AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He cautiously stepped outside and allowed the door to close. He sniffed and scowled. Bloody hell. He was losing his marbles.
Mate.
Marcus snorted. They were off their rocker. No way in hell was that old woman their mate, no matter how enticing her scent.
2
Rainsplatteredfromsullengray clouds, as it had done for the last two days. Marcus and his best friend Rory splashed through shallow puddles and skirted the deeper ones on their way to the Middlemarch town hall. Sturdy vehicles filled the car park, and dozens of men dressed in boots and heavy-weather gear stood in groups. There was chatter, but overall, a solemn air hovered over everyone.
The Mitchell brothers—all feline shifters—arrived next, along with Isabella Mitchell. Saber, the oldest brother and the Feline Council leader, didn’t waste time. Marcus and Rory joined several of their fellow wolf shifters.
“We’ll split into groups and check the outlying homes. The river is high, and several roads are underwater. The ladies will arrange beds for those who must leave their homes. We’ll set up emergency housing here in the hall. If you need to help residents evacuate their homes, remember lives are more important than possessions. Just bring the necessities. Make sure pets are safe. The next two days will see more of this wild weather.”
A deafening thunderclap boomed overhead, and Saber paused. The bright white of an electrical flash showed through the window as a lightning bolt crackled through the sky.
Marcus lived in a rental property set on a hillside. While he was confident it would remain clear of the flood waters, he worried one of the surrounding trees might end up in his living room.
Saber started talking again before assigning groups to visit specific homes. As soon as the men received their task, they moved out in pairs.
“Marcus, Rory, I want you to check on the Taylors. Their home is on the riverbank, so I’m picking they’ll need to evacuate here to the hall. You’ll need two vehicles because they have six children.” Saber gave them quick directions to make sure they understood where to go. “Questions?”
“No,” Marcus said. “We’ll return as soon as we can.”
Their trip back to their vehicles was miserable and done at speed since the rain was worse than earlier. The wind howled along the main street, almost tearing off Marcus’s hat. He gripped the peak and held it in position while trying to ignore the creep of chilly water beneath his coat collar.
While he and Rory hadn’t lived in Middlemarch for long, he didn’t complain about the pouring rain or the chill in the air. Nor did he whine that he’d rather be at home. The community of Middlemarch had welcomed their bedraggled pack, giving them a fresh start. Helping during a crisis was a tiny repayment.
Marcus started his vehicle and put the windshield wipers at full speed. Even then, visibility was poor, and he crawled toward the river. When they arrived at the Taylor house, the water was up to the second step, almost forcing its way into the squat one-level home. The house lay in darkness, but Mrs. Taylor was scurrying back and forth with towels to place in front of the door. Marcus didn’t think it would help.
“Is your husband here?” Rory asked, wading through the rainwater and coming to a halt by Marcus.
“No, he had a load to deliver in Christchurch. He won’t return until tomorrow.” Mrs. Taylor bore a pale face with deep shadows beneath her eyes. Her children hovered behind her, their expressions equally anxious.
“The rain is getting worse,” Rory said.
Mrs. Taylor blinked hard several times.
Marcus spoke up. “You should come with us. We’ll take you to the town hall. You can at least have a hot meal and a dry place to sleep.”
She hesitated before glancing at the churning, roaring river. Tree branches and other debris swept past in the furious muddy-brown current. Mrs. Taylor swallowed audibly. “Is there room for everyone?”
“We have two vehicles,” Rory said. “Why don’t we get started? Grab warm clothes and put on your coats and hats.”
“What about Tabitha?” a tiny blonde girl cried.
“Tabitha?” Marcus asked.
“Our cat,” Mrs. Taylor replied.
“Do you have a cat cage?” Marcus asked.
“Yes, but she hates it. It’s a monumental job to get her in it.”
Marcus and Rory exchanged a glance.
Marcus forced a smile and focused on the little girl. “We’ll make sure Tabitha comes with us. Do you have food for her?”
“I’ll organize it,” Mrs. Taylor said, happier now that she’d decided to leave.
