Chapter 7 #4
“So are you,” Natalie shot back. “You were sent here against your will. These women are looking for a new start. Who is going to have a better attitude?”
That point definitely went to the newbie, Patrick decided. “Answer my other question. What happens if we say no?”
“Nothing. I fly back to Earth with the females and things continue as they are now.”
“The cats will agree to this,” Raphael predicted. “They were the first to interact with the females. I’m less enthusiastic, but there is no way to escape the fact that we need more mates.”
“The wolves are going to be your challenge,” Gabriel predicted. “They’ll take their share of the females and then resume their attacks as soon as you leave orbit.”
“Then they’ll be excluded from the next shipment of females,” Natalie said firmly. “Ending the attacks is also nonnegotiable.” She pushed back from the table then paused. “Talk it over with the cats. Approach the wolves if it’s safe to do so.”
“Alex gave me an ultimatum tonight. He’ll likely agree to speak with me if he thinks I’m responding to his demands,” Gabriel told her.
“I heard what he said thanks to my hummingbirds, and my proposal is not far off from what he demanded. If he needs clarification, I’ll meet with him as well. Just see if you can get the ball rolling. I’ll return tomorrow night to see how things go in the feline village.”
Natalie stood and signaled her ship. A few moments later, she simply disappeared.
“Did we just agree to reenter hell?” Raphael shook his head, his features tight with conflict.
“I hate everything about this, but I’m not sure we should refuse,” Gabriel added. “She didn’t bother listing the other rewards because the women alone will solve so many problems.”
“And create so many more,” Patrick warned. “Natalie claimed that their infractions were nonviolent, but we have no way of knowing if it’s true.”
“I need some time to think this over,” Raphael decided.
“If the others refuse to participate, will we get all the women?” Victor mused.
“Zion will agree,” Raphael predicted. “He has the most restless males waiting for a female.”
“And the wolves?” Victor asked, moving closer to the table.
“I don’t know.” Raphael looked at his brother. “Care to hazard a guess?”
Gabriel shook his head. “Alex is unpredictable. Tonight is proof of that.”
“One hurdle at a time,” Raphael suggested with a sigh. “Let’s get through the meeting with Zion then we’ll worry about the wolves.”
Patrick, Gabriel, and Heather left a few minutes later. They walked along in silence for a time, all three lost in their troubled thoughts.
“Am I a fool to even consider this?” Gabriel muttered as they approached their cabin.
“If what she says is true, it could be really beneficial,” Patrick replied. “But that is one galactic-sized if.”
“I know we’re all going to be processing the alternatives in the background, but I propose that we table the subject until tomorrow.” Heather looked at Gabriel and then Patrick. “You’re going to spend all day debating this, so let’s think of something else tonight.”
“That’s a suggestion I can get behind,” Patrick said with a smile. He was tired of politics, tired of war. The domestic tranquility he’d glimpsed as he entered Raphael’s cabin held far more appeal. Shifting his gaze toward Heather, he asked, “Did you enjoy your evening with Claire?”
Raphael, Victor, and Claire were enjoying the sort of harmony Patrick craved. They supported each other, prioritized each other, and fought for each other. Patrick was ready to release the past and work toward a stable future. He just wasn’t sure how to achieve the goal.
He no longer blamed Heather for his captivity.
She had taken responsibility for her actions and there were extenuating circumstances surrounding the decisions she’d made.
Spending time with her in and out of bed had reignited their smoldering attraction.
It wasn’t surprising really. He’d always been fascinated by her.
Heather didn’t answer his question until they were in their own living room, facing a roaring fire. “It’s always great to see Claire, but…”
“But?” Gabriel prompted, his orange gaze focused on her face.
“But I envy the contentment she’s found with Raphael and Victor,” Heather admitted. “Will we ever be that comfortable with each other?”
Patrick studied her delicate features as he slowly lowered his mental shields.
Her tone was casual and she appeared composed, but their past—and his cruelty—made her hesitant and untrusting.
Her emotions rushed into his mind, inundating his empathic receptors.
He would never enter her mind without permission, but this sort of scan was noninvasive.
She knew he could sense her emotions. There was no expectation of privacy.
As he feared, her desire for them was hampered by uncertainty.
She wanted them, but she didn’t trust them. No, she didn’t trust him.
“How do you think they achieved the contentment you sensed?” Patrick allowed a hint of challenge into his tone. “Their circumstances aren’t that different from ours.”
“They need each other,” she said softly. “That allows them to create a peaceful, balanced environment.”
Patrick arched his brows. He didn’t disagree with her assessment, but she was avoiding the real issue. Trust. “Do you doubt that we need you?”
“Not really,” she admitted. “You need me sexually, and you’re hoping I’ll eventually give you a child. But that’s true of any female. Raptor shifters can form a mating bond with anyone. You don’t need me.”
“We form the bond intentionally,” Gabriel agreed, “but we sense our mates just like all the other shifters. You are our mate, Heather. There is no one for us but you. I thought we’d made that clear from the start.”
“Well, almost the start,” Patrick corrected with a grin. “It took me a while to admit that claiming our mate was infinitely more important than revenge.”
“Mating bonds are forever,” she reminded. “How can I be sure this isn’t part of your revenge?”
He pushed to his feet, his movements slow and deliberate. “There is only one way for you to be certain. Let me form a transfer link.”
She tensed, eyes wide and luminous. “Won’t that give you access to my mind?”
“I already have access to your mind,” Patrick told her firmly. “So does Gabriel. You are safe with us because we would never harm you, never enter your mind without permission.”
“The transfer link must be used intentionally,” Gabriel stressed. “We can send and receive thoughts and emotions, but each transfer requires effort.”
She considered that for a moment, her expression pensive, gaze assessing. “But if you choose what to send me, then you can manipulate the outcome. You could only send the emotions you want me to sense.”
Patrick chuckled, amused by her stubbornness. “That requires a lot more skill than you realize, but it can be done. If you’re looking for brutal honesty, then I’ll simply link our minds. There will be no hiding, no manipulation. You will see us exactly as we are.”
“Can the bond be undone if I don’t like what I see?”
His expression hardened and he clenched his teeth. He offered to open himself completely, to make himself vulnerable. How could she—
“I know there’s darkness in you,” she added hurriedly. “There’s darkness in all of us. I know how much you’ve suffered. My expectations are realistic. I assure you.”
“It all comes down to trust.” Patrick took a deep breath and continued with more conviction. “It wasn’t easy, but I have chosen to trust you. Now it’s your turn. If you honestly feel I’m unworthy of trust then this courtship is over.”
Gabriel hurried on before Heather could respond to the ultimatum.
He moved in front of her and placed his hands on her upper arms. “Patrick destroyed your trust when he kidnapped you. We understand that.” He pulled her up out of the chair, his hands lingering on her arms. “He’s trying to earn it back.
A mind link will allow you to sense our emotions without any sort of filter. ”
“Brutal honesty,” she echoed, nodding her head. “I think we all need that. Link our minds. Let’s see if there is any hope for our happily ever after.”