Page 42 of Stray Cat

Lindsay did want cubs at some point in her life, but she couldn’t imagine wranglingnine.

On the other hand, Jinxie and Joel Soanes always appeared comfortable and content in their living room with its worn furniture, while their cubs, ranging in ages from two to twenty-five, roved around them. While twenty-five was adult age for a human, Clay, the oldest, was still considered a cub and would be until he had his Transition.

Joel and Jinxie were also perennially broke. Most Shifters had stashed away what wealth they could over the years, but the Soaneses ran through whatever they had trying to keep nine cubs fed and clothed. Cassidy and Eric helped them out monetarily from time to time, and Lindsay lent them moral support.

Today, however, visiting Jinx and family was more to bolster Lindsay’s spirits than the reverse.

Lindsay didn’t need to tell Jinx the source of her downer today, because Jinx already knew. The Lupine grapevine was swift—didn’t matter that Jinx wasn’t one of Graham’s wolves.

“You and Xav will work it out,” Jinx said in her calm tones as two wolf cubs wrestled over a soft toy between them. Jinx had warm gray eyes, tawny hair, and a kind smile. “Trust in the Goddess.”

“How did you know it was right with Joel?” Lindsay asked. Joel wasn’t there at present, off working to support his brood.

Lindsay tossed a ball at another wolf cub, who stalked it, pounced on it, and proceeded to chew it to bits.

“I didn’t, not at first.” Jinx took on a nostalgic expression. “Joel started helping out with my four, keeping them occupied so I could get things done. He came around more and more often, and finally, I said he might as well stay. He agreed, made the mate-claim, and we asked Eric to do the mate blessing.”

Lindsay was certain there had been much more to it than that, but Jinx regarded her with the serene expression of a woman without many worries.

Trust in the Goddess.Presumably, She knew who should be together and guided them there.

Lindsay wasn’t as certain. She only knew it was painful to have to sort through her feelings about the mate bond and her need for Xav.

A text from Xav telling her he’d just arrived at Eric’s had Lindsay quickly rising. Jinx hugged her in understanding, then she and the cubs waved her off.

Lindsay returned home to grab the small backpack she’d prepared for the mission and took off across the yards. She sensed Xav’s presence before she saw his telltale black SUV in front of Eric’s house.

The connection she’d felt to him last night and this morning surged, and her inner cat purred with satisfaction.My mate is back.

Lindsay slowed her pace as she neared the house. The truth was, she didn’t want to have this conversation with Xav, to explain that a Shifter and a human with connections to a Shifter leader was a volatile mix around here. To discuss with him about what they should to do.

Graham’s advice to simply break it off would be cleaner and more final, Lindsay knew, but she couldn’t bring herself to cut the ties without discussing it with Xav first. He should have some say in his fate.

Before Lindsay reached the Warden house, a large man walked out its back door and blocked her way.

Lindsay halted in surprise. “Tiger.”

Tiger gazed at her from his tall bulk, his golden eyes holding mysteries. Tiger was larger than almost all the Shifters, only the bears matching him. His hair was striped black and orange, and his calm face belied the ferocious creature he could become.

Eric and Iona had rescued Tiger from tragic captivity a few years ago and brought him home. All of Shiftertown had been terrified of him, Lindsay included. The Morrissey family from the Austin, Texas, Shiftertown had taken him to their home, giving him a refuge. In Austin, he’d met the human woman, Carly, who was now his mate.

Lindsay had since learned that Tiger had a gentle heart. The way he protected and loved Carly and his cubs was a beautiful thing.

On the other hand, Tiger remained unpredictable and could be a formidable enemy when he chose.

“Lindsay,” Tiger said after a quiet moment. “It will be all right.”

Lindsay blinked. “What will?”

“You and Xavier. He is the mate of your heart, so everything will be all right.”

Lindsay dissolved into nervous laughter. “You know what, Tiger? You’re uncanny. You sense these things, do you?”

“Yes.” Tiger gave her a nod. “Also, Xavier told me you wanted to talk to him.”

Lindsay’s heart thumped. “I’m so glad he’s keeping our private life to himself. Why are you here, anyway? Is everything okay in your Shiftertown?” Her worry returned. “With Carly?”

“Carly is here with me, and she is well.” The devotion in Tiger’s tone pulled at Lindsay’s heart. “Xavier said he needed help tracking someone, and I am the best tracker there is. We are discussing what I will do.”

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