Page 8 of Finding Her Panthers

Then the woman falls to the floor, still bleeding and gasping. No one seems inclined to help her, which gives me some sick pleasure. Deep down, I have no doubt my mates have no interest in her. It's all on her side.

Jax crouches down in front of her. "I will start the process tomorrow to find you another pack. Hopefully, someone will take you. We have all told you numerous times that we don't want you. We have been waiting for our mate. Now that she's here, I will not allow anyone to make her uncomfortable in her pack. Just as we are hers, she is ours. We protect what belongs to us. Josh will escort you to your room, and you will not step one foot out until you hear orders from me." He pulls her head back by her hair, forcing her to look into his eyes. "If you do anything to hurt her, my brothers, or my pack, I will kill you." His eyes are bright blue, shining his power as his teeth elongate. He releases her, causing her head to hit the ground in a sickening crunch, making us all cringe.

A man who must be Josh pulls her up under her arms, dragging her from the room with a nod to Jax.

We all stand in silence. Blue is still holding me, lost in his own thoughts.

"Well, I'm exhausted now. How about that room?" Penny moves to me and pulls me from Blue into her arms. I hold her tight, glad she isn't afraid to be near me after the show that just went on. "I love you. Don't let that bitch get you all in your head. You did what you had to do. I will see you in the morning. It's exciting. I'm going to be sleeping in a place filled with others just like you." Stepping back, she holds my hands before leaving with yet another of the pack.

I move in front of Jax, reaching up and wrapping myself around him, surrounding him with my scent, wanting nothing left of Cindy on him. The guys talk with each other softly, letting us have a moment. Jax squeezes me before saying, "Let's go. We have to drive a bit to get to the house, and I'm sure you're exhausted." Jax guides me out with his palm on my back.

We make our way out to the back of the building, with so many twists and turns I would never be able to remember how to go back. I glance behind as Blue breaks away. He stands by Josh, having a quick word, and then jogs to catch up. He holds open the passenger side of a black, really expensive SUV. Once we are settled, Jax drives, and with James and Blue behind us, silence descends again.

My brain is trying to catch up on all that just happened. I have never felt such rage before. I should feel ashamed or sorry for what I did, but I can't seem to scrounge up an ounce of regret. What does that say about me? Should I worry? The attachment I have for the three of them already is troubling. Or it could be perfectly normal for all I know. I need to learn more about everything in this world. I have been living so far outside. On my own, I sheltered myself. My mates will have to teach me, and I know they will.

"So, is anyone going to say how badass that was?" James asks, the awe obvious in his voice.

"James, did you ever think she may not want to talk about it?" Jax warns, glancing over in concern.

"Why wouldn't she? Man, the force Cindy hit the wall. I thought you were going to put her through it." He's laughing too hard to continue.

I glance over my shoulder at him with a laugh. Blue has a silly grin on his face, and I’m surprised to see heat in his gaze as he runs it over my face ending on my lips, making me self-consciously lick them, the heat intensifies.

"Should I feel bad?" I ask, switching my gaze back to James after clearing my throat.

"Fuck no. Cindy was on her way out anyway. We were having a conversation about her before you showed up. She's been causing problems for a long time now. She wanted James and Jax as her mates. She would stop at nothing to make that happen. Not like it would," Blue explains, snorting.

"Them and not you?" At his words, I look back at him. Not that I would want any of them to be with her. The thought sickens me.

"No," he says with just a little relief.

"Why? That's crazy. I'm guessing all of you can have anyone you want." I blush at that statement and the satisfied look James gives me. Well, it is true. Individually, they are each the ultimate manly man. But together, they are what any woman would fantasize about, late at night in bed.

"I'm sure you have caught on to the fact that our brother here is not the cuddliest. He's made it known that he can't stand her from her first day in the pack. We, on the other hand," James waves towards Jax, "have a little tact and know-how to hide our hate."

Blue punches James in the shoulder. He loses some humor but raises his eyebrows at me as if saying, see what I mean.

"I'm sure Harmony is impressed with both of your childish behavior. How about we try our best to make her want to stay with us? I, for one, am glad we will be rid of Cindy soon. It was amazing to see our mate defend us. She had it coming," Jax scolds.

Jax always seems to be the voice of reason. It must be tiring to be the mediator all the time. I wonder if he ever gets to let loose, forget being in charge and just do something for pleasure. Does he ever have anyone take care of him? I know what it's like to be the only one you can rely on constantly. It can be so exhausting. Sure, I can see the love between them. James and Blue probably have ways of helping him, protecting him.

It will take some time to get used to the fact that I think they will be there for me. Not just because of the bond. But because they seem to like me. Weird.

Soon, we leave the city behind, driving into a sparser area. Since Jax made his declaration, silence descended, and everyone was lost in their thoughts.

There are more trees as we go, the houses thinning out. I roll down my window, letting the clean, fresh air bathe my face and clear my mind. We turn off pavement onto a gravel road. It seems like it goes on forever with fields on each side. There is nothing for miles and miles. I needed this. I have been surrounded by tall buildings and thousands of people, with no real place to shift for so long. But now the urge is coming on strong, and my panther is looking out of my eyes longingly at the acres of free space she could play in. It's been so long since I have felt free, free to let her out in a place without fear. In a place where I belong.

Turning in my seat in excitement, I gaze at Jax with hope. "Can we shift and run tonight?"

"We can do anything you want. This is your home now. We are your home now,” he whispers. He takes in my hopeful expression with one of his own before giving my leg a rub, then turning his attention back to the road.

We come to a stop in front of a massive heavy gate. Jax pushes a button on his phone, and it swings open to welcome us in. I swivel in my seat to watch it close behind us, noticing the whole property is surrounded by a tall stone wall. Instead of feeling locked away, the safety of being with my mates completely washes over me.

It’s not long before Jax parks the car in front of a large cabin-style house. The beautiful dark wood contrasts the thousands of green trees and grass surrounding it. I slowly open my door and step out into complete silence. I close my eyes, relishing the refreshing break from the sweeping noise of the city. James encircles my waist, patiently waiting until I have had my fill. But the problem is I won't have my fill for a very long time.

I simply say, "This is magical."

The guys share a satisfied look before guiding me onto the covered wrap-around porch. I can picture myself sitting with my mates on a chilly morning, coffee cups in hand, talking about our day.

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