Page 52 of Finding Her Panthers

“Ryker found out something else—” Blue cuts off when the security panel flashes.

Jax enters the code to open it. “That will have to wait. Kerian and his grandfather are here. We can fill him in, see if he can track her.” He unlocks and opens the door, turning back to Harmony. “Do you have anything here that would have Penny’s scent on it?”

“I’m not sure. I can go look.” She walks away stiffly.

Blue walks outside to wait for Kerian, and I share a loaded look with Jax. “You think she will be alright?” I whisper.

“Let’s hope so,” he replies. “We have to make a plan. You know when they contact her again, she’ll trade herself in a heartbeat.”

I nod solemnly as Kerian enters slowly with a confused expression, scenting the air.

“Who else is here?” he demands.

“Why? Where’s your grandfather?” Jax’s eyes narrow.

“Outside with Blue. Who else?”

“Our mate. I’ll ask again. Why?”

“All I could find is a scarf that I borrowed from her. Will that be enough? It still smells a little bit like her.” Harmony comes to a stop beside Jax, holding it out, before realizing the tension in the room. “What’s going on?” She looks at the wolf, confused.

“Rena?” A man who must be Kerian’s grandfather gasps from the doorway, Blue standing behind him.

“No.” Harmony looks at him as he clutches the doorframe in desperation.

“What? That’s impossible.” Kerian stumbles back a step, grabbing the back of a chair to steady himself.

“Yes, it’s you.” The old man steps toward her.

Harmony moves into me, her back pressing into me.

“What the fuck is going on?” Blue steps around everyone to stand beside me.

“Yes, I would love to know that, too. Why would you call her Rena?” Jax shields us, facing the two men.

“Because her name is Rena. She’s my granddaughter.”

“My sister?” Kerian says weakly.

“How the hell do you know that? She’s been on her own since she was a baby,” Jax says.

“Her scent hasn’t changed, just evolved. My name is Ames. I am your grandfather, Rena.” He looks at her imploringly.

“My name is not Rena. It’s Harmony. Don’t ever call me that again.” Her emotions are a battlefield running through her into us.

“Harmony. My sister.” Kerian recovers, moving closer.

Harmony hisses. “I am not your anything. Or yours.” She glares at Ames. “I don’t know you. I think you are wrong.”

Ames shakes his head. “No, I would know you anywhere.”

“I was abandoned, thrown away when I was months old. You are not my family. I have no family.”

“That was me,” Kerian confesses, tortured. “Hunters were after Mom and Dad. They wanted Mom since she was a panther. They thought you might be one too. Mom asked me to hide you. I was only a young boy, scared, not wanting to do it, but she assured me it was the right thing to do. To protect you. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I have regretted it my whole life. Shortly after, they killed our parents. I never thought I would ever be able to see you again. I’m so sorry. So sorry.” Tears pooled in his eyes, his honesty ringing out.

“No, no.” Harmony frantically shook her head, her hands reaching for mine and Blue’s. “That’s not true. I was left at a church, frozen.”

“I know.” He pounds his chest. “I felt so bad. I had to leave you. Our parents were so upset. Our mom kept it from Dad. He looked at me with hatred. They were on their way to find you, bring you back, when they were taken. It took years to be able to even look at myself in the mirror again. I was only six. What did I know? I didn’t know what to do.” Kerian’s eyes turn black, anger bringing out his wolf, looking accusingly at his grandfather. “You wouldn’t speak to me for months.” He turns to me pleading. “She said you would have a better life, be protected.” He trails off.

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