Chapter Eight
Davey shifted then rushed back to the spot where he’d left his mate. When he got there Lawson was nowhere to be seen. “Where are you?” He sniffed the air.
“ Right here.” From the shadows, Lawson appeared in his magnificent lion body.
“ Thank goodness, I thought you’d gone. Changed your mind about being with me.”
“I would never do that. You’re the one I love.”
“Love?”
“Yes, love.” The lion stepped up so they were nose to nose. “ I will love you until my dying day and beyond if that is possible.”
“And I you. ” Davey pressed his nose to the big cat’s. “ Hey, we’re doing it.”
“What?”
“Telepathy. I’d heard mates can do it in their shifter form, so they can communicate.”
“Wow. We are doing it. I didn’t know that though. Cool.”
“It is cool, but I’m going to shift now. The pack is expecting us.”
“Are they expecting me?”
“Yeah, Aleco said he’ll keep them under control. He wants you to be accepted as my mate.”
Lawson stepped back then walked a circle, his big shoulders rolling as he did so. “I’m not sure.”
“It will be okay, I know it will. Aleco is a strong leader with control over his pack. They all respect him.”
“That might be so, but if they attack my human form as dogs, I’ll be dead in seconds. As a lion, I will at least have a fighting chance.”
“But...”
“No, my mate, I have given you as much as I can on this matter. You have to let me enter your lair as a lion.”
Davey was quiet. He was scared. His pack were strong, young and fit. Some of them had tempers too. Some were just terrified of mountain lions and would attack first, think later.
But he had to have faith in Aleco and in Lawson. They were prepared to do this and so must he be.
Stepping back from beneath the tree he’d found himself under, Davey shifted. As his human body stretched tall he couldn’t deny it wasn’t a little unnerving to be so close to such a powerful beast as Lawson in his lion body. His head was huge, his paws massive and everything about him screamed power.
Come on, let’s get this over with , he thought.
No reply.
Of course, telepathy only worked when they were both in their shifted forms.
He set off for the camp again, aware of Lawson close behind him. With his fingers knotted together and his belly tight with nerves, he led his mate closer and closer to his pack.
Soon they arrived. All was quiet except for the crackling of the fire. Through the trees Davey could see Aleco had everyone seated on the wall. Most were human but Raul and Pedro were still dogs, along with three others, all big breeds who had youth on their side.
Bile nipped at his gullet. He preferred being onside with them all.
Lawson drew up beside him and Davey rested his hand on his silken fur. He knew this was going against everything Lawson wanted. He was shy, avoided confrontation with dogs, hated fire, too, most likely. But here he was.
“It’ll be okay,” he said, as much to himself as anything else.
Aleco spotted them. “Come, this way, Davey, bring your new mate to the pack.” He beckoned them forward.
He stroked Lawson, aware of a dull vibration, his purr, going through his body.
With slow, stealthy movements, Lawson stepped from the shade of the forest onto the grassy area. Davey stuck to his side.
Everyone turned to face them.
Raul barked twice, loud. Flo put her hand on his head. “It’s okay. Aleco said it would be.”
Davey kept putting one foot in front of the other with his hand on Lawson’s shoulder. This was his pack. These were his brothers in arms, yet right now, he’d never been so scared.
Lawson kept on walking, his focus on Aleco. It was as if he instinctively knew he was the leader.
Aleco stared straight back, seemingly unaffected by Lawson’s piercing green gaze.
Davey’s knees were shaking and he was glad of Lawson’s support. Though he knew Lawson was gaining strength from him too.
Suddenly Pedro stood. He barked several times, a loud, alarmed noise.
Aleco dug his hands into his fur. “Shh. It’s okay.”
“How can it be?” At the end of the wall Greg unfolded to his huge height. “We’ve let a fucking lion into our midst.”
Davey and Lawson came to a halt. “He won’t hurt anyone.” Davey swung his gaze around the group, pleading with his eyes for them to believe him.
“No, we’ll hurt him first.” Greg kind of growled.
“Control yourself,” Aleco said, not taking his attention from Lawson. “And let Davey confirm what I’ve already told you.”
Davey licked his lips. His mouth was dry. He puffed up his chest. “This is my mate, Lawson. And yes, he’s a mountain lion. And like all of you, we had no choice but to commit to each other, forever. That’s how it is with shifters. But I don’t need to tell you that.”
There were a few murmurs of agreement. Julie slipped her hand into Aleco’s and looked warily at Lawson. Pedro stood on her other side.
“Lawson comes as a lion today for his own protection. Until I…we…have confirmation he is safe here, it’s for his own good,” Davey went on.
“He is your mate,” Aleco said in a loud and steady voice. “Which makes him welcome in our pack.”
“I’m not sure of the wisdom of that gesture,” Greg said, balling his hands into fists. “This is unheard of.”
Davey stroked Lawson’s back in what he hoped was a soothing manner. “It has taken my mate a lot of courage to be here. It’s his instinct to be as far away from dogs as possible. But fate has given us this course and I ask you to be understanding and to promise his safety in a human form.”
“We’re not a violent pack,” Flo said. “Why wouldn’t he be safe?”
Next to her Raul growled and stepped forward a pace.
Flo frowned at him.
“There’s a first time for everything,” Davey said.
Raul took another step forward, his head low and his teeth bared.
Lawson tensed, his purr became a steady growl then he opened his mouth and released a snapping roar ending in a scream and hiss. It was a clear warning to Raul to stay back.
Raul stopped.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Davey said. “Be calm, my love.”
Aleco released Julie and stepped up to Raul. He mimicked Davey’s action by placing his hand on the large dog’s back. “Flo is right, we’re not a violent pack. We have invited humans into our midst. There is no reason why non-dog shifters shouldn’t be allowed to join us too.”
“But a cat?” Greg said.
“He can’t help what he is,” Davey said, irritation in his voice now. “And I happen to think he’s beyond beautiful like this. And if you don’t accept him…” He paused, the words were heavy on his tongue. “I’m afraid it’s goodbye from me. I will leave this pack and you’ll never see me again.”
A hush descended. Several of the pack looked at each other with grim expressions.
“Those of you who have mates must understand my dilemma,” Davey said. “I have to be with Lawson, anything less will be a life without color. A life where I’m simply existing until death.”
Aleco turned, placing his back to Lawson. It was a bold move, one showing he trusted Davey to be in control of his mate. He held his arms out to the sides.
If Lawson had wanted to, he could have killed him in a second.
But of course he didn’t. He stayed stock still next to Davey.
“None of us want to lose Davey,” Aleco said. “I’m sure you’ll agree. He’s one of us, part of our Redwood Shifters family. I suggest we are open-minded, generous of heart and allow Lawson into our home. We are all different and understand what that means. We also understand the tug of mating and how it cannot be ignored.” He glanced at Julie and Pedro. “So we will have a vote. Everyone in favor raise your hand, if you’re in dog form, sit.”
Davey held his breath as over the next few seconds a sea of arms raised. It seemed the majority of shifters and humans were willing to give them a chance. Pedro had sat.
Raul seemed undecided but then, as if Aleco’s words had sunk in, he sat, his attention not moving from Lawson.
Davey was pleased—he liked to think he and Raul had always been close and wanted the best for each other.
It seemed only one person wasn’t happy, and that was the Beta male, Greg. He stayed standing with his arms hanging by sides and wearing a surly expression.
“It’s decided.” Aleco clapped. “Lawson is a guest in our home, please be welcoming. Shifters, it would be hospitable to be in your human forms.” He moved toward Pedro, who stood on his back legs and turned into the big man he was. Like the others, he had a wary look on his face.
Raul walked backward several steps before shifting and placing his arm over Flo’s shoulders.
“Thank you,” Davey said. “I really appreciate this and you won’t regret it.”
“Make sure we don’t,” Raul grunted.
Davey’s heart was pounding and sweat prickled at his temples.
Did this really happen?
He’d won the vote.
“Lawson,” he said. “It’s okay now, everyone has shifted. It’s your turn, show yourself. Your human self.”
Lawson swung his gaze to Davey then back around the camp. All concentration was on him.
“I know this is new for you, to shift in front of others,” Davey said. “But it’s common practice here, no one will think anything of it.”
Lawson stared at him. Davey wondered if he’d have the courage to show what he really was. Then his muscles tensed and he reared back. His fur slipped away and became skin, his wide shoulders turned male and his cat face became the one Davey adored to hold and kiss.
“Fuck, he’s a big guy,” Raul muttered.
“You’re telling me,” Flo said, her gaze fixed on Lawson’s groin.
Davey frowned at her and took hold of Lawson’s hand. “Excuse us.” He led Lawson past the row of shifters to his cabin, aware every step of the way his new mate was getting admiring glances. He couldn’t help a fizz of pride, though. This was his man and he was gorgeous. Beyond gorgeous, he was perfect. He’d bet they wouldn’t be so keen to kick him out now, cat or no cat.
Once safely inside the cabin, he shut the door.
“Phew,” Lawson said, wiping his forearm over his brow. “Thought that was going to turn nasty for a moment back there.”
Davey grabbed a tumbler and filled it with water. He drank before refilling it and passing it to Lawson. “Yeah, touch and go.”
Lawson knocked the water back in several big gulps. “Your Alpha is a good man.”
“Yeah, he is…very.” Davey had always known that. They were lucky to have Aleco as their leader and long may it continue.
“And the dog, in front of us.”
“Raul.”
“He fought his instincts. He wanted to protect those he loved but he beat it down, for Aleco and for you.”
“He’s a good friend.”
“Is that all he is?” Lawson set the tumbler on the table and frowned.
Davey opened his mouth and shut it again. Did Lawson think there was something between him and Raul? The very thought was ridiculous. “Yeah, just a friend.” He walked up to him and put his hands on Lawson’s waist. “Never anything more, past, present or future. Besides, he has two mates of his own.”
The crease on Lawson’s brow relaxed and he slipped his arms around Davey. “I’m glad to hear it.” He swept his lips over Davey’s. “Do you think they’ll leave us alone for the night? I have some rather urgent needs to attend to.”
“Mmm, do you now?” Davey wriggled against Lawson’s erection. “And yes, I’m sure we’ll be—”
Knock. Knock.
“Disturbed.” Davey rolled his eyes.
Lawson released him so he could open the door.
Greg stood there, with his small human mate, Patrick, behind him. He held forward a plate covered in a red and white checked cloth. “Patrick thought you would— Ouch…” He glanced back at Patrick, who was scowling at him. “ We thought you’d like some fresh bread and cheese for your supper.”
Patrick peered over Greg’s shoulder and grinned.
“Thank you.” Davey reached for the plate. “That’s very thoughtful, we’re hungry.” More for each other than food, but he kept that to himself.
“You’re welcome.” Greg looked past Davey, into his cabin. “And you know, no hard feelings about the vote, right.”
“None at all, buddy.” Lawson appeared next to Davey and held out his hand.
Greg stared at it for a moment, then he took it and gave it a shake.
Patrick hugged Greg from behind and rested his chin on his shoulder. He winked at Davey.
Finally, Davey blew out a proper sigh of relief. It would all be okay. He knew it would be.