Snippet #2467217

Kateri

Kateri rolled to her side and watched as Brandon ran off. So two things had be learned in only an hour. No Bran-Bran unless she was prepared to turn him into Bran-pulp to save her own skin. She could deal with that. If he started calling her Kitten she’d drown him in the lake – so that was a fair enough game. And not to bring up his father. There were definitely some damaged feelings there.

Getting to her feet she stretched for a moment and followed him down to the lake. It wasn’t hard, the guy had about as much bush sense as a child. His tiger would have helped with that.

When she found him he was arguing with himself again. Something constant. And then the plea hit her and she was drawn to him. Not because her inner cat saw him as a potential mate, but because he’d used the pack bonds to call to her. Next thing she knew she was kneeling in front of him.

“You need to calm down you big lug,” she said gently and hoisted him up over her shoulder before standing. It actually looked pretty ridiculous since he was so much taller than her. But she carried him as if he were weightless. “If you keep warring with yourself like this you’ll run yourself into the ground. I know the tiger in you has threatened to run the show but it’s not like he wants to. He just doesn’t want to be alone anymore. All lycans feel that way sometimes.”

Brandon, however, didn’t seem to be listening. “Put me down. I can walk,” he growled.

“Uh huh, and if I do that we’ll have to walk at a snail’s pace because you’ll be hobbling like an old man. Suck it up, you wont be feeling any better until you eat something and I’m not waiting for you to drag your own ass home. You asked for my help and I’m giving it to you,” Kat replied as she walked, shifting his weight on her shoulders. Even super strong, Brandon was a big guy so balancing the weight was a touch awkward. “Just be happy it’s a fireman’s carry and not bridal style.”

It didn’t take too long to reach Kat’s cabin. But people had seen them on the way and people would talk. Unfortunately word would get around that they suspected him of being weak – but the good news in that meant that he wouldn’t be seen as a threat by the other suitors. So Kat wouldn’t have to worry about him getting jumped if he wandered off on his own.

Once she was inside she set him down on the sofa and called for her parents. Getting no answer Kat shrugged. “I guess they’re gone. Mama said she’s making some kind of chilli for dinner – but that’s like an hour away. You need something now… Don’t go anywhere,” she said, putting command into the words. Even if he tried he wouldn’t be able to leave the house. Though she doubted he would. Where would he go all weakened and tired like this?

Going into the kitchen she warmed up a bowl of Cambell’s Chunky Soup in the microwave. It wasn’t the best cuisine, but it had some meat and a salt content that would raise his blood sugar a little. Sitting beside him on the couch she threw her legs over his and grinned. “Here, this will make you feel better,” she said offering him a spoonful.

“You don’t have to feed me,” he groaned reaching for the bowl. Kat moved it just out of his reach and shook her head.

“No way sir shaky hands. If you get soup on this couch my mama will kill me. Alpha or no alpha you don’t mess with mama’s stuff,” she told him and raised a spoon filled with a noodle and a hunk of chicken.

“Now are you going to cooperate or do I have to make plane sounds?” she teased before proceeding to blow air through her lips as a plane sound and commanding him to open the hanger.

Brandon took a bit and chewed before swallowing it and sighing. “You’re insane.”

“You’re unoriginal. Insane is practically nice compared to what I hear at work,” Kat replied shovelling another spoonful into him. Once the bowl was emptied she leaned back against the arm of the sofa and used it to stretch out her back in an arch. “Feel better yet, Stripes?”

“Will you quit making up nicknames for me?” he growled back.

Kateri rolled her eyes and lowered herself again, resting her cheek on her fist. “Answer the question and I mi-”

The front door opened and Kat stilled, her head turning slowly to catch the awed expressions of her parents. Cheetah speed moved her across the room to a chair where she crouched on the cushion looking alarmed. “Mom no – i-its not what you think-”

“Kitten you’re finally warming up to a boy!” Mama Dawnwalker cheered clapping her hands in delight. “Oh that’s why you brought him home isn’t it!?”

“N-no that’s not it at all, he needs he-”

“No use making excuses Kitten dear, we caught you red handed,” Papa Dawnwalker said chuckling as he sank down beside Brandon. Picking up the boy’s hand he shook it with a grin. “Well I can’t say how much I approve of you yet boy, but we’ve yet to see a man who could interest our Kitten long enough for her to bring them home.”

“Caught me red handed? DOING WHAT?” Kat exclaimed looking flustered. “I wasn’t doing anything! DAD STOP THAT!”

“Oh I can’t wait! I already know what kind of cake I’ll make!” Mama Dawnwalker mused cheerfully.

“Cake for what?” Kateri yelped and then shook her head. Asking questions would only deepen the hole she’d put herself in. ““Never mind! Just never mind!”

Walking to the door she stuffed her feet into her boots and looked back at them. “You,” she said pointing to her mother. “You stop planning cakes. There’s nothing happening that warrants cake. And you,” she pointed to her father. “Don’t go filling Brandon’s head with your nonsense. He’s here to heal. And you!” she said pointing at Brandon. “Be nice to my folks! I need some air.”

Storming out the door Kateri sighed. Her parents were always on her case to get married and have a litter of kids. That was the prime reason she didn’t bring guys around. Stuffing her hands into the pockets of her brother’s old jacket she growled to herself as she walked down one of the well-worn paths. She shouldn’t stay out long. Brandon would likely be getting socially suffocated by her parents and he was liable to snap at any time. Not that dad couldn’t handle it, but she’d brought him here and she should take care of him.

Once she’d done a circle of the pack’s small village she perched herself on the front stairs and sighed.

It wasn’t long before one of the pack suitors showed up. Kaiser, Kasen…. Kai… Whatever his name was. Kyle, that was it. He sat down beside her and handed her a pack of blacks. Thanking him she lit one and sighed, exhaling a puff of cherry scented smoke.

“The new kid giving you any trouble? ‘Cause you know, we could straighten him out for you,” he offered.

Kateri chuckled. “Yeah, right,” she said shaking her head. Even with half a soul she knew none of them would have what it took just to look Brandon in the eye if he decided to show his true colours. The boy was dominant. The only reason she could argue with him like she did was because she was an omega. These guys wouldn’t stand a chance. “Don’t worry about it Kyle. My folks just think there’s something more to it because I brought him to stay with us. But the guy literally hates me for trying to help him, so don’t let the boys get their panties in a knot.”

“That sounds… confusing. Why would he hate you for trying to help him?” Kyle asked.

Kat shrugged and flicked an ash into the air. The night was dark; the moon had managed to hide itself in the trees surrounding them. “I know it’s confusing, but I understand it myself. If anything he’s just frustrated because he’s lost himself. So I’m trying to be patient with the guy for now.” She chuckled again thinking of how she’d reacted when her parents showed up. “Well as patient as I can be.”

To her surprise Kyle got to his feet and held out his hand to her. "Come on, lets go for a swim. It will calm your nerves," he suggested.

Remembering her last swim Kateri felt her face warm. Brandon, no the tiger side of him, had held her in the water and encouraged her to work with Brandon because their lycans had already decided their fates. And then he'd kissed her and she'd felt fire like she'd never known before. Even with the brief stint of fooling around with Andrei she hadn't felt that kind of... possession.