Page 69 of Mine to Protect

A beautiful mountain lion stood not twenty feet from us, stock-still—watching.

“She must’ve been what I sensed earlier,” I breathed. “It’s okay. At least it's not the serial killer, right?” I let loose a nervous laugh, which Cas didn’t reciprocate. “We need to make some loud noises.”

“Like what? Yelling?” Cas shook his head and raised the hand holding the gun.

Anger at the movement, at what heconsidereddoing, filled every pore. Reaching up, I smacked his arm as hard as I could—which was pretty hard considering all I’d learned in karate classes over the years. Cas grunted as his arm dropped down and the gun clattered to the rocky ground.

“What the fuck, Alta?” he said, his teeth clenched so tight that I could hardly understand his words.

“You shoot her, and I shoot you.” I grimaced, realizing it was an empty threat at the moment. “When I get my gun.”

Once, twice, Cas slow-blinked, obviously not understanding.

“You will not shoot that beautiful animal,” I whisper-yelled. “She’s not doing anything to us.”

“That ‘beautiful animal,’” Cas countered angrily, his voice rising with every word, “is stalking us like we’re her next meal. I’ve prepared myself to die in a lot of fucked-up ways, but death by cat isn’t one I’m okay with.”

Nervously, I glanced back again, only to find the large cat several feet closer.

Shit.

“Our phones,” I mumbled, thinking out loud. Fumbling in the back pocket of my jeans, I tugged mine out. Hitting the music note icon, I chose whatever song came up first and hit Play. Daya’s “Sit Still, Look Pretty” blared from the speakers as I cranked the volume up to full blast.

Catching my idea, Cas did the same. Soon Daya and Metallica blared from each device, competing for attention. Fear and excitement pulsed through me as I watched the large predator in awe. I worked in parks for years now and had never been so close to one. It was more beautiful than expected, with her long, muscular legs, gorgeous tan fur, and enormous paws. I bounced on the balls of my feet.

“Jump and wave your arms now.” The scowl he shot me was a clear ‘hell no.’ “We need to make her think we’re bigger and stronger. Now jump.”

Cas grumbled something under his breath before hopping from foot to foot and waving his arms.

“I want to pet it,” I said to Cas, not taking my eyes off the animal.

“Don’t. You. Dare,” he said between jumps.

“Please?”

“Alta, I fucking swear….”

After a minute of the combined music and Cas looking like an idiot, the lion yawned, looking bored, then turned on her massive paws and prowled back up the trail. Still trembling, I turned to Cas with a broad smile and fisted his T–shirt in excitement.

“Did you see that?” I exclaimed. “Wow. I mean, wow.” I tossed both hands in the air to accentuate my astonishment. “Beautiful, beautiful animals. I’ve never seen one—” I stopped short and tilted my head at his pursed lips and furious glare. “What?”

“What? Seriously? You knocked the gun out of my hand, Alta. What if she would’ve charged?”

“Then I would’ve sacrificed myself,” I said stubbornly.

“You’re crazy,” Cas grumbled as he picked up his gun and dusted it off.

“And you’re an ass right now.”

“What? How am I being an ass?”

I pointed back up the trail. “You wanted to shoot her.”

“So?”

“So?” I said in disgust. “It’s an animal. What did she ever do to you?”

“Besides look at you like her next fucking meal? What is it with you and animals?”

---