Page 10 of Panther Heart's Secret Passion
Chapter Eleven
Adrienne
I woke with a start, my wrists burning from the coarse rope binding them behind my back. The air was damp and heavy, smelling of earth and smoke, and flickering torchlight cast long shadows across a cavernous ruin. Crumbling stone walls loomed around me, etched with faint runes that glowed weakly, like dying embers. My head throbbed, memories of the rogues dragging me from the waterfall cave flashing in my mind. I was in Morris’s hideout, and the thought made my stomach twist. Fear clawed at me, not just for the danger I was in, but for Allen, for what he was, and for that pull in my chest that wouldn’t let me forget him, even now. A figure stepped into the light, tall and lean, with cruel amber eyes and a jagged scar cutting across his cheek. Morris. His presence filled the space, his gaze sharp and mocking as he crouched in front of me.
“Well, well, the journalist,” he said, his voice smooth but laced with venom. “You’ve caused quite a stir, Adrienne Phelps. Holding onto that veil fragment, cozying up to Allen Orr. Did you know he’s a shifter? Of course you do, you saw him change.”He smirked, leaning closer. “That pull you feel, that warmth in your chest? That’s the soulmate bond. Pathetic, really, how it’s got him wrapped around your finger.”
I swallowed hard, my heart racing, his words confirming what I’d felt but couldn’t name. The bond was real, and it scared me as much as his panther form had, those glowing eyes haunting me. But I wasn’t about to let this creep see me shake. I forced a smile, keeping my voice steady. “Sounds like you’re jealous, Morris. What’s your deal? Why grab me? You after the shard or just bored?”
He laughed, a cold, grating sound, standing to pace the cavern. “Clever girl. You think you can talk your way out of this? I’m collecting veil fragments, like the one in your pocket. They power the barrier hiding Esoterra from your pathetic human world. I’m going to destroy it, let shifters walk free, no more hiding. Your kind will learn to fear us.”
I leaned back against the wall, my wrists aching as I tested the ropes. “So you’re what, starting a war? That’s your big plan? Sabotaging logging equipment, scaring people, all to break some magical wall? Sounds like a lot of work for a guy who just wants attention.”
His eyes flashed, and he stepped closer, his voice low. “You have no idea what’s at stake. Esoterra’s council, they’re cowards, hiding us away while humans destroy our forests. I’m done with their rules. The veil falls, and we take what’s ours. Your little investigation just made it easier, drawing attention to the sabotage.”
My mind raced, connecting dots from my research in the library. The logging company, the claw-mark tattoos, the “rare pelts” Benjamin mentioned. “Let me guess,” I said, keeping my tone light to stall him. “You’ve got friends helping you. Like the logging company’s CEO? He’s funding you, isn’t he? Betting on the chaos to make a profit when shifters come out of hiding.”
Morris’s smirk faltered, just for a second, and I knew I’d hit a nerve. “You’re smarter than you look,” he said, his voice tight. “The CEO wants power, and I want freedom. We both get what we want when the veil’s gone. But you won’t be around to write about it.”
My stomach dropped, but I kept my eyes on him, my fingers working at the ropes behind my back. I needed to keep him talking, to buy time. “Why the rush? You’ve got your fragments, your ritual. Why drag me into this? I’m just a journalist, Morris. Nobody’s going to believe me if I start talking about shifters.”
He crouched again, his face inches from mine, his breath hot. “Because you’re Allen’s weakness. That bond makes him reckless. He’ll come for you, and when he does, I’ll have the fragments and him. Esoterra will thank me when this is over.”
I forced a laugh, my voice sharp. “You’re betting on a lot, pal. Allen’s not stupid. And I’m not some damsel waiting to be saved. You think you can just tie me up and win? I’ve been in worse spots than this.” It was a bluff, but I needed him to doubt, to hesitate. My fingers brushed my scarf, tucked into my belt, its embroidered coordinates from the library maps a faint hope. I worked it loose, slipping it into a crack in the wall behind me, praying Allen would find it.
Morris stood, his eyes narrowing. “You’re brave, I’ll give you that. But bravery won’t save you.” He turned to a rogue standing guard, a wiry shifter with a claw-mark tattoo on his neck. “Watch her. She tries anything, make it hurt.”
The rogue nodded, his eyes glinting, and I leaned back, my heart pounding. Fear still gnawed at me, not just of Morris but of Allen’s panther form, those glowing eyes that had made me run from him. But the memory of his pained gaze in the library, the way he’d looked at me like I was all that mattered, stirred something deeper. The bond, that warm pull, was real, and despite my fear, I trusted him. I had to. He’d been protecting methis whole time, even if he’d lied. I just needed to stay alive long enough for him to find me.
I shifted, testing the ropes again, my wrists raw but the knot loosening slightly. I glanced at the rogue, keeping my voice casual. “So, you just do whatever Morris says? Must be fun, standing around in a creepy cave all day. Got any big plans once this veil thing’s done?”
He grunted, his eyes flicking to me. “Shut up. You talk too much.”
I smirked, leaning forward. “Yeah, that’s what my editor says. But you know, I’m curious. What’s in it for you? Money? Power? Or are you just here for the free tattoos?”
He snarled, stepping closer, his hand raised like he might hit me. “Keep talking, and you’ll regret it.”
I held his gaze, my heart racing but my voice steady. “Fine, I’ll be quiet. But you’re gonna have a hard time explaining to Morris why you’re picking on a tied-up girl.” He backed off, muttering, and I exhaled, my fingers working faster at the ropes. I needed to get out, to find a way back to Allen, to figure out how deep this went with the logging company.
I spotted a narrow tunnel at the back of the cavern, partially hidden by a pile of broken stone. If I could get free, I might make it out. I waited until the rogue turned to check the entrance, then twisted my wrists, the rope biting into my skin as it finally gave. I bolted for the tunnel, my boots slipping on the damp floor, but a hand grabbed my arm, yanking me back. Morris. His grip was like iron, his eyes blazing as he dragged me to the center of the cavern. “Nice try,” he said, his voice cold. “You’re more trouble than you’re worth.”
I struggled, my voice sharp. “Then let me go. You’ve got your fragments, your ritual. You don’t need me.”
He laughed, shoving me against the wall. “Oh, I need you. You’re bait, and Allen’s already on his way. Sit tight, journalist. This is almost over.”
I glared at him, my defiance flaring despite the fear. “You’re wrong about one thing, Morris. I’m not just bait. I’m gonna make sure everyone knows what you’re doing, you and your CEO buddy. You won’t get away with this.”
He smirked, stepping back. “We’ll see about that.” He turned to the rogue. “Tie her tighter this time. No more games.” The rogue grabbed fresh rope, binding my wrists again, but my resolve hardened. I wasn’t going to die here, not when I was this close to the truth. The bond with Allen, that warmth in my chest, gave me something to hold onto, even if his shifter nature still scared me. I thought of our moment in the cave, his gentle touch, the way he’d looked at me like I was his world. I wanted to fight for that, for us, no matter what he was.
The cavern was quiet except for the drip of water and the crackle of torches. I sat against the wall, my eyes scanning for another chance to escape, my mind racing with what I’d learned. The logging company’s CEO was funding Morris, betting on the chaos of a shattered veil to profit, maybe selling shifter secrets or land. It was bigger than I’d thought, and I needed to get out, to tell someone, to stop this. I glanced at the crack where I’d hidden my scarf, hoping Allen would find it, hoping he’d come before it was too late.
A low growl echoed from the entrance, and my heart leaped. The torches flickered as a massive black panther burst into the cavern, its fur gleaming in the firelight, its eyes blazing green. Allen. His gaze locked onto me, fierce and protective, and for a moment, despite my fear, I felt that bond flare, pulling me to him.
Chapter Twelve
Allen
My panther form tore through the ruins near Esoterra’s sacred grove, my black fur melding with the shadows as I launched into Morris’s rogues. The cavernous space echoed with their snarls, torchlight flickering wildly across crumbling stone walls as I collided with a wolf shifter, my claws slashing deep into its flank. It yelped, skidding across the floor, but another rogue, a lean coyote with glinting yellow eyes, charged from the side, its teeth snapping at my shoulder. I twisted, my hind legs kicking out to send it crashing into a pillar, dust raining down as it crumpled. Adrienne was bound in the center of the cavern, her wrists tied with coarse rope, her face pale but her eyes fierce with defiance. Our gazes locked, the soulmate bond flaring in my chest, driving me to fight harder. A third rogue, a massive bear shifter, roared and barreled toward me, its paws shaking the ground. I leaped onto a jagged stone ledge, using my height to dive onto its back, my claws digging into its thick fur, tearing until it bellowed in pain and reared back, trying to shake me off. I held on, my jawsclamping onto its shoulder, forcing it to stumble, giving me a moment to reach Adrienne.
