Mate Bond

Kenzie had heard this version of the tale before. “So you’ve said.”

“Times were different, Kenzie. All clan leaders gained their position by the death of the leader before them. None of this politeness—Pardon me, Dad, while I take over the clan, and you go live with your girlfriend.”

Cristian was talking about the Austin Shiftertown, where leadership had recently switched without bloodshed. The understanding the Morrissey father and son had reached was, to Kenzie, much preferable to a fight to the death. She certainly didn’t want to think about Ryan and Bowman trying to kill each other.

“It wasn’t exactly like that,” Kenzie began, but Cristian shook his head, not interested.

“I should lead this Shiftertown by right of hierarchy, not to mention strength and experience. You’re a sweet woman to stick by your mate, but don’t push me, Kenzie. I’m still your clan leader.”

“Not anymore,” Kenzie said. “I switched when I left to live with Bowman, remember?”

Cristian’s hands went to her shoulders. “You never lose your connections, niece. You’re Dimitru pack, and always will be. The sooner you understand that, the easier your life will be.”

Kenzie’s throat hurt. She’d made a pledge to the O’Donnell pack as soon as she and Bowman had been mated under sun and moon. She was the flag of truce between the packs, Ryan their hope of permanent unification. When Ryan was leader, the clans would be one.

But Ryan, at the moment, was an innocent cub who only wanted to play with his friends.

“I have to catch up with my son,” she said to Cristian. “Don’t talk to me anymore unless you’re passing the time of day or telling me how Grandma’s doing. I’m tired of you trying to turn me against Bowman.” She made a gesture like a baseball ump signaling an out. “Not gonna happen.”

Anger flared in Cristian’s eyes, making the gold spark. “You’re still family, Kenzie. Still pack. I’ll talk about what I damn well please. Soon, you’ll have to remember who you are.” He gave her a long look. “You’ll understand, in the end.”

Without giving Kenzie a chance to answer, he turned his back and walked away, picking up into a jog a dozen strides down the road.

Kenzie watched him go in disquiet, knowing the abrupt back-turning for what it was. He was telling her he wasn’t afraid to show her his vulnerable side, because it made no difference. He was stronger than any Shifter around and always would be.

Soon, you’ll have to remember who you are.

Kenzie didn’t like the hint, or the implication that he’d oust Bowman sooner or later. Had he anything to do with last night’s attack? Had he figured out a way to clear Bowman out of his way? She didn’t see how, but, as she’d thought at the beginning of the conversation, Uncle Cris could be slippery.

Damn him. Whatever he’d been on about, he made the crisp winter air oppressive. Kenzie watched her uncle jog away for a time before she quickened her steps down the road the rest of the way to Cade’s.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Bowman didn’t like the thought of Kenzie and Ryan out there alone. Not today.

He started out of bed, letting out a grunt of pain when his leg reminded him it wasn’t all the way healed. It wasn’t agonizing anymore, but very stiff, the muscles pulled all to hell. The break itself would already be fused, or close to it, but the soft tissues were going to ache and annoy him for a while.

He managed to make it to his feet. Bowman balanced on his good leg while the splinted leg stuck out like a white flagpole. Damn doctors.

All right, so they’d been nice and patched him up. He knew he’d have spent a worse night without the doctors in the clinic helping him out, but Bowman wasn’t in the mood to be grateful. He just wanted out of the bloody splint.

He managed to swing his leg up to the bed. He reached for one of the Velcro straps that held the splint to his leg and tugged at it. Nothing happened.

Frustrated swearing filled the room. Good thing everyone had left the house, because this was just stupid.

Bowman gave a harder yank. The strap ripped open, but he lost his balance and fell on his backside on the carpet next to the bed. “Shit!”

The front door to the house swung open, sending a draft of cold air inside. Damn it—another Shifter on his territory, and Bowman was flailing around like a bug on his back.

“Bowman? You in here? I know you are—I can smell you.”

Bowman let out his tense breath. “Jamie. Get the hell back here.”

Jamie entered the room with his usual restless energy. He didn’t exactly laugh when he saw Bowman, buck naked and sprawled on the rug, his bad leg stuck up straight, but his mouth twitched and his ferocious eyes looked dangerously near to twinkling.

“Man, you got screwed over.” Jamie folded his arms and stared down at his alpha. “Want me to get a crane?”

“Shut the hell up, and help me get this splint off.”

“Sure you should?” Jamie asked. His tatts moved as his arms tightened.

“I’m sure. Get me out of this thing.”

“All right¸ but if you hurt yourself because you took it off too soon, it wasn’t me who helped you, all right? If Kenzie finds out, she’ll tear my balls off.”

“Don’t worry, she’d be so busy ripping me a new one you’d have time to get away.”

Jamie crouched next to Bowman, reaching for the strap around his ankle. “Didn’t it occur to you to pick out a more submissive mate?”