Feral Claws (The Midnight Panther Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  “Yeah well, same happened to me at the office. Kinda.”

  His eyes got wide, and he closed the space in between us, pulling me into a tight embrace. I breathed in his spicy aroma, grateful for the familiarity. Being surrounded by another panther’s scent had tarnished the mark he left on me, and I was accustomed to being able to smell him no matter where I was.

  “Are you okay?” he whispered into my hair.

  His voice was deep, husky, and lined with worry. I pulled back to gaze up into his face and put on my most charming smile.

  “I’m fine.” I replied.

  I wasn’t really. I was shaken. Nothing this scary had happened to me since finding him. He was always there to protect me from all things evil, even myself. Now I was worried that something menacing had slithered its way into the safety of my home and my mate, invading my only comfort space.

  “Let’s pour some wine, and I’ll tell you all about it.”

  “We’re being targeted, Juniper. I have to call in Max, we need backup.”

  River had been pacing the living room for over an hour after I had explained my near-miss with the stray. He was going crazy, like a cat in a cage. I didn’t know how to diffuse the situation, so I continued to drink my wine.

  I wasn’t a heavy drinker, but one glass just didn’t suit the occasion. I swished the bottle around, and only a few shots' worth of liquid swirled in the bottom. Shrugging, I poured the rest into my cup and turned it up.

  River wanted to call in Max, his best friend. Max had moved to North Carolina four years ago, but we often drove to visit him during the holidays. His human wife was nice as well, but we had to tiptoe around her with the secret of our feline heritage. Calling Max would turn this house into some kind of panther pride, and I couldn’t handle that.

  There were only two prides in North America, and I liked to think of them as more of a gang than anything else. The cats always made trouble with themselves and other people, hunting and killing anyone or anything that pushed their buttons. Hit on a tomcat’s girlfriend? Killed. Sleep in his bed? Dead.

  So not attractive.

  “Why does he have to stay here though? Can’t he rent a room?” I whined.

  River stopped in his tracks and glowered down at me. It wasn’t often that I could get under his skin, but today he was on edge. Our security had been compromised and his instincts were telling him to protect me. It’s what he had been doing from day one.

  “How can he protect you if he isn’t even here?” he yelled.

  I flinched and shrunk deeper into the couch. His yell was like a roar to my ears, and I didn’t have the energy to fight with him for superiority. I tipsily placed my feet on the hardwood floor, grabbing onto the end table to keep me from wobbling, and threw my wine glass onto the floor. It shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces, and I had to step over the glass with my tiptoes to march my way towards the bedroom. I almost slid into the hallway wall on the way but caught myself before I looked too ridiculous. I slammed the door and locked it.

  I knew I was being petty, but he had pissed me off. I was the one who has the right to be emotional in the first place! He was stronger and had taken down more cats than I could remember. Me? I had never had to defend myself before in a real fight. River thought I needed “protection” from my enemies, and maybe he was right, but that didn’t mean I had to be happy about it.

  After sliding into the floor beside the bed, I waited on River to come after me. I knew he would be upset with my outburst, but he deserved it. He had no right to yell at me! I was his mate; his equal. Not his property.

  We had had this argument many times before, but that never changed the way he treated me. In his eyes, I was fragile.

  Things became strained after River found out what had happened to me. At the time I had thought he was disgusted with me, or ashamed. He began to tiptoe around me, not prying or saying much of anything in terms of real communication. I got the occasional “Nice weather out here.” or “You want pizza for supper?”, but he never brought up what I had done.

  This went on for a month, and I noticed he would watch me silently. I didn’t know that during all that time he had been sizing me up, “diagnosing” my mental capabilities. I guess I passed the test, because he didn’t think I was a psycho. I remember the day things finally came to a head, and he forcibly popped the bubble I had created around my reality.

  “Take off your clothes.”

  “What?!” This guy must be crazy if he thinks that’s the key to winning a girl's heart. I crossed my arms over my chest and evaded his heavy gaze.

  “Look, it’s been three months. If you don’t shift, you’ll go crazy.” he said, matching my pose by crossing his own arms over his muscular chest.

  “I’m doing fine now, aren’t I?” I snapped back.

  I actually hadn’t been doing fine. My bones hurt all the time and my teeth ached. My emotions were taking a hit as well, and I was either furious or depressed constantly. But no matter what the cost, I would not turn back into that monster.

  I feared that if I did, I would kill again.

  “You aren’t doing fine.”

  He took a step forward until our eyes were only inches apart. His emerald gaze held mine until I couldn’t stand the intimacy anymore and looked down. He wasn’t letting me avoid him this time, though. He pulled my face up by my chin so I couldn’t turn away.

  “I’ll shift first. The doors are locked, you can’t get out. Just please… trust me.” His voice cracked, and his face begged me to consider his suggestion. Without another word he released my chin and took two steps back. He pulled his shirt over his head, and I got my first look at his bare chest. It was even sexier than I had imagined, and I chastened myself for having such thoughts in the first place.

  He only hesitated a second before dropping his pants, pulling his underwear off in the process. I quickly turned around, and I felt my cheeks fill with color. That had been the first time I saw any man in the nude before. Suddenly, the sound of crunching bones invaded my ears, and I turned around to see River in mid-shift. His legs and arms were pointing in unnatural directions, and a long thin tail had sprouted from his back. Moments later he was covered in fur.

  The cat slowly sat up and stretched, arching his back into the air and swishing his tail. He was a massive panther, as black as midnight. I covered my mouth with my hands to prevent a scream from escaping my lips. I stayed perfectly still, in fear that he would pounce. He cocked his head to the side and studied me with his feline shaped eyes. Instead of attacking, he trotted over to me and licked my face.

  I dropped to my knees, and the cat followed suit, rolling onto his back and beckoning me to rub his belly. Cautiously, I reached out my hand and placed it on his shiny black fur. The cat began to purr, and he rubbed his leather-like nose against my knee. His eyes shone with an intelligence that only people possess.

  Maybe being a cat wasn’t so terrifying after all.

  A knock at the door snapped me from my memories, and I let out an annoyed sigh. Men can be so sweet on one occasion and complete assholes in the next.

  “Juni, please let me in. I’m sorry I yelled at you.”

  Should I forgive him for his indiscretion? Probably. I placed my palms on the floor and pushed myself up, then wobbled over to the door. I had to jiggle the knob for a second to get it open, but River was waiting patiently for me on the other side.

  “What do you want?” I asked, tossing my hair over my shoulder and crossing my arms. His shiny black hair fell in waves across his head, framing his eyes perfectly. After all the years of knowing River, he continued to get sexier. I could see the desire in his eyes before he moved towards me.

  I held up my hand. “I didn’t say come in. I want to hear an apology.” I tried to pretend that my words hadn’t slurred a bit at the end.

  He smiled, amusement lighting up his features.

  “I thought I just did?” He took another step forward, making his face only an inch away from m
ine. My eyes traced down his body, lingering a bit too long on his lips.

  “I want to hear it in person.” I said, training my eyes back on his.

  He smirked, but humored me.

  “Juniper, I’m so sorry I yelled at you. Now, please let me make it up to you.”

  I could feel his breath on my cheek now, and it was too much to resist. The sneaky bastard knew that he would win by pulling his sexy card, but I didn’t care. I nodded my head, giving him permission.

  He smashed his lips into mine, and all was forgiven. I inhaled until all that was left in my lungs was his scent. River’s aroma was intoxicating and made me crave him even more. Every bit of him. My lips matched his in movement, and our tongues teasingly danced with one another. He pulled back and held my face to his, forehead to forehead.

  “God, you are so fucking beautiful...” His voice was only a whisper, but the sound caressed my skin. His eyes glazed down my body, and heat began to spread in places it normally didn’t reach. Never before had a man moved me the way River had. He always knew just what to say, and just what to do…

  It’s those damn pheromones, I thought.

  I moaned as his hand slid down my breast and reached for the ache between my legs. I was still wearing my black leggings, and the thin material stood no chance against his rough fingers. I pulled him back into the kiss, not remembering why I was mad at him in the first place.

  Our clothes fell off into the floor one by one as we tore them from each other's bodies. I let my eyes trail down his buff frame for a moment, taking in his tanned chest and glittering eyes before I jumped back into his embrace. I was hungry for him in a way that could be nothing less than pure lust, like a cat in heat. We didn’t even have time to make it to the bed before River was inside of me.

  “I love you so much.” he said, as he slowly moved up and down on top of me. One of his hands squeezed my breasts while the other supported his heavy body. His hand didn’t stay still long, and he stroked my body up and down. River’s warm touch consumed every inch of me.

  “I love you too..” I replied as another moan escaped my mouth. He sped up his movements until I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. I grabbed his toned butt and he let out a moan of his own.

  My god, his moans sound heavenly.

  I was on the brink of reaching my orgasm, and I moved my hips to fasten our pace. River moaned again, letting me know he was about to finish as well. He pushed his lips onto mine, stealing the scream of pleasure that was trying to escape from my mouth. We moved together in one last thrust, and River collapsed onto my chest.

  We both were breathless, and after another minute he rolled and pulled me onto his chest. We were still on the floor, but the wood didn’t bother me. The coolness actually felt good on my skin. I let out a satisfied sigh and shut my eyes while River’s fingers ran through my hair.

  Maybe I should get drunk more often.

  “Wake up, Kitten.”

  “Huh, whaa?” I groaned.

  Someone was shaking me awake. I tried to open my eyes, but they involuntarily closed again. The sunlight polluted the room, and my head hurt like hell.

  “Go away.” I mumbled.

  I buried my head back into my pillow, trying to drift back into a dreamless sleep. Apparently, River had other plans.

  “Get up. Max is almost here.”

  Groaning, I opened my eyes slowly and narrowed them into slits. River stood over me, with a gray tank top stretching over his shoulders. He looked fresh out of the shower and the smell of Old Spice still lingered in the air.

  Looking down, I noticed that I was still naked. The tall mirror across from the bed showed me that my hair was in a mess of tangles atop my head.

  “How long until he’s here?” I ask, a scowl still clear on my face.

  The memory of what happened last night caught up with me. I still wasn’t happy that Max would be staying in our house, but I would not be a rude host. Max was really a nice guy, and he never got River into any trouble. Plus, he was coming here to help us. I really was being a prude.

  “He’ll be here in half an hour. I think you should put on some clothes.” River said, his lips pursed into a smirk.

  “You know I was intoxicated last night, right? You took advantage of me!” I joked.

  River leaned over me on the bed, his arms placed beside me, creating a cage from which I couldn’t wiggle out of. His eyes twinkled with mischief.

  “Do you want me to continue to take advantage?” he asked, his fingers trailing down my breast and causing a shiver to rake through my body.

  “Hmm… Maybe,” I said, trailing my hand down to stroke his pants. “Not.”

  I slid down under his arms and ran to the bathroom, giving him one last glance before I slammed the door. He sat on the bed with his mouth gaping open. Ha, that will show him. Sometimes he needed a reminder that he wasn’t the alpha cat in this relationship. I was a top runner for the title, if there was one.

  I immediately turned on the shower head and jumped in. The water was scalding hot but felt good on my warm skin. My head was still splitting, and my mouth was dry.

  Max’s arrival was making everything seem more real, and even more serious. I wasn’t sure what this cat was after, or rather who he was after, but I knew it was something I would not enjoy finding out. The killing of the girl from the news article was proof of that.

  After a quick wash, I jumped back out of the shower. I brushed my hair out but left it damp. Opening the door slightly, I peeked into the bedroom. River was nowhere to be seen. With the coast clear, I stepped out. The cold air caused goosebumps to dot my damp skin, and I cursed myself for not grabbing any clothes before I jumped into the shower.

  I sifted through the clothes in my closet. After quick deliberation, I pulled out a pair of jeggings and a maroon v-neck sweater. The weather hadn’t got too cold yet, but you could never go wrong with a good cozy sweater. I yanked the clothes on at the sound of the doorbell and brisked out of the room to greet Max.

  River was already opening the door, and a short, lean man stood on our welcome mat. Max was pale with red hair and freckles dotting his skin. I had often joked with him about how small he was, comparing him to the Lucky Charms leprechaun. Those jokes faded away after my first glimpse at him in feline form. It was so strange how such a tiny person could transform into a cat that took up double his original mass.

  The boys pulled each other into a signature “bro” hug. I hung back from the door and observed them. Max was wearing a pair of gray slacks and a button down white t-shirt. He wasn’t your average shifter. Max was employed at a business office and worked his way up to the position of co-manager. River probably owed him one for getting a break on such short notice, and guilt ate at my throat as I realized what an ass I was being last night.

  “Hey, Juniper! How are things going in the lion’s den?” Max called to me. I took a few strides forward and walked into his open arms.

  “Great, how does it feel living with Martha Stewart?” I shot back. At least I had my wit to rely on.

  Max’s wife wasn’t actually that bad, but the girl cooked all day long and always had a fresh plate of cookies on hand. I bet she wasn’t so bad for Max to get along with, other than him hiding half of his nature from her.

  “Ha ha, hilarious. Jenny is doing marvelous, thank you for asking.” I rolled my eyes and made my way to the dining room table, with River and Max trailing behind me. It was time to talk business.

  “So, we have a dilemma. I’m sure River has filled you in.”

  “I’m not sure dilemma is the correct term, Juniper. This is serious. A werecat is stalking us like prey and we have no idea what he wants! Do you understand the complexity of the situation?” River was on the verge of a shout when he finally finished his lecture.

  I glared at him, and his face instantly fell back to its original guarded expression. Rule number one, do not fuck with me before my morning coffee. River had just broken it, and he knew it. I stood f
rom the chair and headed to the kitchen, not bothered by the stare of both men at my back.

  Their whispers carried over to the kitchen, thanks to my sensitive ears, and I opened the fridge to grab a carton of iced coffee. There’s nothing quite like the taste of a cold brewed iced coffee in the morning to wake up the mind. Old timers think it’s disgusting to drink coffee cold, I think of it as being evolved.

  “Yeah, but don’t you think it’s kind of weird? Why not take her at the office?” Max whispered from the other room. I strained my ears to hear more.

  “Maybe he isn’t after her. What if he’s after me? My dad made a lot of enemies before he died… maybe it’s someone’s twisted sense of revenge.” River whispered back.

  I took a sip of my coffee. If the stalker had wanted either of us, why not just pounce? Was it possible they were harmless, just curious about our scent? No. They were too aggressive. Marking the home, and then the murder on our turf? The assailant definitely wanted something from us.

  “I think it’s the same cat that killed my parents.” I called out. Both men went quiet at my remark, probably shocked at my accusation. I turned the corner and entered the room again. River was looking at me with an odd expression; a combination of fear and anger.

  “Why didn’t you mention this to me last night?” He asked quietly. I sat down at the table beside him and placed my hand on his knee.

  “It’s just a hunch. I have absolutely no proof whatsoever.” I replied, giving his knee a tight squeeze before pulling away and grabbing my coffee again.

  “Well, can you tell me why you have come to this conclusion?” Max asked from across the table.

  He didn’t know much about my past. That was something I had made River promise me from the very beginning; no one could know the secret I kept. I’m sure he had told him about my parents' death before, though. Werecats weren’t a common species, and Max had to have wondered where I had come from. I wasn’t around when River had addressed that question though, so I’m not sure what he told him.