Chapter 10 #2
“On our way,” the bulky hunter shouted, heading in their direction. Excitement radiated from him as he hastened his pace, jogging past and vanishing into the night.
Liam and Jaime waited until he was out of earshot before Jaime led the way to the cave.
By the time they reached the dank entrance, Liam’s muscles trembled, every fiber screaming with fatigue.
He fought the quiver in his arms as he lowered the bulky cat to the ground.
The cat twitched, eyes flickering before squeezing shut.
“Dad,” Jamie said, his voice harsh. “You almost got caught.”
The leopard let out a testy grunt and staggered to its feet, swaying unsteadily.
“What did he drink? How much?” Liam asked.
“Homemade grog. It’s potent, and Dad and his friends like it because it gives them a buzz.”
Anger pumped through Liam, throbbing in time with the pressure in his head.
“Do you realize you’ve placed an entire village of shifters in danger?
Not one of them is safe. They saw you in your leopard form.
Now, they won’t leave until they capture one.
” Liam bit off the words, not bothering to hold back his fury.
“Dad, you’ve screwed up bad this time.”
The leopard snarled at Jamie and took a step toward him. The teenager didn’t flinch, and Liam sensed Jamie had reached his limit.
“Go back to your smuggler friends,” Jamie spat. “Make your money, but at least give some to Ma. Don’t drink it all.”
The leopard shifted, and the man would’ve struck his son if Liam hadn’t stepped between them.
“I’m tired of you hitting me,” Jamie bit out. “I’m done. No matter what I say to Ma, she won’t leave you, but I can and will. You’re not dragging me down to your level. I refuse to join the smugglers. I aim to make something of my life.”
“Bah! You won’t last a week on your own,” the man said, his broken front tooth flashing.
The reek of alcohol was strong enough to make Liam reel.
“Maybe, but I’ll have my pride.” Jamie gave his father one last long look, his jaw clenched tight—disillusionment and distress warring in his features. He stumbled as he exited the dank cave.
Liam didn’t see an ounce of regret or love for his son.
The feline shifter didn’t care. Somewhere in the dark recesses of Liam’s mind, an image of an older man formed.
He froze, not wanting to push at something that might crumble into dust if he gave it too much attention.
Then he shook himself. He couldn’t let Jamie leave alone.
He was a kid and needed help, especially with hunters roaming the moors.
If they spotted Jamie, they’d ask questions, even though they had no business interrogating anyone.
“Jamie, wait,” Liam said.
The teen’s shoulders tensed, but he slowed his steps until he and Liam walked side by side.
“What’s your next move?” Every instinct told Liam to let the teen figure out his future instead of trying to dictate it. Everything about this situation seemed eerily familiar, and he couldn’t explain why.
“I had a little money saved from working at the market, but I gave it to Ma to buy food. Dad stole it and spent it on booze. Ma took Dad’s side.” A fat tear slid down the teen’s face.
“Stay with us. Hedrek and the boys aren’t at home, so we have room.”
“But I can’t pay.”
“Payment isn’t necessary.” Although it wasn’t his home, he instinctively understood Tamsin wouldn’t turn Jamie away.
“Thanks. I’ll find a way to pay for my board. Chop wood or do dishes.”
Liam placed a companionable arm around Jamie’s shoulders and briefly squeezed the teen to his side. By common assent, they didn’t speak again until they reached the path leading to Tamsin and Hedrek’s cottage. Luckily, they didn’t see or hear any of the hunters.
“Tamsin, it’s me,” Liam said after tapping on the front door.
The door flew open to reveal Sienna and Tamsin, who both appeared anxious.
“Thank goodness you’re back,” Sienna said, and the relief in her voice did something to his heart.
She took one look at Jamie and drew him inside with a reassuring smile.
She and Tamsin fussed over the teen, offering comfort.
Liam watched her with growing wonder. This woman, who’d kidnapped him out of desperation, was the same one who’d open her home to a troubled teenager without hesitation.
The contradiction should have bothered him.
Instead, it made him want to understand her more.
“You’re staring,” she murmured.
“You took in Jamie without question.”
“He’s as pale as my white tee. Obviously, he needs help.”
“Like your family needed help when you came to that gathering.” Pieces were clicking together. “You never take the easy path.”
Her gaze was direct and held a hint of surprise. “Sometimes the right path isn’t straightforward.”
“No,” he agreed. “It isn’t.”
Jago poked his head around the corner of the doorway, his expression tense until he spotted Liam. “What happened? We couldn’t leave without knowing.”
“My father,” Jamie replied before Liam could explain. “He got drunk and shifted after he and Ma had a fight.”
Tamsin and Sienna gaped at Jamie.
“The hunters spotted him.” Jamie answered their unasked question. “Liam helped me get him into hiding.”
“I told Jamie he could stay with us,” Liam said.
“Of course he can,” Tamsin said, as Liam had hoped she would.
Tears welled in the teen’s eyes at their calm acceptance, and a twang of familiarity played through Liam’s mind. Jamie’s situation resonated with him. He didn’t push the memory—forcing it only made the pounding in his head worse.
“What will we do about our pottery supplies?” Worry sank into Jago’s forehead. “Is it safe to go out tonight?”
“The hunters were searching nearer our house and toward the village,” Jamie offered.
“We should go soon,” Liam said. “Let’s not give them a chance to reorganize.”
“Jago and I were going to leave, but Ma suggested we wait for you,” Sienna said.
“You have work tomorrow,” Tamsin said. “We can’t afford for you to lose your job.”
“I can help,” Jamie said. “Whatever you need.”
“How do we know we can trust you?” Jago asked.
“Jago!” Tamsin turned a glare on her son. “Jamie warned us about the hunters. He risked a lot to help us.”
“Yes, Ma,” Jago said with a twitch of his nose.
“If Jamie will help, we can bring back more supplies,” Liam said. “And it will mean Jago won’t need to make a dangerous return trip.”
“It’s a small way to repay you,” Jamie said, his expression earnest. “I’d never betray you.
” He turned to Tamsin. “You gave me a jam sandwich when I know you didn’t have much.
I hadn’t eaten for a long time, and I’ve never forgotten that.
That’s why I came to warn you. You and your family don’t deserve the way the locals treat you.
You treat everyone with respect. I-I admire that. ”
Tamsin hugged him. “You’re welcome, Jamie.”
“We’d appreciate the help,” Jago said.
“We should go before the hunters regroup. Half of them didn’t believe the beast existed,” Liam said. “Now, several hunters have seen a leopard. They’ll double down and get more aggressive.”
“It won’t be safe for anyone,” Sienna said.
An understatement, although Liam didn’t voice his concerns. They needed a plan to leave Stoneford, but where could they go? Hedrek and his sons would face scrutiny no matter where they settled. He was at a loss, and unfortunately, his memory, or lack thereof, didn’t aid him in devising a plan.
Yeah, now that the hunters had a positive sighting, they’d report to their boss. A billionaire could throw more money and men at the problem.
With proof of a leopard in the vicinity, everyone was in danger.