Free Commando Cowboys Entice Their Beauty [Wyoming Warriors 6] by Paige Cameron

coffee. Is anyone going to join me?”
    Most of the men got up and refilled their coffee and grabbed a cookie. Jewel’s stomach rejected the idea of any food. She was scared to tell these big men her secret. They didn’t know her or care about her like Raoul and Aleron. Their reaction to her being a shape-shifter might be completely different. The fear her father had instilled in her was well engrained. Glancing at the door, she saw her father step through the doorway.
    “Daddy.” She ran to his side and pulled him away from the crowd. Quickly she explained about Elle’s suspicions and telling Raoul and Aleron. “Elle thinks I can help find the enemy here inside our fences by using my small cat,” she whispered to him. Concern flashed across his face. “I know what you’re thinking. I’ve already gone through it with Raoul and Aleron.” She took her father’s hand. “I have to do what I can to save lives.”
    Mitch put his hand on her shoulder. “I think we’re all here and ready. Welcome, Carl.” He shook her father’s hand. “Let’s have a seat and find out what this is about.” He raised an eyebrow at her dad. “Although I suspect you know.”
    Aleron and Raoul sat on either side of her around the large table. Mitch directed her father to sit across from her.
    Jewel spread her hands. “I’m not sure where to start.”
    Elle leaned forward and glanced her way. “Maybe I can help. I sensed something different about Jewel. I asked her to meet me at my house to talk privately. Jewel, by instruction from her father, has kept a secret about herself her whole life. Understandably, her father feared the reaction of others if they knew and wanted only to protect his daughter.” Elle smiled reassuringly at Jewel’s father. “I was the first person Jewel told about her secret. She is nervous about your reactions. Does that help, Jewel?”
    Jewel took a deep breath. “Yes, thank you. Maybe I’d better stand. When my father met my mother, off the ranch, he did not know she was of the third tribe and one of the rare women shape-shifters.”
    The men moved in their seats and stared at her and her father. Jewel continued. “They fell in love, married, and at some point she told my father. When I was born, she died in childbirth, probably because of incompatibilities in their blood or something. Dad brought me back to the ranch with him.
    “We were alone the first time I shifted. From that point on, he instructed me to hide my true nature for fear of the reaction of our people. My great-grandmother had chosen to leave her tribe and take her daughter, my grandmother. We’re not sure of the reason. And so I have hidden what I am.” Jewel shape-shifted into her cheetah.
    There was an audible gasp among the group. Suddenly, anger at having to hide herself so long brought out a large growl from her throat. Daren stood.
    “May I come close?”
    “Tell him yes,” Jewel said to Aleron.
    “She said yes.”
    “I’m going to touch your fur and kneel in front of you.” Daren walked slowly to her and ran his hand across her body. “Your fur is soft, and the colors, similar to your hair, are beautiful.” He knelt beside her. Jewel gave a swift swing of her body and toppled him over, then she stood with her legs on either side of him and her head close to his.
    Several warriors jumped up. Jewel growled at them.
    “Stand down,” Daren ordered. “She won’t hurt me.”
    Jewel showed her teeth then blinked and became her small cat sitting on Daren’s chest.
    He laughed and lifted her into his hands. “Wow, you are something else.” When he stood, he cuddled her on his arm and rubbed her head. Raoul reached out for her, and Daren handed her over. Raoul sat her on the floor, and she shape-shifted to her human persona.
    After the group quieted and Jewel had sat back in her chair, Mitch spoke. “You can help us in our fight.”
    “I hope so. We don’t know what enemies are here inside the ranch borders. No one