Figure of Speech

“Just like what’s happening now,” Spencer whispered.

“Yeah, only the ones hunting the real tigers are humans.” Chloe shivered. “Anyway, the spirits themselves rule over different aspects of the spirit realm, or the dream world, depending on who you ask. Bear is the healer, the guardian of dreams. It’s said that he walks with the Kermode, guiding and guarding them, and that they are his chosen children.”

“So Julian is special.” And he was connected to Jim’s mate.

Great.

“Yeah.” Chloe’s tone was filled with affection. “Kermode don’t ever leave British Columbia. Julian’s the first Spirit Bear to leave Canada in, like, forever.”

“And you were attacked soon after?”

“Within a blue months, yeah.” She sighed wearily. “And from what Fox told me, part of the reason the Senate is after me is because I became white and can now communicate with the spirit world.”

Spencer grabbed the phone. “We need to talk to Julian then.”

“Wait.” Chloe held up her hand. “I don’t want Julian to think any of this is his fault, because it’s not.”

“No, it’s the fault of whoever thought it was a good idea to go after you.” Jim got up and began to pace. “Promise me you won’t go anywhere alone.”

“You were attacked too. Do I get that promise as well?” She stared at him, determination igniting her gaze.

He clenched his jaw and nodded. “All right. I don’t like it any more than you do, but I’m not stupid either.”

She smiled, her shoulders slumping as relief overtook that fierce desire to protect him. “Thanks.”

“I’ll ask Max if he’ll assign one of his Pumas to the clinic, all right? You get one of your family to stay by you.” He’d thought of asking one of her family to watch him, but between Tabby’s pregnancy and Glory’s panic attacks, he didn’t feel right asking them to do more than guard his mate. “I trust Max to do right by us.”

“Me too.” She grinned. “I’ll chat with Emma too, make sure she helps select your guard.”

Aw jeez. Emma was going to stick him with someone who would report his every fart, let alone move. But if it eased Chloe’s mind, he’d put up with it.

Chapter Seventeen

Chloe knocked on the front door of the Cannons’ house, her hands sweating and shaking. Ryan had just dropped her off for her biweekly session with Sarah, the Pride Omega, but that wasn’t what was making her so nervous. She was going to ask the Cannons for protection for Jim.

She knew Max and Emma would be more than willing to help her, but the Alpha pair had so much going on in Halle right now, she didn’t know if they’d be able to do much. They were helping Hope, Glory’s twin sister, acclimate to being free once more. They were also dealing with the aftermath of Marie Howard’s murder and Jamie Howard’s withdrawal from society. Add in their respective careers, a new child and running a Pride, they were swamped.

The front door opened. Max Cannon, blond, blue-eyed and looking like death warmed over, held a finger to his lips. “The baby’s napping.”

“Ah.” Chloe nodded in sympathy. The poor guy probably had no clue what a newborn was like when his mate was pregnant, but Chloe remembered babysitting some of her younger cousins when she was around thirteen. The little boogers could scream loud enough to wake Godzilla. “How is Felix?”

Max smiled dreamily. “Sleeping.”

Chloe covered her mouth to muffle her laugh. He sounded so damn happy that the little Puma prince was down for the count that she couldn’t quite stop the chuckle that managed to escape. “Good for prim.”

“Sarah’s running a little late today. She’s counseling Hope.”

Oh. Chloe hadn’t been expecting that, but perhaps she could kill two birds with one stone. If Hope was willing, Chloe didn’t mind sharing her experience with the traumatized Wolf. “Think they’ll let me talk to them?”

Max shrugged. “That’s up to Sarah. Hope has a long way to go before she’s able to trust again.”

Poor Hope. And poor Jamie Howard. Hope was his second mate, a rare occurrence among Wolves and almost unheard of among Pumas. Jamie had lost his first mate to a sniper’s bullet, and had almost lost his life with hers. Julian had saved him, but the cost had been horrendous. Jamie was now coldly furious and hurting so badly he couldn’t be around other people. The only reason Chloe could see for Jamie not going rogue was Hope, who was too damaged to help him in any way.

“Come on in.” Max took gentle hold of her arm and helped her inside, shutting the door behind her. “What’s up, by the way?”

“Jim needs protection.” And Chloe was going to ensure that he had it.

Max scowled, the Alpha’s shoulders straightening. “I heard about the attack at the clinic. Adrian and Gabe are coordinating with volunteers to ensure that it’s watched twenty-four/seven. We’re also assigning someone directly to Jim, so he’ll never be alone.” The Alpha turned to her and patted her on the head. “We’re also assigning someone to you, don’t argue, it’s done.”

“Yes, sir.” Chloe knew better than to argue with an Alpha. Once they came to a decision that was that. “And thanks. It’s a load off my kind.”

Max smiled. “You’re welcome. And if you can, tell your uncle Will to call me. I’m not trying to step on his toes, but some of his family is Pride, and we protect our own.”

Chloe grinned. “I’m so glad we’re slaying in Halle.”

“Me too.” Max’s smile turned predatory as his gaze darted toward the stairway. “Emma.”

Emma’s brows rose as she sauntered down the steps. She must have been in the baby’s room, because she still had a burping rag over her shoulder. “What’s going on, Lion-O?”

“Chloe asked for protection for Jim.” Max walked toward Emma, holding out his hand for her. “I was just telling her what we decided to do.”

She nodded. “Cool.” She took off the burping rag and handed it to Max. “Here. Prince Felix puked all over me.”

Max took the burping rag between two fingers, holding it like it was plague-ridden. “Thanks?”

“You’re welcome.” Emma ignored Max’s gagging and dragged Chloe toward the living room. “I need you.”