Read Online A Leopard's Path by Lia Davis - Free Book Online Page A

group. Fuck .
    He sent a text to Donovan. I need a few days to prepare. I’ll let you know when the job is done .
    Ana filled his thoughts and he growled. He couldn’t leave with her mad at him. As much as he hated to admit it, Blaine was right. Kieran had to let Ana fight in the war. Hell, she had as much motivation as he did.
    Turning on his heels, he headed back to the medical center where he hoped to drag Ana away for a little heart to heart.
     
    ****
     
    Ana’s heart thumped rapidly as she approached the bed. Josie had been the first to rush into her stepmother’s room and climb up to sit next to her and her new brother.
    A boy. Travis and Shay had smiles on their faces that brightened up the room.
    Shay met everyone’s gazes, one-by-one. “Meet Wesley Shane.”
    As the small group of their family moved closer to Shay, Ana sank back, feeling like an outsider crashing an intimate family moment. Her eyes burned with unshed tears. When she reached the door, she glanced to the happy family. Shay met her gaze, the tiger’s brows drawing together with concern. Ana offered her adopted sister a gentle smile before she slipped out of the room.
    Stepping out into the crisp fall air, Ana drew in a deep breath. A hint of wood burning from a few fireplaces lingered on the clean mountain air. She needed to find her place here, but she had no clue what to do. Sure, the Andrews had done nothing but welcome her with warm hearts and open arms. Yet, there was something more she should be doing.
    The sound of yelling caught her attention. Fixing her gaze on the group of teens in the middle of the street a few yards away, she advanced toward them. Two of the adolescents were Hayden’s stepkids, Bryce and Brenna—twin wolf shifters and the newest members of the Pack. The other two were leopard males about a year older than the twins. Ana didn’t know their names, but she had seen them many times around the den.
    “Is there a problem?” Ana asked as she approached.
    “Nothing that concerns you, Darwin .”
    Ana’s last name was spat out with venom. She focused on the leopard who’d spoken. His too-long black hair hung in his gold eyes. With one brow raised, she closed the distance between her and the teen. Staring him in the eyes, she released her magick to let it flow wild inside of her, then called her own leopard to the surface. She wouldn’t hurt the boy, but she wasn’t about to let him bully her or anyone else.
    “What’s your name?”
    The gold in the male’s gaze brightened slightly before he lowered his lashes. “Matthew.”
    She turned her attention to his friend. “And yours?”
    “Jon, ma’am.”
    “What’s the problem?”
    Matthew stepped back, his shoulders lowering in a submissive manner. “Nothing. It’s over.”
    He turned to walk off, but Ana grabbed his hand. When he met her stare, she said, “No, it isn’t. Speak your mind.”
    He glanced to his friend, then back to her. “What are you going to do to us?”
    A hint of fear coated his words. Damn it all. She fucking hated Felix. She cupped the boy’s cheek but didn’t pull back her magick or her leopard. “Children are a blessing to any Pack. They are to be loved, cherished, and disciplined. This is a mixed den, and how we accept and care for one another makes the Pack as a whole stronger. The Onyx are weak. Do you know why?”
    Matthew relaxed as understanding fell over him. “Because they are not a family and don’t support each other individually.”
    Ana smiled widely. “Yes. That will be their downfall. I didn’t realize that until I came here and saw the love within the Pack. If you have a problem with new members because of their past or where they came from, then you are no better than Onyx.”
    Matthew gave her a short nod before turning to Brenna and offering her his hand. “I’m sorry.”
    Brenna smiled and placed her hand in his. “So am I.”
    Bryce pursed his lips but stuck his hands into his pockets before muttering,