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“She might hightail it out of the pride again,” said Isaiah.
“Can’t say I’d care much if she did, despite her being one of my cats,” said Tate. “She didn’t just fuck with Havana tonight, although that’s enough to make me furious. By disregarding that Havana is under my protection, Ashlynn disrespected me. And by pulling that shit in our pride’s hangout and metaphorically pissing all over their doorstep, she let down our entire pride. She’s either one of us, or she’s not. Tomorrow, she’ll have to decide how it’s going to be. If she has any sense in her head, she’ll come to my house with a sincere apology and a promise that there won’t be a repeat of what happened tonight.”
Luke pulled a face. “I’m not optimistic that she will.”
Tate sighed. “No, neither am I.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Assuring everyone that she’d be back again next week, Havana said her goodbyes to the residents of the shelter, who then began to filter out of the room. Puffing out a breath, she headed to the corner of the large space, where she’d dumped her gym bag.
Dawn crossed to her, smiling. “Thanks for this, Havana. I know you’ve got a lot going on right now, so I really appreciate you keeping up with the classes.”
“It’s no problem. Like I told Madisyn and Makenna, the people here may need them now more than they ever did,” said Havana, hooking the straps of her bag over her shoulder.
Dawn’s smile dimmed. “I asked Keziah to join your classes and learn some self-defense techniques, but she didn’t want to. Maybe if she had, maybe if I made this sort of thing compulsory—”
“Dawn, it’s not your fault that she was taken.”
The cougar nodded, but there was no real agreement in the act. “I’m still hoping and praying that she’s found. I dread to think what could be happening to her right this very second.” Her eyes teared up, which plain freaked Havana out.
“No crying. Please. I’m not good at comforting people. Plus, Corbin will be able to tell you were crying when he picks you up for your date later, and then he’ll get all cranky about it.”
Dawn’s lips curled on one side. “He’s very sweet.”
Hearing a child giggle, Havana looked to see a small, redheaded little girl stroking Aspen’s bearcat while clinging tight to a ratty, plush cheetah toy.
Dawn put a hand to her chest. “That’s the first time I’ve heard Rayna laugh since she arrived here two weeks ago. She’s nervous all the time; never leaves her mother’s side.” Dawn tipped her chin toward the woman chatting with a juvenile.
Aspen had noticed that little Rayna was a bag of nerves, so she’d shifted into her animal form in the hope of putting her at ease. Aspen might be an ultra badass, but she was a softie when it came to kids.
“I must admit, I wasn’t so sure the bearcat would let Rayna close,” Dawn added. “They generally don’t like to be touched.”
“Bearcats would never harm a child,” said Havana. “But adults? They’re fair game.”
“Then let’s hope those two do the smart thing and steer clear of her.” Dawn gestured at the young men creeping closer to the bearcat, looking at her like she was the most adorable thing they’d ever seen.
Havana almost rolled her eyes. People always wore that look whenever they got a glimpse of the bearcat. Apart from Tate. But then, he knew from his own kind that cuteness could also mean viciousness.
“I take it Aspen insisted on coming along to watch over you.”
Havana nodded. “Yep.”
“I’m surprised Bailey didn’t come with you as well.”
“She tried. I said that only one could come with me, and I allowed it purely to put both their minds at rest. So Bailey is back at the center. I’m not an easy target, and I have two pallas cats following me everywhere to guard me. They’re parked in the lot outside.”
Havana had wondered if they’d complain about guarding her since she’d tumbled all over their pride mate’s shit last night at the Tavern. But they either didn’t care or simply wouldn’t dream of questioning Tate’s orders.
“It brings Corbin comfort to know that you’re so closely watched,” said Dawn. “He’s worried about you. We all are.”
“Ow!”
Havana sighed on seeing that one of the males who’d been edging toward the bearcat now had the animal literally hanging from his hand, her teeth clamped around it. Havana gave her a sharp look. “Let him go. Now.”
The bearcat shot her a disgruntled look but did as asked. She then climbed Havana’s body as if she were a damn tree.
The guy gaped down at the bleeding puncture wounds on his hand and then stared wide-eyed at the bearcat now clinging to Havana’s shoulders. “She mangled my hand.”
Havana snorted. “Of course she did. She’s a bearcat. You touched her.”
