“Don’t fight it, Meiling.” He pulled out of her body reluctantly and fumbled for the remote to open the screen to allow passage for the leopards to leap to the tree branch that formed a bridge over the water to the swamp. “You’ll still be you. Let her have your form. Slayer will watch over her. They deserve their time together.”
I’m too hot. Sick. Itch all over. Meiling panted with fear.
Her skin rippled as the leopard tried to push her way through but kept retreating.
“She doesn’t know what to do, Lotus. Slayer says she’s afraid of hurting you. You have to guide her, Meiling. You have to be in control. Take deep breaths and get her through her first time. I’m here. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” Gedeon used his firmest voice.
Meiling lifted her head; her dark eyes, looking like two bruised flowers, met his. Again, she humbled him with her trust. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. Tell me what to do.
“Reassure her. Tell her to rise. Slayer is waiting for her. You want her to run free. You’ll be with her and she isn’t hurting you. It’s all new for both of you, but she needs to do this. Don’t hesitate, just let it happen.”
Once again, those dark eyes didn’t waver, never stopped looking into his. Not when fur rippled over skin. Not when teeth filled her muzzle and her head fully formed. She was a beautiful Amur female, but very small. Her coat was very thick and pale with wide-spaced black rosettes. Slayer found her gorgeous. He led her out of the house and into the thick trees and brush of the swamp.
16
JAKE Bannaconni’s home was entirely unexpected. Meiling didn’t know what she was expecting, but an authentic, sprawling two-story ranch house wasn’t it. Clearly the helicopter had taken them to a working cattle ranch.
They were escorted to Jake’s office by a stocky man with thick, dark hair and watchful green eyes, clearly a shifter. He introduced himself to them as Tavin and indicated for them to follow him. He took them quickly through a back entrance. Meiling noted large floor-to-ceiling plants, creating the effect of a jungle, and a life-size bronze leopard crouched at the foot of a staircase as they moved away from the main part of the house down a wide hallway to what was obviously a private part of the house.
Faintly, from upstairs, Meiling heard the sounds of children laughing and a woman’s low voice murmuring to them. She didn’t try to hear what was being said, but just the fact that Jake’s wife and children were in his home gave her comfort.
Sometimes it bothered her that Gedeon was treated like such a pariah. She knew he deserved his reputation and even needed it for his work, but she wished he wouldn’t have to be so alone.
I’m not alone anymore, Lotus. I have you.
His voice was a caress, painting strokes of color through her mind. Their colors. Blues and purples. She couldn’t stop herself from following his masculine frame moving so fluidly, flowing like water over the hardwood floor, every muscle rippling powerfully beneath his casual clothing. He hadn’t dressed in a power suit. He had come in a pair of loose jeans and a tee stretched over his thick chest.
Jake Bannaconni represented power. Gedeon would never try to act as if he were as powerful. He didn’t have Jake’s money or move in his elite circles. He had asked a mutual friend for a favor, and Gedeon arrived at the ranch in that role—a grateful man prepared to plead his case and nothing else.
Meiling and Gedeon had pored over blueprints and what little information they could learn of the closely guarded security of the ranch. They would have no advantage there. Jake had mainly shifters on patrol, at the gate and as bodyguards for his family. If it went badly for whatever unknown reasons, the only thing Meiling and Gedeon could do would be to kill as many as possible to get a clear path out and run. They hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
Gedeon had Drake disclose to Jake that Meiling’s female had emerged and would continue to do so throughout the next seven days. They would have to have a place for her to run with her mate. Jake had promised to provide a safe area for the two leopards should it become necessary.
Because they were in San Antonio, Gedeon also contacted Timur to let him know they were in the area. He immediately invited them to stay on one of the family properties and indicated they could have the run of the place without interference. Meiling found herself hoping they would have time to visit with the shifters she’d met in San Antonio so she could get to know them better.