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.