Free Predator's Claim by Rosanna Leo Page A

she said, her eyes dropping to her boobs and widening, “super-hot. Do we have to enroll you in one of Ryland’s mentoring programs so you can work on your self-esteem?”
    “It’s not a self-esteem issue, Lia. It’s just, this man, well, have you ever met someone, and you just knew they were on a different path than you?”
    Her eyes warmed over and Charlotte knew Lia thought of her mate. “Sounds like Ryland and I when we first met. But our paths converged.”
    “Fine. Let me put it another way. This man I know is destined to do amazing things. He’s a leader and he doesn’t even know it. But I see it in him. Others see it in him.”
    Lia’s face crumpled. “And you don’t think you’re good enough for him?”
    “That’s not what I mean.” She shook her head. “I know he will one day accept he’s a strong Alpha for his pack, even though he doesn’t see it now. And when he accepts it, he’ll need a strong, like-minded woman at his side, someone who will be there for him in every way and help him fulfill his destiny. I want that for Bart.”
    The other woman’s hand flew to her mouth. “Fuck me. It’s Bart? Awesome! Frankly, I gave up on you two.”
    “Oh, for shit’s sake. I didn’t mean to say his name. Goddammit.” She sat down next to Lia in a flurry and grabbed her hand. “Please, don’t tell anyone. Not even Ryland. All the dudes in this place hang out together, gossiping like old women.”
    “True. Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul. I promise.” She squeezed her hand. “But what’s with all this amazing destiny business? And why don’t you think you’d fit into it? From what I’ve seen, Bart idolizes you.”
    “Maybe. I don’t know.” She pulled her hands out of Lia’s and let them fall into her lap. “All I do know is Bart will want a woman just like his mom. Someone nurturing and family-oriented, and I can’t be that woman. I’m…different. I want my career and success, and I don’t want to settle down with someone until I’ve seen everything there is to offer. Maybe I won’t want to settle down at all. I can’t give Bart what he needs.”
    “I feel like there might be more to it than that. There’s something else bothering you, isn’t there? What are you really afraid of?”
    “I’m not afraid of anything,” she said quickly. “It’s just what I said. Bart needs someone warm and capable of expressing emotion. I don’t do emotion.”
    She ran a hand over Charlotte’s shoulder. “Sweetie, everyone does emotion. You’re selling yourself short.”
    “No, like I said, this has nothing to do with self-esteem. We just want different things.” She sucked in a breath and let it fizzle out of her lungs in a slow stream. “There’s only one thing to do.”
    “And that is?”
    Charlotte stood, decided. “I have to leave Gemini Island. I know I told Ryland I’d work here for a while, but it was a mistake. He’ll have to understand. I need to get away from Bart or I’ll do something I regret. He pushes buttons in me and makes me fire up in a way that can’t be good. I don’t want him to get the wrong message. It’s for the best.”
    “Uh, I’m not sure that’s a good plan…”
    “Thanks for the chat. You helped a lot.” As Lia started to protest, Charlotte pushed her gently out of the room and closed the door behind her. She turned, eyed the room, and began to clean with a quiet fury.
    * * * *
    Bart came upon his dad in one of the enclosed porches looking over Lake Gemini, ensconced with Lena and Nate. Even before he’d turned the corner, he’d picked up on their conversation and knew his siblings had joined forces in grilling their parent. Bart held back and listened for a moment before making his presence known, clamping down on his telepathic connection with his brother and sister, so they wouldn’t sense him coming.
    “Daddy,” Lena said, her voice sounding bruised. “You didn’t even ask Nate and I how we feel about being