Page 38 of Stray Cat

Leah and Martin exchanged a glance. “Diego doesn’t know,” Martin said. “Eric wants to settle this quietly.”

“Eric means he doesn’t want Diego to go tase the Lupines until they puke,” Lindsay said heatedly. “He doesn’t want Graham to retaliate on Diego or Xav, which will put Eric at war with Graham.Shit.”

Lindsay turned and started for the door. Her wildcat wanted to scream, to bounce off walls and claw everyone who got in her way.

“Where are you going, Linds?” Her mother’s gentle voice came behind her. “Do you need the cage?”

An hour banging around the room they’d constructed with padded walls and ledges they could leap between might help, but it wouldn’t solve the bigger issue.

“I’m going to see Graham,” Lindsay announced.

“No, Linds,” Martin tried. “Leave it to Eric and Graham. They’ll sort this out.”

True, it was Eric’s and Graham’s jobs as leaders to cool their Shifters down and make sure no one got hurt.

The trouble was, Xav wasn’t a Shifter. Would Graham really put himself out to keep Xav from harm? It was in Graham’s best interest for his Lupines to respect him, and defending a human against them wouldn’t win Graham any points.

Lindsay headed out of the room, and her parents didn’t stop her. She sensed them standing close together as she stormed up the stairs and into the main house again.

Once outside, Lindsay breathed a little easier, the cool winter breeze welcome.

Of course, all of Shiftertown would know that she’d spent the night with Xav. He’d kissed her pretty hard in the car outside her house and then they’d driven away together.

Every Shifter within viewing, hearing, and scenting distance would understand that Lindsay and Xav had gone to indulge in some mating heat. She’d been ready to be with Xav, had loved every second of what they’d done last night.

It had never occurred to her that she’d be putting him in danger.

Fucking wolves.

Lindsay strode toward the large two-story house Graham had commandeered for himself when he’d moved here. Eric hadn’t opposed his choice, because he’d preferred to smooth the transition rather than fight Graham on every point. Eric was good at choosing his battles.

Lindsay just wanted to battle.

She marched onto the porch and banged on the front door. “Graham,” she yelled. “Come out here.”

The door was yanked open by a very small person who peered up at her with solemn gray eyes. “Hi, Lindsay. Are you okay?”

Lindsay rapidly dialed back her anger. “Hello, Matt. Is Graham at home?”

Many Shifters couldn’t tell Matt from Kyle, his twin, but to Lindsay, the two cubs were very different. Lynxes were particularly good at scent, and the two little wolves, while remarkably similar, were each unique.

“He’s here,” Matt answered. “You’re upset at him for endangering your mate, aren’t you?”

Sheesh, did everyone in Shiftertown know about this? “He isn’t my mate.” Lindsay’s eyes stung. “He might never be. Where is Graham?”

“I’m right here.” Graham’s rumbling voice came to them, followed by the bulk of the Lupine filling the entrance hall. “Matt, what did I tell you about throwing open the door before I’m downstairs?”

“I knew it was Lindsay,” Matt said. “Lindsay’s nice.”

A yipping sound accompanied this statement as Kyle, in his wolf-cub form, gamboled down the stairs and joined his brother. Kyle danced around Lindsay’s ankles, tail moving rapidly.

Even the adorable cubs couldn’t dampen Lindsay’s outrage for long. “Graham?—”

“Did Eric send you?” Graham interrupted in his usual window-rattling voice. “Asshole was only supposed to tell you and your human to lie low.”

Lindsay drew a breath, trying to make herself speak rationally. “First, I haven’t seen Eric. Second, it’syourLupines who are trying to cause trouble.” She folded her arms. “Third, Xav isn’t my human. We’re not together.” She rapidly went over the past day and a half in her head and all the confusing emotions the hours had wrought. “I don’t think.”

“Bull crap. It’s obvious you had sex with him last night.” Graham scowled. “I’m trying to keep my Lupines calm, but they’re furious with you, a fair-game female, for choosing a human. Especiallythathuman.”

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