Panther by Anabeth Carston

Author:Anabeth Carston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ME Carter
Published: 2021-09-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

REX

Mine.

Like the first time I saw her, I battle my panther. Willing it down, to keep from shifting right here in this taco truck. My nose flairs and every muscle in my body flexes, the tension almost too much to bear.

I don’t know how I missed her scent.

Actually, I do. I was deep in my thoughts about Bast and the most recent sighting of him. He’s in the area, we know that for sure. But he keeps outwitting us. Not that I should be surprised.

He was always a slick bastard when it came to staying hidden. We used to joke about it being a talent. He could be in any neighborhood, any suburb, and no human ever caught him. Now, it’s becoming a thorn in our side and distracting me to the point I didn’t even sense a human in our realm. It isn’t safe for me to be so distracted , I’m unaware of my surroundings.

Thankfully, I have lived in among humans long enough I’m able to keep my panther under control quickly. Keeping my body in check isn’t terribly difficult, but there’s no stopping my eyes. Especially when Audrey catches sight of me and begins waving her chubby little arms and legs.

“Well hey there, beautiful,” I say to the baby and take her from my mother’s arms. She resisted briefly with one eyebrow cocked in warning, but when Audrey’s eyes began flashing back at me, she gave up. I give my mother a look of my own. One that says I know what she’s thinking and she doesn’t have to worry. I know the rules — Clara and Audrey are off-limits, no matter what my panther thinks.

“What are you doing here, huh?” I ask the baby, smiling at her as she pats my face.

Before I can stop it, the panther in me growls gently at her. She laughs so I do it again and to my delight, she growls back.

“Uh… what was that?” Clara asks. “Did my baby just growl?”

I keep my eyes trained on Audrey, unwilling to look at Clara for fear of what my panther will do. He’s not liking the distance between us and is making his unhappiness very clear.

Tabby, on the other hand, snickers but doesn’t seem to recognize the truth of what’s happening. “Looks like your little girl has taken a liking to Uncle Rex. All the kids do,” she says with a shake of her head. “None of us exist when he’s around.”

“It’s not my fault I’m the fun uncle is it?” I’m still cooing to Audrey even though I’m really answering Tabby. My words also are a warning to my panther, reminding it of our place in their lives. He’s not amused and growls again in response.

Audrey’s facial expression changes, recognizing the difference in tone. So does my mother.

Clowder immediately takes Audrey from me, giving me a pointed look. “You know your place, Rex.”

It’s not just a statement of fact, but a command from the matriarch of the claw. My panther immediately recognizes her as the top of the hierarchy and relaxes inside me.

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