk being boycotted, which would put them out of business. Either way, the animals would have a better life.

A sound off to her right made her duck behind a trailer. She was around twenty feet away from the lion’s cage, and as usual it was covered up completely. The idea was to get close enough to peel back the tarp and take a few pictures of the poor creature, without disturbing it. No one was sure exactly how secure the cage was. And a lion on the loose would divert sympathy away from the campaign to get him freed and sent to a conservation area where he could live a normal life, and instead he would be hunted.

Lottie ducked down and looked under the other trailers for any signs of movement. But there was nothing; it all looked quiet. Now or never. Her nerve nearly left her, but she had come this far and she had to complete her part of the job, not for anything other than the poor caged creature.

Taking herself firmly in hand, she made her feet move. This had seemed so much easier in the volunteering stage. Now, faced with seeing the lion close up, she was experiencing a mixture of awe and fear of what might happen.

“Only one way to find out,” she said to herself under her breath. Moving forward, she made her way as quietly as she could towards the lion’s cage. Her heart thumped loudly and every sound made her nervous, but she had to do this.

Camera at the ready, she eased herself behind the trailer holding the cage, then she eased the tarp up an inch then two. Standing still, she listened. If she heard the lion close up to where she was standing, she would put the tarp down and move away. But all she could hear was something eating, teeth gnawing at bones.

Tensing, ready to lift up the tarp higher and duck under it to snap a picture, she tried to imagine where he was in the cage, by noise alone. Yet the more she listened, the more something didn’t sound right. The gnawing wasn’t loud enough, the teeth chewing on bone didn’t seem big enough.

Nothing for it. She lifted the tarp, took the picture and then ducked down out of sight, waiting for the beast to come at her. But there was no sound. No sound at all.

He had stopped eating, but he hadn’t come towards her. Any minute now he would resume his meal and she would slink away. Any minute now … but the silence endured.

Lottie looked down at the camera and decided the best move would be to check if the picture had come out OK. If it had, she would get the hell out of there. There was little else she could do tonight. Once the picture was uploaded online, events would escalate quickly: pressure would be put on the circus and the poor creature would be sent to a sanctuary.

Flicking the button to view the image, she felt the blood drain from her body, and the ground rose up to meet her bottom, leaving her with wet jeans. Not that she noticed; her whole attention was on the small screen and the picture it held.

Getting her senses back together, she grabbed hold of the axle of the trailer and hoisted herself back up onto her feet. There had to be some mistake.

Lifting the tarp once more, she peered in, only for her eyes to be met by the sad, plaintive expression of a man. He was close to her, so close that if she reached inside, she would be able to touch him, run her fingers along his naked skin, exposed by the torn rags he wore instead of clothes. And touch the cold silver collar around his neck.

“Shit,” she breathed. This was not what she had expected, not what she had signed up for. Taking a few pictures of animals in cages was one thing, but finding the circus lion was a shifter was another.

The tarp slipped out of her hand and she shut his face out of her vision. She had to think. This would look bad for ARNC, they were committed to rescuing animals, not shifters. What kind of mixed-up mess was this?

She shook her head, trying to get her comprehension of the situation straight. The circus was using shifters in their show. Why? Because they were far more trainable than wild animals.

If this got out, it would ruin the circus. Wouldn’t it? People would side with the shifters, wouldn’t they? Or would people really not care? Would it bother them that they were coming to the big top to see the creatures from across the border in Shifters Prime? Creatures that were also human.

Lottie lifted the tarp again. He was closer, his hand reaching out through the bars and touching hers. An electric shock jolted up her arm, sending her back towards the floor, but she grasped hold of the trailer and stayed upright. As she looked up, their eyes met, locked together as he silently pleaded for help.

“What have they done to you?” she asked.

He shook his head, removing his hand and backing away from her.

“Talk to me,” she said. “Tell me why you are here. Is there a contract you have to fulfil?”

It was common knowledge that some of the shifters came over here to work, to pay off a debt. Everything was closely controlled, and the shifter had to sign a contract with an end term date on it. Once the contract was fulfilled, they were free to go back home. Well, forced, more like, they weren’t welcome among normal human beings. This unwelcoming attitude was reinforced by the collar a shifter was supposed to wear while he was here. Silver laced with copper, the collar prevented them changing into whatever animal it was that possessed them.

And it was a possession, from what she had heard. Like a bad spirit living inside a normal human.

Was it contagious? She looked down at her hand; he had touched her. Stopping herself from trying to wipe any germs away, she told herself to stop being so stupid, shifters with contracts touched humans all the time. Damn, there were so many urban myths related to shifters, it was hard to filter out the crap.

She released her pent-up breath. It’s fine.

What wasn’t fine was the photo on her camera. Lottie backed away, ducking down and heading back the way she had come. Once past the trailers she slipped through the fence, nearly getting snagged on it. Her curvy body did not exactly make sneaking around easy.

“There you are,” Fern hissed. “We thought you got caught.”

“No. I’m fine,” she said, straightening her clothes.

“Did you get the pictures we need?” Henry asked.

“Yes,” she answered, and then knew she couldn’t show them the lion … the man lion. “But not the lion, I got disturbed and had to run.”

“Damn it,” Fern said sharply. “I knew I should have gone. We’ll have to go back in a couple of days.”

“Maybe the ones I’ve got of the other animals will be enough,” Lottie said hopefully.

“No. We need the lion. A snake and a couple of prancing ponies don’t exactly have the same appeal as a big ferocious lion living in misery.”

Lottie felt ashamed for lying, but she didn’t want them to know. And she didn’t quite know why. Because she wanted to go back.

Oh, no you don’t, she told herself. You need to lay low.

Lottie had moved to the city a year ago, to lose herself in a boring job with boring people. Joining ARNC had been a bad idea, she knew it now and ought to leave it all behind. Let Fern go in and take the picture of the lion … of him. Let Fern take all the glory and decide which way to play this. Get yourself away from here.

If Lottie had any sense, she would put as much distance between her and the circus as she could.

Yet as she walked away from the circus, the image of his face, his forlorn expression, haunted her. Maybe because it mirrored the same expression she saw in her own eyes when she thought of the family she had lost.

Walk away, she said to herself.

I can’t, was the reply.

Chapter Two – Daniel

The day dragged on. His head was sore and his eyes gritty, he had found no sleep, and no peace, since her visit last night. She had made things so much worse, something he could never imagine possible, when his life was so damn miserable anyway. Yet her face, the first new face he had seen close up for over two years, had been so beautiful, her skin so soft to his dirty, mud-caked fingers.

“Time to get up, ya mangy lion,” the voice of his keeper, his main torturer, Trevor, called.

Daniel got up and moved to the door of the cage, waiting patiently for the man to come and remove the collar. He did as he was told, because he had no choice.

Trevor poked his head under the tarp, opening the door just enough to reach in. Daniel stretched his neck forward so his keeper could undo the clasp on his collar. “Now, you remember. No biting or scratching. You know what happens if you don’t behave.”

Daniel didn’t respond; that was the best way to behave around Trevor. Instead, Daniel pretended to be listless and docile, although inside he was waiting for the chance to escape, so he could rip Trevor’s head off his shoulders. But they had him cornered, and they knew it. So his escape was a dream, while his reality was a nightmare.

“You know what you have to do. Once the collar is off, you change. No one can see you unless you are a lion. If they do, you know what will happen.”

This was the same thing they went through every afternoon before the show. Trevor never wavered in his instructions. Daniel wondered why he wasted his breath; they both knew Daniel couldn’t fight him. They both knew exactly what would happen if Daniel disobeyed.

The collar left his neck and the transformation happened immediately, just how Trevor liked it. Fur sprouted out of his skin, teeth that longed to sink deep into Trevor’s jugular erupted from his jaws, and sharp claws that would rip Trevor to shreds grew from his fingertips.

Daniel, now in the form of a lion, stood with his head down, waiting for the rope to go around his neck, and then he was led, like a big dog, out of the cage. This was the only time his feet touched the ground, his giant lion paws feeling grass under their pads, his tail twitching and his mane catching the breeze, ruffling, a soft caress.

Like her hand.

“Don’t drag behind,” Trevor said, pulling the rope. Any self-respecting lion, or any self-respecting human, would have fought him, would have made a run for it. But Daniel had long lost his self-respect. And running was impossible

Trevor led him to towards the big top. He could hear the crowds, hear their voices rising in excitement at the prospect of seeing a lion, in the flesh, doing tricks. Daniel shuddered. He wanted to flee, to escape this life. But how could he? And if he did, where could he go? Where would they go? Because he could never leave without Lea.

The curtain drew back and Daniel was led into the back of the stage. Here Trevor took the rope off, donned his hat, and took up his whip. The show was about to begin.

“Remember, you want to look fierce, or Lea might get hurt.”

Daniel stood with his head down, feeling degraded, yet inside his temper fought for release, fought to be allowed to take this monster’s head off. Yet as soon as Trevor was introduced as the greatest lion tamer, Daniel summoned his restraint and ran into the ring roaring.

He had to do as Trevor asked. He had to stay here, and stay alive, or Lea would be alone and he didn’t want to think of what would happen to her then.

He ran around the ring, going through the motions as Trevor cracked his whip. Standing on a stool, rearing up, pretending to disobey Trevor, and watching the crowd look uncertain and then cheer as Trevor bent the lion to his will.

If only they knew.

And then, as he was going around the perimeter of the ring for the final time, he felt her presence. He had never let himself be aware of anyone in the audience, not individually: they were all a baying mob to him. However, he caught her scent, and then he searched for her, and their eyes met, he slowed, and ignored the sound of Trevor becoming impatient, telling him to move. Or else hung in the air.

Daniel didn’t think about the repercussions, she mesmerised him. He couldn’t believe she was here, that she had returned, why that mattered he didn’t know. Yet he stopped, his head turned, taking in the sight of her in the seat at the back. Her hair was golden, swept up in a ponytail; her eyes were blue like the sky. And he could make out the curve of her breasts, the fullness of her lips.

The whip bit into him. It had been a long time since Trevor had used it. And Daniel knew this was not the last time he would feel the bite of it on his body. He had disobeyed; he hadn’t played his part and he would pay for that.

Yet one look at her, one sense of connection with something outside of the circus, made the punishment that was to come worth it. He only hoped they would spare Lea.

Chapter Three – Lottie

She shouldn’t have come, but she had, unable to resist seeing the lion. Her mind still couldn’t accept that they kept the man in the cage and used the lion in the circus. She had to be sure no one had been playing tricks.

Yet as he went around the ring, she had known it was true. That same lost, haunted look was in the lion’s eyes. And then he had stopped. Stopped and stared at her, and she had known in that one moment that she was going to free him. No matter what it took, no matter how much she told herself she was supposed to keep her head down and out of trouble, she had to help him.

The whip cracked. The lion flinched and then tore his eyes from hers and carried on with the act.

She sat still, finding it hard to breathe. Once the show was over she would leave, and then return tonight when it was dark and free him. The man, not the lion.

That thought freaked her out. Once she released him, what was she supposed to do with him? Send him back to Shifters Prime? All she had to do was get him over the border, and then he could go home.

But what if he had a contract? She would be aiding and abetting an escapee. But she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. She knew how that turned out.

Unable to watch the end of the circus, she got up and walked down the steps, leaving the audience clapping at the bravery of the lion tamer. If only they knew.

She went across the road from where the big top was set up and ordered a coffee from the diner. Sitting in a seat by the window, she just stared out, trying to figure out how this was going to work. She had brought some clothes with her: overalls she had taken from work, no one would miss them, and at least it would cover his tattered clothes and make him almost invisible in the city.

What if he didn’t want to come with her? Or what if he took the collar off and turned into a lion? Did the collar control him, did it really stop the change?

Burying her face in her hands, she tried to rub away the sleep that wanted to claim her. There had been no rest for her last night; instead, she had left Fern and Henry and walked along the river, trying not to feel the dread of being out in the dark on her own. But some habits were hard to lose.

The families leaving the circus caught her eye. The show was over, and children with excited faces were eating candyfloss as they held their parents’ hands. That was her once, a long time ago. Two years, she reminded herself. Those two years were a lifetime.

“More coffee?” the waitress asked with a thinly veiled question of are you going to sit there forever.

“No, thank you,” Lottie said, getting up from her seat. It was time to move; she had to sneak back into the circus while there were still people milling about. She would find somewhere to hide and then get to the lion’s cage when it was all quiet.

Going out into the darkening night, feeling the chill on her skin made her shiver. She should be at home, nice and safe, not out here putting herself in danger for a man she didn’t know. A shifter. That made her decision worse.

Crossing back over the road, she edged along the fence and then ducked under, heading for the vehicles. From there she would cut across to the trailers. If she timed it right, they would have put the animals to bed and all would be quiet.

One quick look around and she ducked down, keeping low to the floor as she headed towards the cars and trucks the circus folk used when they were on the road. ARNC had discovered that when the circus was pitched like it was now, the vehicles hardly moved and made great hiding places. She chose a truck that was couple of rows in and tried the door; it was open. She slipped inside, settling down in the seat where no one could see her.

Then she waited.

Finally, the noises in the distance subsided, and she prepared to leave the vehicle and head for the lion’s cage. This was it; her last chance to talk herself out of it. Her last chance to avoid danger, of drawing attention to herself.

But sitting there in the dark, she knew she couldn’t walk away from this. No matter how much she tried to hide from who she really was, she couldn’t. She was her father’s daughter and she had to fight for the downtrodden.

Even if they were shifters.

Her resolve firm, she opened the truck door and headed to the cages, threading her way through the cars and trucks.

It was then she heard the sound of a man crying out in pain.

Flattening herself to the nearest cage, she waited, her mouth clamped shut but her heart beating loud enough the whole city could have heard her. But they didn’t, no one knew she was there, because if they did, they would have stopped what they were doing.

Her brain was screaming at her to run; this was more dangerous than she could have ever have imagined. And to go any closer was to put herself in more danger.

A cry, muffled as though the person was trying to keep quiet, but couldn’t, filled the air. And then she heard the crackle of electricity filled by a groan of agony. The cry that followed was swallowed, but not before she heard it, and made the connection. They were torturing the lion. They were torturing him because he had looked at her in the ring.

In Lottie’s mind that made it her fault. Now she had to save him, or he would be on her conscience forever, just like the deaths of her parents.

She didn’t stop to think; she didn’t creep around. Instead she ran at them, knocking the man with the prod over. Another man made a grab for her, while the lion man lay on the floor trembling.

The first guy got up; it was the lion tamer. “This ain’t your business, little lady.”

“Really? I think it is my business, I think it’s everyone’s business to see what you have been doing.” She looked at the body writhing on the floor, saw his thick-set, muscled body and wondered why he didn’t fight back, he could overpower these two men if he tried. And then she saw the young girl: she was tied up, a collar round her neck. He was taking his punishment in order to protect her.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the other guy, big, tight fists, said.

“Let him go,” she ordered, taking her phone out of her pocket and holding it up. “Or do you want me to send this video viral? Won’t look good for your circus, will it? You beating a defenceless man up.”

“He ain’t no man. He’s an animal. And no one will care,” the lion tamer said, his face ugly with rage, not so elegant without his suit and top hat.

“Want to let social media decide?” she asked, making absolutely sure they saw her phone and trying not to let her hand shake. In truth, she was terrified. This made no sense at all, at least not in a way she could understand. How could they threaten a child?

“Let’s not be hasty. You walked in on us disciplining this one. We have to keep them in place. You know they are dangerous, right?” the lion tamer said, inching his way closer to her.

The man on the ground, the man who was also a lion, was looking at her oddly. It unnerved her, but there was no way she was going to walk away from this. To leave him here would haunt her forever, let alone leaving a child in the hands of such brutes.

Maybe he read all this in her face, she wasn’t sure, but the next thing she knew, he was on his feet. Before the keepers had time to do anything, he rammed into the lion tamer, taking the prod from his hand, and knocking him to the floor. Before the second one could react, he stuck the prod in the man’s chest, making him scream in pain.

Horrified, Lottie stood watching, her body stiff with terror. What had she done? What had she helped free? This wasn’t what ARNC was about. They were about helping animals have a better life, not shifters.

If he killed them, would their blood be on her hands? Would she be an accessory to murder?

Finding her courage, she rushed forward, snatching the prod from him. “You can’t kill them.”

“They deserve to die,” he said.

“If you kill them, you will spend the rest of your life behind another set of bars, or worse.”

He looked at her, really looked at her like no one else ever had before, as if he could see into her soul. The prod dropped from his hand, and instead he drew his fist back and knocked the man unconscious.

Turning, he went to the girl, undoing her rope and lifting her sobbing body. Then he ran back towards Lottie, and she cringed with fear: was he going to knock her out too?

No. He grabbed her arm and propelled them all forward. “Please, help us.” His voice was raw with emotion and hope.

Lottie looked up at him, looked at the small, thin girl in his arms, and knew she was her father’s daughter and that no matter what the cost, she would get them out of here and back to Shifters Prime.

Chapter Four – Daniel

This couldn’t be happening. He wanted to pinch himself. Isn’t that what you did to check you weren’t dreaming? But he didn’t want to stop, they were running, the woman guiding them through the vehicles parked around the trailers where the circus people were no doubt inside eating good food. Not the raw meat they threw to him on an evening.

Daniel knew he had to get rid of his anger. It wouldn’t help him now; it would only cloud his judgement, and he had to keep his thoughts straight if they were going to get out of this alive. That sounded melodramatic, but he was certain that right now Trevor would be getting his senses back, and then going to find a gun. And he wouldn’t be reaching for the tranquilizer darts. No, if Trevor caught up with them, Daniel would have a bullet put between his eyes.

“This way,” she said, slowing and crouching down to the ground. “We have to skirt the perimeter and head for a gap in the fence.”

“Lead the way,” he said. “Lea, sweetheart, you have to climb on my back and hold on tight.”

Lea didn’t move. She was clinging to him as if she never wanted to let go. He paused for one moment and prised her small hands from his clothes. “Lea, I might need my hands free. So climb on my back. I promise, I won’t let you go.”

Her small, pale face looked up at him, those haunted eyes troubling to his soul. Would she ever get over this? Would she ever be a normal, happy child?

Her sobs easing, she did as he asked, climbing up onto his back and holding on so tight he wandered if she would ever be able to open her fingers again.

The woman ran ahead, looking from side to side, and then ducked down and slipped through a narrow gap. He followed, stopping at the place where the fence was pulled back. It was too small for him. The woman had already seen that and was pulling at the wire. He did the same, peeling it back. At the same time, he couldn’t stop his eyes flicking up to look at her: Why was she helping them? And who was she? A rush of something coursed through his body, but he couldn’t pinpoint the emotion he was feeling.

“There, try now. It might be easier if you pass Lea through first,” she said, holding out her hands. “It is Lea, isn’t it? Such a pretty name.”

“No,” Lea said firmly. “I’m not going anywhere without Daniel.” Her hands tightened, if that was possible.

“I promised Lea we’d get out of here together,” he said and somehow, he managed to squeeze through, his clothes getting caught on a piece of wire, and they tore. Not that there was much resistance from the thin threads he laughingly called clothes.

He stood for a moment, totally lost in the feeling of freedom that coursed through his body. That fence had kept him captive for so long—the threat of harm to Lea had made sure he never tried to escape—but now they were both standing on the other side of the fence.

“We’re free, Lea,” he said quietly.

“You won’t be for long unless we move,” Lottie said, starting off down the street, expecting them to follow. He wondered if she hoped they wouldn’t go with her? Maybe she wanted them to take off in another direction, so that she could pat herself on the back, tell herself she did the right thing, and not have to deal with the consequences.

But he had nowhere to go. If he followed, she might hide them, at least until he could figure out what they were going to do now. After spending all his life on this side of the border, he didn’t know anything about life in Shifters Prime. But it was where he had promised Lea they would go. At night, when their trailers were parked close enough that they could whisper to each other, they had talked about what it would be like to run free again. Free to be who they really were, and not have to hide.

So he followed, running as though his legs didn’t belong to him. It had been so long since he had been able to move around freely in his human body. Now his legs felt weak, or was that the adrenaline ebbing away, to leave him with a sense of shock?

They were free.

The weight of Lea on his back was slight, but the weight of her safety was heavy. He had promised her mom he would look after her and keep her safe, but for the last two years he had failed at that dismally. He couldn’t fail again; he wanted her to have a normal life on the other side of the border, even if it meant putting himself in danger.

And there was danger. Lea’s mom, Nora, the woman who had raised him, had told him so. So many times she had cried at the moon, her heart breaking at not being able to change into her lion whenever she wanted. During those times she told him of his family, of the father who was killed and the brothers sent to live in safety on this side of the border.

Only when Nora died and he was the sole guardian to her daughter, conceived this side of the border, did he find out they weren’t safe. That men were cruel. So in the moments when Daniel and Lea whispered, they had decided that there must be a place in Shifters Prime where they could be safe.

Now he planned to travel there. And nothing was going to stop him, not even the pull of the woman who had helped him. He had to be strong. The urge to mate with her was just that, an urge that he could control.

Lea was all that mattered.

As they reached her car and they all climbed in, he wished that for once he could have it all. But fate was cruel, and it was best not to give in to hope.

Chapter Five – Lottie

What the fuck am I doing? she asked herself.

They were all seated in her small car, Daniel’s head nearly touching the ceiling, as he was too big for the small vehicle. Trying to ignore the sight of his muscles bulging out of his ragged clothes, she started the engine. As soon as it sparked into life, she put it in drive and pulled out onto the quiet road. All the circus traffic had gone and she felt conspicuous as they drove away. She couldn’t help looking in the rearview mirror, making sure they weren’t being followed.

Or hunted.

She glanced sideways at him again; he was a lion. As for what the little girl in the back seat was, she didn’t know and wasn’t going to ask. One step at a time. One small step at a time. She reminded herself to breathe. And stick to the speed limit, because her foot kept inching down on the gas pedal as she tried to outrun her pursuers.

Nothing there. She looked once more in the rearview mirror and made herself relax. She didn’t want to get pulled over by the cops. Daniel and Lea would raise questions, not just because of their lack of proper clothes, but also because they both wore those collars that stopped shifters changing. Silver laced with copper: she’d always thought it was another urban myth, she just hoped they did stop their brains from sending the message through their bodies to change. Because her car would never contain a living, breathing, roaring lion.

A bubble of hysterical laughter threatened, but she swallowed it back down. This was madness, complete and utter madness. She had done her part; now she needed to stop the car, open the door, and tell them to get the hell out of her life.

That wasn’t going to happen though, and she knew it. She had instigated this, and now she had to see it through to the end, no matter how bitter that might be. Damn, she was an idiot, hadn’t she been told to stay out of trouble, stick to the shadows or risk blowing her new identity? She should never have joined ARNC, but then she was never meant to do more than take photos behind the scenes. Freeing a lion was all down to her.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

Her head swivelled round and she stared at him blankly. Then her brain caught up and she answered. “Oh. My place, I guess. I have a small house. I’ll park in the garage and you two can go in unnoticed.”

“Are you sure you want to get involved with us. You could just drive us to the border.”

“Is that what you want? I mean, I could do that, but the border is a good four-hour drive away and it would be better if you were actually wearing clothes. Clothes that didn’t look as if they were about to fall apart.”

He looked down at himself. “You’re right.” He was silent for a moment. “I have no money, no way to buy clothes.”

“It’s OK.” She tried to smile reassuringly. “I’ll get them for you.”

“I won’t be able to pay you back.”

“I know. It’s OK. The least I can do.” She took a deep breath and tried to think coherently. “Look, we go back to my place, I’ll fix you something to eat, and then I’ll go shopping. There’s a late-night store open just around the corner. I’ll go grab some stuff, and then in the morning I’ll call in sick and I’ll drive you to the border.”

He sat back and closed his eyes momentarily, and she wanted to know what he was thinking.

“I don’t want to put you in danger,” he said at last.

“This is my choice,” she said, sounding braver than she felt. “I think I’ve hidden away for too long.” She smiled at him, trying to hide the emotion in her voice. Tonight had made her realise that she had spent so long trying to stay safe, that she was in danger of letting her life slide away. The reason she had joined ARNC was because she wanted to make a difference. Just as her dad had wanted to make a difference.

“Thank you,” he said, and she knew he meant it, really meant it.

“You’re welcome,” she said, her eyes fixed on the road while she tried to sort through her emotions. It was as if she was waking up from a long, deep sleep. Ever since the night her parents were gunned down in front of her, she had been sleep-walking through her life.

“How much further?” he asked.

“Another few minutes. You might want to get down; I don’t usually take men home, so if my neighbours see you, they might take more notice than we would like.”

He slid down in his seat. “Keep your head down, Lea,” he said, and in the back seat she heard the girl duck down.

“Is Lea your sister?” Lottie asked.

“No,” he replied and didn’t offer her anything else. Maybe he had a point; the less she knew about them, the better. Although once they were safely over the border, it wouldn’t matter, they wouldn’t be found. That was if she could get them over the border. “I just thought you might have trouble getting across the border if you have unpaid contracts.” She thought of the money sitting in her bank account and figured if she could use the money if she needed to.

“We don’t have contracts,” he said.

“You mean that isn’t why you were at the circus? I figured that you owed a debt and that you were working it off,” she said, shocked.

“No, we got sucked in. They offered me a job, and I accepted. But really they just wanted a freak-show lion.”

“And Lea.”

“They used her as leverage,” he said roughly.

“That’s so wrong,” she said quietly. But if Lea wasn’t his sister, what hold did the young girl have over him?

None of your business, she said to herself. Daniel looked as if he was the kind of man who would not have let anything happen to a child, even if she was a complete stranger. He was a protector.

She felt a pang of jealousy, which she quickly swept away. There was nothing to be jealous of, these two people would be out of her life soon enough. There was nothing good to come out of hankering for a bond, another person to share her life with.

However, her heart ached with a longing she had shut away for so long. That longing wasn’t just for a man, it was for a sense of belonging, it was for a family she had lost, and the loneliness crowded in on her.

Chapter Six – Daniel

They reached her house and she drove into the garage. Daniel hated it when the doors shut behind them, making him feel trapped again. He took a deep breath and let it go. They were free.

“What’s your name?” he asked, realising he had no idea who she was and whom he was so indebted to.

“Lottie,” she said.

“I want you to know that I think you are very brave, Lottie,” he said and he was sure she blushed. This confused him, had he said something stupid?

“Anyone else would have done the same thing,” she said, trying to play it down.

“No, they wouldn’t. People like to walk on by, not caring to see what is in front of them.” He sounded bitter. But it was true. Even if he was just a lion, the circus was cruel and degrading for a wild beast. To be made to do tricks… He let it go. There was a lot he was going to have to let go of if he was ever going to be happy again.

She opened her door and got out. He did the same, going to the back door and peering in at the frightened Lea. He should have sat in the back with her, should have comforted her, but he wanted to be up front so he could watch for danger. He was not going to let Lea fall into the hands of the circus again. If they came for them, he would beg Lottie to take Lea and run, then he would allow them to take him, in the hope they wouldn’t bother about a little cub like Lea.

“Come on, Lea, let’s go inside,” he said, undoing her seatbelt and lifting her up into his arms.

“Can’t we run. Just a bit further,” she said quietly, her eyes darting around.

“We’re safe here. You can have a bath and Lottie is going to get us some clothes, then we can head for the border. You know how your mom wanted you to have the chance to live in Shifters Prime? Well, we might just get there.”

“What about you? Will you be safe?” she asked.

“I’ll take us somewhere no one will ever know us. No one will ever know who we are, two lions, we can just disappear.” It was his dream, now they were free; it was his dream to cross the border and live freely. “Vagabonds.”

She smiled. “Vagabonds.”

It was game they played when they were close enough to talk. Two people able to go wherever they wanted, and he had described to her all the places he had seen while he was growing up with Nora as his mom. They’d seen mountains and beaches, swam in lagoons, travelled paths few men walked. She had educated him in the ways of the natural world, with all the sad dignity of a woman in mourning, but who went on for the child she had pledged to raise and keep safe.

“This way,” Lottie said and he carried Lea through a doorway and up a couple of steps, into the kitchen. A kitchen! He looked around, trying to remember the last time he had been in anything resembling a house, and he couldn’t. Not because his memories had faded, but because those memories were too painful. It had been at the time Nora died, and he had been left alone in a world he didn’t belong in with a six-year-old child.

“Can I get you anything?” Lottie said, playing the nervous host.

“Food,” he said simply. “Anything you have.”

“Let’s see,” Lottie said and began opening cupboards, and then she went to the freezer and brought back some steaks. “It’ll take about half an hour, do you two want to go and wash up?”

Daniel looked down at himself. He was dirty, and he bet he smelt horrendous too. He had got used to living in squalor. Now in this clean kitchen, he saw the state he and Lottie were in. “Thanks, want to get cleaned up, Lea?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Will it hurt?”

He laughed, a sound so foreign to him. “No, not much.”

“Through there and up the stairs,” Lottie said, pointing to the hallway. “First door on your right.”

“Thanks,” he said and held out his hand for Lea. She took it, a sideways glance of mistrust aimed at Lottie as they left the kitchen.

“I don’t like her,” Lea said as they reached the top of the stairs.

“Why not?” he asked, finding the bathroom and going inside, shutting the door.

“She’s too nice,” Lea said.

“I like that she’s nice,” Daniel said, putting the plug in the bathtub and switching on the taps. He put his hand under the running water to check it wasn’t too hot. “Let’s get these clothes off.”

“I can do it,” she said firmly.

“OK. Look, you have a bath, scrub all that dirt off. Here, you can even have bubbles,” he said, picking up the bottle and taking the top off. He smelt it. “Roses.”

“I hate roses,” she said.

“You don’t even remember what roses look like,” he said, and wished he hadn’t because her mouth turned down and she looked close to tears. “Hey, when we got to the Prime, first thing we’ll do is go and find some roses to smell. Might even be able to pick you one.”

“I don’t need roses,” she said petulantly.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” he said. “I thought you’d be happy.”

She looked up at him, her big eyes full of fear. “This is scary. What if you find someone you like more than me?”

“Is that what you’re worried about?” He knelt down in front of her. “We’re a team, Team Vagabond, right? Forever.”

“Is Lottie part of Team Vagabond?” Lea asked.

“I think that once we get to the border and we cross, Lottie will go back to her normal life.”

“It’ll just be me and you?” she asked.

“I will never leave you, Lea,” he said. But part of him wanted Lottie to be part of Team Vagabond. He wanted it very much, but he had no idea why.

Chapter Seven – Lottie

“Anything else you need, help yourself,” Lottie said as she gathered up her keys and purse. “I’ll be back in an hour or so.”

“OK,” Daniel said, through mouthfuls of food. “This is good.”

“Glad you like it,” Lottie said, smiling at their table manners. Then her smile faded. These two people had been kept like animals. She wanted to ask him all about it, but it wasn’t the time; it was best if they stayed here and ate, and she went to get clothes to cover his wonderful body.

She cleared her throat, chasing away all thoughts of his body, which was wrapped in one of her bath towels, slung around his hips making him look a little like Tarzan in a loincloth. Damn, she would like to see his loins.

“I’ll be back as quick as I can,” she said, mentally noting the size of him so she could get some clothes that fit. She thought Lea might be about eight years old, but was about the size of a six-year-old. “You will still be here when I get back.”

The sudden thought that they might run out on her, maybe steal her stuff to fund their journey, hit her. But immediately she wanted to take the words back. Daniel stopped eating and looked up at her. “Of course we will. We don’t have anywhere else to go. And I have no clothes.”

She smiled. “No, you don’t.” Reassured, she went out to the garage and got in the car, reversing out of the garage and onto the road. Taking it slow, she headed to the store, all the time checking that no one was following her. There was still some unease in her mind about the lion tamer, would he just let his prize act go?

He could never track her; too much time had gone by. They were safe. She would get them some clothes, they would all get some sleep and tomorrow they would be back where they belonged, running free in Shifters Prime. Lottie would feel good about herself and then go back to her old life, but she would no longer shut people out.

Parking outside the store, she headed inside, going to the children’s department first. There she chose some jeans and T-shirts, plus some pretty sweaters. And a dress. She was sure Lea would deny the need for a dress, but she bought one anyway.

Shoes were a problem, and she settled for some sneakers, a size bigger than she thought, but they could be padded out with socks. That reminded Lottie, Lea would need underclothes too.

Finding it more fun that she thought she would, she headed over to the men’s department, and chose some jeans and T-shirts. By the time she had finished, her trolley was full, and she was feeling happier and more relaxed, as if this was normal, shopping for her family.

There was a small queue at the checkout, and as she waited her eyes were drawn to the TV on the wall. There was no sound on, but the images on the TV looked familiar somehow. Then she realised why, it was a picture of the circus, and the headlines said something about a break-in. She strained her eyes to see what the captions said, something about a reward for information, and then to her horror, her own face flashed up.

She nearly ran from the store, but she didn’t. Her hands gripped the trolley tightly and she kept calm. Her eyes flicked up to the screen, trying to figure out if the picture was clear enough for anyone in the store to make a connection. She didn’t think so, but still it felt like an eternity until it was her turn to be served.

Smiling, she chatted with the checkout girl, and didn’t draw attention to herself. It took an endless time to get out into the parking lot, where she headed for her car, walking fast, but not running. Only once inside the car, did she let her panic take hold. What had she done?

After all the time and effort she had spent inventing Lottie Harrop, a girl with no past, she had blown her cover in one night. How was she supposed to tell the two people who sat in her kitchen that they were in much more trouble now than they had thought? Because of her.

Wait, calm down, she told herself. Just because her picture was on the news didn’t mean they would find her. Not everyone watched the local news, and the picture was grainy, and she was two years older. And the men she had testified against were in prison.

She had time, at least enough to get Lea and Daniel to the border. Then if she had to run, if she had to start a new life, she could do it. She had done it once and she could do it again. But the thought of starting again made her weary. Damn it, she was so stupid.

Yet as she drove home, she knew that no matter what the consequences, she would do the same thing again. No one deserved to be kept prisoner and beaten like the lion tamer had beaten Daniel. And the trauma Lea had gone through must have been terrible. Lottie knew enough about trauma to know it was not a thing you got over quickly.

Pulling into her garage, she shut the door and decided that tonight she would make sure the house was extra-secure. She also decided she wasn’t going to mention this to Daniel; they had enough to worry about without her putting her troubles on them. One problem at a time, that was what her dad used to say.

Although when she got inside, she found her first problem asleep on the sofa. Daniel had his arms wrapped protectively around the small, sleeping form of Lea. They looked so peaceful and her heart ached, remembering the times her mom had held her the same way when she was sick as a child. She missed her parents so much.

Fighting to stay in control of her emotions, she went to her bedroom and fetched a quilt to cover them. Placing it over them, she was pulling it upwards when his hand reached out and grabbed her wrist, making her cry out.

“Sorry,” he said immediately, releasing her wrists as his eyes opened warily. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“That’s OK. I startled you, it was stupid of me,” she said, ignoring the urge to rub her sore wrist. “You both must be exhausted. Why don’t you sleep in my bed, I’ll take the sofa?”

“No, we’ve put you to enough trouble,” he said, and she wanted to tell him it was no trouble at all, and that she would happily stare at his just woken up face, with his tousled hair that definitely needed a cut, but was a whole lot better now it was washed, and oh, how she wanted to run her fingers through it…

“Don’t worry about it,” she said, the words sticking in her throat. She coughed, trying not to wake Lea. “It’s good to see you both safe. And tomorrow you can try on the clothes I bought. Then we can head to the border.”

“Thank you,” he said again. “But if at any time we put you in danger, I’ll understand if you want to leave us.”

She smiled, feeling fake. The chances were she might be the one putting them in danger, but he didn’t need to hear that. “Get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”

“Goodnight,” he said, and put his head back down onto the cushion.

“Night. Sweet dreams.” She left the room and went to her bedroom, slowly going through the motions and trying not to think of what would happen if the men whom she had hidden from for so long actually caught up with her.

But as she lay down, the picture of her parents lying dead on the floor of their house, blood spreading from the wounds to their heads, filled her mind. Screwing up her eyes, she tried to get rid of them. What if she was bringing the same fate down on Daniel and Lea? What if by helping them she was actually going to end up getting them killed?

It had to be better than living in a cage, though. Surely? Lottie drifted off into a troubled sleep, wishing she had Daniel’s arms around her, that he held her protectively while promising to keep her safe.

Chapter Eight – Daniel

He lay awake, listening to the small sounds of her house. He heard her stirring, restless in her sleep, while next to him Lea slept peacefully: no nightmares tonight. He went over the events that had brought them here, and still couldn’t quite believe it. He kept thinking Trevor would jump out and tell him it was all some big setup, just to mess with his head. Just as the job they had offered him at the circus had been a setup to pull him in.

They had trapped Lea and then made him do as they wanted. He kissed the top of her head and sighed; he needed to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a big day and he had to be strong. They were going across the border no matter what happened, no matter what he had to do and who got hurt in the process.

As long as it wasn’t Lottie.

***

“It’s time to get up,” she said, as if she had invaded his dreams.

“Already?” he asked.

“Yes. I think it would be a good idea to get out of the city early. It means when you cross the border you’ll still have enough daylight to get somewhere safe for the night.” She pulled out a roll of bank notes. “Here, I took this from the ATM this morning. If we get separated for any reason, there’s enough to get you across the border.”

“I can’t take it,” he said, getting up, slipping out from where Lea had been lying on him. Lea was oblivious to his movement, still asleep under the warm, safe quilt.

“Yes. You can. There’s no point you getting this far and then being stuck on this side of the border,” she said, pressing the money into his hand and then looking down to where the towel was still slung around his hips. Her eyes were appraising and he had to consciously make himself not get aroused by her. It was inappropriate, but he struggled. There was something about her that appealed to him, and in the back of his mind something stirred; his lion, the thing that had been his captured companion, looked on approvingly.

“Thank you.” He took the money and then said, “Do you have those clothes?”

“Oh, yes. Of course, they are in my bedroom. There’s clothes for Lea too. I’ll lend you a backpack to put everything in. Maybe I should pack some food too.” She went to the kitchen and began to rummage in the cupboards. “Mostly junk, I’m afraid, but I can make some sandwiches.”

“Anything you have will be great,” he said. “I’ll go change.”

He headed to her bedroom, trying not to notice the bed with its rumpled sheets. For some reason he wanted to be the one who had messed up her bed, to have taken her here, made love to her in her bed, and listened to her come while he thrust inside her. And made babies with her.

No way. Procreation was the last thing on his mind; he had no way to support her. What was he thinking? By this evening they would be on separate sides of the border, and he was never coming back this way. Ever. Not even for her. Not even for his mate.

Daniel shook off that thought and cursed his lion for putting the idea in his head. She wasn’t his mate. But the lion, so quiet while the collar was round his neck, said differently.

Going back into her living room, he woke Lea gently. “Hi, Vagabond. It’s time to hit the road.”

“Really? We’re really going?” Lea asked, her eyes heavy with sleep.

“We really are. So let’s get you dressed and then we’ll leave.” He took her hand. “Want to see the clothes Lottie got for you?”

“Maybe,” she said.

“Come on, she’s gone to a lot of trouble for us. So be grateful and say thank you.”

“Why?” Lea asked, standing on legs that were too thin and pale for a child her age.

“Because it’s the polite thing to do,” Daniel said.

“No. Why has she gone to so much trouble for us?” Lea asked, as they headed for the bedroom.

“I don’t know. Not everyone is bad. We’ve just seen the worst of it the past couple of years, but before, when I travelled round with your mom, we met some great people,” he said, showing her the clothes.

“I’ll look like a girl,” Lea said, picking up the pretty clothes.

“You are a girl,” he said, stroking her head and then bending down to kiss her. “Now get dressed. It’ll be good not to be able to smell you before I see you.”

She picked up a sneaker and threw it at him. He ducked, saying “missed,” over his shoulder as he left the room.

She giggled, he was sure she did. He couldn’t remember the last time he had heard her do anything other than whisper or cry. A smile slipped onto his lips as if it was the most natural thing in the world. They were both different people already, thanks to Lottie.

“Does she like the clothes?” Lottie asked.

“She does. Although she might not tell you that.” He accepted the coffee from her, sipping the biter liquid and feeling the immediate buzz of caffeine as it penetrated his brain. “Can’t remember the last time I tasted coffee.”

“How long were you there?” she asked.

“Two years.” He saw her hand tremble, but she took a deep breath and relaxed. While he sipped his coffee, he watched her work, packing food away for them and then making a hot thermos of coffee. It was nice, ordinary, they could be any two people in the whole world. Just two normal people packing a picnic for a road trip instead of a furtive shifter and his rescuer.

“That must have been incredibly tough. Mentally as well as physically,” she said, her voice level, but strained.

“Yes. It was.” He didn’t want to talk about it. Not now. It was a thing to be forgotten, to be put so far in the past that it might not be real.

“OK.” She looked up at him, pity in her eyes, but she didn’t ask any more questions. And he knew then that she had ghosts of her own, that she knew that some things were best not thought of and not spoken of. And he wanted to know what haunted her.

“Lottie. Are you sure this is OK?” he asked.

“Yes. I just…” She came close to him, and for one earth-shuddering moment he wondered if she wanted him to kiss her. She was so close, he could feel the heat from her skin. But her voice was small, scared. “If anything happens, you run. You have the money and you go and live a good life in Shifters Prime.”

“I don’t understand,” he said, frowning.

She broke away. “It’s nothing. We’ll be fine.” Turning back, she was about to speak again, and then her eyes drifted down and he felt the presence of Lea standing behind him.

“Wow. You look … normal,” he said, taking in the pretty T-shirt and jeans. Her hair was brushed, shining golden like the sun. On her feet were cute sneakers with sparkles down the side. And despite her words about not wanting to look like a girl, he could see how pleased she was, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “We’re ready to go.”

“Then let’s get to the car. I’ll have to stop for fuel later, but let’s get some distance between us and the circus.” She went to the bedroom and fetched two backpacks. They packed the clothes into one, Lottie including some toiletries and a hairbrush for Lea. The food went into another pack, and then they loaded up the car and began the journey towards their future.

But sometimes the past is impossible to leave behind.

Chapter Nine – Lottie

Lottie sat for a moment, her hands on the steering wheel, her foot hovering over the gas pedal. Her normal, safe life was over, she realised that now; she had raised her head above the crowd and there was a good chance she was no longer safe. Not least from the angry lion tamer who might be out there, hunting them down.

“Are you OK?” he asked.

“Yes. Yes, of course,” she said, and put her foot down, pulling off her drive and out onto the street. She took a look back at her house, remembering why she had chosen it. Everything about this suburb screamed normal, and when she moved here that was what she wanted, to be normal.

Yet it wasn’t her; it wasn’t what her parents had raised her to be.

Her brain seemed to shift, parts of it waking up, switching on her survival mechanism. She would not be a victim to her past any longer.

The sun was just beginning to cast its rays across the city as they made their way out onto the open roads, which were still quiet, making the journey quicker. Every so often she would look in her mirror, sure she would see someone following them, but she didn’t. Cars came and went, but the road kept on going, and she began to relax and enjoy getting out of the city.

Beside her, Daniel dozed, and in the back, Lea was fast asleep. They were exhausted, as if they hadn’t slept for years, and maybe they hadn’t. A cold cage was not exactly the best place for a good night’s sleep.

“Where are we?” Daniel said at last, sitting up, his eyes heavy.

“About halfway there,” Lottie said. “But we’re going to have to stop for gas.”

For the last few miles she had been watching the gauge. They would be out of fuel if they didn’t stop soon.

“OK, I’ll wake Lea. She’s going to need the bathroom, then we may get a clear run to the border,” Daniel said, hopefully.

“I think we might, it’ll get busier soon. People will be starting their commute. Not sure how busy the border crossing gets, though.”

“Nor do I. We kept well away from it,” Daniel said.

“Why?” Lottie couldn’t help herself asking.

“There are people in the Prime that are a threat to me.”

“Really?” she asked. “Will you be safe when you cross?”

“We’re going to keep well away from where I was born. It’s a big enough place that we can find somewhere to live, I’ll get a job, and Lea can go to school,” Daniel said.

“She’s never been to school?” Lottie asked.

“No. She doesn’t exist, so no school.”

“What do you mean she doesn’t exist?” Lottie asked.

“Her mom gave birth to her in a cave, high up in the mountains. It was the only way.” He turned and looked at Lottie. “If she had gone to a hospital, we would all have been sent back over the border. Nora said it wasn’t safe.”

“But now it’s safer than staying here,” she said, nodding. “You’re in an impossible position.”

“Yes. We have to risk the other side of the border. I’ll find someone to look after Lea if I need to. If trouble comes, I’ll make sure she is cared for.”

“What kind of trouble?” she asked.

“Gas station,” he said, pointing up ahead, and the question was dropped.

Lottie turned off the ignition. They could get the gas on the way out. Right now, she needed the bathroom and some coffee. Getting out, she stretched and reached for her purse, watching as Daniel gently woke Lea and then took her hand, and they all walked together towards the diner.

Glancing up at him, she stopped in her tracks and said, “Wait, you need to pull your sweater up so no one can see your collar.”

His hand went to the silver collar around his neck. “I’d forgotten about that.”

“Here,” she said standing on tiptoe to pull his sweater up around it. “That’s better.” Her fingers stroked his skin and she saw his eyes flash, and his gaze fixed on hers, but she resisted the urge to lift her eyes to his and swim in her desire. Instead, she glanced down at Lea. “Let’s put a scarf around yours.”

Lea stood patiently while Lottie dug in her purse and came up with a pretty pink silk scarf with flowers on. She tied it carefully, trying not to react when she saw the small sores on the young girl’s skin.

“Thank you,” Lea said, smiling shyly.

“You’re welcome, Lea. Shall we go eat? I’m starving,” she said, pushing the door open and walking in. She looked around, as she usually did out of habit, noting that the place was practically empty. Only three other patrons were sitting down eating breakfast.

They found a booth, and Lea slid in first, still looking sleepy. “Do you want some orange juice, Lea?” Lottie asked.

The little girl nodded and then yawned. “And can I have some pancakes?” she asked. “Remember when you used to describe pancakes to me?”

“I sure do,” Daniel said, turning and smiling. “You know, I think I’ll have pancakes too.”

“That makes three of us,” Lottie said, her stomach growling in anticipation. The waitress came over and they placed their order, Lottie adding a plate of eggs and bacon too. “We’re sure to eat that between us.”

“You didn’t have to,” Daniel said.

“Can’t have you leaving here with an empty stomach.” She shuffled in her seat, feeling his eyes on her while Lea stared out of the window.

“Everything is so pretty,” Lea said. “The trees, they sway in the wind. Will it be like this in Shifters Prime?”

“Yes, it will. Your mom told me it was beautiful there. We’ll be able to swim in rivers and climb trees,” Daniel said wistfully.

Lea leaned across to him and asked, “As lions?”

“Yes, little cub, as lions.”

She smiled happily, making Lottie tear up. “I should go to the bathroom.”

Sliding out of her seat, Lottie headed to the back of the diner, and into the bathroom. Letting out a long sigh, she knew she was going to miss Daniel and Lea when they left. And once they did, she planned to move on again, find somewhere smaller, a village where she could become part of a community. She missed that. Growing up, she had played in the fields out the back of her house, climbing trees in the local wood and generally living a carefree life.

That was how she wanted her children to grow up. A familiar ache throbbed in her chest. She had lost one family, and then spent so long thinking she didn’t need one. Seeing Daniel and Lea made her think it was time she had a family of her own. Which meant dating. Taking those risks her parents would want her to take.

“That smells good,” she said going back to the table.

“Tastes good too,” Lea said with a mouthful of pancakes.

“Hope you don’t mind, we started without you,” Daniel said, swallowing down a mouthful of pancakes that he had smothered in maple syrup.

“Not at all,” she said, taking a bite. “Wow, these are good. Nothing like warm pancakes in the morning.”

“Do you mind?” he asked, indicating the plate of eggs. “Now it’s here, I’m ravenous.”

“Go ahead,” she said, sipping her coffee. “How about you, Lea? Do you want anything else to eat?”

“Maybe ice cream,” she said.

“Ice cream, OK, might be a bit early,” Lottie said.

“Please. Every day there was a show, other kids got to eat ice cream and candy floss while they petted me,” she said, shoving more pancakes in her mouth and chewing slowly, an expression of ecstasy on her face. “I always wanted to lick it, just to see how cold it was on my tongue.”

“Then ice cream it is,” Lottie said. She couldn’t comprehend the torture these two people had gone through. And to come out of it and still be hopeful! “As soon as you’re ready we’ll get back on the road.”

“We should go now,” Daniel said, suddenly making a move to leave.

“Is everything OK?” Lottie said, eating the rest of her breakfast and gulping her coffee down.

He leaned down, his body shielding her from the other diners, and said quietly, “Your face just popped up on the TV.”

She nearly choked on her food. “Damn.”

“So let’s go, nice and quietly,” he said.

“What about my ice cream?” Lea asked miserably.

“Here, you take the money and get the ice cream; I’ll go out and get in the car. They won’t notice me, they’ll be too busy watching you,” Lottie said, gathering her purse and sliding out of the booth. Keeping her head down, and trying not to look too obvious, she headed out of the diner and got in the car.

Instead of waiting she pulled round and filled up with gas, watching for Daniel and Lea to come out of the diner. “I’ll pay for the gas and then we can hit the road.”

“You sure it’s safe for you to go in there? I could go in and pay instead,” he said his voice full of concern. “I’m sorry we dragged you into this.”

“It’s not your fault. I knew what I was doing,” she said, looking into the store. “I have to pay with my credit card, so I’ll have to go in. Hopefully he won’t have the TV on.”

“We’ll be waiting in the car. Anything happens, just run,” he said, concerned.

She took her keys and handed them to him. “If anything happens you drive, leave me here and get across the border. You have the money I gave you.”

He took her hand, but instead of taking the keys from her, he held it, the warmth of his skin chasing the dread from her bones. “We leave together. If you need protecting, I’ll take my collar off.”

“No,” she said, pulling back from him and stepping away. “They will shoot you. And Lea. What about her?”

She turned her back to him and walked into the store with more confidence than she felt. “I’ll only be a minute.”

She heard the car doors open and close as they got inside. Mentally she tried to figure how she would get out of the store by the quickest route. But when she looked up, the young guy behind the counter was too busy texting on his phone to notice her, not even looking up when she paid for the fuel.

Taking her card back, she tucked it into her purse and made for the door, keeping a nice steady pace, when all she wanted to do was run.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” she said as she pulled the car door shut and started the engine.

“No you’re not. You’re strong, Lottie. Now pull out nice and slow and let’s get going.”

She did as he said, wanting to get them to the border, and wishing she could go with them across it and leave all the bad memories behind.

Chapter Ten – Daniel

He was worried. When he went across the border into Shifters Prime with Lea, he would be leaving Lottie behind to deal with the repercussions of helping them.

“Will you be OK?” he asked, seeing the way she clutched the steering wheel, her eyes fixed on the road; he got the feeling she was driving on auto pilot.

She nodded. “Sure.”

“I wish there was something I could do. To stop you getting into trouble for helping us.” He was silent and then said, “Why not tell them we made you do it?”

“It’s OK,” she said, but the tone of her voice told him it wasn’t.

In the back seat, Lea was contentedly licking her ice cream, savouring every drop. He was torn, feeling his need to get Lea to safety, but battling with the need to protect Lottie. But why? Yes, Lottie had helped them, but was that enough for him to feel so strongly about leaving her in trouble with the police?

“Lottie. Tell them whatever you have to. The police will believe I forced you.”

She shook her head. “It’s not the police I’m worried about.”

He frowned. “Trevor, from the circus? Damn.”

“Not him either,” she said, her voice trembling.

He didn’t know what she meant, but he knew she was scared; he had been scared enough times in the past couple of years to know that look. “Tell me.”

She shook her head again. “It’s nothing you can help me with.”

“I feel responsible.” He did. Really responsible for her and her safety. Going over their time together, he tried to identify just what it was about her he was attracted to.

In the back of his mind, his lion shifted, the tenuous link between them making it difficult for Daniel to understand what his lion was trying to tell him. If only he could take this collar off. Yet he daren’t risk it, he had been trained to shift immediately into his lion and he didn’t know if he had the control to stop himself. So the collar had to stay on until he was over the border, and he had to understand what was going on here without his lion’s intuitive help.

“Daniel, this has nothing to do with you,” she said. “Let’s focus on getting you home.”

“Home,” he said, sitting back, trying to relax. “I always thought of this as being my home.”

“Do you remember Shifters Prime at all?” she asked, and he knew the other conversation was closed. He didn’t push her, it was her choice; they both had secrets, both had things that were hard to share.

“Some. I remember my father’s face. A vague memory of my mother. More of a sense of her, you know?”

“Yes, I know,” she said, her eyes misting a little, giving him some clue as to where her hurt lay. “Are they dead?”

“My father, yes, it’s why Nora, Lea’s mom, came here. She brought me here to protect me.”

“From what?” Lottie asked.

“The man who murdered my father.”

“Didn’t he get brought to justice?” she asked.

“I don’t think so. Things didn’t work that way in the Prime. And when she came here, Nora cut off all ties with anyone she ever knew. So he might have.” Daniel felt the ghost of Nora on his shoulder; she had given up everything for him. And for his mother. Nora said they had been best friends, and so when someone had to run, taking Daniel to safety, she had volunteered.

“I’m sorry,” Lottie said. “And you don’t know what happened to your mom?”

“No, nor my brothers.”

“Do you want to know?” Lottie asked.

“I don’t know. When I was a kid, yes, I did. The last few years though, I’ve thought about it, and now I just want me and Lea to find somewhere safe, no family politics to get caught up in. Or death threats if the murderer is still on the loose. So we’ll go and find somewhere quiet to live. I’ve had enough excitement to last me for ever.”

“We’re on Team Vagabond,” Lea piped up.

“What’s Team Vagabond?” Lottie asked, looking at Lea in her mirror.

“That’s what we said we would be when we were free. We spent so much time in cages; we are going to walk until we can’t walk any further.”

“Like vagabonds, no fixed home,” Daniel said.

“Sometimes it’s nice to feel as if you belong,” Lottie said, glancing at Daniel.

“I know, but who do I trust?” he asked, and her eyes told him that the one person he could always rely on was her. Lottie was somehow connected to him, in a deep emotional way.

“OK, we are close to the border,” Lottie said. They had just passed a sign with a warning about entering the borderlands next to Shifters Prime. It was like they were expecting an invasion of shifters.

Daniel shifted nervously in his seat. “I hope it all goes smoothly.”

“It should. You have nothing to hide,” Lottie said.

“I’m not even sure what happens when we get there,” he said.

“Here.” She handed him her phone. “Google it.”

“What it?” he asked.

“Type it into the search.” She looked up at his confused face. “I guess you are behind most of the modern-day technology.”

She pulled over and showed him how to use her phone. He then spent the next half an hour accessing everything he could about shifters and Shifters Prime. It blew his mind. So people hated shifters, while some thought they should be treated as equals, and then there was the website set up for pure humans to advertise their willingness to become a shifter.

He searched for how the transformation took place. It sounded painful, and he wondered why anyone would want to become one of them. By the time they were dropping down out of the hills towards the border, he had discovered more about his kind than he ever knew.

And he also discovered they would check their DNA as they went through the border and try to match it to a contract. This worried Daniel. What if Trevor or someone else at the circus had made a bogus contract with his or Lea’s DNA on it?

“Everything OK?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said, handing her phone back to her. “It should be straightforward.”

“Great. Then I’ll park up here,” she indicated a quiet road, up on the hill overlooking the border, and pulled over. “We can walk down to the border.”

“You don’t have to come with us.”

“Yes I do. I want to see you walk over the border, otherwise I’ll worry about you.” She switched off the ignition and undid her seatbelt. “OK. Let’s sort the packs out.”

They all got out, Daniel stretching his muscles while looking around. He took a deep breath and could catch a different scent on the breeze. Looking out across the border he could see the open grasslands, and his lion stirred, sensing their home. A thrill buzzed inside him, and excitement made his blood hot, the alpha part of him waking up from its long sleep. It did other things to him as well; it made him acutely aware of Lottie, and he longed to take off the collar and acknowledge the link between them.

Because the one other thing he had learned in his online search was that shifters had mates, others that they were meant to spend the rest of their lives with. Sometimes they were pure humans. And he knew without any doubt that was what his lion had been trying to tell him: Lottie was their mate.

The unsuspecting woman was his. And as they walked down to the border, he had to fight the urge to tell her. He had to fight the urge to turn her.

He clenched his fists. No, that would be selfish. She was better off here. To turn her against her will would be to live with the repercussions for the rest of their lives, and he didn’t want that. He knew what it was like to have your free will taken away.

So despite his lion prowling inside his mind, he tried to act normally.

Lea’s hand slipped into his, and he felt her fear. It distracted him from his feelings for Lottie.

“It will be alright,” he reassured her. And himself. He was used to being on his own; if he had to deny his mate, he would survive. But his lion roared mournfully in response.

Chapter Eleven – Lottie

“This is it,” she said. They were standing around fifty feet away from the border. It was quiet. Which surprised her, for some reason she has expected it to be a busy, bustling centre of trade. One in, one out, but there were only two border guards standing outside of a small hut.

They had caught sight of the three of them coming down the hill to the crossing point, and one had gone inside the hut while the other one rested his hand on his gun. That made this feel so much more real, more dangerous. How could they see Daniel and Lea as a threat? And her, of course they probably thought they were all shifters.

“This is where we say goodbye,” Daniel said firmly. “If I can ever repay you for what you’ve done, I will.”

She smiled faintly. “I doubt we’ll ever meet again.” His eyes flickered to hers and then moved away before she would fathom what the hurt there meant. Was he attracted to her? Stupid. He would be only interested in his own kind, but she had to admit she liked the idea of having him as her husband, that was a nice thought. One that made her want to reach out and pull him back towards her, to kiss him. Just one time so she could hold it in her memory, in the same place she held her mom’s hug and her dad’s laugh.

“Take care of yourself, Lottie,” he said and then held her, pulling her into his arms.

She allowed her body to soften in his embrace, letting her head rest on his shoulder, his heart beat in her ear. This was what she missed, close contact with another person, it didn’t matter that he could change into a lion at will. He was still all man, and her body wanted to be his woman.

She stepped back, scared she would give herself away. “You both take care,” she said, bending down to speak to Lea. “I hope you have a great time splashing in the rivers and streams. I sure would like to have seen your lion cub.”

Lea looked at her shyly and then slipped her arms around Lottie’s neck. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Be happy, Lea,” Lottie said.

Standing up, she smiled once more and then said, “You should go, they are looking at you suspiciously.”

“Goodbye,” Daniel said.

“Good luck,” Lottie replied quickly and then took a step back. She would walk up the hill and watch them cross. That way she would be able to see them actually set foot in Shifters Prime, she might also get a glimpse of them changing onto lions. Now that was a sight she would keep with her forever.

They turned and walked down to the checkpoint, the second guard appearing with a small hand-held device. She turned and walked away, climbing the hill back towards her car. Only when she looked up did she see another car had pulled up next to it. Her heart lurched, but then the vehicle moved on and she relaxed.

Reaching her car, she turned, leaning against it and looked down at the border, seeing Daniel and Lea talking to the guards. One of the guards held the small device to Lea’s neck and pressed it. Lea flinched and then put her hand up to the spot as if she had been stung. The guard then looked at the device. Lottie held her breath.

Satisfied, the guard moved to Daniel, and repeated the process. Lottie couldn’t breathe. If he was stopped and Lea went through, what would happen then? For the longest time the guard checked the device. Lottie could do nothing but stand and watch. Then a car drew up, blocking her view.

She took a step to the right, and watched, her whole attention centred on Daniel. The guard was speaking to him, was that good? She couldn’t tell, but then Daniel and Lea were walking towards the gate. Above them, a guard trained a gun on them, a surreal sight.

In her peripheral vision, Lottie was aware of a car door opening and a man getting out. She looked at him suspiciously, but then he held a map out to her and said, “Can you tell me where Carrington Road is? I’m lost.”

“Sorry,” she said, “I’m not from around here.”

“Really? Oh. That is a pity. Only my GPS is on the blink. Maybe if you look at it, you can tell me where Carrington Road is.” He indicated the GPS on his dashboard.

“I don’t know how it works,” she said, walking another step away to watch Lea and Daniel. They had nearly reached the other side and she felt happy, so happy.

“Charlotte. Why don’t you just get in the car?”

Her head snapped round, and she looked at him, and his gun, which was pointing out from under his coat. Dread filled her. “How did you find me?”

“The TV. You shouldn’t make the news if you want to stay hidden,” he sneered.

“But how did you follow me here?” she asked trying to buy some time and think through what she was supposed to do. If she got in the car, she was as good as dead. Ironic that she had released Lea and Daniel from their prison and now she was going to end up caged in a car and then driven to a secluded spot where she would end up dead.

“Your credit card, your phone. Once we had you on our radar, well, it’s not hard. So get in the car.” He motioned once more to the car, using his gun to threaten her.

Guns. She had an idea. It wasn’t perfect, but it was the only way.

One loud scream, to get the border guards’ attention, and then she ran for the border, the guards looking up and aiming their guns at her.

“He’s one of them,” she shouted as she ran towards the guards. “He’s a wolf and he said he was going to eat me!” It was lame but it was all she had.

One of the guards came towards her; the other was speaking on his radio. She had no idea what her assailant was doing, but no shot rang out and she hoped he had been scared off.

Ahead of her, the guards waited, and behind them she could see Daniel and Lea; he had turned back, looking to see what the problem was. She didn’t want that, didn’t want them to be in danger because of her.

“Ma’am. You need to stop right there, Ma’am,” one of the guards said, and she saw his hand resting on his gun.

“The guy, he had a gun,” she said, turning to look back up the hill, but the car had gone, no one was there.

“We’ve called for backup,” the other guard said. “Someone will escort you away from the border.”

They were twitchy, both of them looking around, and the guard on the tower aimed his gun their way. The danger crowded in on her. And then behind her, Daniel and Lea approached.

“You should go,” Lottie said, turning to them. “Please, just go.”

“What happened?” Daniel said, his voice tense, anger laced with concern.

“You need to back away, shifter,” one of the guards said, his gun now in his hand.

“It’s OK. Go.” Lottie shooed them away.

“Lottie, I can’t leave you like this,” Daniel said.

“You heard the lady, she wants you to go. Now you have been through security, and the border is that way. If you come back, I will be forced to arrest you. You were lucky we let you go with no papers.” The guard positioned himself between Daniel and Lottie, doing his job of protecting humans.

“Come with us,” Lea said, holding out her hand.

Lottie looked at it, and her heart ached. If Daniel had asked her, she would have found it easier to say no, but Lea’s face was so much harder to resist. But she didn’t want to say no, she wanted to go with them. However, she wasn’t one of them and she would never fit in; she would just take her trouble with her across the border.

“I can’t,” Lottie said.

“Why not? Just come for a while, see if you like it?” Daniel said, and she looked into his eyes and saw he meant it.

“Are you one of those?” the guard suddenly asked, his hand going to the handheld device and then he approached her.

“No,” she said, shaking her head.

“I have to check.” He put the device against her neck and pressed the button.

“Ouch,” she said, surprised that he had used it on her.

“Clear.” He put the device away. “Now, unless you have a visa, you need to step away.”

“You mean I can’t go across?” she asked.

“No visa, no crossing. It’s for your own safety, ma’am.”

“But someone is chasing her,” Daniel said, scanning the hill.

“Backup will be here shortly. Now, I suggest you go back over there.” The guard indicated the gate on the other side, the gate that led to safety.

“Is there nothing I can do?” Lottie asked.

“No, ma’am. Like I said, they can go, you need to stay here.”

“I am in complete control of my faculties,” she said. “Why can’t I cross?”

“Go get a visa, then you can cross. If we let you through and there is trouble on that side,” he cast his thumb in the direction of Shifters Prime, “then it will come back to us. There’s been a crackdown due to all the … women, who think it would be a good idea to go over there and … well, I won’t say in front of the girl.”

“What if she was one of us?” Daniel asked quietly.

“But she’s not,” the guard said. “And don’t think I won’t shoot you if you do anything … disgusting.”

“What do you mean?” Lottie asked. “There’s a way?”

Did she want that? Did she want to be one of them? A shifter. She had always considered them dangerous, but after being with Daniel and Lea, they were normal, maybe more normal than anyone she had known since her parents were killed.

“Lottie. I think you are my mate,” Daniel said.

“Right, that’s it.” The guard drew a thing that looked like a stick from his belt. “Walk away while you still can.”

Daniel shied away, and beside him Lea started crying; it was like the prod Trevor had used on him. She couldn’t let him get hurt because of her. “Go,” Lottie said. “Take Lea to safety.”

Daniel took Lea’s hand and led her back across the open courtyard, the gun above them trailing their every step. She watched them reach the gate, where Daniel turned around and called, “Would you?”

She knew what he meant. If you had a choice, would you be one of us?

“Yes,” she whispered. And he saw, or heard, or just knew. But then he slipped through the gate and into Shifters Prime.

“Right, ma’am. Now they’ve gone, let’s get you to safety.”

“I think the only place I’m ever going to be safe is in there,” she said, meaning Shifters Prime.

“You can’t mean that. They are animals,” he said, as if describing something so terrible it shouldn’t be spoken of.

“You don’t know who is after me,” she said, turning now to look up the hill to where her car was parked. It was so close, she might be able to get to it and drive away, but then what, there were so many miles between here and her home. Home—that was a joke, she could never go back there, they would know where she lived.

“Here’s backup,” the guard said, going forward to meet the truck that was pulling up.

Lottie turned to take one last look at the border, and as she did, Daniel slipped back through the gate. He stood looking at her, an unreadable expression on his face. He looked different, he looked more of a man, and then she knew why … he no longer wore his collar.

Chapter Twelve – Daniel

His lion paced up and down. This was his time. The collar was gone, and he was free. Daniel took control, he had to, this was their mate they were trying to save, she wanted to come to them, she wanted to be like them. He could make her safe.

A moment of doubt crept in. He hadn’t been able to keep Lea safe, had he? Despite promising Nora that he would, he had fallen into the trap set by the people at the circus. He had become a caged lion. But now he was free, they were free and they needed their mate.

“Will Lottie be coming with us?” Lea had asked as they stepped into Shifters Prime.

“Do you want her to?”

“Yes. I want her to be safe with us. I want her on Team Vagabond,” Lea said.

“You know I’ll have to go back and get her?” he asked Lea, wanting to make sure she knew the risks.

“Yes.”

“What if I don’t come back?” he asked her.

He saw her eyes well up with tears. She had hugged him, holding him tight as if she never wanted to let him go. But then she had, stepping back and saying, “You will.”

Glancing up, he saw the guard on this side waiting for them to approach. Safety was only another fifty yards away. They would be safe there, they would be happy.

She is your mate.

“Go to the guard,” Daniel said, pointing to the man who was watching. “If anything happens, get him to look after you. There must be somewhere safe for you to go.”

“I’ll wait right here,” she said.

“No. Go. I don’t want you to watch,” he said.

“Watch what?” she asked, no idea of what he was about to do.

“I have to bite Lottie to make her one of us.”

Lea went pale. “Like eat her?”

“No. Just put my teeth into her neck,” he said, feeling unsure. “At least that’s what it said on Lottie’s phone.”

“Yuck,” Lea said.

“You think it will work?” he asked.

“I hope so,” Lea replied.

“Then go.” He shoved her away, and then reached up to unclasp the collar, the thing he had worn for the last two years. He only hoped he could break it off, the small lock on it shouldn’t be too hard to snap. The silver cut into his fingers, but still he pulled it, feeling the clasp pop and then he felt his lion roar, and the sensation of the shift coming upon him.

He fell to his knees, his fingers digging into the dirt as he told his lion they had to work together to do this. They would have one chance, and it was going to hurt.

And that was how they were standing here now.

Lottie looked back, and their eyes met. Without breaking contact, she turned and ran … towards him.

If ever he needed confirmation of what she truly wanted, this was it. Daniel was not going to let her down.

But the guard had seen. He was chasing Lottie, pushing her to one side and lunging at Daniel with the stick, which sent a shock through his body. While overhead the sound of a gun being cocked could be heard. There was shouting, but he couldn’t make sense of it, because the stick was on his chest, sending shock after shock through his body.

But Daniel had experienced this before, he was used to the pain, used to the debilitating shock to his nervous system. However, it didn’t stop him dropping to his knees and crying out in pain.

Vaguely, he was aware of Lottie. She was on her feet, running at him, kneeling by him, telling the guards to get off. She shielded him with her body, would they shock her too?

His eyes rolled in his head. He felt the touch of her palm on his cheek, her voice in his ears and a different jolt of electricity seemed to course through him. She was his, and now he had to make her his.

“Do it,” she said in his ear, and he moved his mouth towards her neck, not knowing what to do. The Internet had said he had to bite her, but where? How? What if he killed her, hit an artery and she bled out here on the floor?

And then his lion took over, his teeth extended, it was as if he was half man, half beast, and he tasted her blood, his DNA passing into her as she screamed in pain.

The sound gripped his heart and squeezed it so hard he thought it would explode. He had hurt her, the person he was supposed to protect above all others and he had bitten her, making her bleed. Making her the same as him.

“Get off her.” Angry voices. A hand pulled at his collar and tried to drag him off. He had to release her and his teeth retracted, although his arms still held her tight.

“What the hell! That is fucked up,” one of the guards yelled, and then there was the sound of retching.

“Shit. Shit,” another guard said over and over while he stared at Lottie, who was writhing in pain.

In amongst the confusion he did the only thing he could do to keep her safe: he lifted her up in his arms and, despite her cries, carried her towards the gate, towards his home, and now her home. With angry shouts behind him, he ran until he was back in Shifters Prime.

Collapsing on the floor, he looked down at Lottie, seeing the blood, her pain, and the horror of what he had inflicted on her. She would never be able to go home.

“Well, I haven’t seen such an entrance for a long time,” the guard from this side said. “Come on, buddy, she needs some medical attention. Then I think you should explain to me exactly what happened.”

“Will she be all right?” Daniel asked quietly, and then he looked around. “Where’s Lea? Where’s the girl I was with?”

“Don’t worry, my wife took her into the house. Some things a child isn’t supposed to see, and I think this is one of them.”

Daniel stared down at Lottie as she began to convulse. This was the worst thing he had ever done. He had wanted to make her safe, but instead it looked as if he had killed her.

Chapter Thirteen – Lottie

Searing pain caused her body to spasm once more. How much more of this did she have to endure, how much more of this could her body take? Every nerve ending, every fibre of her being was on fire, flames licking at her skin, burning in her brain as her body altered inexplicably.

What she looked like she couldn't tell, but Daniel, who had been beside her through every sickening moment, looked horrified. She tried to lift her hand, to see if she had claws, or fur sprouting from the back of her hands. Her body didn't have the energy, or maybe she just didn't have the control of her muscles anymore.

And she knew why, it was because there was someone else inside her brain, another voice she hadn’t heard before. Or was she going mad, hearing voices of disconnected ghosts that haunted her consciousness?

Daniel spoke; he offered her water. Helping her lift her head, he put the cup to her lips, and she tried to lap it. What the hell! She tried again, reaching inside herself to find the person she was, Lottie. Charlotte Jenson, orphan of Margaret and William Jenson. She clung to them, hoping that if she did die, that if this was the end of her life, then she might see them again in heaven.

Was there a heaven? Any kind of afterlife, where people went when they died? But she wasn’t a person anymore, she was different: she was two beings in one body.

The human side of her fought to gain control. She wasn't ready to leave this life yet; she wanted to spend time with Daniel. He had told her he was her mate, and only now, with her body changes, and the animal waking inside her, did she understand the full meaning of that and understand why his eyes were pained. His soul was tortured by the knowledge that he had done this to her—the person he was supposed to keep safe, protect, was going through hell because of him.

These thoughts she clung to, as she fought to be whole again. There might be two of them, but they had to be one. They had to be one for Daniel.

“I’ll take over,” the voice of a woman spoke.

“No, I want to stay, Daphne,” Daniel insisted.

“You need to rest. You’ll be no good to her if you wear yourself out,” Daphne said, and her hand touched his shoulder, so kind, so understanding.

“Go,” Lottie croaked.

Two faces looked at her. And Daphne smiled. “There, she’s winning. Go rest, another few hours and the worst will be over.”

Lottie certainly hoped so.

Daniel got up, leaning down to kiss her forehead, the lightest of touches, yet it sent her into convulsions. She took deep breaths, knowing he wouldn't leave if he thought he had hurt her. Slowly, she relaxed her body, her face no longer contorted in pain and she tried to smile, and he smiled back, full of sorrow, full of regret.

She reached for his hand, denying the pain that wracked her body. “Thank you,” she croaked, her throat parched.

“I shouldn't have done it. I shouldn't have turned you,” he said angrily.

“I am glad you did. This is where I belong,” she told him. “You know what I mean.”

He sat down briefly, and said, “You feel it? You feel the bond?”

She nodded and then closed her eyes, so tired she couldn’t say another word or move any part of her body. He got up and left. She knew because she felt his presence fade; it was all so raw, so new that she could hear his heartbeat if she concentrated hard enough. And then the soothing hands of the woman touched her, bathing her face, encouraging to drink some foul concoction.

Whatever it was, she was certain it had some kind of sedative in it, because the world slipped away and she slept, deep, dreamless, and long.

***

“How are you feeling now?” the woman’s voice asked. What was her name again? Lottie had to search her memories for it, and then she remembered, and it all came back to her.

Lottie cracked one of her eyes open, wincing with pain at the light filling the room. “Like crap.”

“You will do for a day or two. But then you’ll be back to your normal self.”

“You mean my new self,” Lottie said.

“Yes. But that is your normal self now. The old you is gone, and you need to get used to this body and the creature that lives in it with you.”

“And what creature is that?” Lottie asked shifting her head on the pillow, testing the pain behind her eyeballs.

“Daniel’s a lion. The chances are you'll be like him.” The woman moved, reaching for a cup of water. “Here, you need to drink lots of water, you’ve been running a temperature for two days.”

“Two days, is that how long I’ve been here for?” It felt as if only hours ago she had been bitten by Daniel.

“Yes, and for two days that young man of yours has hardly left your side,” she said.

“Where is he now?” Lottie asked.

“Outside with the young lass. Scared and pale, she is,” Daphne said, her mouth clucking with concern.

“They’ve had a difficult time,” Lottie said.

“Well, now you all need to heal. So let’s get you up and showered, and then get some food in you.”

“Thank you, Daphne is it?” Lottie said, remembering her manners.

“Yes, and you’ve met my husband Lance. He’s back at the border, there’s three men take shifts.”

“You’ve been very kind to us. I bet you don’t see this happen every day.”

“You are my fifth. Seems some of you young ladies get a thing for the beast in a man and can’t resist them.” Daphne sounded unimpressed.

“It wasn't like that,” Lottie said. “There were men after me. Men who killed my parents. If I had stayed, they would have killed me.”

“I’m sorry for your loss. I just hope you know what you’ve got yourself into,” Daphne said sadly. “It will be a shock; we don’t have all the modern things over here.”

“No. No I don’t know what I’ve got myself into. But I intend to find out,” she said, summoning her inner strength and swinging her legs off the side of the bed. “God, that hurts.”

“It will get easier. Now, shower and food,” Daphne said, leading her to the small bathroom at the back of the house.

Lottie did as she was told, feeling much better by the time she had let the hot water cascade over her body, while she washed away the dried sweat from her hair. Once dried, she put on the robe Daphne had given her and left the bathroom. Of course, she had no clothes other than the ones she had arrived in, and those were most probably ruined, covered in the blood from her neck wound.

She put a hand to the place where he had bitten her, expecting it to be bruised and sore, but it wasn’t. It was if nothing had ever happened, and she wanted to be sure it had. Was she a shifter, or was it some huge joke? After all, you couldn’t believe everything you read on the Internet. And the rumours and myths surrounding shifters were growing increasingly outlandish.

Letting her senses guide her, she found Daniel; he was in the backyard playing with Lea. They were throwing a ball backwards and forwards. He looked up before she had even left the doorway, knowing she was there.

“Lottie!” Lea shouted excitedly, and dropped the ball to come towards her, and then hesitated.

“It’s OK, Lea, I'm all right now,” she said, holding out her arms for the girl.

“Daniel said I had to be careful not to hurt you,” Lea said.

Lottie looked towards Daniel, who was hanging back. Was he scared of what she might say to him, or was he regretting changing her? “I’m fine now,” she said, to both of them.

He came forward, and his body relaxed, although there was a distance between them she hadn't expected. But Lea bowled into her, and Lottie let Daniel's troubled expression go.

“I thought you would like to help me change into whatever it is I am,” Lottie asked Daniel. “It feels kind of ridiculous. Like it’s not real.”

“Of course, I’ll help you,” Daniel said. “But you need to be stronger first.”

“I feel fine,” Lottie said.

“He’s right,” Daphne said from behind her. “You need to eat and rest. Get used to the other voice in your head first. Tomorrow will be soon enough.”

Lottie felt disappointed. But Daphne was probably right. And inside her, a voice whispered that she could wait until tomorrow. Lottie shifted her attention, looking inside herself. And there, standing in sunlight, her fur golden, her eyes amber, all-knowing, and patient, was a lioness.

Lottie nearly fell over. Only Daniel’s quick reflexes saved her from hitting the ground. “What the hell!”

“She’s there? In your head?” Lea asked. “I can't wait to see her. Is she a lioness? Please tell me she’s a lioness.”

“She is, Lea. And I can't wait to see her either,” Lottie said, feeling excitement and nerves mingle as one.

This was her new life, with her new family. In a new world, and she couldn't wait to begin exploring.

Chapter Fourteen – Daniel

“We can wait and do this at another time,” Daniel said. He was worried about her. They were outside of the house Daphne and Lance lived in. Lottie had become more insistent about shifting for the first time, but he was scared she wasn’t strong enough yet.

“No. I want to do it now. I think I’m going to burst if I don’t change soon,” Lottie said confidently.

“You’re kind of going to burst anyway,” Daniel said.

“Thanks, that is not a nice thought.”

“We need to go somewhere private to do this,” he said anxiously.

“Can I come?” Lea asked.

“Not the first time. Daphne said you can stay here; she’s going to make chocolate brownies.”

“What are those?” Lea asked.

“Can’t you remember them?” Daniel asked.

Lea shook her head. “Nope.”

“Then you are in for a treat,” Daniel said. “Just make sure you save some for us. Lottie can have one as a treat if she gets this right. If not she can watch us all eat them.” He tried to keep his voice light, not wanting to worry anyone. If they had to do this, then he needed Lottie to be relaxed and he needed to know Lea was safe.

“No pressure, then?” Lottie joked.

“None at all,” Daniel said, his eyes catching hers to reinforce this. If she couldn't shift into her lioness, it wouldn't matter; they could live with her as a human. But he knew she wanted to run with them to be like them, and his lion wanted that too. He wanted them to be perfect mates.

We already are, Daniel told his lion.

“Right. Let’s go,” Lottie said after Lea had gone into the kitchen to help Daphne.

Daniel pulled out some car keys. “Here, Lance has lent us his car and given me directions to somewhere a little more secluded.”

“So I don't make a fool of myself?” she asked.

“So that you aren't naked in front of everyone,” he said lightly.

“What?” she asked.

“Seems that until you get used to it, you have a good chance of ending up naked when you change back,” he said. “Now, I don't mind. But you might.”

“Are you serious?”

“About not minding? Sure,” he said.

“No, you fool. I mean about the naked bit,” she said. “Daphne had to rustle up some clothes for me as it is. I don't want to ruin them already.”

“You won’t. You can leave them behind.”

She blushed. “I can't be naked in front of you.”

“Yes you can,” he said. “Now, shall we get going?”

She sighed. “I don't have a choice, do I?”

“You could always try to shift some other time,” he said, knowing she didn't want to put it off, but wishing in some ways she would. The responsibility of turning her and now having to teach her how to shift weighed heavily on his shoulders. It felt as if he had managed to free Lea, and instead had trapped Lottie in his world.

“No, let’s go,” she said.

“Here, you had better take these,” he said handing her the keys.

“Don't you want to drive?” she asked.

“I can't,” he said, feeling foolish. “I never learned.”

“Then we can make a deal: if you teach me how to shift, I’ll teach you how to drive,” she said.

“I don’t know which will be more scary,” he said, as they climbed into the old car and put their seatbelts on.

Lottie turned the key, and the engine tried to start. Three times she had to try it before it sparked into life. “I am going to kiss my car,” she said, pulling off, leaving a cloud of black smoke behind them.

Daniel coughed. “That’s bad.”

The closeness of her body as she sat next to him in the car was disturbing. Without his collar, his awareness of her was intense, producing a deep ache inside him. His lion was doing his best to get Daniel’s attention, pacing up and down, lifting his head to sniff the air and then roaring, before rolling over on the ground, impatient to be free.

Daniel couldn't help laughing. I’ve missed you, old friend, he said, and the lion sat up, looking out with his patient amber eyes.

“This place is amazing,” Lottie said as they drove through a small collection of houses, where a herd of zebra were grazing. “Those are people, right?”

“I think so. Remember, I haven’t been here for over twenty years. In some ways it’s as new to me as it is to you.” He watched as a wolf trotted towards them along the road. Yes, this was surreal, he had seen many things on his travels with Nora, but everything here seemed out of place. Wolves on open grass plains, while zebra grazed, with no care in the world. Those two animals would never be so close to each other, they belonged on different continents.

Unless they were in a zoo, or a circus, and his thoughts turned to his old life and all the things he had missed growing up on the other side of the border. Nora had made sure he had a happy childhood, but he could never be so carefree as he would have been growing up here.

“I want to make sure Lea has a happy childhood,” he said. “She’s lost out on so much already.”

“Hey, don't worry. She will forget so much of what has happened. She’s a good kid, and the circus thing ... well, it doesn't seem to have tainted her. She knows how to laugh, how to play.” Lottie looked at him with a sideways glance, unsure of what she wanted to say next. But he knew and said it instead. “I hope I can find a way to forget it all, Lottie.” He turned to look at her, wanting her to feel the full force of what he was about to say. “I hope with your help I can be happy, and forget it all.”

“This bond,” she said. “It will last?”

“Forever. And from what Daphne and Lance said, ours will be stronger because I ... changed you.” It still pierced his heart to think of her in such pain.

“I want that to be the first thing you let go. The first thing you forgive yourself for,” she said. “You knew I was your mate, that’s what you said before you left. So maybe this is how things are meant to turn out. I think you should know that instead of taking something from me, Daniel, you have given me back my life. I was content to live in the shadows until you and Lea came along.”

“Then we will forge a new life together over here in Shifters Prime,” he said, leaning back, his arm on the open window of the car. He breathed in the air, the free air, and was grateful. Grateful for the woman by his side, for Lea making brownies with Daphne, and more than anything, he was grateful never to have to wear that damn collar again.

His hand automatically went to his throat when he thought about it, but it wasn’t there, and he would make sure neither he nor the two women in his life ever had to wear one.

Chapter Fifteen – Lottie

“You weren’t joking about me having to take my clothes off?” Lottie asked. They were standing in tall grass, and there was no one about for miles, but still she was acutely aware that he was asking her to be naked. In public.

“I don't think you’ll be able to control yourself enough on your first shift,” he said.

“Are you going to turn around?” she asked, heat creeping through her body at the thought of him seeing her naked. But she was acutely aware of her generous figure, of her voluptuous breasts and her curvy thighs.

“Do you want me to?” he asked, his mouth curving up in a smile she found so sexy, heat pooled between her thighs. She still couldn’t comprehend the notion that he was hers. Not just her boyfriend, here one minute gone the next, but that he planned to be there for her for the rest of his life. Like an unbreakable marriage contract.

“This isn't going to be easy.” And she didn’t mean the shifting part. Lottie had never been naked in front of anyone since she was ten.

“You’ll get the hang of it,” he said.

“I meant taking my clothes off,” she replied, taking hold of the hem of the sweater Daphne had lent her and lifting it up above her head.

“So did I,” he said smiling as she dropped the sweater to the floor. “If you want me to help.”

“I can manage,” she said, knowing they might not get round to her changing into a lion if he got any closer. Her breasts seemed to swell, her nipples hardening under his gaze. Damn, she wanted to feel his hands on her body.

Later, her lioness said, which still freaked her out no end.

Her expression must have changed, because his smile became a grin. “What’s she saying?” he asked.

“It’s private,” Lottie said, undoing the buttons on her shirt and pushing it off her shoulders. Her bra was staying put for now, but her pants had to go, and she undid the belt that was keeping them up. Daphne was two dress sizes bigger than Lottie, and her clothes hung on her, making her feel like a real vagabond.

“Want to know what my lion is saying?” he asked. She was enjoying seeing him so relaxed and so happy; the weight had lifted and they might be any two people in the whole world, flirting and laughing on a first date. But they weren’t.

They were lion shifters. And any time now she was going to have to learn to control her lion, or it would control her.

“Don’t worry,” he said, coming closer.

“I’m not,” she said, tilting her chin, trying to look brave. This man, this lion shifter, deserved a mate who was brave and tough. But she felt small and vulnerable.

“I will be with you every step of the way,” he said, his body so close to hers she could feel the heat emanating from him. Stopping, he looked her up and down, making her stomach clench and her sex ache for him. Sex was as much a mystery as being a lion; boyfriends had been too dangerous for Lottie. She was always frightened she would give herself away, confide in the wrong man about her past, and then end up with her cover blown.

She smiled and shook her head. The irony was startling.

“Tell me what you are thinking?” he asked, leaning forward so that his breath caressed her skin.

“I was thinking that I avoided intimate relationships to protect my privacy, and now here I am, in a strange new world, with my cover blown ... because of a man.”

“I will always be eternally sorry,” he said, blowing on the skin that curved above her bra.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said bravely, and her lioness agreed.

“I want you, Lottie, so much it hurts like a physical pain.” His hand stroked her cheek, leaving heat in its wake. Leaning in further, his lips touched hers, softly, questioning her. Her reply was instant.

Lottie kissed him back, her lips parting slightly, a sigh escaping them, and then his tongue slipped inside, stroking her lower lip, igniting a fire in her body that instantly raged out of control. Deep emotions woke within her, and she had to wrap her hands around his neck, holding on to him when her knees threatened to give way.

Daniel caught her in his strong embrace, pulling her tightly against him, stroking her back with his right hand, comforting her as a tremor of desire passed through her body. It was all so intense; after being bitten, her life seemed to be one emotional roller coaster after another. The pain of the change had brought her to her knees, but now Daniel promised to take her by the hand and they would soar high above the Prime together.

She nipped his lip, her teeth grazing his, and her lioness purred, wanting her to draw blood, to taste him properly. “Yuck.”

He pulled back. “Sorry, I thought this was what you wanted.”

“It is. It’s ... I didn't mean to say that out loud. My lioness puts thoughts in my head and I need to learn to process those in my head before I speak.”

He smiled. “I can imagine how weird it is. Only because I spent too long without being able to hear my lion. That was the strangest period of my life, and not just because I was in a cage. It was so lonely.” He stroked her hair back from her face and then kissed her lips lightly. “You will get used to it. Now, let’s get on with today’s lesson.”

“Yes sir,” she said, and then looked down at herself. “Do I really have to take all of my clothes off?”

“If you ever want to wear them again,” he said. “I can turn around, but then it’s going to be difficult for me to help you change.”

“Can I see you first,” she said, thinking that might give her courage.

“Sure,” he said, “My lion is always anxious to show off.”

Daniel moved back away from her, and stood still, he kind of had this faraway look in his eyes, and then he began to move, to change, and she could see why it was called shifting, because his body shifted from one thing to another, fur sprouting out of his skin, his nails becoming claws, and his teeth becoming elongated, with whiskers sprouting out of his cheeks.

“Holy shit,” she said, her voice a shocked whisper. If she hadn't seen him do it she would have thought it was some kind of illusion. But she had seen it, the change so rapid, it was almost instantaneous. “Can I stroke you?”

He nodded his massive lion head, and she went to him, running her fingers through his mane. It was thick, luxurious, and she remembered him in the circus, and found it hard to believe this was the same beast. He was tall, proud, and the handsomest lion she had ever seen, his amber eyes fixed on her. Running her hand over his back, she felt her lioness scratching at the edges of her mind, begging to be released and she knew it was time, that they would be capable of working together to get this right so they could run across the grasslands with their mate. Two lions, side by side.

“I’m ready,” she said quietly, scared but prepared to embrace the other side of herself, this new part of her, that had never walked on four paws and felt the sun on her back.

He changed, his body becoming upright, his claws retracting and his skin replacing the fur. “Then let’s see what you can do,” he said, a glint of mischief in his eye.

She sighed, and reached around to undo the clasp of her bra. “Here, allow me,” he said, his fingers deftly moving to unclasp her bra. A sigh of satisfaction escaped his lips when her bra was gone, her breasts spilling out. She immediately tried to cover herself, but he took her hands and moved them to her sides, his eyes caressing her skin, the swell of her breasts, the taut buds of her hardening nipples.

“You are beautiful,” he said, his voice raw with emotion.

“You’re biased,” she said. “The mate-bond thing makes you want me.” She ducked her head, avoiding his eyes, embarrassed.

Daniel put his finger under her chin and tilted it up so their eyes met. “I don't care whether I’m biased or not; I know beauty when I see it.”

Her lips parted, inviting him in. He lowered his head and kissed her again. The heat between her thighs radiated out and she knew when she took her panties off they would be wet, evidence of her intense arousal.

“I’ve changed my mind,” she whispered. “I don’t think I can concentrate on anything else until you’ve made love to me.”

Chapter Sixteen – Daniel

Her words made him hard, his cock go solid in his pants. “Are you sure?”

“Certain.”

He groaned, his mouth claiming hers and his hand threading between their bodies to touch her between her thighs. Damn, she was wet, he traced his finger along the length of her sex, and she whimpered softly when his fingers stroked her clit. Lottie eased her thighs apart, allowing him better access and he drew her panties to one side, pressing a finger deep into her. She cried out, her excitement almost too much for her.

Daniel released her, scooping her up in his arms and laying her on the ground. He knelt beside her, hooked his fingers into the elastic of her panties, and dragged them down over her thighs. She lifted her feet one at a time to remove them, and he caught a glimpse of her heated sex. Licking his lips, he knew he would have to taste her before he made love to her.

It would ease the tension in her body. But it would most certainly increase his.

Easing her thighs apart, he moved between them, stroking her skin with his hands, edging closer to his goal. She watched, and he could see she was barely breathing, her concentration too wrapped up in what he was about to do.

Pressing his lips to the soft skin of her inner thighs, he made his way to the centre of her need. Daniel covered her clit with his mouth, his tongue flicking out over it to drive her wild. Lottie threaded her fingers into his hair, pulling at it as she fought for control. But he wanted to take that control from her. Inching down, he pressed his tongue into her sex, her juices smeared on his face, as he plunged into her.

She cried out, her voice high pitched and breathy. In and out he pushed, deeper, before switching back to her clit, his teeth grazing it, sending her wild. Using two fingers he entered her, bringing her to the brink of her orgasm and then taking her over the edge. Around the grasslands her voice echoed, a desperate sound as she climaxed, her sex gripping his fingers, her juices flowing as she came.

He gave her a moment to recover, although his cock strained at his pants and he didn’t know if he could hold himself together for much longer. A situation not helped by his lion, who desperately wanted them to claim their mate and make her theirs.

Kissing his way up her body, he moved to rest his weight on one elbow, his body nestling between her thighs. She wrapped her arms around his neck and dragged his head down so that their lips met. He kissed her gently, sensing her fear.

“Are you still sure?” he asked.

“More than I’ve ever been about anything,” she said. “But you’re going to have to strip too.”

“You sure you want to see me naked?” he teased.

“Absolutely,” she said.

Daniel pushed himself away from her, rising onto his haunches and then standing up. First he dragged his T-shirt over his head, pleased when her eyes devoured his toned chest, and then flickered lower. Undoing his belt, he dropped his jeans to the floor, her eyes going wide when she saw the length of him.

“Like what you see?” he asked.

“Absolutely,” she said, but her voice wavered with nerves.

Daniel went to her, lying down in the grass, feeling it prickle his skin. He kissed her, and held her close, comforting her. “It’s OK. We’ll take our time, and afterwards, we can run for miles, you and me. Two lions together.”

“If I can change,” she said.

“Is that what this is, a delaying tactic?” he said.

“No, Daniel. It’s not. I just want this more than anything. We both do,” she said, and he knew what she meant because his lion was purring with happiness at them having their mate so close. For once he was being patient, not trying to push Daniel to change, which is what he had been doing since they had reached the Prime and the collar had been removed.

Daniel eased himself forward, then he lifted her thigh, draping it over his. Guiding himself forward, he entered her, very gently pushing the head of his cock inside her. She gasped, and he felt her tense. He stopped, holding back, giving her time to regain her composure, all the time he whispered endearments to her, telling her how much he loved her and wanted her.

“I love you too,” she said. “I know it sounds lame, we’ve only just met, but it feels as if we have known each other forever.”

“Maybe we have, Lottie,” he said and kissed her. At the same time he eased forward, pressing the head of his cock deeper inside her. She yielded for him, her inner walls tense, but she took what he gave her, her sex gripping him.

Deeper and deeper he moved. He couldn't have imagined it would feel this good to be inside his mate. She was wrapped around him, warm, wet, tight. He thought he was going to come, she felt too good.

He stopped moving, trying to put his mind elsewhere so he didn’t come prematurely. But it was hard, she consumed his senses: the scent of her, the taste of her still on his tongue, and the touch of her hands on his flesh. She was everything to him and in this moment they were one.

She was right, it was as if they had known each other forever, and had loved each other forever.

Chapter Seventeen – Lottie

Lottie pressed herself closer to him, needing every part of her body to be in contact with his. The heat of his body inflamed her skin, while the feel of him inside her inflamed her desire. Her arousal grew, intensifying with each stroke of his cock against her inner walls.

Daniel held her close, his arms strong around her, holding her while he thrust in and out of her, each stroke harder, deeper. He kissed her, starting with gentle kisses along her neck and working his way along her jaw line, and finally found her lips, his tongue stroking her lower lip. She nipped him, making him pull back and she chuckled to herself.

“You are such a tease,” he said, and thrust into her harder, corkscrewing his hips to stretch her wider.

She clutched at him, her nails digging into his back, urging him on, feeling her orgasm growing until she couldn’t stop it taking over her. Daniel lunged into her, long strokes, riding her climax with her, satisfying her, and then he let himself go, his seed spurting into her.

He cried out, the undertone of a roar meeting her ears as he called out her name.

After they had finished, she lay in his arms, her heart beating rapidly in her chest, her breathing heavy. Today was perhaps going to be a day of firsts. With her virginity gone, all she had to do now was turn into her lion, and she would be new, changed, different. Her world had truly shifted.

“That was amazing,” he said, kissing her shoulder, stroking her skin, and breathing in her scent. “And now it would be amazing to see you. The other you.”

“Damn, I’m scared I’m going to get it wrong and end up like a raccoon or something,” she said, sitting up, and reaching for her clothes.

“You won’t need those,” he said. “Remember.”

“You know, maybe we should head back and see if Lea is all right,” she said.

“She’s fine,” he said, pulling her back to him. “It’s OK, sweetheart.”

She blew her breath out between her lips, letting her lungs deflate. With her next inhale she tried to give herself courage, strength, but it didn’t work. “It’s probably a lot easier to learn to do this when you’re a kid.”

“You're smart, and brave,” he said. “You can do this.”

She looked away, and then nodded. “Then go.” She got up, trying to be brave and not self-conscious about her body.

“That’s my girl,” he said, jumping to his feet, still naked.

“Are you going to put your clothes on?” she asked.

“No. We’ll do this together, so you won’t feel so bad,” he said.

“Man, I’m going to feel bad no matter what.” She took a real deep breath. “OK. Is it going to hurt?”

“I don’t know. It might, the first time. I can't remember.”

“Well, I thought sex was going to hurt the first time and it didn’t, so maybe this is going to be OK too.”

He smiled. “I’m happy it didn’t hurt, Lottie. I thought it was incredible, and this is going to be incredible.”

“You’d better be right.” Standing firmly, feet apart, as if ready for a fight, she said, “What do I do?”

He thought about it. And she guessed he was trying to put into words what came so natural to him. “You have to try to connect with your lioness, try to see yourselves as one, and then when she tries to take over, you have to let her. But always stay in control. You are allowing her to take over your body, and she has to allow you to take it back when it’s time.”

Lottie closed her eyes, picturing her lioness, her beautiful strong lioness, and feared she would never be able to control her, never be able to make her go back in once she had been allowed out.

“Don’t worry, you'll learn to work as a team.” He nodded, reassuring her. “Let her go.”

Let her go.

Was it going to be that easy? Lottie searched her mind, finding her lioness waiting expectantly, eager to be released. Lottie quaked in fear, scared of what she was about to become, what she was about to unleash. But she had to do it, she had lived her life in fear for the last two years; now she was here, safe in the Prime, she refused to still live in fear.

Her lioness stood up, and then took a step closer, Lottie held out an imaginary hand and they touched. A chain reaction sparked into life and a pain like being burnt alive covered her, and in its wake, fur appeared across her skin, sprouting out until she was completely covered, her nails elongated, tearing her flesh as they erupted from her skin. She remembered how Daniel had looked, how he had changed, and this helped, because she knew she could live through it and she knew she would be able to change back; she would stay in control.

All the same, she doubled up, landing on the floor on all fours. Only she wasn't on her hands and knees, she was on all four paws. Looking down, she brushed her legs with her whiskers; it was as though she had a new sense. Moving her head from side to side, she wondered at them, so small, so thin and yet so useful. Now she was thinking like a lion.

“Wow, even your lioness is beautiful,” Daniel said, looking at her proudly.

Lottie lifted her head and roared, telling the world she was here, and then quickly clamped her mouth shut. Did she even want the world to know she was here?

“Don't worry, Lottie, you are almost top of the food chain over on this side of the border. And anyway, no one attacks any other animal. Lance told me it is the law now.”

She watched his face as a wave of pain slipped over it, and she took a step forward, wanting to comfort him. Instead she fell over, landing heavily on her side.

He rushed forward, stroking her shoulder with his hand, soothing her. “It’s OK. You just need some practice. It’s going to take a bit of getting used to.” He put his arms under her and lifted her up. She tried her best, and eventually stood, legs splayed like a new-born foal, trying to figure out how to coordinate four legs and a tail.

“One foot forward, then this one follows,” he said, lifting her back leg and placing it down. “Now the same the other side.”

She did as he told her to. Taking her time, getting the hang of it and trying not to get angry when she nearly collapsed, because that made her tail swish, which made her overbalance.

“You’re getting it,” he said excitedly. “Now I’m going to change and we’re going to go further, and then faster. Just relax, try not to think too much. Let your lioness take charge.”

She shook her head, wanting him to know she was afraid of letting her lioness take charge, because she might not want to let the human Lottie come back. But he just stroked her fur and said, “It will be OK.”

And she had to believe him, and so she let the tight grip she had on her lioness go, and everything became so much easier. Her body was fluid in its movements, her thoughts different, the predator taking over, letting her see the world differently, smell the world differently, and Lottie found it exciting and her joy of life returned.

Beside her, a good foot or two taller, stood Daniel, his lion impressive: big paws, strong teeth, and a thick, luxurious mane. What female wouldn't want him as her mate? And with a playful nip to his legs, she took off across the grassland wanting him to chase her, and despite a few wobbly moments, she managed to keep herself upright as the game began.

Chapter Eighteen – Daniel

She ran in front of him, all gangly legs and swishing tail as she tried to keep her balance. He could have overtaken her and disappeared into the distance, but he didn’t want to, he didn’t want to crush her confidence. Anyway, the view was much more fun from here.

She turned around in a big circle, a challenge at first, but slowly she began to get the hang of it and he could see her looking more like a lion. Lottie was learning to let go and trust her other side, just as he had learned to let go and trust her. Once this was over, he wanted to sit down with her and discuss where they went from here; they couldn’t stay with Daphne and Lance forever. And anyway, he wanted to explore further into the Prime.

Who was he kidding? He wanted to put as much distance as possible between them and the border. Even when he was asleep, his lion kept guard, they were both acutely aware of how close to the border they were, and that they didn’t know what dangers might cross into Shifters Prime. It would be easy for someone to come looking for Lottie, wanting to finish the job of hurting her. Wanting to finish her.

Those thoughts were in his mind most of the time, even now when he was cavorting across the grasslands with his mate.

Daniel’s lion was having fun, too much fun: he ran, rolled into the grass, stretching his giant paws, before turning onto his back to give it a good itch and stare up at the blue sky, the sun shining down on him, warming his belly. A hungry belly.

He turned back over and stood up, giving himself a shake. It was time to go and get some food. But first he had to get Lottie to change back into her lovely human figure. Not that he didn’t like the lioness, but a naked Lottie—well, what could be better?

His lion nudged him, not agreeing: that was one sexy female lion, with her long legs, soft fur that he could lay his head on … enough, Daniel said sternly. We need to make sure she is safe and can control the change. His lion reluctantly agreed.

She was coming towards him, her tongue lolling out. She was thirsty and looked exhausted. He waited patiently for her to reach him, and then turned to lead her back to where they had left their clothes. Slowing he let her walk by the side of him, their fur touching as they walked. Lottie pressed closer to him, rubbing her head in his mane. He turned, licking her face reassuringly.

They made it back to where they had left their clothes, and he went first, turning back into a man, his two feet replacing his four paws. Grabbing his clothes, he dressed quickly, giving himself a moment to collect his thoughts and to try to break down exactly how he could explain to her what she had to do. It needed to be step by step, or would she be able to do it by instinct?

“Ready?” he asked. She nodded. “OK. You have to think of your human body, feel the human in you and allow her to come out just as your lion wanted to come out. Think you can try that?”

She didn’t answer; she just stood still, looking at the ground. Daniel allowed her the time and space she needed, not wanting to push her or put any pressure on her at all. Then she moved, very slowly, circling her head, as if trying to release some tension. Then a frown settled over her furry face, and he knew she was trying to turn.

Daniel held his breath. Would she be able to do it?

Slowly, and, he guessed, painfully, she began to shift, her backbone straightening, her whole body becoming smooth, and the curvy figure of Lottie emerged as if by magic.

Stumbling forward, she felt to the ground. He was too late to save her, but when he reached her he immediately dragged her into his arms. “You did it,” he said, rocking her over and over. “You controlled it.”

“I did,” she said, sounding elated. “Thank you.”

“For what? Making you a freak?” he asked, but he wasn’t bitter.

“I like being a freak,” she said. “That was something else. I mean running, so wild and free. She could smell so much more than I can. See things differently.”

He stood up, hooking his arm under her elbow to help her stand next to him. “You know, we could leave now. Travel like lions.”

She laughed. “I will slow you down.”

“We have all the time in the world. I can get some work as we go.” He picked her clothes up and handed them to her. “I would rather you walked naked, but I don’t want to draw too much attention to us.”

She took them and began to undress. He noticed the way her hands shook and helped her as much as he could. It was so strange to want to help her, to want to make things easier for her when they had only just met and were still strangers.

“Aren’t we going to your family?” she asked, as they were walking back towards the car, hand in hand.

“I wasn’t planning on it.” He looked at the sky, breathing in the warm air. “I can’t remember them. And I don’t know if it’s safe. We have run from one bad situation; I don’t want to walk into another.”

“Have you asked Lance and Daphne? About your Pride?”

“No. And I don’t intend to,” he said.

“Why not?” Lottie asked.

He thought for a moment, trying to put it into words. And when he did, they were words he would never share with another person but Lottie. “I’m scared.”

“A big, brave lion like you?” she teased, but then she moved to stand in front of him, her hands cupping his face. “I understand how you feel. But I tried to run, tried to hide and forget what had happened. It catches up with you. So I think we should go there, the three of us, because Lea is owed an explanation, or at least closure on this.”

“What if she gets hurt, or what if you get hurt?” His heart ached, past failures piercing it. “I should have protected Lea from Trevor, but I didn’t.”

“That’s not your fault. And anyway, you have me now.”

He laughed. “If you can stay on four feet.”

Lottie nudged him in the ribs. “Well then, you have until we reach your pride to teach me how to be a proper lioness and how to fight.”

“Deal,” he said. Although he wasn’t sure about the fighting.

“So that means we’re going?” she asked hopefully.

“Only because I will never hear the end of it otherwise,” he said, sounding weary.

She slid her body next to his, her hands going around his neck. “I’m yours, and if you choose not to go, I will understand.”

“I know,” he bent his head and kissed her. “Now let’s go eat. We can leave tomorrow.”

Chapter Nineteen – Lottie

“You all take care and if you ever need a place to stay, you know where we are,” Daphne said, pulling Lea into a tight embrace. “I’m going to miss having you around, young lady.”

“I’m going to miss you too,” Lea said, her voice choked with tears.

“Well, you enjoy those brownies we made. And maybe when you make them again you’ll think of me,” Daphne said.

“I will,” Lea said, going to Daniel and hugging him closely as they prepared to leave.

“Thank you for taking us in,” Lottie said. “Thank you for helping me with … well, you know what with.”

“You’ll make a fine lioness,” Daphne hugged her close and whispered, “And a fine mother to the poor wee child.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Lottie said. She had seen the way Daphne was with Lea, mothering her, comforting her, and helping her with everything.

“It takes practice. You’ll do fine, now away with you before I start crying again.”

“Goodbye,” Daniel said, and Lance came over to shake his hand.

“No one can say we’re not civil here,” Lance said, taking Daniel’s hand, and then laughed, pulling Daniel into a manly hug. “Look after these two ladies.”

“I will do my best,” Daniel said, and held out his hand for Lottie to take. “Thank you so much for the provisions. And the directions.”

“No problem, I’d lend you my car, but I need it,” Lance said.

“Don’t worry. Once we get to the open plains, we’ll shift and run like lions,” Daniel said.

Lottie liked the sound of that. Lottie had been practicing shifting into her lion as much as possible, and the thought of trekking across a large tract of land on four paws appealed to her.

“I’m going to miss them,” Lea said, turning around and waving as they walked away. “I’d forgotten what it was like to live in a proper house.”

“Don’t worry, when we get to my pride lands, I’m sure we can find a house to live in,” Daniel said.

“No more Team Vagabond,” Lea said sadly.

“We will always be Team Vagabond. Just because we have a house, doesn’t mean we can’t go off exploring. You know, your mom used to tell me that the best thing about having a home was coming back to it after you’ve been away for a long time.”

“Do you think they will accept us?” Lottie asked. “I mean me. I’m not one of you. I’m not from your pride.”

“Of course they will.” He kissed her lips, and then added, “That’s if you can gain control of those big paws of yours,” he said, and ran off before she could hit him.

“Come on, Lea, let’s go get him.” Lottie shifted into her lioness. Lea did the same, a young adolescent lioness, all long limbs and skinny, running across the grass, and Lottie could see by the expression on her face that she was laughing inside. With a roar, she increased her pace, and in front of them Daniel shifted, and their journey began.

***

“I never thought my feet would hurt,” Lottie was saying, rubbing the soles of her feet. “My hands are red too.”

“That’s because it’s transferred over,” Daniel said, handing her a cold towel to press on them. “It’s the same as if you were shot, or injured as your other side, you would carry the wound.”

“It doesn’t magically heal, then?” Lottie asked hopefully.

“Sorry,” he said. “But you’ll soon toughen up.”

“I’m slowing you down,” she said, resting back against the tree trunk, trying to ease her aching muscles.

“I didn’t know there was a rush,” Daniel said, putting some more wood on the fire.

“You look right at home,” Lottie said. “Out in the wilds like this.”

“Nora used to take me camping all the time. She used to like going into the middle of nowhere so we could shift.”

“I bet mommy was a beautiful lioness,” Lea said, stirring the stew that was cooking on the open fire.

“I bet she was.” Daniel said.

“I wish I could remember her,” Lea said sadly.

“Maybe when we get to the pride lands there might be pictures of her. You know, she was best friends with my mom. That’s why she kept me safe.”

“Do you think so?” Lea asked looking happier.

“I think so,” Daniel said.

“Then I can’t wait to get there,” Lea said.

“Is that a hint,” Lottie said lightly, shifting her weight and scuttling forward to help Lea with the dinner.

“No. If your feet hurt, it doesn’t matter,” Lea said.

“Thanks, Lea.” Lottie put her arm around the girl and gave her a quick hug. She had been trying to show her affection, trying to get used to having a child to take care of. Having been on her own for the last couple of years since her parent’s death she realised she had got out of practice at showing her true feelings. It was easy to let her barriers down with Daniel, but Lea had been a challenge. One she now felt she was winning.

“Is it ready?” Lea asked, stirring the stew and then lifting the spoon for Lottie to have a look.

“I think so. Blow on it and then taste it and let me know what you think.”

“Mmmm. It’s ready,” Lea said, pleased with herself.

Working together they dished up dinner, poured drinks, and made themselves comfortable around the camp fire. The night slowly drew in, darkness enveloping them. It was comforting, the soft rustle of the leaves in the trees lulling them to sleep. Or maybe it was all the fresh air and the amount of miles they had covered in the last three days.

“Come on, let’s get some sleep,” Daniel said when they had eaten and tidied everything away. “Early start tomorrow. I think it will only be a day or two and we’ll be there.”

“That sounds like a good idea. And tomorrow if we come across a stream, I plan to soak my poor feet in it.” Lottie lay down, pulling the blankets up over Lea, who was sandwiched safely between Lottie and Daniel.

She had never camped as a girl, but she was quickly getting used to sleeping wherever she had to. Lumpy ground and bugs were forgotten in her exhaustion.

“Good night,” Daniel said, reaching over and kissing her, and then kissing Lea too. “Night, Lea.”

“Night, Daniel,” Lea said, and was already almost asleep.

For several moments Lottie lay awake going over the past few days, as she found herself doing every night since she had come to the Prime, mostly because she kept trying to figure out if it was all a dream. Because from when her parents died until the moment she had met Daniel and Lea, she had felt disconnected; now she was plugged back into the world. Albeit a new and exciting world.

***

“Lottie.” Daniel’s voice was barely a whisper and his hand on her shoulder was light as he shook her awake.

“What?” she asked, her heart beat rapid in her chest, she could sense his unease.

“I think there is something out there,” he said. He was half sitting, looking out into the night. But where they had camped in the forest, it wasn’t easy to see more than fifty feet through the trees.

“Did you see something?” she asked.

“No. It’s more like my lion can sense another predator.”

“A predator,” she repeated, pushing herself up on her elbows.

“Yeah. Somewhere over there.” He pointed into the forest in the direction they would take tomorrow.

“What do we do?” she asked, fully awake now.

“Stay put. I’ll stay awake and keep watch.”

“You don’t think we should go after it?” she asked, and was thankful when he shook his head.

“It might just be someone passing through,” he said. “We’ll be out of the trees tomorrow. We need to cut down onto the plains, then head west to the pride lands.”

“I’ll be glad when we are there,” she said. “At least we will be safe there.”

“Hopefully,” he said.

“You’re still unsure?” Lottie asked quietly.

“Lance said he heard a rumour that the guy who killed my father is gone. That my brother has taken over.”

“That’s good, isn’t it?” she asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe he doesn’t want another member of his family showing up,” Daniel shifted his weight. “Over there.”

She looked to where he was pointing but couldn’t see a thing. But she knew one thing for sure: she would not be sleeping again tonight, and there was a good chance she would not be sleeping again until they had reached the safety of his pride lands. If, in fact, they were safe.

Chapter Twenty – Daniel

He knew something was out there, but he couldn’t see it, or hear it. But his lion was aware of it. A danger that he could sense. Daniel moved, angling his body so he could get a better view of the forest around them, but it was too dark. Having the campfire would probably have given their position away to anything in these trees. All he hoped was that whatever it was, it didn’t attack, and instead observed the rule about not killing in their creature’s form.

Yet he knew that high up here in the mountains, with only trees and small animals as witnesses, something could finish all three of them off and no one would ever know.

“What if it’s me they’re after?” Lottie suddenly said.

He had thought she had gone back to sleep. He hated the thought of her lying there worrying. “Those people were over the other side of the border. Surely that’s good enough for them. Now you’ve changed, you won’t be going back.”

“Maybe they think I will.”

He reached out and touched her hand, squeezing it to give her comfort. “We’ll be OK.”

The sun was beginning to rise, but here deep in the forest it fell as dapples across the floor. He let his eyes adjust and scanned the forest, but he couldn’t see anything.

“What do we do?” Lottie asked.

“We do everything as normal. I’ll say I’m going for more wood and then I’ll have a scout-around. If I need to, I’ll go lion and try to track it.”

“You think it’s still out there?” she asked.

I know it is. But to Lottie he said, “I think so. But don’t worry. Make breakfast, and I’ll figure it out.”

They got up, both of them trying not to wake Lea, and going about their chores as if nothing was wrong. And then he slipped into the trees.

Skirting their camp. He widened out, trying to catch the trail of what had been watching them. There was nothing. He kept going, and then he saw it, a big footprint on the ground. He knelt down, placing his hand in it: massive, big claws that looked as if they could rip a man’s chest open. He stood up and went back towards the camp.

“There’s a bear hunting us,” he said.

“A bear?” she asked and her face paled. “Why?”

He shrugged. “Let’s eat and see if we can get out of the forest,” he said and went to Lea, waking her gently. If anything happened to her or Lottie, he didn’t know what he would do. Inside his lion stirred, telling him they would fight to the death for these two females, their pride.

Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, he told his lion, and settled him down, knowing they couldn’t let anger and rage take over.

“Why are we rushing?” Lea asked sleepily when he thrust some crackers into her hand and told her to eat them up.

“We want to try to get to the pride lands today,” Daniel said. It was true—this was his plan now, to get to the safety of his pride as fast as he could. Even though he had told Lottie there was no way the bear was after her, it would make sense. Well, the most sense. Because why else would a bear risk taking on two fully grown lions? Unless he was crazy.

Daniel shouldered the pack, checked they had everything, and then put the fire out. When they left the camp Lottie, who was holding Lea tightly by the hand, went first. They were walking downhill, setting a good pace, and as soon as they could, they would shift into their animals. But Daniel was worried that was what would bring on the attack.

An animal fighting an animal was one thing, a bear attacking someone in their human form was another, and this left him with a decision.

In front of him, he could see Lottie scanning the trees, a constant watch for danger. But when the danger appeared, it was not exactly what they imagined it would be.

“I was hoping you might have made some breakfast, but I seem to have overslept,” a voice said.

Daniel ran to Lottie and Lea and put himself in front of them, but when he turned around a full three-sixty degrees, there was no one there. “Come out,” he called.

“I am out,” the voice said again, and then there was a thud as someone landed on the ground only ten feet away.

Daniel felt his lion clash against the walls of his mind, but he held him in check. “Who are you? What do you want? We don’t have anything of value.”

“Hey, calm down, it’s too early in the morning for a fight.” The man, all six foot four of big muscles, stretched and flexed his neck. “My bear insisted I sleep in the tree. I thought it might be impolite to wake you when we got here last night.”

“You did wake us,” Daniel said, trying to gauge how this fight was going to go down. Bear or man?

“Now, calm down. I was sent there by your brother. Word got round that there were three new lions in the Prime, and when you asked Lance and Daphne about the Talamo Pride Lands, it was my duty to see if you were good news … or bad.”

“What do you mean bad? I have no interest in fighting. If he doesn’t want us to go to the pride land, we’ll just walk away.”

“Walk away? You must be joking, I’m a finder, and I’ve found you, so whether you like it or not, we are all going to take a trip to the Talamo Pride Lands. Your mom is going to be blown away that she has two sons back with her.”

“My mom.” Daniel felt a different kind of tension fill his body.

“She has been worried about you since Nora took you over the border. Now, if you don’t mind, it would be much easier for us to all go down to my truck and drive to the Talamo Pride Lands. We’ll be there before nightfall.”

“And we’re supposed to just trust you?” Daniel asked.

Lottie stepped forward now. “He knows about Nora.”

“So?” Daniel asked. He had been trapped once before; he didn’t want that to ever happen again. “We don’t need a ride.”

“My feet do,” she said, placing her hand on his arm. “It’s all right, Daniel. We’ll be all right.”

“What if we’re not?” he asked, his emotion raw.

“A new life, a new start. Let it go.”

He looked into her eyes. They were clear blue, like the sky on a summer’s day. “I have to protect you.”

“Well, if this is a trap, when we find a place to live, we’ll have a nice bear rug to put on the floor.”

The stranger laughed. “You have no idea how many times I’ve heard that.” He held out his hand. “I’m Frasier, by the way, and I will be your tour guide as we journey to the Talamo Pride Lands. Now if we can go. I still haven’t had any breakfast.”

Chapter Twenty-One – Lottie

“This truck is safe, isn’t it?” she asked. They were all crammed into a truck that on her side of the border wouldn’t have been allowed on the road. Her side of the border. Which side was that now? Shifters Prime. Her new home.

“As long as it has four wheels and the engine runs, that’s safe enough for me,” Frasier said.

They had been on the road for three long hours. And part of Lottie wished she had stuck with four paws rather than four wheels, even if they did hurt. She missed the fresh air, and the freedom, and part of her felt as if they were driving towards their doom. The small bubble of a world they had created around themselves since they arrived in the Prime was about to be burst.

“Your mom asked me to find you,” Frasier said to Daniel. “I have contacts on the Otherside. They haven’t been able to trace you at all. Nora did a good job of hiding you away.”

“Wasn’t that the point?” Daniel asked, sounding as miserable as she felt.

“Certainly was.” They went down a hole in the road, and Frasier cursed under his breath. “Imagine how surprised I was when one of my brothers was passing through and Lance was telling him about the three lions, newly arrived. And newly born.” This was directed to Lottie. “How are you dealing with that?”

“I’m doing OK,” she said, caught up in his friendly tone. If he was a bad guy, he was a good liar and a good actor. “So, Daniel’s brother. How did that come about?”

“Well, he felt the urge to shift. While on the Otherside. Never done it his whole life, and then he met his mate, and they crossed the border. I guess it’s something in the water.” Frasier looked at a sign they were passing. “Another hour and we’ll be there. I would stop for something to eat, but I want us to make it before dark.”

Lottie rummaged in the pack, which was on her lap, and gave Lea an apple and some more crackers. “That’s OK.”

“Can’t I have a brownie?” she asked.

“Sure,” Lottie said, rummaging some more.

“So what is your story?” Frasier asked, accepting a brownie when he was offered one. “Oh, these are good.”

“I made them,” Lea said proudly. She obviously liked Frasier, and Lottie figured the young girl was a good judge of character.

“You’re going to be very popular if you can make brownies like these,” Frasier said, taking another bite. “So, care to share your story?”

“Not really.” Daniel hadn’t warmed to Frasier at all. “I think I would rather speak to my brother first.”

“Suit yourself.” Frasier finished his brownie, and Lea offered him another one. “I will not say no.”

They sat in silence the rest of the way there, Lea eventually resting her head on Daniel and falling asleep. He put a protective hand over her, and Lottie wondered what he was thinking. But she couldn’t ask, not with Frasier there, so she stroked his cheek, kissed his lips lightly and mouthed, “It’ll be OK.”

His look said he wasn’t so sure.

The scenery before them opened out, great grassy plains, but in the distance a range of hills rose up, and she asked, “Is that where we’re heading for?”

“Just the other side. There’s a pass we follow and then we drop down into an open valley, and follow the road until we get to the big house. It’s where Kane lives now with his mate, Amara. Your mom moved out to a little house in the grounds.”

“You mean my brother kicked my mom out of her house?” Daniel asked.

“Not exactly,” Frasier said. “Listen, Daniel, your mom and your brother have been through a lot. And I’m guessing you have too. So please give them the benefit of the doubt. Your mom wanted to move out because she has bad memories of the big house. You’ve been away for over twenty years and she endured a lot to keep Serif from hunting you down.”

“Serif. Is that his name? The man who killed my father. Did my brother kill him for what he did to our father, for what he put me through, and Nora? You know, she died longing to come back here.”

“No, I didn’t. I’m sorry. And no, Kane didn’t kill him. He spared him.”

“Then he is weak.”

“Hey, Daniel. What’s wrong, honey?” she asked, sensing his anger.

Daniel shook his head. “I think this is a mistake.”

“No. No it’s not,” Lottie said, “we talked about this.”

“Stop the truck,” he said, his hand on the handle to the door.

“We’re nearly there,” Frasier said calmly. “Another five miles.”

“I want to get out,” Daniel said. “We’re not going.”

“Frasier, can you stop for a one minute, please.”

Frasier wanted to say no, he wanted to keep driving, but he read her expression and pulled over all the same. “Hurry up.”

“Would you give us a minute alone,” Lottie said. “Only Lea’s asleep and I’d rather not wake her.”

“You want me to get out?” Frasier asked incredulously. “Well, I’m taking the keys.”

“Fine,” Lottie said. Tiredness was creeping up on her and she had a headache behind her eyes. She just wanted to get to a place she could rest.

“I don’t want us to go there,” Daniel said. “I was wrong.”

“I think you’re scared,” Lottie said.

“What if they blame me for Nora’s death?” he said suddenly.

“That’s not going to happen.”

“She was my mom’s best friend and she died. What if they blame that on me?” Daniel said.

“You’re being unreasonable.” She put her arms around him, leaning over the sleeping Lea. “You looked after Lea, you brought her here. I know you’re scared, but we are going to do this.”

“It would be easier to run.”

“I know, but these vagabonds need to put down roots. Lea needs a home, friends, school. She loved Daphne and Lance, she likes Frasier. How many more people is she going to meet and like and then have to leave behind? You and Lea are traumatised. I know you don’t see it, but you are, so we go to your pride lands and we give it a try. OK?”

“I’m scared I won’t be able to protect you, that we’ll let our guards down and something bad will happen,” he admitted.

“We can’t run forever. Meet your mom, and your brother. And maybe you’ll feel thankful you have a family. Because I know that I would give anything to see my mom and dad again, and Lea would too. To see her mom.”

“It’s just Frasier is so happy.” Daniel looked out of the window to where their guide was talking on a phone. “I feel bitter.”

“I know what you mean. After my parents died I got consumed with bitterness. But it eats you up. Coming home has brought it out in the open. It’s natural, it’s probably even good for you.”

He let out a long breath. “I’m so glad you’re here with us.”

“Me too. Now let’s go?” She phrased it as a question, not wanting to push him. He nodded and she called Frasier, who got back in the truck.

“We’re ready to go?” he asked.

“Yes. Let’s go,” she said, and held Daniel’s hand, giving him her strength as they drove the last few miles.

The hills rose up before them, and a nervous tension filled Lottie. This was it: they were about to meet his family, or what was left of his family. One more brother was still missing; that must be unbearable for Daniel’s mom.

“It sure is beautiful around here!” Lottie said. The trees were pine, rising up on the sides of the hills like guardians. “Do you live here, Frasier?”

“No, I live along the border. Or the frontier, as we call it. But I move around a lot. Kind of work for hire. And right now it’s Kane who is hiring me.” He turned a bend and began the steep climb up the hill, the trees making the road dark. Switching on the headlights, he suddenly slammed his foot down on the brake, making them all lurch forward.

Lea woke up, her hands going around Daniel’s neck, and she held him tight. Her face showed plain fear, a stark contrast to the happy girl from earlier. “What’s happening?” Lea asked.

“We’ve stopped. There’s something in the road,” Daniel said, his hands stroking her and comforting her.

“Just a fallen-down branch,” Frasier said, getting out of the truck.

“Do you need a hand?” Daniel asked, slipping Lea from his lap. “Stay with Lottie, it’ll only take a few minutes to move this out of the way.”

“OK,” Lea said, leaning against Lottie, still sleepy from her nap.

“Don’t worry, Lea, we’ll soon be there,” Lottie said, smoothing the girl’s hair. “You’ll get to meet Daniel’s family and I’m sure we’ll be able to sleep on proper beds.”

“I don’t mind being outside and sleeping on the floor.” She placed her hand on Lottie’s. “As long as you and Daniel are there, I don’t care where I sleep.”

Lottie kissed the top of her head. “I know how you feel, and you know we’ll always be there for you.”

But right then, as Lottie and Lea watched, a pack of hyenas emerged from the forest. And as Lea screamed, Lottie wondered if they were ever going to survive this ambush, or was this where they were all going to die … or worse.

Chapter Twenty-Two – Daniel

Daniel lifted the end of the branch, with Frasier dragging the other, thicker end off the road. The bear’s expression worried him. “What’s up?”

Frasier looked up at the trees overhead. “Wrong kind of tree.”

“What do you mean, wrong kind of tree?” Daniel asked. In his mind his lion sat up, listening to something, leaving Daniel unnerved. “It’s a trap?”

“Looks that way,” Frasier said, although the words were lost as he shifted into his bear, swiping his great paws at a hyena as it leaped into the air, aiming for Frasier’s throat.

“What the hell!” Daniel exclaimed and then his lion took over, the beast tearing through Daniel’s skin, fur, claws, and paws emerging instantaneously, as the attack began.

He counted six, or maybe seven, it was hard to tell, they seemed to be everywhere, and he had to take his attention away from them for one moment to glance at the truck, where, to his horror, Lea was screaming and two more of the foul creatures were dragging their claws across the hood of Frasier’s truck.

There was nothing he could do for them right now, as two more hyenas came for him. He had to hope the truck held, or that Lottie, his mate, would be able to defend Lea from their attackers.

The smell of blood met his nostrils as he clawed the nearest hyena, the scent giving him a blood rage, or was it the fact that these dogs had come here to threaten those he cared about? Well, he wouldn’t let anyone hurt his family again. And they were his family—Lottie was more than a wife, and he was Lea’s guardian. And he would not fail her again.

Roaring, the sound loud even to his ears, he pounced at the next hyena, his teeth sinking into his neck, and shaking him with all his might. All the pent-up rage he had inside him unleashed now in this moment where their fates would be decided.

He glimpsed the bear pummelling one of their attackers with his giant paws, the creature hitting the ground. But then two more attacked, circling him, playing a deadly game, and he wondered if this would be the end of the big bear.

Then his thoughts returned to his own predicament as a hyena leaped onto his back, teeth scratching his flesh, a searing pain in his shoulder telling him his attacker had cut him. Daniel ran forward two steps and then stopped fast, trying to dislodge the thing on his back. It dug its claws in deeper, and Daniel roared in rage. Twisting and turning and then eventually lying down on the ground, rolling over, his big body threatening to squash his attacker.

The creature jumped off just in time, and then fell on Daniel, who was vulnerable on his back, but this lion was used to doing circus tricks and was lithe and supple, springing to his feet, and then slashing at the hyena with his front paws, while he sat firmly on his haunches. One swipe made contact with the dog’s muzzle and it fell to the ground, whining pitifully.

Daniel paused for one moment, catching his breath and weighing up the scene in front of him. Frasier was fighting the last of his opponents, the others lying bloody and broken on the ground. But over at the truck, the two hyenas had changed back to their human forms and were wrestling at the door with Lottie.

He leaped forward, changing from beast to man in mid-air, and ran to the truck, pulling the first guy off the door, and punching him in the face. The other guy jumped on him, raining blows down on his back. This wasn’t so easy, they were big men, not small pack animals. But the rage inside him grew. The sight of Lottie holding a sobbing Lea to her chest as they cowered in the truck was almost too much.

With one last effort, he used his strength to punch one guy unconscious and then grabbed the other by the shirt and hauled him over his head. Once he hit the floor Daniel kicked him viciously in the ribs over and over, until Frasier pulled him off.

“Enough. He isn’t getting up any time soon.” Frasier wiped his cut lip. “Damn, that was unexpected.”

Lottie slid over to the door and opened it, practically falling out into his arms. “I’m so sorry,” she said, sobbing as she repeated the same phrase until she became incoherent.

“It’s not your fault,” Daniel said.

“Why would it be?” Frasier asked. “You’re new in the Prime. They aren’t likely to be hunting you.”

“Are you sure? Are you sure they haven’t been sent from the other side of the border?” She lifted her head, her face red and swollen with tears.

“I doubt it,” Frasier said.

“I should go, just in case, I should leave you and Lea here to live in peace. I can’t be responsible for bringing danger into these pride lands.”

“Now, wait a minute. Before you go jumping to those kind of conclusions, let’s ask one of these animals,” Frasier said, lifting one of the guys off the ground and holding him up against the truck in his big bear fist. But before he could continue, there was a sound in the distance, and Frasier looked over his shoulder. “Cavalry’s arriving.”

“What do you mean?” Lottie sounded scared.

“We should go if more of them are coming,” Daniel said, not sure if he could fight through another wave of hyenas. Now the adrenaline rush had subsided he was tired and sore; his back was bleeding and his muscles ached.

“No, this is the good guys coming.” Frasier turned back and spoke to Daniel. “This is your brother coming to help.”

Daniel squared his shoulders. “I don’t need his help.” And then he realised that was what had been bothering him about coming here to the land of his pride. When he started this journey, he thought of himself as running away from danger, like running home with his tail between his legs. Now, he had proved himself, if only to himself; he had proved he could protect those he cared about. He was ready to go home.

Frasier put his free hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “No. But Kane might need your help. And your mom, she needs to see you, to know that you are OK. Although don’t let the tough new pride leader know I told you that.” Frasier winked at him with his one good eye; the other was swollen shut.

As the forest moved and about ten lions came charging through, Daniel let go of his past and his feeling of inadequacy. He had made it to his home lands, to the Talamo Pride Lands, and he was strong.

Lea came forward out of the truck, looking in awe at the pride of lions in front of her. “Wow, so many lions.”

And then one shifted, a man, so familiar it was as if Daniel had always known him, and maybe he had. They were brothers, after all, linked by blood and a bond within the pride. He only hoped it would go deeper than that: he was ready to be part of this family, part of this pride. If they would accept him.

Chapter Twenty-Three – Lottie

“Know anything about these, Kane?” Frasier asked, indicating the hyena he was holding against the truck, who was still dazed, but slowly coming to.

“No,” Kane shook his head.

“I think they’re here because of me,” Lottie said.

“I doubt that,” Kane answered gently and then said to Daniel, “You must be my brother.”

She felt Daniel tense and placed a hand on his arm, squeezing it to give him strength.

“We certainly do look alike,” Daniel said, taking hold of Lottie’s hand and reaching for Lea, who slid over, eyes wide with fear.

“You have a daughter?” Kane asked.

“No. This is Nora’s daughter, Lea.”

“It’s good to meet you, Lea,” Kane said. “My mom has told me all about your mom. That makes you Daniel.”

“It does.”

Lottie held her breath during the strained exchange; it was like two big beasts circling each other. “Maybe we could continue this somewhere else?” she said, trying to break the tension.

“Of course. Frasier, can you drive and we’ll accompany you.”

“You think there are more of them out there?” Lottie asked quietly. “I told you I should leave.”

“You aren’t going anywhere,” Daniel said firmly. “We are in this together.”

“Lottie, I don’t know your story, but my guess is these vermin were sent by Serif, he used to run the Pride Lands. I thought we were finished with him now he’s in jail, but maybe he has a longer reach than I thought. We’ll find out, this one will tell us.” He turned to the other lions and said, “The sheriff will be on his way. Five of you wait here for him, the rest come with me.”

“Shouldn’t the sheriff do the interrogating?” Lottie asked, looking at the man Frasier still held in his grip.

“This one needs medical attention. We can patch him up at the house,” Kane said, and Frasier bundled him into the back of the truck. Kane jumped in and sat looking at him menacingly, and the guy cowered in the corner.

Tired and overwhelmed, Lottie climbed back into the truck, with Daniel and Lea, then Frasier drove on, taking them to what she hoped was safety, but she still felt responsible for the attack. She only hoped Kane was right and this Serif was responsible for the attack. She didn’t want to spend her life running, always looking over her shoulder; she simply wanted to rest somewhere safe and be with Lea and Daniel.

The sight of the valley bathed in the evening sunshine, even if it was so very beautiful, couldn’t cheer her up. The three of them, Lottie, Daniel, and Lea, were huddled together, needing to feel each other’s presence. Lea looked white, her face so pale that Lottie worried she might faint.

“Don’t you have a dolly?” Lottie asked, remembering how she used to have a doll for comfort when she was a child.

Lea shook her head. “They took it.”

“Well, I think the first thing we ought to do when we get settled is buy you a dolly,” Lottie said.

“I don’t think I want one,” Lea said quietly.

“Why not?” Lottie asked as they headed down onto the open grassland that led to a sprawling house.

“I just don’t.”

“Lea was very upset when they took it.”

“Who’s they?” Frasier asked, his voice tinged with emotion.

“We got captured,” Daniel said. “On the other side of the border, after Lea’s mom died.”

Frasier didn’t ask by whom. “What was your dolly like, Lea?”

“She had long yellow hair, and blue eyes. Her dress was long, like a princess would wear, and it was blue, with sparkly bits on it.” She smiled as she described it. “My mom got it for me.”

“I remember, we went to the store and you chose it because you wanted to be a princess, and blue was your favourite colour,” Daniel said.

“Well, if ever I see a doll like that, I’ll make sure to bring it to you,” Frasier said. They had reached the big house, and a small group of people stood waiting outside. “Here we go, a welcoming committee. Better get ready to be hugged to death. Your mom has been waiting for years to see you, Daniel.”

“No pressure then,” he said.

“She’ll love you. Just like I do,” Lottie said, kissing him.

“And I love you too, Daniel. You won’t leave me now we’re here?” Lea asked.

“Never. We’re a team right?” he said, hugging her. “I love you both and we will always stay together.”

Frasier parked the truck, and behind them there was a thud as Kane got up and dragged the hyena out of the back. “What are they going to do to him?” Lottie asked.

“Depends on whether he talks or not. Kane has had a lot of growing up to do since he arrived, and he has had to make some hard decisions. He’s a good man, but Serif hasn’t let this go like Kane hoped.”

“Daniel?” A woman approached the truck, her face a picture or hope and fear. “Is that you?”

Daniel looked at Lottie, pleading for help, but she had none to give. He had to face this alone. “Go to her.”

He opened the truck door, getting out as if he was about to jump into shark-infested waters.

“Is it really you?” the woman asked, coming forward, as scared as Daniel.

“You must be my mom,” Daniel said. “Nora had a picture of you.”

“Nora,” His mom said, looking past him to the truck. “She isn’t with you?”

He shook his head, the sorrow filling him, easily picked up by his mom. “She died a couple of years back.”

“Oh, I so wished to see her, to thank her for looking after you.”

“She has a daughter, though,” Daniel said, and held out his hand for Lea.

“It’s OK,” Lottie said, helping Lea down.

Daniel turned to help Lea, lifting her up, hugging her tight to let her know everything was OK. “This is Leanora.”

“Oh, oh,” his mom moaned, collapsing to her knees.

“What’s wrong?” Lottie asked Frasier who was watching the whole thing, misty eyed. “You are a soft old bear.”

“If you knew what she’s been through, living with the man who killed your mate, just to try to stop him going after your kids.” He shook his head. “Anyway, her name is Leandra. It seems Nora named her kid after both of them.”

“Why?” Lottie asked. Were they that good friends?

“Nora never told Daniel she was his aunt? Lea is Daniel’s cousin.”

“I don’t think so. I wonder why didn’t she say?” Lottie asked.

“Beats me.” Frasier got out of the truck and went to the back to help Kane, leaving Lottie unsure of what to do.

Leandra was kneeling down, holding her arms out to Lea, who clung to Daniel. And then slowly she let go. They hugged each other, and Lottie could hear Leandra sobbing loudly, making a lump rise in her throat. What a mess this all was. So many ruined lives, so much suffering; it mirrored her life in so many ways.

But it shouldn’t be like that: they all had time to heal old wounds and be a family. And Lottie desperately wanted to be part of that family. So when Daniel turned to her, holding out his hand for her to take, she went to him, holding him tightly.

“Is this your mate?” Leandra asked, her eyes red from crying.

“Yes. This is Lottie. The bravest woman I know,” Daniel said.

“That’s not true,” Lottie said, embarrassed.

“Yes it is. If it wasn’t for you, we would still be stuck in cages, with no hope and no future.” He kissed her and then cupped her face, staring into her eyes. “I love you, Lottie.”

“Cages?” Leandra whispered, horrified. “All of you?”

“No.” Daniel said. “Only me and Lea. Lottie helped us escape.”

“So you aren’t one of us?” Leandra asked, but it wasn’t an accusation.

“She wasn’t…” Daniel said, and couldn’t meet his mother’s eyes.

“You turned her?” Leandra asked.

“I was in trouble, at the border,” Lottie replied. “It was the only way.”

“Oh, Lottie. I am so pleased he did. I am so pleased you are together. There is nothing as bad as losing somebody you love,” she said, looking down at Lea. “I will always be grateful to you for helping bring my family back to me.”

“I’m hungry,” Lea said.

“Then let’s go and find you something to eat. Amara is inside cooking, it smelt wonderful as I left. I’m sure there is plenty to go round.”

They headed to the house, Daniel and Lottie holding hands, while Leandra held onto Lea as if she was scared the little girl might disappear on the breeze. Every other step she would turn and look at Daniel, and smile to herself, fresh tears running down her cheeks that she quickly wiped away.

This wasn’t how Lottie expected their arrival to be. She had expected them to be treated like outsiders, but she already felt at home, as if she was being enveloped into a big family; and she knew it was what she wanted, what she had missed. But could she dare hope Daniel would be happy here?

Chapter Twenty-Four – Daniel

“He wants to talk to me,” Daniel said.

Lottie tied the towel tighter on her head, massaging her wet hair under it. “What about?”

“I don’t know.” Daniel had a feeling they were supposed to trade life stories, buddy up over a beer and become friends.

“It would be good for you to get to know each other,” she said.

“Would it? Just because we’re blood-related, doesn’t mean we have to get on. Don’t brothers argue?” Daniel asked.

She went to where he sat on the edge of the bed, and climbed up behind him, putting her arms around his shoulders and kissing his cheek. “You both need some kind of closure, and if we are going to stay here, you need to know where you stand.”

“And if we don’t get on? If I don’t like him, or he wants me to join him in some takeover of another pride?” Daniel asked sourly.

She laughed. “From what I see, there are enough problems keeping this pride together, without him going after another one. Those hyenas were sent from the old leader, this Serif. What if he’s stirring up other kinds of trouble?”

“That isn’t my problem. This isn’t my pride, it’s Kane’s.”

“It was your father’s pride. And we belong here; Lea belongs here. Don’t make her choose.”

He looked up at the ceiling and then back down at the floor. “Things were so much simpler when I was stuck in a cage.”

She laughed. “This is what being part of a family is all about.”

“What happened to yours?” Daniel asked, knowing she usually shied away from talking about it.

“My dad was investigating a firm that dealt with the disposal of chemicals. There were rumours they were moving the stuff on, by ship to China or something. Pocketing the difference. Whoever was running the scam was making a lot of money and didn’t want it to stop.” She moved to sit down next to him, her head on his shoulder. “So they threatened him.”

“And he didn’t stop.”

“No. He always thought the truth was the most important thing, especially when innocent lives were at risk. If the chemicals were dumped, then people would get sick.”

“And so someone decided to shut him up permanently.”

She nodded. Daniel felt her tears on his shoulder and said, “I’m sorry. It’s painful for you to talk about it.”

“I want you to know. I want us to be open and honest with each other. I’ve only known you a handful of days, but this is it, we will always have each other. But I think we both need more than that, and Lea certainly does. She needs to grow up feeling safe.”

“Did you see those hyenas that attacked us?” Daniel asked.

“And if you work together with Kane, you will be able to stop them.” She scooted round to look at him. “You know if I could stop the men responsible for my parents’ death, I would. The thought that he is out there, walking around enjoying his money and his freedom while I have lost my family, rips me apart. The men who went to jail pulled the trigger, but only because they were paid. That’s why they want me dead, a loose end.”

“Revenge won’t make it better.” Daniel had come to terms with having no parents. It was hard for him to be angry about the death of a man he never knew.

“I know. But it doesn’t make it right. Or fair.” She kissed him. “How many more people will have to suffer because of Serif?”

He got up. “We should go downstairs.”

“Why, because you think your mom is going to steal Lea away?” Lottie asked.

His mom and Lea had hit it off straightaway. Now they were making brownies, just like Daphne taught her to. He smiled. “I’m pleased. Really pleased. Nora loved my mom, now I know why. Although I wished she had told me she was my aunt. I think Lea and my mom need each other. I’m happy they get on so well. I thought Lea would be clingy. You know, after everything.”

“She’s come out of everything remarkably unscathed. You both have,”

“That’s because we’re lions,” he said and she laughed softly. “I mean it. We have this strength. Maybe that is what I saw in you. What made us right for each other, you have the same inner strength.”

“You know, I’d like to stay in this room and see a little bit of your inner strength,” she said, her voice sexy and low.

“You don’t think we should check on Lea?” he said, but he wanted to stay here with her, in this tiny oasis where he could forget all about his brother and what might be expected of him. He had come to Shifters Prime to find a quiet life, not be caught up in a war.

“She is safe, she’s happy, and I haven’t really had you to myself since we met,” Lottie said, pulling the towel off her hair and dropping it on the floor. “And this room is so hot.” She pulled her robe open a little, revealing the swell of her breasts, hinting at what was underneath.

And, damn, he wanted more than a hint.

“Lottie, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” he said, going back to her, and pulling her robe open to reveal her breasts. Lowering his head, he kissed them reverently, knowing how lucky he was to have her as his partner through this crazy life.

“That bed looks awfully inviting,” she said a gasp escaping her when his mouth sucked one of her nipples inside, his tongue rolling over it.

“Then why don’t we lie down for a while,” he said, the robe falling to the floor as he manoeuvred her backwards.

They collapsed onto the bed together. He wanted to take her, to make her his, and his mate wasn’t going to put up a fight.

Chapter Twenty-Five – Lottie

His hands were warm, confident, insistent as he caressed her skin, igniting her arousal. Turning towards him, she kissed his lips, his tongue pressing for entrance into her mouth. Lottie allowed him access, their tongues entwining, and the hardness of his cock intensified as it pressed against her thigh.

Sighing with contentment, she moved her hand down between their bodies and touched him, stroking his cock until he groaned against her mouth, and pulled away.

“I have to have you now,” he said. “It seems an eternity since that first time in the grass … I have imagined being inside you again so often.”

“Then let’s make it real,” she said, her hand firmer on his cock.

Daniel moved, his body swift, his intent obvious. The weight of his body forced her onto her back, and he pinned her hands above her head, his mouth descending down to capture hers. His kiss was fierce, demanding, as if a new man had woken inside him and wanted to be in control.

“You are mine,” he said, his words whispered against her ear while his body nestled between her thighs, his cock hard, pressing against her entrance.

“I always will be,” she said, and then turned her head, nipping his lower lip. “In the same way that you will always be mine, Daniel.”

He laughed, low, sexy. “We were made for each other.”

“Then let’s join together, right now. Make love to me, Daniel.”

He inched forward, his cock moving inside her, and she gasped as he penetrated her. Deeper he pushed, his hips flexing as he moved out of her and then he thrust deeper. She cried out, the sudden fullness of her sex almost too much, yet when he slid out she felt empty, and so she urged him on.

Daniel released her wrists, and slipped one of his hands underneath her bottom, changing his angle of penetration. Thrusting hard, he impaled her completely, each stroke of his body sending shockwaves through her body; the friction between them was incredible. Each movement stimulating her clit as his body brushed against it.

Higher and higher her arousal flew, the world standing still, all worries, all fears gone as they made love. They were the only two people here, safe for now, nothing could touch them. Harder, faster, his cock driving into her and she lifted her legs, wrapping them around him to urge him on.

Daniel’s movements became more intense, his body jerking into her as he came, his arm straining to support his weight as he lost control and he pulled his head back calling out her name. He claimed her. In this moment of intense ecstasy, she was his and that thought took her over the edge.

They were one, bound together not just by some unseen, unbreakable bond, but also by love and loyalty. His cock spurted his essence deep inside her, and she knew that they might be making a cub of their own, that soon she might be pregnant, another life to protect, more love to give and more joy in their lives.

Her nails scratched at his back. She wanted to be so close to him, to become one with him physically, just as she was one with her lion. Yet they were two separate beings, caught up in a moment of exquisite pleasure, and then they crested the wave and crashed upon the shore, both completely spent. Both utterly happy.

“Do you think they’ll miss us if we just stay here?” he asked.

“Me, maybe not, you definitely. You need to talk to them, Daniel. Kane and your mom need to get to know you,” she said, stroking his chest, in no mood to move either. They were warm, they were safe, and most importantly, they were together. But she wanted to check on Lea; she didn’t want the child to think she had been abandoned or that Lottie was trying to take Daniel away from her.

“What am I supposed to say?” he asked. “Do you think they really want to know the truth? It feels so … sordid.”

“Daniel,” she said, sitting up and then turning to face him. “What happened to you was not your fault. It happened, and you did the best you could. So don’t feel guilty, don’t hide it from them.”

“Kane grew up in a mansion, surrounded by wealth. I grew up with no fixed abode.”

“You had a freedom he never did. You were loved by Nora; you knew who you were and what you were.” She shook her head. “He grew up living a lie. Amara tells me he had never shifted. In lion years, he is about the same age as me.”

“Lion years,” he laughed. “You want me to go easy on him?”

“I want you to have an open mind. Don’t blame him; don’t blame your mom. And don’t blame yourself. The only person who needs to be blamed is Serif. Help your brother set things right, in a way I never can over my parents’ death.” Her voice had risen, in passion and grief.

“Hey, what is it?” He slid across the bed to her and scooped her up, holding her close to his chest.

She hid her face from him. “It was my fault.”

“What was?”

“My mom and dad. I answered the door. I let them in. My dad heard the voices and came out from the living room, and they shot him. All I can hear is my mom screaming and then she grabs me and pulls me out of the way, she pushes me out of the back door and then uses herself as a barricade to give me time to run.”

“Your parents loved you very much. They wanted you to be safe.” He stroked her hair, holding her close.

“But I let them in,” she said miserably.

“They would have got in anyway. They had guns, they came to kill your parents. A door wouldn’t have stood in their way.”

“But if they had broken in, we would have heard them and called the police.”

“Don’t do this.”

“Hold me,” she said. And he did, close to his chest, his heartbeat comforting and steady. Lottie let herself cry, not holding back; releasing all the years of anger and guilt because she would never have the chance to put things right. Not like Daniel could.

When she was done, she got up and went to the bathroom, washing her face, trying to make the red blotches on her face go away.

“We could stay up here if you want,” he said. “I’ll go down and tell them you aren’t feeling well.”

“No.” She shook her head, her voice hoarse. “I don’t want them to think I’m weak or being off with them. I want them to like me.”

“You’ve taught me a lot about family, Lottie. More than my own family probably will, because it’s not until you lose something you know how much you cherish it. Nora taught me that too. She was like a mother to me, and it will be hard to get to know my real mother and learn to love her in the same way. But I want to try. For you, for Lea, I want to try.”

“Not just for us. For her, for you,” Lottie said. “Remember she gave up a part of herself for you and your brothers; that is what you do for those you really love. Allow her in.”

“I will,” he said. “I also promise to talk to Kane, and to try to help him, and maybe one day our other brother will come home and we can be a real family.”

“That real family is downstairs, so let’s go and see what Lea is up to.” She dressed in the clothes Amara, Kane’s mate, had given her. “It would be nice to have some clothes of my own. You know I don’t have a thing of my own.”

“Except me.” He kissed her.

“Nothing else really matters,” she said, brushing her still-damp hair and looking at him in the mirror. “I’m ready.”

He took her hand and they went downstairs, to be met by the smiling face of Lea. “My, you look happy,” Daniel said. “How many brownies have you eaten?”

“None,” she said, drawing her hand out from behind her back. “Look what Frasier got for me.”

In her hand was a doll with long blonde hair and a blue dress. “He found a doll for you already?” Lottie asked.

Lea beamed brightly. “He says that’s what he does. He finds things.”

“Maybe I should ask him to find me some clothes,” Lottie said.

“I have something else I want him to find,” Daniel said and went to talk to Frasier, who was drinking a beer.

“Are you happy, Lea?” Lottie asked.

“Very,” Lea nodded. Behind her the oven pinged and she grabbed Lottie’s hand and led her off into the kitchen. “Brownies are ready.”

Lottie entered the kitchen, swept away by the smell of freshly baked brownies, and the other two women in there, Leandra and Amara, smiled, talked to her, and made her feel right at home.

Lottie knew that no matter what came their way, she would be part of this and would fight for these people, because she had freed her lion, and in return he had freed her from the past.

Chapter Twenty-Six – Daniel

“Thanks for coming up here with me,” Kane said.

They had run through the grasslands together, climbing the hill to the highest point in the valley. Now they were looking out over the Talamo Pride Lands, and Daniel wondered if Kane was expecting him to be impressed.

“I didn’t want it, you know?”

“Didn’t want what?” Daniel asked.

“Any of this. I would be happy to live in a small cottage in Amara’s village and never be the leader of the Talamo Pride. It doesn’t interest me at all.”

“You surprise me. I thought you grew up surrounded by wealth and now you want to be king.”

Kane laughed. “No, not at all. I mean, yes, I grew up in a mansion, but that is a different lifetime.”

“So give it up.” Daniel couldn’t help it; he wanted to be hard on Kane, to push his buttons. He didn’t know why.

“I can’t. I created a mess. I came here and took back what was our father’s. I can’t walk away, who knows who would take over if I did.” He swung around to look at Daniel. “Unless you want the job.”

“Oh no, not me. I’m still getting used to being in the Prime. A family is enough for me to take on. A pride would be too much.”

“Then at least help me,” Kane said, although it sounded more like a plea.

“Do you remember anything about our father?” Daniel asked, not ready to answer his brother.

“A few things. Vague things, a place will jog my memory, or someone will tell me a story about him and I’ll remember. Leandra talks about him a lot. I think it’s because she’s spent so long not being able to even say his name.”

“Why don’t you call her mom?” Daniel asked.

Kane was silent, kicking a stone down into the valley below and watching it roll down until stopped among a thousand other stones. “I grew up believing she was dead, that I was an orphan. I know it’s not her fault. I know it. But I’m not ready to just let her in. I can’t.” Kane looked across to Daniel. “This is between you and me. That’s what brothers do, right? They help each other and trust each other.”

“I have no idea,” Daniel said honestly.

“But I do want her to be happy. And for that we need to get things back on track, the pride needs to prosper, and we need to find our other brother,” Kane said.

“Can’t you ask Frasier? I thought he was a finder,” Daniel said.

“Only on this side of the border.” Kane turned to him. “So we do this together, brother standing with brother. Make a life here with us, you and Lottie, and Lea.”

“I think Lottie has already persuaded me to stay.”

“She’s a good, strong woman. You are lucky to have her as a mate.”

“I know, and I plan to have her as my wife. As soon as Frasier finds me a ring.”

Kane laughed. “Knowing Frasier, the ring will already be waiting for you when we get back.”

“Then let’s go. I want to be close to my family,” Daniel said.

Kane changed into his lion and Daniel followed, and the two brothers ran down towards the big house, shoving each other as they went, just like brothers do. Bonded together with blood.

*

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Chosen by the Karal

Deceit

Love

Power

Hunger

Devotion

Warriors of Karal

Stranded

Found

Taken

Shifters Prime

Sleeping Lions

Living a Lion

Bear Creek Clan and Bear Bluff Clan
suggested reading order

(each can be read as a standalone)

Rescued by the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book One)

Finding Her Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Two)

Tamed by the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Three)

Snowbound With The Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Four)

Biker Bear Billionaire (Bear Creek Clan Book Five)

Bound To Her Bear (Bear Bluff Clan Book One)

Doctor Bear (Bear Bluff Clan Book Two)

Stranded With Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Three)

A Bride for the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Six)

Home Or Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Four)

Fated To Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Five)

Lonely Bear (Bear Bluff Book Six)

Forbidden Bear (Biker Bears Book One)

Secret Bear (Biker Bears Book Two)

Wolf Valley Raiders

Redeem the Wolf

To Catch A Wolf

Reclaim the Wolf

Awakening the Alpha

Christmas Bear Brothers

Santa Paws

Christmas Catastrophe

Bear Humbug

Her Dragon's Bane Serial

Soul Of The Dragon

Blood Of The Dragon

Heart Of The Dragon

Love Of The Dragon

Fate Of The Minotaur

Mate Of The Dragon

Bound To The Flame - A Virgin For The Dragon

When the dragon egg hatches for Trinity she becomes the Dragon Princess and must remain pure until the dragon comes back to claim her as his mate on her twenty first birthday.

An Heir For The Flame (Dragon Fantasy Romance)

The elder dragons have predicted that Trinity will conceive the new dragon child tonight. So she mates with ShanRohit under the full moon.

Waiting For Curves (Curves For Her Wolf) (BBW Erotic Romance)

Curves For Her Wolf Doctor (The Greystone Wolves - BBW Paranormal Erotic Romance)

Mistaken Curves (Her First Time With A Wolf) (BBW Erotic Romance)

Sold To The Wolf (Auctioned Curves For The Werewolf) (BBW Erotic Romance)

Curves For The Lone Wolf (BBW Erotic Romance)

An Auction Of Curves (BBW Erotic Romance)

Anna (Curves in the Family (BBW Erotic Romance))

Heated Curves (Curves For Her Firefighter) (BBW Erotic Romance)

Words Unwritten (Curves For Her Soldier) (BBW Erotic Romance)

Christmas Curves (BBW Erotic Romance)

Winning Her Curves (previously titled Virgin Curves)

Returning For His First Love

For The Love Of The Wolf (Erotic Romance Fairy Tales)

Marianne : Unmarked (His) (Paranormal Shifter Romance)

Bred By The Unicorn (Virgin Paranormal Erotic Romance)

The Escort Box Set

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The Escort Series

The Escort (The Escort Series Part One)(Free in some regions)

The Escort (The Escort Series Part Two)

The Escort (The Escort Series Part Three)

A Curvy Christmas: Robin's Romance (BBW Romance)

Helen’s story:

His Secretary (Her Second Chance Book One)

Captured By The

Hannoth Barbarians

Captured By The Barbarian: Cilla Part One

Claimed By The Barbarians: Cilla Part Two

Taken By The Barbarians: Dinah

Tilda - Captured By The Hannoth Barbarians

Thandor - Captured By The Hannoth Barbarians

Princess Yolanda - Captured By The Hannoth Barbarians

Bound By The Barbarian: Tirim

Bound To The Barbarian: Tirim Part 2 (Reluctant Gay Sex)

Captured By The Barbarians: Scarla

Tamed By The Barbarian: Shona Part One

Hunted By The Barbarian: Shona Part 2

Teaching The Barbarian: Petra

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Saved By The Pack

Alice

Sarah

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Not In Kindle Unlimited

The Dualis

(Mate of the Cave Bear)

Found (Book One)

Lost (Book Two)

Return (Book Three)

Shifters Of Spellholm - The Bears

Her First Time With A Bear (Book 1)

Too Much To Bear (Book 2)

Bear With Me (Book 3)

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Curves

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Curves For Her Bears (BBW Shifter Erotic Romance)

Saving You, Saving Me (Bad Boys Love Big Girls (BBW Erotic Romance))

Rachel (Curves in the Family Part One (BBW Erotic Romance))

Snowbound Curves (Curves For Her Brother's Best Friend BBW Erotic Romance)

BBW - Curves For Her Soldier

Longing For Her Soldier (Curves For Her Brother's Best Friend BBW Erotic Romance)

Return To Sender (Curves For Her Soldier) (BBW Erotic Romance)

BBW - Greystone Wolves

A Virgin For The Wolf (Curves For Her Werewolf Boss) (BBW Erotic Romance)

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Curves For Her Cowboy (BBW Billionaire Cowboy Erotic Romance)

Betrayed Curves

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A Virgin For The Billionaire

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Behind Closed Doors

Stories filled with lust, sex and, of course, love.

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Continue reading What Katy Did First (First Time Virgin Sex)

What Katy Did Next (Oral sex, Domination)

What Katy Did Then (BDSM, Sex In The Car)

What Katy Did With Her Billionaire Boss (Billionaire Erotic Romance)

Crystal and Roxie, Rockstar Sex (Ménage Threesome First Time Anal Sex)

Jamie, Cowboy Lust (First Time Gay Sex)

Jamie, Cowboy Love (Whipping Gay Cowboy Erotica)

Jamie, Cowboy Gangbang (The Initiation Of Jamie)

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Sex And Marriage

Awakenings

Spank Me Professor(Spanking Role Play)