Free Panther Magic by Doris O'Connor Page A

magic. ” She mimed quotation
marks around the words, and Cole laughed.
    “ What? It’s true.” Kate said. “I’m no huge fan of
humankind, myself. Most are only interested in themselves, and, yeah, I get it,
it wouldn’t be pretty if humans on the whole ever found out about you guys, but
really? That’s not likely, is it? Not unless you all suddenly decide to shift
in Trafalgar Square or something, and I bet even then folks would think it’s
some sort of a trick, so I can’t see the problem.”
    She took a much needed breath of
air, and Cole chose that moment to intervene.
    “ It’s not just that. Your mates are pureblood
panthers, and as such they are expected to mate with a council approved female
to further the line. I know Natasha will have filled you in on the finer points
of the mating project, because she asked my permission to do so, so mating with
a human…” Cole put his hands up to forestall Kate’s objection, and sure enough
her annoyed growl made Arran’s panther strut in pride at his mate.
    “ So, you’re saying I’m not good enough for your
precious council. Well, fuck that.” Kate stomped her foot in her agitation, and
Cole shook his head.
    “ I’m not saying anything of the sort, Kate. My own
mate is human, so, believe me, I have no issues with any shifters mated to
humans, as long as they’re true mates, and I can tell from your reaction that
you are indeed true mates to our resident magic panthers. The fact remains,
however, that until you complete the mating circle with Zeb, we’ll have no
evidence of that.”
    “ Well, then get me to Zeb,” Kate said. “He can bite
me, and then we’ll have the evidence, right? You’re head of security, or so
Tash tells me, so surely you can get me in to wherever this council of yours is
holding him?”
    “ It’s not that easy, baby.” Kate whirled round to
glare at Arran, when he felt compelled to point this out, and he had to fight
the urge to pull her to him and kiss her senseless. The possessive animal
inside him also wanted to put her over his knee for the mere suggestion of her
putting herself in danger like this, while the rational side of him knew that
this might well be the only solution to their predicament. Having her talk
sense into Zeb would be the only way for his stubborn brother to even try to
defend his actions in front of the trial, he knew that. Arran also knew that
his hothead big bro would not be able to resist claiming their girl, not with
Arran’s scent already clinging to her.
    Cole seemed to have reached the
same conclusion, because he nodded thoughtfully, and smiled.
    “ It’s not easy, no, but doable, and also very
dangerous for yo u , Kat e . If you are found on council property, and in the act
of helping an inmate set up for trial, the guards would be perfectly within
their rights to kill you on the spot. Are you sure about this?” he asked, and
Kate nodded.
    “ Absolutely, I’ll do whatever it takes. I said this
already. Is there something wrong with your hearing?”
    Arran coughed to hide his
amusement, and Cole looked stunned for a minute, before he threw his head back
and laughed.
    “ Well, with that attitude of yours, we might just
pull this off. You’ll have your hands full with this one, so just as well there’s two of you to keep her in line.” He winked at Arran
when he said that, and Kate squared up to the bear shifter and poked him in the
chest.
    “ No one keeps me in line, Mister, not—”
    “ Pet, that’s enough. You’ve made your point. There is
no need to be rude.” Arran dropped his voice, and Kate froze and dropped her
gaze to the floor.
    “ No, Sir, I’m sorry, it’s just…” She glanced up at
Arran, and when he smiled and opened his arms, she scooted into them. Arran
took a deep inhale of his precious girl, and her tense frame relaxed further.
    “ I know, my sweet, and I love your willingness to go
into battle for us, but Cole is on our side. Let’s save your feistiness