In Plain Sight (10 page)

63

Noise around the hall quieted, the crowd stunned to hear mild-mannered Sarah Duncan speaking so boldly.

“I’m here because I’m embarrassed at what my clan has become. When my mother died, very few of my
brothers and sisters
stepped in to help a lonely girl adjust. I found more compassion from the bears and silver foxes.”

Stovall grunted his satisfaction. Though the bears were a rough crowd, they always took care of their own, as well as a few strays here and there.

“My problem, however, has more to do with the way our clan leaders abuse their authority. So, in accordance with town law, I’m inclined to ask the panel to launch a full-scale investigation into the impropriety enacted by Jennifer and Dennis Larsen, as well as William Shaw.”

Jaws dropped.

“What the hell?” Cullen didn’t understand the significance of what Sarah was doing, but the smirk on Gerald Winters’ face, town attorney, made him wonder how much Gerald had helped Sarah.

“That’s bullshit,” Dennis Larsen yelled and took a step toward Sarah. “You can’t do that! This is raptor business. None of the other clans should even be here.”

“Not true.” Gerald cleared his throat, the sharp eyes of the fox full of speculation when they fell on Larsen. “When the town was created, our forefathers drafted a rough constitution. Cougar Falls is a living testament to who and what we are, and it protects Shifters as a matter of course. But should any member, and specifically a citizen with clan leader status, bring harm and discontent to his or her people, this law was put in place to disabuse such injustice. Plus, it prevents a lot of unnecessary bloodshed.”

“I don’t know about unnecessary,” Micah said in a loud voice, earning him major points with Cullen.

“Calm down, Micah,” Gerald said. “We’re here to determine if there’s any basis to what Sarah and the Whitefeathers are accusing.”

“There sure as hell is.” Cullen shook off his brother’s arm and approached his family. “I witnessed five raptors challenging
one
to an illegal duel. Jenny Larsen led the pack and would have killed Sarah had I not intervened.”

The noise level in the crowd swelled. Around them, more and more raptors entered the hall, until it was standing room only around the panel of accusers and accusees.

“Everyone, shut the hell up!” Grady roared, then sat back in his chair. “So help me, the next bird who squawks out of order is going to be lunch.”

You could hear a pin drop in the hall.

“Well said, cat.” Stovall grinned, showing bright white fangs.

Linda rolled her eyes. “We’re all predators here, gentlemen. So if we could get on with the proceedings? Cullen Whitefeather, you have something to add?”

Cullen quickly explained what he’d seen, and how much damage Sarah had taken.

64

“Sarah, come here.” Linda motioned for Sarah to approach.

Sarah walked around to the back of the dais, and the clan representatives left their seats to gather around her.

“Do I have to?” Sarah asked in a soft voice, one he was attuned to hearing.

“I’m sorry, dear. It’s necessary,” Linda answered.

Cullen suddenly understood why she hesitated.

“Show them,” he encouraged, pleased when she peeked over Linda’s shoulder at him and scowled.

After a moment, the clan reps dispersed, and Sarah returned to her position within the Whitefeather fold. Cullen moved to stand protectively between her and the Larsens.

“There’s another scar along my sternum,” Sarah informed them.

“After a week, it’s yet to heal. That was some fight.” Farley surprised them all by glaring at the Larsen group. “You know the rules were put in place to keep us from killing ourselves as a whole. Hell, Jenny. You want to take on Sarah, why not challenge her full-on, the legal way?”

“Because she didn’t want my name linked with hers,” Sarah answered. “The reason Jenny and her idiot friends came after me had to do with her unfaithful mate. Dennis Larsen cheats on her as much as Will Shaw cheats on his own wife. Both men are in complete violation of the raptor code of conduct.”

Farley sputtered. “That’s just rumors, Sarah. You of all people know not to listen to those.”

“Come off it, Farley, even I’ve seen Larsen getting it on outside of town,” Grady said with a huff. “I thought you raptors mate for life?”

“We do.” Farley suddenly took on the full force of his animal spirit. The older man’s rage was clear, much to Cullen’s surprise. He hadn’t thought Farley would separate from Larsen, but then, how much did he really know about these people? He looked at the Mike Shaws and Rob Jenkins types and made assumptions, just as the clan had made incorrect assumptions about Sarah.

“I think we have enough to merit an investigation into the events here, at least into Dennis Larsen’s ability to lead by raptor standards,” Farley announced.

“Then you’d better call Will Shaw into question as well.” Gerald sighed. “I’ve seen him with several different women in what you could say compromising positions. Which also calls into question his version of events as it led to Sarah’s near-expulsion from your clan years ago.” Gerald faced Sarah. “You have Linda and a few others to thank for sticking up for you. My father once told me that Larsen, Shaw and a few others were ready to string you up by your toes.”

“Funny how the men in our clan can get away with anything,” Sarah spat and turned to face the clan as a whole. “I can’t believe you people. You made my life hell, had the gall to try to attack me en masse, and the most you all can do is start
an inquiry
into this mess?” She turned to glare at the panel.

“Raptor politics, sorry,” Grady said. “Now if you were cats, we’d settle this with a battle to the death.”

65

“That’s a fine idea,” Cullen growled, stepping toward Dennis Larsen. “I challenge—”

“The hell you do.” Cullen’s mother elbowed him hard in the gut. “This isn’t your fight right now.”

“I challenge Jenny Larsen to a fight,” Sarah yelled, overriding Cullen’s complaints. “Winner lives, loser either dies or leaves town, along with her entire family.”

Silence reigned, and then chaos erupted as the room filled with shouts, cheers and a lot of betting.

Cullen disengaged from his mother and drew Sarah close. “You can’t do this.” He wanted nothing more than to protect his mate.

“I have to. This is my fight, Cullen. One I should have taken care of a long time ago. If I can’t stand up for myself, how I can I expect you to?”

She kissed him on the lips and stepped away, but Cullen wasn’t about to let her go so easily. He pulled her back for a kiss that left them both winded, amid catcalls and hoots for more.

“Really, Cullen. Did you have to make a scene?” Ian asked on a laugh. “That’s more Sean’s style.”

“Shut up,
baby
.” Sean grinned at the snarl Ian threw him.

But Cullen couldn’t stop worrying. He’d seen Jenny’s bird, and the bald eagle was huge. Her wingspan had to be at least five feet long, and she had no problem using her talons to dig and slice.

“Cullen, trust me. It’ll be okay.” Sarah forced him to bend low and cupped his cheek with her hand.

“Look at all we accomplished just by standing up to them today.”

“I don’t give a shit about the clan.” He kissed her palm. “I don’t want to leave town, so don’t lose.”

“But, Cullen, this way you won’t have to. Only family has to leave—”

“Fuck that.
We’re
family.” Anger gave him the strength to tell her the truth. “I love you, dammit. So win one for me, mate.”

She opened her mouth, and nothing came out.

“I really like my workshop. I’d hate to have to move,” Cullen muttered.

Sarah smiled at him, her heart in her eyes. “I won’t make you move,
mate
. I promise.”

Overjoyed to hear her finally admit it, he hugged her tight. “It’s about damned time.” Then he glanced around and saw Jenny shifted and ready to fight, her bald eagle screeching with threat. “Just one thing, honey.”

“What?”

“No stripping in front of my brothers. Ever.” He forced the jerks to turn around, conscious none of them could stop grinning at him.

“’Bout time you stopped mooning after her,” Sean whispered. He took a peek over his shoulder before Cullen could stop him. “Nice ass on the wallet chick, bro.”

“Sean Whitefeather, watch your manners,” his mother threatened. “Or I’ll watch them for you.” She winked at Cullen. “But you know, I like Sarah. Let’s keep her, hmm?”

66

Cullen grinned, and then his mate took to the skies, her claws outstretched. Damned if she wasn’t more vicious than Jenny.

67

Later that night, as Cullen and Sarah spent their first time alone that evening, Sarah found herself unable to speak. She was so in love with Cullen, and she knew this was more than she’d ever had with Will. Cullen had faults. He was domineering, not very social, and he’d done something to annoy most of the raptors in town before they’d left.

She still had a hard time believing he really loved her. What if he’d said what he had to give her confidence, so that she’d take Jenny down?

“What’s the problem?” he growled and sank to the couch next to her. He looked exhausted. As if he had a right to be more tired than she was.

Sarah had put Jenny on her ass, but it hadn’t been easy. Not used to combat, Sarah had more experience in hunting. She’d used that hunting ability, envisioning Jenny as the rabbit she wanted to sink her claws into. After several minutes of grueling air dives, she’d feinted, then struck Jenny hard. The taste for revenge seethed inside her, but Sarah knew what it was like to make a mistake. Time for Jenny to learn from hers.

Jenny and Dennis had been kicked out of the clan and out of the town. The investigation into Will Shaw grew more interesting when his wife stepped forward to offer her testimony. The poor harrier had been sorely treated by the man who showed the public one face and his mate another. Gemma Shaw advocated for Will’s removal from clan leader office and offered up a new alternative with a nomination for Will’s replacement.

Micah, once a leader in the eagle clan, would become a new clan leader for the raptors after the votes were officially tallied. Apparently, the raptors as a whole didn’t care for their leaders any more than Sarah had. But none of them had stepped up to make a difference, not until Sheila Whitefeather planted that bug in Sarah’s ear.

Sarah studied Cullen, wondering if he meant what he’d said earlier. “Would you really have left town if I’d lost to Jenny?”

He swore. “Are you serious?”

“I want to know.” She felt defensive, as if she was the one in the wrong for asking.

“Thank God Linda convinced my family to stay in town while you and I sort this out.” Cullen ran his hands through his hair and sat up straight. “You are the most oblivious woman I’ve ever met.” He shot to his feet.

“What?” Growing more than a little angry, Sarah hurled a couch pillow at his head. “Just answer the question. Did you mean it?”

“Shit, woman. I’ve been coming into your damned diner for months. My pot roast is a helluva lot better than Mac’s.”

“But—”

“I can’t go to sleep without seeing you at least once a day. You’re screwing with my sexual fantasies, because every woman I dream about has your face.”

“Oh.”

“And I’ve been doing my damnedest to get you pregnant since you’ve been here, in case you haven’t noticed,” he said, swearing again. He stood over her with a menacing glare, but the joy spreading through her took away any threat of danger. “You like me well enough when I’m deep inside you. What? You having second thoughts now? Well, fuck that. You’re staying. You’re mine, and I’m keeping you.”

“Cullen, shut up.” They both froze at the vehemence in her tone. Sarah stood with a grin. “I never thought I’d say this, but you talk too much.” She threaded her hands through his hair and brought his head down to meet hers. “I love you. I’m going to marry you. And we’re going to convince Micah to take that role as clan leader. That way they can never make us leave.”

Cullen stared at her, his eagle peering out at her with golden eyes filled with love. “You can’t take it back.”

“I know.” She kissed him again, her love flowing into him with every caress of her lips and tongue.

“Oh, baby. I want you so much.” Cullen sat her on top of him as he kissed her until she was dizzy. He slowly removed her clothing, piece by piece.

“This won’t work. You have too many clothes on.”

“Trust me,” he whispered as he took her nipple into his mouth.

“I do. I really do.”

He made love to her with his mouth, lifting her to straddle his face while he tongued her until she cried out in ecstasy. He continued to lick her, foraging deep with his tongue, but it wasn’t enough.

“I need you, Cullen.”

“Forever,” he said.

“Forever,” she agreed on a sigh. As she unwrapped her body from Cullen’s, she watched him undress.

But then he did something that surprised her. He handed her his wallet.

“Um, I’m sure this is a symbolic gesture. But Cullen, I don’t need your money. I make a decent enough living working for Mac. I’ll find a better job someday, when I figure out what I really want to do.”

“Open it.” He looked tense. She stopped rambling enough to take the wallet from him. “Look inside the inner flap.”

69

Intrigued, she opened his wallet and put her fingers into the inner flap. There was something there.

She pulled it out, only to stare wide-eyed at a picture of her taken months ago. It was creased and faded, as if the photo had been handled often.

“You’re the wallet chick. My brothers teased me unmercifully about that when Sean found it while rifling through my stuff,” he mumbled.

He looked adorable when he flushed with embarrassment. Tough Cullen Whitefeather reduced to mumbling about a girl. About
her.

“Where did you get this?” Sarah was dumbfounded. The picture showed her laughing at something Julia had said. It was bright green outside, so the picture would have been taken sometime in the spring or summer of last year.

“I took it last year, on one of my first forays into town. I used to avoid Cougar Falls, like all the eagles did. We spent our time in the forests, meeting up at the clan leader’s nest a few times a month. But when the eagles left, we stayed. Mom wanted me to check out town life, to maybe socialize more. From the first moment I saw you, I was hooked.”

“You were?” she asked, breathless.

“I didn’t call it love. Not at first. Infatuation. Lust. Hell, I came into the diner so much that first week people thought I’d gone crazy.”

“But you never said anything.” Imagine that. Cullen Whitefeather infatuated with her.

“I could barely speak around you. You made me nervous, and still do,” he said with a scowl. “But don’t let it get to your head. I’m getting better around you.”

“Yes, you are.” She smiled at him, totally in love.
Yes, yes, mates. Love
, her bird echoed.

“Right.” He cleared his throat and stepped closer, taking the wallet from her hand. He tossed it aside, but took the picture from her hand and caressed it lovingly before setting it on the coffee table. “I wanted you. I fell in love with you. But I didn’t know how to say it. You’re so far out of my league, Sarah. So pretty, so funny, so smart. I’m a simple craftsman with a crazy family. The raptors hate me.”

“You called them a bunch of henpecked asswipes,” she reminded him with a grin.

“They are.” He cradled her to his body, making her very aware of how much he still wanted her. “But you’re not. You’re everything to me. If you still want to move, we can go.”

“But what about your family?”

“They’ll always be my family. But you’re my mate. My love.” He kissed her, and she couldn’t stop the tears of joy from sliding down her cheeks. “Will you marry me, Sarah? Bear my young? Be my wife?”

“Only if you promise we’ll stay here, at least for now. I think the clan is ready for some changes. I know I am.” She nuzzled his cheek. “Can I tell you a secret?”

He lowered her to the floor, spread her thighs, and sank inside her. “Ah, yes. Tell me anything you want, baby.”

70

She sighed, finally happy. “I never made a fuss about birth control because a part of me, the insane part, always wanted a piece of you with me. My eagle’s been in love with you forever.”

“Smart bird.” He thrust faster, deeper, and kissed her. “God, I love you, Sarah.”

“Come inside me, mate. Give me everything,” she rasped as he took her to heaven. She came when he did, shuddering as her body convulsed around the hard male inside her.

“You already have everything, Sarah. All of me.”

“And to think you were there all the time. Just waiting for me to notice you.”

He kissed her again. “Always waiting for you, and only you. I’m a true raptor, Sarah. I’ll always be faithful. It’s a Whitefeather trait, you know.”

“Oh hell, they’re at it again,” Sean complained from the kitchen.

Sarah blushed, and Cullen groaned. She hurried to scoot out from under him, glad the family remained out of sight. “How about we take a flight outside? It’s clear out there for once. And maybe when we come back, you can install a few locks on your bedroom door?”

“Hell, yes. Now shift before my brother sees you.”

She laughed and turned into her eagle, gratified when Cullen did the same. They blinked at the rest of the family following Sean into the living room.

“Thank God he shifted.” Ian shuddered. “Cullen’s ass is something I can do without seeing for the rest of my life.”

Sheila glared at her sons, then turned back to Sarah and Cullen. “Blessings upon your union. Your father would be so pleased, Cullen.” She blinked back tears. “Now why don’t you two take a celebratory flight over Sarah’s
new
territory, her new home, while I figure out which Whitefeather’s getting mated next?”

Sarah and Cullen screeched with laughter before flying out the open back door into a dark night sky.

They flew higher and higher, together as one. In the distance, Cullen’s brothers’ arguments floated on the wind.

“
A perfect ending to a perfect night.
” Cullen laughed.

“
I love you, Cullen.
Now let’s see who can fly fastest toward that large stone.
” She motioned to the boulder in question.

“
You’re on
.”

Cullen won by the tip of a wing, but Sarah didn’t consider herself a loser. How could she with the raptor she loved by her side?

71