Read Online Southern Shifters - Press Paws (Buchanan Clan #2) by Celia Kyle - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Celia Kyle
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the surface of her skin. It just waited to pounce. It waited to be needed and then she’d spring from the bed. She’d take on this new threat without missing a beat.
But she hadn’t realized Ryland, with his inner natures, was already awake and he squeezed her arm gently. Tension slipped from him to her, but on its heels came a wave of calm. He wasn’t worried by whatever woke them. He wasn’t concerned by the malevolent presence that crept nearer.
Malevolent. Yes, that’s what it was. Anger, fury, burned the air and filled her nose. The stench overrode all others, washing away the house’s natural aromas.
There was more there, though. More than stinging rage. More than hatred and disgust.
Beneath those scents came one other. One she should have expected yet never considered. And her disregard would get them both killed. She hadn’t thought he’d care, hadn’t thought he’d give a second consideration for her actions. But obviously, he objected. Greatly if his presence and emotions were any indication of his current state.
It seemed Jeremy Lachlan wasn’t taking her newfound happiness well. At all.
12
H annah glanced at the bedside clock. Three in the morning and it took a good six hours to get to Deals Gap from his pride’s lands. He must have hopped in his car after speaking with Katie, his rage fueled by every passing mile and accumulating hour. He was well and truly pissed by the time he’d rolled into town, and it didn’t seem like the climb up the mountain had lessened that anger at all.
She closed her eyes and centered herself, allowing the cat to creep forward enough to scent the air. The A/C kicked on, bringing her more aromas from the house and beyond. There was no scent of Jeremy’s big assed diesel truck, but the stink of his fur did reach her. So, he must have left his vehicle at the base of the mountain and shifted to make his approach. Four legs instead of four wheels.
No matter. Ryland could take him.
And that’s what it’d come down to, really. The fury in the air told her more than human words ever could. Jeremy had violence—death—on his mind and his cat would be appeased with nothing less.
There was no doubt or uncertainty inside her. Ryland would succeed in his fight with the other lion. Her human mind and cat both had utter faith in her mate, the unwavering conviction he’d win in a battle between her ex-something and mate.
The snap of a twig reached her, followed by the crunch of leaves and then a low rumbling growl. Jeremy never was one to be careful during a hunt. He was always too ambitious, too anxious, to be careful.
She rolled over, meeting her mate’s gaze, and she was thankful for the moon’s glow that allowed her to see him with her cat’s vision. She mouthed the single word. “ Jeremy .”
Ryland quirked a brow as if to say “you think?”
Annoying bastard.
He placed a single finger against his lips, telling her to remain silent.
It was her turn to quirk a brow. “You think?”
When he glared at her, she had the overwhelming urge to stick her tongue out. But that would be bad because they were in a serious situation, right? She should be nervous or concerned. Should she be trembling in a corner? She wasn’t sure and she didn’t think she could even feign those feelings. Not when her faith in Ryland remained strong and sure. He’d go kick Jeremy’s ass back to his pride and then they’d live happily ever after.
Ryland carefully brushed the blankets aside and slipped from the bed, feet silent on the carpet. He padded to the bedroom door and Hannah refused to be left behind. She was just as quiet in his wake, softly touching him when they came to a board that always creaked and then a stair that always groaned when stepped on. Her lioness’ ears picked up Jeremy’s low rumbles and growls, the cat readily assisting her. The animal hated having Jeremy here just as much as Hannah’s human half. The man just did not know how to lose
But she hadn’t realized Ryland, with his inner natures, was already awake and he squeezed her arm gently. Tension slipped from him to her, but on its heels came a wave of calm. He wasn’t worried by whatever woke them. He wasn’t concerned by the malevolent presence that crept nearer.
Malevolent. Yes, that’s what it was. Anger, fury, burned the air and filled her nose. The stench overrode all others, washing away the house’s natural aromas.
There was more there, though. More than stinging rage. More than hatred and disgust.
Beneath those scents came one other. One she should have expected yet never considered. And her disregard would get them both killed. She hadn’t thought he’d care, hadn’t thought he’d give a second consideration for her actions. But obviously, he objected. Greatly if his presence and emotions were any indication of his current state.
It seemed Jeremy Lachlan wasn’t taking her newfound happiness well. At all.
12
H annah glanced at the bedside clock. Three in the morning and it took a good six hours to get to Deals Gap from his pride’s lands. He must have hopped in his car after speaking with Katie, his rage fueled by every passing mile and accumulating hour. He was well and truly pissed by the time he’d rolled into town, and it didn’t seem like the climb up the mountain had lessened that anger at all.
She closed her eyes and centered herself, allowing the cat to creep forward enough to scent the air. The A/C kicked on, bringing her more aromas from the house and beyond. There was no scent of Jeremy’s big assed diesel truck, but the stink of his fur did reach her. So, he must have left his vehicle at the base of the mountain and shifted to make his approach. Four legs instead of four wheels.
No matter. Ryland could take him.
And that’s what it’d come down to, really. The fury in the air told her more than human words ever could. Jeremy had violence—death—on his mind and his cat would be appeased with nothing less.
There was no doubt or uncertainty inside her. Ryland would succeed in his fight with the other lion. Her human mind and cat both had utter faith in her mate, the unwavering conviction he’d win in a battle between her ex-something and mate.
The snap of a twig reached her, followed by the crunch of leaves and then a low rumbling growl. Jeremy never was one to be careful during a hunt. He was always too ambitious, too anxious, to be careful.
She rolled over, meeting her mate’s gaze, and she was thankful for the moon’s glow that allowed her to see him with her cat’s vision. She mouthed the single word. “ Jeremy .”
Ryland quirked a brow as if to say “you think?”
Annoying bastard.
He placed a single finger against his lips, telling her to remain silent.
It was her turn to quirk a brow. “You think?”
When he glared at her, she had the overwhelming urge to stick her tongue out. But that would be bad because they were in a serious situation, right? She should be nervous or concerned. Should she be trembling in a corner? She wasn’t sure and she didn’t think she could even feign those feelings. Not when her faith in Ryland remained strong and sure. He’d go kick Jeremy’s ass back to his pride and then they’d live happily ever after.
Ryland carefully brushed the blankets aside and slipped from the bed, feet silent on the carpet. He padded to the bedroom door and Hannah refused to be left behind. She was just as quiet in his wake, softly touching him when they came to a board that always creaked and then a stair that always groaned when stepped on. Her lioness’ ears picked up Jeremy’s low rumbles and growls, the cat readily assisting her. The animal hated having Jeremy here just as much as Hannah’s human half. The man just did not know how to lose
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