Read Online Predator's Refuge by Rosanna Leo - Free Book Online

glared at Killian. Killian glared back.
    If Marci hadn’t known any better, she could have sworn there was a little feud developing between the tiger and the jaguar. Dismissing any notion it was related to her, she chalked it up to professional competition. Silly shifter males. Always posturing. She’d seen it before, although never so up close and personal.
    The race was set to start in a few minutes and families had already gathered along the route, there to cheer on their shifter teens. Marci took her place at the start at the announcer’s podium and smiled.
    “Welcome, everyone,” she said into the microphone, wincing at the shrill feedback. She adjusted her stance and continued. “We are thrilled to have you all here for today’s race and are so glad you’ve decided to join our family here at the Ursa Fishing Lodge and Resort.”
    A cheer went up through the crowd and the competitors high-fived each other.
    She continued. “As shape-shifters, we’ve all been blessed with certain gifts, even though they can sometimes feel like a curse. Our mentoring program is all about learning to embrace our gifts and talents. Today’s event is not just about strength, but about being smart and intuitive. We’re not here to applaud the strongest or the quickest among us. We’re here to help you learn how to use your unique abilities and to support each other.”
    Marci smiled at the competitors as a couple of teen wolf shifter boys flexed their muscles. The group of competitors consisted of mostly males: several wolf shifters, a bear, and a coyote. One female contestant stood among them: a timid-looking girl named April who happened to be a hare shifter.
    As Marci continued her speech, she looked at April. “Today isn’t about brawn. It’s about using your brain. And although this is a race to the finish, you never know who might win.” She smiled at each of them. “Mr. Moon will be at the halfway point. Mr. Gaspar and I will take up our spots at the finish line. Don’t forget, the route is directly through the woods and ends at Ursa’s Muzzle, the large cave in the distance.” She pointed it out. “Best of luck!”
    As she and Anton raced through the trees toward Ursa’s Muzzle, he laughed. “That was a nice speech, but there’s no way that shy little girl will win over those competitive boys. She just doesn’t have the strength.”
    “There’s something to be said for inner strength, you know,” she argued as she jumped over a cluster of stones. She landed on her feet with ease, eager to show Anton that smaller shifters had their talents too.
    He lunged after her, a huge shadow in the woods. “Yes, but there’s something to be said for accepting one’s limitations.”
    Peeved, Marci picked up her pace. “You’re just saying that because she’s a girl and not a big tiger man.”
    With another haughty laugh, Anton pulled ahead of her, weaving easily through the trees. Marci tried to catch up to him, but with his tiger strength he easily outran her. She watched, annoyed, as he reached Ursa’s Muzzle and put his hands on his hips, waiting for her to arrive. He wasn’t even breathing hard from their sprint. “It’s better April isn’t set up for disappointment. She’s a hare. She should be competing with shifters like her. How can she possibly compete with those predators?”
    As she finally reached the cave, she glared at him. “Mr. Gaspar, where did you learn to be such a pessimist? In prince school?”
    “I’m not a pessimist. I’m a realist.” To annoy her, he reached out and tweaked her cheek.
    “Take your hands off me, you big brute.”
    He smiled. “Are you mad at me because I’m stronger and faster than you, little lynx?”
    “Power and might don’t count for everything in this world, Anton.”
    His features darkened. “No, Marci, but unfortunately they count for a lot.”
    “Oh, very nice. Who taught you that? Machiavelli?”
    “No.” He looked away. “My father