Leanne Crabtree's Blog, page 25

Chapter 10 – *Shifter Romance*

Her nerves were jangling as they reached the penthouse suite of the Crescent Bay Hotel. She could sense all the wolves moving and talking behind the closed door and it was playing havoc with her control.

Rhys finger brushed her cheek. “You don’t have to be nervous, Cat. They’re going to love you.”

Kaitlin wished she had his confidence. Her puma was itching to run away but as long as she didn’t panic she would stay in control.

She watched as he placed the electronic key card in the door slot and the light turned green. Silence fell inside and she took a deep breath as the door released and he turned the handle, pushing it open.

Her gaze landed on the ten or so men in the room. Some she recognised from the night at the club, others she didn’t. Her eyes landed on the one person she knew by name. Brent grinned at her and she managed a small smile back.

Kaitlin’s puma was almost winning as she shifted from foot to foot nervously.

Rhys’ large palm landed on her waist and she felt his calming influence spread through her. “You okay?” He whispered.

She nodded and gave him a grateful smile.

“Come on, I’ll introduce you.” He tugged gently on her hand to get her moving and then led her over to the waiting shifters. “You already know Brent, he’s my Beta.” At that, Kaitlin saw him in a new light. It explained why it was always Brent who was sent after her; he trusted him to keep her safe.

They went down the line of men and all were polite as they spoke to her.

“This is just a fraction of the men who sided with me, Cat. The others are out, checking on things for me.”

Kaitlin smiled. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

They all nodded and smiled back apart from one at the far end. His face was set in a frown, his dark eyes hard as he stared at her. She thought his name was Raoul but wasn’t sure. Her puma became restless under his stare and she took a small step back.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, distracting her and she pulled it out to see who it was. Misha. Some moral support would be nice right about now.

When she looked back up, Rhys was watching her expectantly. She also noticed that everyone had dispersed from the room sans Brent, who stood a little to the side.

“I could really use the toilet,” she said.

Her lover frowned; obviously sensing something was wrong but unable to tell what it was. Brent answered instead, “It’s just at the end of the hall.”

She smiled at him, “Thanks.” Then headed off in the direction he’d indicated and she found the bathroom where he’d said and stepped inside. Resting her back against the door she brought the phone up so she could see the display and dialled Misha.

Her best friend answered on the second ring. “Kaitlin? Where are you? What’s happened? There are rumours that you left the cat compound with the wolf and that your father’s furious.” Her voice was breathless by the end from lack of oxygen.

Kaitlin grimaced. She hadn’t expected the news to spread so quickly but it was big news; a cat leaving with the enemy.

But Rhys wasn’t the enemy. Rhys didn’t want a war: didn’t want to lose more of his people incessantly.

“I did leave with Rhys so I’m guessing it undoubtedly pissed off my dad but I refuse to be used as a pawn in whatever game he’s playing. Rhys has a room at the Crescent Bay and that’s where we are.” She paused for a second, listening for any sounds outside the door, before continuing, “I could really do with some moral support right now, Misha. My puma is starting to freak out from being in such close proximity to all these wolves; I don’t suppose you could come over, could you?”

There was a long silence on the other end of the line and then a sigh, “Okay, I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do. What room are you in?”

Kaitlin smiled as she said, “The penthouse.”

“You’re kidding? What’s it like? As posh as the rest of the hotel, I bet.”

For the first time since she’d entered the bathroom she took it all in.

Black marble with grey veins running through it lined both the floor and the walls. There was a large white bath against one wall with two sinks against the opposite one. At the far end there was a floor to ceiling window with a stunning view of the city.

“It’s certainly something,” Kaitlin said, voice slightly awed.

Misha laughed. “I’ll be there as soon as possible. Let them know I’m coming, alright?”

“Of course,” with that she ended the call and flushed the toilet to go with her earlier story of needing it. Then she left the bathroom and went back down the hallway to the main room. Rhys and Brent were talking quietly at the wrap around bar but cut off their discussion when they saw her.

“Is everything okay?” He asked.

She nodded and wiggled her phone in her fingers. “It was Misha. She wanted to check to see if I was okay so I invited her over. You don’t mind, do you?”

“No, of course not, but we’ll have to let everyone know whose out patrolling so they don’t go territorial about a cat being in the area,” he glanced at Brent and the other man nodded before moving away to make the necessary calls. When he’d gone Rhys returned his gaze to her, “Are you okay?”

“A bit overwhelmed,” she admitted.

“It’s been a lot to take in,” he agreed. “Would you rather be alone with your friend?”

Kaitlin shrugged. “Misha’s about as scared of wolves as I was. It might be better if it’s just you and Brent; at least she knows you by sight.”

Rhys nodded like he understood. “Okay, I’ll get the guys out of here for you.”

She couldn’t quite believe he was being so accommodating. Sure, he believed her to be his mate but really? Did he believe she was worth all this trouble?

It didn’t seem to matter what she thought though. It was Rhys’ decision and he was getting rid of everyone so she and Misha would be more comfortable.

“Brent, can you ask everyone to leave before Cat’s friend arrives?”

“Sure. Are we giving them a night off?”

Rhys thought it over for a minute and then nodded slowly. “It’ll be their last for a while.”

Minutes later weres were filing from the adjoining rooms, their mood light as they relaxed for the first time in—well, she’d guess at weeks, but maybe it had been longer than that; months?

That urge to flee began to build in her again as the wolves passed her. When they were alone again, a huge breath left her as her puma relaxed; the urge to get out leaving her in a rush. She swayed a little at the sudden regaining of her control and Rhys reached out a hand to steady her.

Minutes later there was a tentative knock on the door and Kaitlin knew it was Misha. When neither of them moved to answer it, she crossed to the door herself and flung it open. Misha looked nervous and glanced up and down the small corridor like she expected various wolves to ambush her any second.

“Hey.”

Misha gave her a small smile, “Hey yourself.”

Stepping back she beckoned her friend inside, “Rhys got rid of everyone so don’t look so nervous.”

A look of relief crossed her face and she visibly relaxed. That was until she caught sight of Rhys and Brent stood there, discussing something quietly. In a whisper she said, “I thought you said he’d gotten rid of everyone?”

With a slight grimace she conceded, “Everyone but himself and Brent, as you can see.”

When she glanced back, Kaitlin realised her friends gaze was locked on Brent and as she cast a quick glance at him, she saw he was watching Misha with the same intensity. It was all very steamy and overtly sexual; she was surprised the temperature in the room wasn’t rising.

What was going on there? She wondered.

Maybe she should just ask.

“Come on, sit down and we’ll chat.” Grabbing her friend’s hand, she drew her into the sitting area, off to one side, and they took seats on the plush chocolate brown sofa.

Misha glanced around the room, avoiding looking in Brent’s direction at all costs. “This place is really something,” she remarked.

“What’s going on between you and a certain Beta?” She asked without preamble. Her gaze locked on Misha’s face for any signs of a lie.

Colour flooded into her friends cheeks and her mouth opened and closed several times before she said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, come on, Misha. I’m not blind. We’ve been friends for years and I have never seen a look more intimate than the one between you and Brent a moment ago. What’s happened?”

Her friend sucked in a quick breath. “Like Rhys with you, Brent believes I’m his mate.”

A smile split Kaitlin’s face, “That’s gre—”

“No!” Misha growled, “It’s terrible because unlike you, I’m not brave enough to tell my family; to leave everyone I love behind!”

Kaitlin watched her friend’s face, picking up on the unhappiness and anger she felt about it all. She wished there was something she could do to help but at the moment, there was nothing. “I’m sorry, Misha.”

A snort was the only response she got. “It’s not your fault fate’s being so cruel to us—me,” she amended.

Someone moved up behind them and Kaitlin noticed how Misha tensed up. Brent. Turning to face him she raised a brow.

“Do either of you want a drink?”

Misha jerked to her feet and ran her hands down her jeans almost nervously. “No, I should be going actually. My family will want to know where I’ve been.”

A soft growl emerged from Brent and her friends head shot up to glare at him. Once again they faced off in a battle of wills and Kaitlin was surprised when Brent was the one to look away first.

“I’ll call you later, Kaitlin.”

She stood and pulled her friend into a tight hug. “Yeah. Do that.”

Then without another glance at Brent she left the hotel room.

Writing from the end

Well I was given some advice on Friday of writing the ending now–since I know what I want to happen–and working my way to that instead of struggling my way through Chapter 16, which is what I’m currently doing. I’ve taken the advice to heart and I’m writing the big showdown…eeeh!

I’m hoping it wont be a let down after all the trouble I’ve had of writing it so far and I’m thinking of possible sequels i.e. Misha, maybe Tito–depending on how I end it.

Will be posting Chapter 10 tomorrow I think, though I may have to spread them out a bit after that so you’re not going to be waiting forever for the ending that I’m still in the process of finishing

Sunshine Award

Well, I’ve been nominated for a Sunshine Award by http://julianfroment.wordpress.com/. Thank you Julian for the nomination, I’m happy to hear you enjoy reading my blog

So the rules are:

Post the Sunshine Award logo.

Accept the nomination and link back to the nominator.

Answer the questions.

Nominate ten other blogs and inform them of the nomination.

So, the questions and answers:

Favourite colour: Silver

Favourite animal: Butterfly

Favourite number: Twelve

Favourite non-alcoholic drink: Tea

Favourite alcoholic drink: Kopparberg cider

Facebook or Twitter: Facebook

My passions: Writing my short stories and reading, either on my kindle or paperback

Giving or receiving gifts: Both

Favourite city: New York City, USA

Favourite TV shows: Nashville (currently obsessed), 24, Emmerdale, Bones, 5 Minutes to A Fortune, The Chase

And on to my nominations:

A Faded Romantic’s Notebook http://afadedromantic.wordpress.com/

Life is a moment http://2dois2be.com/

hovercraftdoggy http://hovercraftdoggy.com/

sethsnap http://sethsnap.com/

charlottecarrendar http://charlottecarrendar.com/

bucket list publications http://lesleycarter.wordpress.com/

Ray Ferrer – Emotion on Canvas http://urbanwallart.wordpress.com/

Harsh Reality http://aopinionatedman.com/

The Better Man Project http://thebettermanprojects.com/

ed jones photography http://edjonesphotography.wordpress.com/

Chapter 9 – *Shifter Romance*

Warning: Contains a graphic sex scene

They’d been walking for about twenty minutes and were well out of the cat clan compound when Rhys stilled suddenly, taking a step away from her, and Kaitlin glanced around nervously.

A form materialised and walked towards them and she saw Rhys relax. “Shanae.”

The woman came closer and Kaitlin began to feel inadequate as she saw the woman’s lush figure. Her midnight black hair was loose around her face and shoulders and the tight clothes accentuated her small waist and large breasts. Shanae smiled. “I just came to warn you, there’s a bounty on your head.”

He raised a brow questioningly.

“I overheard Darren talking about it with his Beta.”

The penny dropped suddenly for Kaitlin. “My father…”

The woman’s chocolate brown eyes moved to her and her smile widened. “Have you been pissing off some daddies lately, Rhys?”

Rhys rolled his eyes. “Kaitlin, meet Shanae Gibson—she’s a member of my old pack. Someone I consider a friend. Shanae, meet Kaitlin Mahone—my mate.”

A frown formed on the woman’s face as she tried to place the name and then her eyes widened when it clicked. “The councilman’s daughter?” She laughed, a deep throaty sound. “It couldn’t be just a normal girl for you, could it?”

A wave of anger rolled off him and Shanae held her hands up and took a step backwards.

“Shouldn’t you be heading back?” He asked purposefully.

The other woman bowed her head in acknowledgement of his words and without another word turned and left them. Kaitlin watched the women disappear back into the shadows as silently as she’d arrived.

“I can’t believe he’s put a hit out on you,” she breathed. “It’s been what? Ten minutes since we left?”

Rhys shrugged like it didn’t bother him. “I have more important things to worry about right now, like the pack and you.”

“Me?” She asked baffled.

“Yes you.” He tucked her under his arm and pulled her tight against him as they continued to walk away from the only home she’d ever known. “Paul wants me out of the picture so he can control you once more. I’m not going to let that happen, Kaitlin. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Sighing, she rested her head on his chest and placed her arm around his back. “So where are we headed?”

“I thought we’d head back to the Bay so you can meet the pack?”

He posed it as a question and she appreciated it. He wasn’t going to force her to do anything she didn’t want to like her father had done. She nodded, “Sure. Is your car around here somewhere?”

Rhys nodded his head further down the road and they set off, hand in hand. They reached the black car a few minutes later and she couldn’t help wondering if this was the only vehicle he had at his disposal. Unlocking the doors, they climbed in.

Kaitlin’s nose wrinkled as she caught the lingering scent of her needing. It must have seeped into the fabric from when he transported her to the cabin and back.

“How do you cope having my needing scent in here?” She asked, genuinely curious. The scent was supposed to drive male shifters to distraction.

Rhys laughed and shifted in his seat. “Not very easily,” he admitted, giving her a sideways glance.

She found her gaze drifting southwards to his lap and a smile curled her lips. He was erect. The knowledge sent a warm tingle down her spine to her core and a throbbing desire built in her. Biting her lip, she met his gaze once more. “Why don’t we put off the hotel for a bit and you can show me just what that scent does to you?”

He didn’t move a muscle, didn’t even blink, for several long seconds. Then Rhys’ strong arms pulled her onto his lap where he devoured her mouth in a hot meeting of lips and tongue that had her moaning.

Jamming her fingers into his hair, she twisted her wrists tugging almost painfully at the strands. His retaliation was to bite down on her bottom lip and she hissed at the pleasure/pain it elicited.

Their kisses were almost feverish as they pressed as close as possible to each other. Breaking the connection, Rhys ran his nose up and down her cheek as he tried to claw back some of his control. “You smell amazing,” he whispered, his nose running down her throat. As he pulled back, he growled, “In the back.”

Locking eyes with him, she made sure he was watching as she slid through the space between the seats flashing the blue elasticated top of her thong above the line of her jeans. His groan followed her and she grinned merrily as she settled into the rear seat cushion.

He appeared in front of her not ten seconds later, his eyes twin fires of amber as his gaze skimmed down her body. Kaitlin’s breath caught at the intensity of him. He was amazing.

Rhys slowly lowered his lips to hers and she sighed softly. The urgency of a few minutes ago was gone. This was gentler, like he wanted to savour her.

Shifting his weight to one hand on the seat at her side, he used his other palm to cup her cheek as he brought his lips back to hers. Using his thumb on her chin, he tilted her head back for a better angle and nipped at her mouth and then lower at her jaw and throat. Kaitlin let out a low purr as he nuzzled at the spot where her neck met her shoulder and nipped her skin.

Spinning on the seat, she lifted her legs onto Rhys’ lap, a smile curving her lips when he ran his hand from her cheek, down her side, to her knee where he lifted it so he could settle between her parted thighs. Grabbing her at the hips, he pulled her closer until her head was cushioned on the seat and her legs were bent on either side of his waist.

When she was just how he wanted her, a sexy grin broke out on his face and he placed his hands near her head before pressing his lower body against hers and running his nose along her throat.

“Why aren’t we naked?”

A throaty chuckle left him and the vibration of his lower body against her own had her gasping. Rhys quickly stopped and stared down at her with heated eyes. “I need you naked,” he murmured throatily.

Moving back onto his knees he tugged his t-shirt over his head in one fell swoop and dropped it to the floor of the SUV.

Kaitlin quickly removed her own and started unsnapping the three buttons on Misha’s jeans. Rhys’ hands stopped her. She glanced up at him to see the gentle smile on his face before dropping her gaze to watch as he unsnapped the last button and gently tugged the denim down her legs and off completely. He leant forward and pressed a kiss between her breasts and then lower still, just beneath the bottom of her bra, and then one just above her belly button. He moved lower still and blew a warm breath against the thin scrap of her blue thong.

A purr rumbled its way up her throat as she watched him tease the skin of her belly with his tongue and teeth. He glanced up at her from under his lashes as he dipped his head and, using his index finger, moved her thong aside to lick her. Kaitlin threw her head back and groaned.

“You taste almost as good as you smell,” he rumbled, the vibration sending tingles through her lower body. Her fingers speared through his hair as he continued to tease her.

Slipping a finger in either side of her thong he pulled it down her long legs and dropped it to the floor, then pressed his mouth to the juncture of pelvis and thigh before using his tongue to trail a path up her body, unhooking the front snap of her bra as he went, and then taking her nipples into his mouth to suck at the sensitive peaks.

Kaitlin arched under his ministrations and clawed at his shoulders, deep enough to draw blood. Rhys hissed in a breath and moved up her body to nip at her throat and jaw. Tugging on his hair, she urged his head up so she could kiss him hungrily.

He pulled back and deftly removed his jeans. She gasped when she saw he wore no underwear, her lips parting at the sight of him naked before her. Trying not to stare too much at certain parts of him she raked her gaze from head to toe. Other than the night of her needing she hadn’t seen him naked and even then she hadn’t taken much notice. Her mouth dried and moisture pooled low in her belly. He was gorgeous.

Rhys’ nostrils flared, obviously catching the scent of her heightened arousal and her heart sped up. They were going to have sex again.

Kaitlin flipped onto her hands and knees, removing her bra in the process, before spreading them slightly so he could see her glistening folds and waited.

A soft kiss was placed on her right buttock. “What are you doing, Cat?”

She glanced over her shoulder at him. “I thought this was your favourite position?”

“No.” He let out a low chuckle, “Don’t get me wrong. I like this one but right now, I want us to be face to face when I make love to you.”

Her heart flipped in her chest as she processed what he’s just said. He wanted to make love to her?

Gentle hands flipped her onto her back and she stared up into Rhys amber eyes. They were infinitely tender as he brushed a lock of hair off her forehead. His gaze then dropped to her mouth and she licked her lips.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered as he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her softly, tenderly.

Settling between her parted thighs once more, he used one hand to position himself and then pressed gently into her. Her breath caught at the feeling and she found herself staring into his glowing amber eyes as he rolled his hips slowly into her.

Her eyelids growing heavy she dropped her head back and moaned. Rhys’ hips picked up their pace and he dropped his head into the crook of her neck, a low rumble vibrating in his chest as he nipped and sucked at her throat.

Their breathing grew unsteady and a light sweat broke out on their skin.

Raising his head, he said, “Look at me.” Kaitlin forced open her eyes and looked into his. They were filled with emotion; tenderness, passion, longing and fascination. “Come for me,” he said gruffly.

She felt herself tumble over the edge, her body arching beneath him as her muscles clamped down on him. Rhys’ name left her lips on a moan as pleasure shot through her. Rhys followed a few minutes later, his face burrowed in her neck as he pulsed inside her and growled against her throat.

Kaitlin held him close as they recovered, idly stroking a hand up and down his muscled back. She glanced around the SUV and smiled. “We really need to get a room,” she said with a smirk, then winced as the seatbelt holder dug painfully into her rib, “Or a bigger car.”

Rhys laughed and pulled back, tugging her up as he did. “Well I have a perfectly good suite back at the Bay…” he tempted.

Grabbing her thong from the floor she tugged it up her legs. “To the Bay it is.

Huh…

Well I tried to pick it up today from WHSmith only to be told the publishers aren’t printing anymore–but considering they haven’t printed any yet anyway I’m annoyed! I did get refunded but now I have to try and find it somewhere else because the last time I checked it wasn’t available on Amazon either unless I wanted it for my Kindle but I don’t. If anyone knows where I can get it in paperback, please let me know. Thank you!

Chapter 8 – *Shifter Romance*

“What is he talking about, Paul?”

Her father shook his head, raising a hand to wave away her question as his gaze narrowed on Rhys. “Nothing. He’s just trying to cause trouble.”

Her mum’s gaze moved between their three faces, trying to find the truth. Her gaze eventually stalled on Kaitlin, eyes searching.

She gave her mum a slight nod to tell her that what Rhys had said was true and watched as she transferred her attention to her husband.

“Why can’t she control her puma, Paul?”

Kaitlin saw the anger flush her father’s face. “She can, Ruth! You can, can’t you, Kaitlin?” His eyes dared her to say no and she swallowed nervously.

Rhys’ hand clasped hers and it gave her the strength to tell the truth. “No. I can’t,” then added, “no thanks to you.”

Power was suddenly flowing through the room and her father took a threatening step towards her. Rhys instantly blocked his forward motion, moving Kaitlin behind him, and stared the older man down. More power rolled through the room as the two Alpha’s squared off.

Kaitlin struggled to breathe as it pushed against the restraints of the room. Forcing her hand up, she clawed at her throat where she was beginning to burn from lack of oxygen.

“Kaitlin? Kaitlin!” Her mother’s worried voice barely registered.

The power let up suddenly and she found herself clasped against Rhys’ hard body, his arms holding her against his chest as she gasped for air.

Turning, he glared over his shoulder at her father.

A loud smacking sound filled the room and Kaitlin glanced up to see a red blotchy hand print on her father’s cheek where her mother must have slapped him. “How dare you! She is our daughter, Paul!”

A tic pulsed under his right eye as he glared at her mum. “And I am head of this family, Ruth, as well as the council. What I say goes.”

Her mum’s chin rose defiantly. “I won’t let you use our daughter as a pawn in whatever game you’re playing.”

Paul snorted and brushed past his wife to sit down at his desk once more. He indicated with his hand that they too should return to their seats. Rhys sat reluctantly as did her mum and then she settled on the arm of Rhys’ chair.

“Tito,” he called.

Kaitlin tensed as the door opened and she held her breath as her on/off lover walked into the room. She felt his attention on her like a laser beam; his anger almost burning her skin. She felt his attention shift from her and let out a soft, unsteady breath.

He came around the desk and stood beside her father.

At nearly seven feet tall Tito was an imposing figure and one you wouldn’t necessarily want as an enemy. His dark hair was messy as usual and his usually twinkling brown eyes were hard and flat as he watched her. It had her wondering if he had cared about her.

The muscles in his arms bulged as he crossed them over his chest and she couldn’t help but admire him. He was a magnificent specimen of man. He was toned everywhere from hours in the gym and the sparring he did with his brethren. A small part of her wept at the loss of him from her life.

A low rumble from her right had her glancing across at Rhys. He was tense, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice—probably in Tito’s direction judging from the glare.

Kaitlin placed a hand on his and he quietened almost immediately. Turning his hand over, he linked their fingers together and rested their joined hands on his thigh.

Hearing a snort she glanced up just in time to watch Tito look away, a sneer on his face. Anger burned through her. “Get over it already, you didn’t want me,” she growled. Rhys’ fingers tightened around hers but she didn’t take her gaze from Tito.

“You have no idea what I wanted,” his eyes flared hot when he glanced at her and she had a moment of doubt.

“Silence!” Her father roared, his gaze on Tito. The other man’s jaw tightened but he kept his mouth shut and blanked his face of all emotion.

“Kaitlin,” he father began and she turned to face him, “I really think you should think about what you’re doing. Going off with a wolf will start all-out-war between us and them,” he spat, his head nodding to Rhys.

“Why?” She asked, confused. “I went willingly yesterday and will be doing so again when I leave today.”

“Only the five of us know that and three of us,” he indicated himself, Tito and looked pointedly across at his wife, “saying you didn’t go willingly with the wolf,” he said wolf like it left a bad taste in his mouth, “against two saying you did will fall in our favour and start a war; a war which we will win.”

Kaitlin stared at her father in abject horror. Was he trying to blackmail her into staying by claiming he’d start a war in some sort of misguided attempt to get her back? Was this just another way of trying to control her?

Definitely.

She glanced at her mother to see she looked distressed. Ruth wasn’t strong enough to stand against her husband, as much as she might want to. Her mother looked up and Kaitlin saw the anguish in her gaze. She mouthed the words, “I’m sorry.”

As bad as she felt for her mother she knew she couldn’t give in to her fathers demands. “So be it. I leave with him today.”

She stood. “Right now. Start a war, it will only make me more determined to stay with Rhys.”

Her father’s power cloaked the room in the next second, causing the fine hairs on her arms to stand on end. “People you know and care about will likely die as a result of your decision, Kaitlin.”

She turned a bewildered face to her fathers. Rhys tightened his fingers around hers as he stood and urged her back against his chest. The contact instantly soothed her. “We’ll be going now.”

No-one moved to stop them but she felt the anger and disapproval as she walked away from her family and her clan.

“What do you think he meant about people I know and care about getting hurt?” She asked, her voice slightly shaky.

Rhys watched her for a second. “It was probably one last ditch attempt to stop you. I doubt he’d do anything to them.”

Kaitlin snorted. “You don’t know my dad very well, do you?”

“I’ve heard rumours about him. The tortures he performs on prisoners; the bribes he takes to overlook certain things. He’s not as clean cut as he likes to make out.” He tilted his head slightly as he thought on something. “Do you think the rest of the council know what he’s been up to? Or do you think they’re as corrupt as your father?”

Kaitlin went thought the other seven members in her mind. Her mother was nothing like her dad. She weighed both sides of the argument before deciding on her verdict. She would never take a bribe.

Anastasia, a Russian swan shifter, was regal and exceptionally beautiful. She also had the heart to match and had a good sense of right and wrong and judged fairly.

Nelson, an African hyena shifter, was very big on making things fair, hearing both sides before he came to a decision

.

Sanjit, an Indian Bengal tiger, was very wise to the world. As the oldest and longest running member of the council he’d seen a lot over the past forty years or so he’d been on the council.

Li, a Chinese Asian Golden Cat shifter, was the youngest of the council at a mere twenty-three taking over from her father who was killed by a group of rogue shifters two years ago. It had hardened the once care-free girl into an excellent judge of character who told the truth about her feelings about people and situations.

Katherine, an English red fox shifter, was a rather stuffy aristocrat. Kaitlin couldn’t see her taking a bribe considering she had more than her fair share of money and power.

Brandon, the eighth and final member, was an Australian crocodile shifter with a bad temperament. He glared and snapped at everyone and though people were never happy to see him it was her father they were more afraid and wary of. Even Brandon was afraid of him.

Kaitlin bit her bottom lip for a moment before shaking her head. “I’m not sure. I’m sure some of them suspect he’s up to something but as head of the council, they’d have to be crazy to go against him alone.”

Rhys nodded before reaching out and taking her hand in his, his thumb brushing gently against the sensitive skin of her inner wrist. Her heart raced unapologetically in her chest as she stepped closer to his side. Raising their joined hands over her head, he pulled her against him and pressed his face into her dark blonde hair. “We’ll figure this out, Cat.”

Kaitlin leant into him with a sigh.

She only hoped he was right.

The Sapphire Diadem – Free

I’ve put The Sapphire Diadem free on Smashwords for a while, so if you want to read it here’s the link:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/258485

Started Chapter 15

Well I’ve started it, I’m about 15 lines in, and at this point in the story, it all starts to unravel. I don’t want to give much away so I’ll not go into detail but at the minute I’m trying to think of a way to bring down the bad guy and I’m struggling a bit. There will be about 20 chapters in all and I think that when I figure this one and the next one out that it will flow smoothly again.

In the meantime while I’m trying to figure it out, I’m working on a few other things. I’m unsure if they’ll work out so I’ll not mention what they’re about.

I’m also reading a lot too–my kindle was the best present ever! Though I still have a good heap of paperbacks to get through too.

Chapter 7 – *Shifter Romance*

Two hours later the car pulled up on the outskirts of the cat clan boundary and she reached for the handle, eager to get away.

“Wait.”

She hesitated for a second, her fingers still holding the door catch. “Why? So you can have another go at me?”

Rhys sighed, “I wasn’t angry with you. It was your father—”

Pulling the handle, she pushed the door open and climbed out. “Whatever,” she muttered, still too upset to listen and slammed the door before starting a brisk walk down the street.

“Kaitlin,” he called, “wait up.”

If anything she sped up, hoping he’d be deterred by the thought of running into a group of cat shifters. She heard the car door thud shut and then footsteps closing in behind her.

Or not, she thought grimly.

“Go away.”

“No.”

“Rhys!”

He grabbed her arm and pulled her around to face him. “We need to talk about this.”

“About what? The fact that I’m a failure?”

Rhys glared at her. “You are not a failure!”

She snorted and wrenched her arm out of his hold. “Just leave me alone!”

Turning, she walked away quickly, feeling the calming effect as she passed over the boundary and into the cat clan compound. Taking a deep breath, she tried to forget about the man she’d just left on the other side.

It didn’t stop her hearing his curse or the rev of his car’s engine as he drove off.

“Bastard!” She muttered darkly.

***********************************************************************

Kaitlin stopped off at Misha’s on the way home so she could calm down. Her mum would smell the anger rolling off her and jump to conclusions while her dad would probably question it at length.

Especially after what she’d found out.

“Ugh!” She cried, suddenly frustrated with everything. The magazine she’d been looking at flew across the room to thud against the wall.

Misha glanced across at her but said nothing. She was still pissed off at her about that night at the club and they’d barely spoken since she’d arrived. Misha was laid on her double bed while Kaitlin was sat on the plush two-seater sofa on the far side of the room.

Dropping her head into her palms she swore at length.

Her friend sighed loudly and shut the magazine she’d been studying with a snap. “What’s up?”

“Everything,” she muttered. Her friend snorted. “My life is seriously fucked up, right now.”

“If you say so, Kait.”

She lifted her head to glare at her best friend. “Look. I found something out about my dad and Tito. Trust me, it’s fucked up.”

“They’re not…?” Misha asked, eyes wide.

“What?—No!”

Her friend got up and padded across to sit on the seat beside her, tucking her legs beneath her so she was comfortable. “Then what?”

Kaitlin hesitated, for a second wondering if her dad had orchestrated her having Misha as her best friend, before answering. “My dad’s been controlling my life since I was knee high, including who I…become involved with.”

“Tito’s under your dad’s thumb?”

“Yes.”

“Holy shit!”

Kaitlin grimaced. “My thoughts exactly.”

“What are you going to do?” Misha asked, her eyes wide.

She shrugged. “I have no idea.”

Her friend bit her lip and shot her a curious look. “So if you weren’t with Tito last night, were you with…?” The wolf.

Kaitlin groaned. “Yeah, that was one big disaster.”

Misha grinned, “I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.”

“No, it was worse. My puma tried to commit suicide.”

Although Misha was her best friend, she’d never told her about her issues controlling her animal. She’d never told anyone. She was worried it would make her sound weak when she wasn’t.

“What?!”

She let out a long sigh and met Misha’s gaze. “I’ve never told you but I…I don’t have control of my puma when I shift. Last night, she ran from Rhys and if not for him using his Alpha I would be dead right now.”

“God, Kait!”

“I know. I have no idea what to do.”

Misha’s lips twisted. “What about this wolf? Do you trust him?”

“He saved my life last night. Rhys,” she started and then broke off. Should she tell her friend that Rhys believed her to be his mate? It wouldn’t hurt. “Rhys believes me to be his mate.”

Kaitlin glanced across to catch her friend reaction and laughed at Misha’s stunned face.

“Trust you to get the enemy,” she said.

Instantly sobered, she said. “Rhys isn’t the enemy.”

Misha’s hands raised in a placating fashion. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. If you trust him, so do I.” Her gaze went out of focus as she thought on something and a blush stained her cheeks. Kaitlin wondered what her best friend had been thinking about but didn’t get chance to ask as Misha stood and walked across the room to pick up the magazine she’d been studying before. She promptly hid behind it before saying, “I just don’t think your dad will feel the same way.”

Instantly forgetting her friend’s reaction she let out a groan and she pushed to her feet. “I need to be getting home. Can I borrow some of your clothes? I smell of wolf.”

Her friend’s nose scrunched up at the reminder and she walked over to her wardrobe and grabbed a top and some jeans for her.

“Thanks.”

Hurriedly changing clothes, she said a quick goodbye to Misha and headed to her house a few streets away.

Walking straight into the house she heard raised voices coming from somewhere deeper in the house and wondered who her father was furiously exchanging words with.

Heading to the kitchen in search of her mother, she was surprised to see she wasn’t there. Her head turned in the direction of her father’s office. Was her mum in there too? Council business? Or about her?

Tiptoeing closer to her father’s office, she concentrated on the voices within. Her father’s angry voice, her mother’s concerned one and another male’s. It sounded vaguely familiar. Kaitlin’s eyes widened when she recognised it and she hurried to the office, pushing the door open quickly and looking between the three, staying longer on Rhys’ handsome face.

“Kaitlin,” her mum lifted a hand briefly before dropping it to her side again, her face going into its usual blank mask.

Paul Mahone stood slowly and stared her down, his face showing his anger. “Care to explain where you were last night, Kaitlin?”

Her gaze shifted to Rhys who was sat calmly in the chair, his gaze on her like everyone else in the room. She licked her lips nervously and returned her gaze to her dad. Had Rhys told them about last night?

“I was… I was with—” he gaze went to Rhys again, not realising that the action answered her father’s question.

“She was with me,” Rhys added unnecessarily. “Like I told you she was.”

A low growl filled the room and she watched her father warily. He could be very unpredictable. “You fucked a dog?”

Her mother drew in a swift breath at the coarse language but remained silent.

Squaring her shoulders, Kaitlin met her father’s gaze. “I had sex with Rhys, yes.”

Her lover reached out a hand and pulled her onto his lap. Kaitlin was sure it was just to piss off her father—and judging from the bulging vein in his forehead it was working—but she snuggled into his lap anyway. He nuzzled her neck with his nose, a low growl vibrating in his chest as he caught her scent.

After a couple of seconds, he addressed her father again. “Now how about you explain to me and Kaitlin why she can’t control her puma?”

Her father stilled instantly.

Her mother, on the other hand, let out a low snarl and Kaitlin glanced across to see her mother’s attention was locked on her husband, a dangerous glint in her eye.

It dawned on Kaitlin then that her mother had never known the truth.

Oh, no!

Update

Well yesterday I said I was going to post an update of the page and word count so here it is:

Definite improvement

Chapter 13 was on a role yesterday after I posted the picture and is almost finished, just a few more lines needed and then on with Chapter 14–which im unsure of what to include :/