Resisting the Cougar (Cascade Shifters #2) (18 page)

He growled, which made Claire laugh. As he guided her down the stairs of the stage, he murmured, “I can shift and purr for you later. For now, just promise me you won’t ask everyone to shift so you can pet them.”

Her eyes were bright with mirth. “I’ll try not to.”

Squeezing her tightly against his side, Aidan readied himself for the crowd.

~~~

With a smile on her face, Claire studied the crowd as Aidan guided her to a man he said was his brother. While younger, the other shifter male had the same brown eyes and dark hair. The woman leaning against his side had to be his mate, and like most non-middle-aged shifters, she was tall and athletic with perceptive, assessing eyes.

Still, the woman smiled, her white teeth bright against her dark skin. When they were only a few feet away, Aidan nodded. “Jeremy, Naomi, this is Claire.”

Naomi spoke up first. “We’ve heard a lot about you from Chloe. It’s nice to meet you.”

The woman’s words rang genuine, so Claire extended a hand. “I know Aidan’s grateful for you helping out with Chloe, so I am too.”

The younger version of Aidan, Jeremy, took her hand. “Any female who can put up with my brother’s stubborn ass deserves a gold medal. Anytime you need an escape, you can come over for a while.”

Aidan grunted and everyone laughed. When Claire finally caught her breath, she replied, “I’ll keep that in mind, although my stubbornness rivals his, so he may be fleeing to you.”

While it was said in jest, Claire had experienced a man or two who hadn’t liked a strong, determined woman. As a young woman in her twenties, she questioned if she should remain stubborn or give in more often.

Then Aidan squeezed her tighter against him, and she was grateful for never giving up. Standing toe-to-toe with Aidan was more fun than she could ever remember.

Naomi’s voice interrupted Claire’s thoughts. “Well, you can’t just keep Claire all to yourself, Aidan. Bring her around for dinner soon, with Chloe, of course, so we can tell her all the good stories.”

Claire raised her brows. “Oh, I’d like to hear the good stories. I hope they’re extra embarrassing.”

Naomi laughed. “Some of them are, although we may have to wait until Aidan is out the room before I share.”

Aidan frowned and jumped in. “We’ll talk about you violating my privacy later, Naomi. Right now, I need to show Claire off.”

Jeremy’s face grew serious. “Just be careful, brother. There’s talk in the clan about her ruining our image because of the leaked photo.”

Claire’s brows drew together. “How could I ruin the clan’s image?”

Jeremy answered, “Some think it was planned. Or, if Aidan had never had to meet with you, we could have kept the humans away. The fear is that the media attention will bring reckless shifter groupies and poachers. The latter worries me.”

Aidan gripped his brother’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, brother, we’ll be careful. First thing tomorrow, I’ll talk with Dani about extra patrols and surveillance, if she hasn’t implemented them already herself.”

“I don’t doubt you, Aidan,” Jeremy stated.

Aidan released his brother’s shoulder. “Good. For now, I see Sylas in the crowd and I need to talk with him. I’ll touch base with you tomorrow.”

After saying their goodbyes, Aidan guided Claire back into the crowd. She noticed that the further they went from the stage, the less friendly the smiles.

Then a man who looked remarkably like Kian Murray appeared in front of them with the leader of the GreyFire wolves at his side. With a grin, Kian’s twin winked. “All the gorgeous humans showed up after I left. Makes me wonder if I did the right thing.”

Kaya punched him and he faked being hurt. “That may never get old for you, but it’s getting a little old for me. You touch another female and I’ll cut off your dick in your sleep, Sylas Murray.”

Claire blinked. But then Sylas leaned down to whisper something into Kaya’s ear, which she couldn’t hear, and the corner of Kaya’s mouth ticked up. Claire was tempted to ask what he’d whispered, but then Aidan spoke up. “Stop flirting with my human, Sylas, or I’ll cut off your balls in your sleep.”

Sylas gave an exaggerated look of offense. “I was just trying to give a compliment.”

Aidan grunted. “Sometimes, I’m glad you left. Putting up with your bullshit is exhausting.”

Sylas laughed and Claire knew she was missing something. She hated knowing so little about the man who was starting to mean so much to her.

Thankfully, Kaya looked to her and said, “I’m sorry about the picture leaking. Kian believes it wasn’t you, and I trust him. Hopefully being stuck with Mr. Grumpy Pants isn’t too difficult.”

Claire shook her head. “No, although I will admit it’s happening a bit fast.”

Kaya smiled. “Well, the opposite isn’t much better. It took just over a decade for my male to finally get it right.”

Sy sighed. “This again.”

Kaya gave him an amused look. “Stop flirting with all the females and I may let it go.”

Aidan grunted. “If you two want to flirt, Claire and I have other people to talk with.”

Kaya’s gaze moved to Aidan, her look serious. “Before you go, Sy and I may have an idea for your first secret event with the human public.”

Claire asked, “What? I haven’t even had a chance to think strategies with Kian. He said we could work together on this.”

Kaya nodded. “We’ll need your help, for sure. But the University of Washington in Seattle is hosting their annual Shifter Appreciation Week in two weeks and Sy knows one of the organizers and has asked for some speakers. They wish to hold an indoor event. Only a certain amount of people will be admitted, all of whom should be vetted supporters.” Kaya looked from Claire to Aidan and back again. “Provided, of course, you’re willing.”

Claire was smart enough to realize a good opportunity when she heard it. Holding grudges or resenting someone for accomplishing something without your help was petty and damaging to her cause. “Well, if Kian says it’s okay and there’s a plan in place to get me there without getting arrested, I don’t see why not.”

Aidan chimed in, “I don’t know if it’s the best idea. Even with a secure plan to transport you to the university and back, you haven’t had any self-defense training and you’re going to need it in case any of the anti-shifter groups, especially Human Purity, show up.”

Sy interjected, “But it’s an invite-only event, where shifters and humans from all over the area will attend. In addition to organizer security, DarkStalker and GreyFire would help protect your female.” Sy paused a second and his eyes became serious. “I wouldn’t ask you, Aidan, if I didn’t trust the person in charge.”

Claire sensed Aidan’s resistance loosening. She just needed to convince him a little bit more. “Us together and presenting a united front, despite the risk of getting caught, will help verify our love story. We may not have many chances to do it, so we should take every opportunity we can before it’s impossible.”

Aidan studied her in silence. Kaya’s voice was gentle when she said, “You can’t keep her in a cage, Aidan. With all of the security planned, she’ll be nearly as safe as if she were still here.”

Claire held her breath, waiting for Aidan’s answer. If he said no, she wasn’t sure what to do.

Letting out a sigh, Aidan finally gave his answer. “You’re right, keeping Claire in a cage is like trying to keep a shifter locked up in a zoo; it would drive her crazy.” He tightened his grip on Claire’s side. “However, you need to promise me that from now until the event, you’ll train every day with me no matter how sore you are or how much you hate it.”

Claire tilted her head. “Only if you agree to let me talk with some possible supporters without you at my side, scaring them shitless with your glares and world-famous grunts.”

“As long as I think it’s safe, then fine,” Aidan answered. “We’ll start training tomorrow. Sy, Kaya, once you clear it with Kian, send us all the information you have. Also, ensure with your contact that DarkStalker and GreyFire can help with security. If they say no, then we’re not going.”

Sy’s winks and grins were gone, replaced with a seriousness that made him look even more like his twin brother. “It shouldn’t be a problem. They’ve been trying to get me to go for years, but this is the first time I thought it worth attending.”

Aidan opened his mouth, but Kaya beat him to it. “Enough planning for now, you two. Tonight is critical in gaining support for Aidan and Claire’s claiming and eventual mating.” She leaned into Sy’s side. “Besides, you owe me a dance and I’m claiming it now.”

Despite the fact no one was dancing, Sy and Kaya bid farewell, found an empty corner, and began dancing.

Aidan’s voice garnered her attention. “Sy used to be my boss. He might be a charming flirt, but he’s devoted to Kaya. Only a fool in love would dance in a room where no one else was dancing.”

It was on the tip of Claire’s tongue to ask Aidan if he’d ever done it with his former mate, but a group of younger shifters approached and started asking Claire questions. As she tried her best to win them over while remaining truthful, all thoughts of dancing, love, or even possible danger in two weeks’ time fled her mind.

Thankfully, her years of being friendly and winning support for the SEA proved useful as they worked the room. While any one of the shifters in the clan could turn on her or gossip behind her back, Claire felt confident she had a good start. After all, she’d learned long ago she couldn’t win over everyone.

The older shifters in the back of the room glared in her direction, but with Aidan at her side, she didn’t care. Given what she knew of Kian, she should be safe.

Only time would tell if her gut was correct or not.

Chapter Fifteen

Two weeks after the claiming ceremony, Aidan pulled into their assigned parking spot at the University of Washington’s or, as the locals called it, U-Dub’s campus and switched off his car. Turning to Claire, his eyes darted to her V-neck sweater and frowned. “I still wish you would’ve worn a higher cut top.”

She rolled her eyes. “This again? My sweater barely shows any cleavage, which is quite an accomplishment considering I have a lot of it.”

Remembering earlier in the morning, when Claire’s breasts were in his hands as he took her nipple deep into his mouth made his cock twitch to life. Then his cougar pushed to take her one more time. She had on a skirt. They could manage it with no one seeing.

Stop it, cat. No one is going to take her away from us.

With a huff, his inner cougar receded, allowing Aidan control of his mind again. “The necklace draws the eye.”

Claire touched the large, simple onyx stone hanging on a silver chain. “But you gave it to me. I thought you’d approve.”

“I do, but not outside of the clan. There, at least, I know no one will take you because you’re thoroughly laced with my scent.”

She raised an eyebrow. “To a passerby, that would sound kind of creepy.” When he growled, Claire grinned. “Oh, come on. I’ve at least helped ease some of your nervousness about your upcoming speech.”

Rather than admit it, Aidan unlocked the doors. “We should probably go if we’re to meet Dani and her security team on time.”

They exited the car. Without a word, Claire came to his side and the instant he felt her warmth against him, both man and beast calmed a fraction. Things had gone well over the last two weeks, but almost too well. There hadn’t been any more photos leaked to the press, let alone threats from Human Purity. Not even the anti-human leaning members of his clan had stirred up trouble. At least, not in public. Kian had taken care of them and somehow eased all of their doubts.

And while the authorities had done a few fly-bys over DarkStalker’s land, they had yet to try to take Claire away. However, that could all change at the upcoming event, especially since Claire didn’t carry any young, which meant she didn’t have the same protections as the other human, Lauren. Unless the bears ever found a damn loophole, every second with Claire could be his last.

Then they entered one of the side thoroughfares running through the campus and Claire gasped, garnering his attention. “Look at the cherry blossoms. I was afraid it was too late and we’d miss them.”

Glancing at the light pink blossoms that formed an almost canopy over their heads, he tried to understand his female’s wonder. At least, he could tell no one lurked in the trees. “I guess they’re pretty, although I prefer evergreens draped in snow.”

“Why, Aidan Scott, you can be romantic.”

He looked down to find Claire grinning. “You keep saying that as if it’s a surprise. I somehow think you do it to tease me.”

She gave an innocent look. “Who, me? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I never tease anyone.”

Smiling, he bent his head to kiss her nose. “I’ll save my teasing for later, when you’re naked.”

“Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet in that department, Mr. Cougar. I’m waiting until you tease me first, because mine will be much, much worse.”

Snaking a hand around to her ass, he gave her a pat. “Later, my little human. Make it through this and I might reward you.”

“Yes, because I’m the one not used to public speaking.”