Page 16 of Chasing Savannah
Chapter 6
It was only twenty miles outside of the city, but the drive to meet the Felix of the West Florida panther prowl was a long one. Between the traffic and Carlos’ tension, it seemed longer. Theo navigated the back roads with ease. Soon they were turning into a heavily forested area cordoned off with a barbed wire fence. They were waved into a guarded gate and Derrick had to admit, he was impressed. The forest soon gave way to neatly manicured lawns with houses set a little ways off the main road. Some of the beautiful brick structures were bunched together closer than others.
As far as prowl territory went it was story book, and his heart expanded. Memories of his childhood prowl land threatened to swamp him. He’d once lived in place much like this one. He could picture cubs playing in the fields plotted for farming that were interspaced on the land. His family had a smaller prowl, so their territory hadn’t been as extensive as the one they were currently driving through. Still, the parallels were enough to stall his breath.
Carlos turned back to him and raised a brow.
He exhaled, and wiped his hands on his pants. “I’m good.”
Carlos nodded and turned back to the front. Theo drove slowly through the winding dirt roads between the houses to get to the Felix’s house. The white farmhouse at the end of the road was big, two stories, with a porch wrapped around the entire bottom floor. Steely faced women surrounded it. Two of them, identical, and obviously alpha, stood on the wide porch of the main house, their hair windswept, the jeans and t-shirt something it seemed they threw on quickly after shifting. Carlos and Derrick stepped out of the truck, keeping their body language open, non-threatening. There were multiple dirt paths that led to the front of the house as well as to the forest surrounding it. It indicated to him that the panthers met at the Felix’s often. It boded well, in that it meant communication was open in the prowl.
The Alpha stepped out, his power strong despite his age, his brown face weathered from hours in the sun. The male was brawny, his t-shirt faded, but clinging to muscles humans wouldn’t have at his age. His second in command stood next to him, his power equally strong. The slender male in pressed khakis and a button down shirt, a direct opposite to the rough and tumble alpha, but his elegant grace every bit a powerful feline.
It peaked his curiosity and made his panther wary. An alpha this strong, willing to give up his territory? It didn’t make sense to him. The women made no move to intercept him or Carlos as they started walking towards the house. They kept a wary eye on them, though. Derrick, Carlos and Theo stopped a few feet from the porch, making no move to enter. He knew entering without an invitation would send the wrong message.
Perhaps a week ago, he’d have had no problem arrogantly going in, asserting their power. Today? Today he had a mate to think about. He wanted this turnover done as neat and peaceful as possible. Nervous energy buzzed along his skin. He tamped down his impatience. Soon he would have territory and a large prowl, two things he’d fervently wished for. The security of both would go a long way to soothing years old wounds.
Theo smiled at everyone. “Felix Carlos, Derrick, this is Felix Jeremiah and his Beta, Harper of the Watson prowl. Brielle and Brianne, the charming ladies on either side of them are his granddaughters and two of the strongest females I’ve ever ran across. It’s no surprise Felix Jeremiah has been able to hold on to territory this size.”
One of the women snorted. “A charming one, that one is.”
“Makes me think you’re a smart enough Alpha to send him down to pave the way for you.” Harper commented.
“That was the idea.” Carlos tucked his hands in the pocket of his jeans.
The Alpha eyed Carlos a moment more, seeming to read him. “Well, come on in then, let’s see if smart’s all you got.”
Derrick snickered and followed him up onto the porch.
The cool air of the ac swept over them as they entered. But the feel of the place in comparison, was warm. There was obvious love and warmth through their prowl. The house was well taken care of, the vaulted ceilings giving the home a grand feel. The Alpha shuffled them into a sitting room and invited them to sit.
“There are a lot of women in this prowl.” Derrick commented.
Felix Jeramiah nodded. “We had nine daughters who in turn had few sons.”
“Is that why you were looking outside for a Felix to take over?” Carlos watched Jeremiah’s face for any deception.
“Partly.” Jeremiah waved his hand at the pictures lining their walls. “A few of my granddaughters are latent, because their mamas married humans. The ones who did mate shifters, didn’t mate men strong enough to take over. Not that I’m disparaging or knocking my family. It’s just time to bring in new blood.”
Carlos nodded. Derrick could understand the sentiment. Sometimes prowls could get too insular and breed themselves out of the alpha gene. Though, from the power that buzzed across his skin as they crossed onto the land, he didn’t think it was the case with this prowl.
“Have you been having issues?” Carlos asked.
“The prowl to the south of us is trying to push for more land. They’re becoming peskier as Jeremiah ages.” Harper commented.
“Your power reverberated the moment you stepped onto this land. Your Beta’s power is also loud and clear, you would bring a lot to our prowl.” Brianne or Brielle added, he wasn’t introduced to them individually, so he wasn’t sure which one spoke.
“But you’re a new Felix.” Jeremiah rubbed his chin.
Carlos nodded. “I am, and a reluctant one.”
Jeremiah tilted his head as he considered him. “Your power calls, son. I imagine you’ve had shifters following you your whole life.”
Derrick laughed and Carlos shot him a look. He’d been telling his best friend that for years. It was partly the reason they’d been run out of New Jersey. Everywhere Carlos went, a group of loner shifters showed up.
“What of your father?” Harper asked.
Carlos fisted his hand and looked away. “I didn’t grow up with my father. My mother re-married a human, he raised me. I was hoping you would remain here and guide me.” He turned back, meeting Jeremiah’s eyes as he made the request.
