Pride Mates

Chapter Thirteen

So this was happiness.

Big-smile-on-his-face, heart-swelling happiness.

Liam rolled over on the rug again, gathering Kim on top of him. Kim kissed him, her lips soft and warm. Liam had never known such happiness was possible. This was his lady, his mate, the female he'd protect with his life.

Way down at the bottom of his mind lay fear--he'd seen what had happened to his father and then his brother when they'd lost their mates. Dylan had gone off on his own for a year. Kenny had folded up into himself, not speaking to or looking at anyone for weeks.

Liam understood their pain now. He'd hurt like hell if he lost Kim. And he'd only known her since yesterday. Right now their happiness was fresh, fragile. Imagine the hurt after years of being together, of learning each other, body and mind. To lose that...

Liam held her close. She was lush and curvaceous, her sweet breasts pressing his chest. Any man who'd told her she wasn't perfect as she was deserved to be shredded.

Kim looked down at him with a smile. "That was...Wow."

"Wow? This is the articulate lawyer talking?"

"Wow about sums it up."

He stroked Kim's hair and kissed her lips. "I'm catching on to this kissing."

"I think you need more practice."

"You keep on teaching me, love."

Kim licked his mouth. When she did it again, he caught her tongue with his. He pulled her down for the kiss, lacing his fingers through her hair. He could enjoy these lessons, even when their mouths were raw from lovemaking. He'd make sure he kissed her--real kisses--for the rest of his life.

Something burbled on the other side of the room.

"Oh, hell." Kim jerked up.

Liam let her go with reluctance. His reward was watching her crawl to her pants, her backside enticing him as she went. Kim yanked her cell phone out of her pocket and sat up, and now he got to watch her firm, creamy breasts tipped with dark nipples. Liam propped himself on his elbow and enjoyed himself.

"Yeah?" she said into the phone.

A man answered, loud enough for Liam to hear him across the room. "Hi, honey. How are you?"

Kim squeezed her eyes shut. "Abel."

"Did you want something?" he asked.

Her eyes popped open again. "What are you talking about? You called me."

The voice changed to one of tired patience. "Last night, when you called, you sounded like you wanted something. What was it?"

"It's not important now."

"Well, I'm going to be tied up all day, all this week, actually, but maybe next Friday I can come over."

Maybe? With this woman waiting for him? The man was a thrice-damned idiot.

"Abel." Kim gazed into the distance, folding her legs under her. "I won't be free Friday. In fact...Abel, we need to break up."

"Fine." The line hummed quietly while her words processed. "What did you say?"

"I said I'm breaking up with you."

"Why?" Abel sounded baffled. Not hurt, not angry, just puzzled.

Kim made an impatient noise. "If you have to ask why, then that's why."

"Kim, honey, you're not making sense."

"Don't Kim, honey me. I met someone. I didn't mean to, but it happened. You and I weren't going anywhere, so I figured, what the hell?"

"Oh." Again, puzzlement instead of anger. "Is it someone in the firm?"

"No. Like I said, someone I just met."

"Right. Well. I guess I'll see you around."

"Yeah, I guess so."

Abel clicked off. Kim sat staring, every muscle tense, and then she flung the phone across the room. It landed on the tiles and spun until it hit the big bathtub.

"Two years of my life I wasted on him, and all he can say is 'See you around'?"

Liam rolled over and braced himself on both elbows. "He sounds a bit of a fool."

"More than a bit." Kim pressed her hand to her forehead. "Do you know why I went out with him? I just now realized it. Because he would go out with me. No other reason. No compatibility. Convenience, for both of us. I'm pathetic."

Liam held out his hand. "You weren't pathetic, love. Lonely. There's a difference." He wriggled his fingers. "Come here."

Kim walked to him, no more crawling, until she stood over him. This was the best view of all. Liam roamed his gaze up her tight, petite legs to the slick tuft of hair between them, over her cute navel, her round breasts and bare neck, ending at her beautiful face.

"You're mated now," he said, as Kim knelt on the floor next to him. "You've no more need to be lonely. You have me."

"You and your ego."

"You make me laugh, love. You have me and my father and Sean and Connor. Ellison and Glory. All the Shifters."

"Even Fergus?"

Liam grimaced. "Him too. He's bent out of shape about Brian, and I don't know why, but usually he's a fair leader. Mostly."

"Fair? He tried to whip Connor for talking back to him!"

"I know, and it might be hard to understand, but Connor did wrong. He's a cub. He doesn't have a place yet, and attacking the clan leader needs punishment. Connor knew that. Any other time, he might have been let off with a warning, but in the middle of a moot, when our family was already in disgrace--Fergus couldn't let it go."

"So he whipped you and your father instead."

"Any member of a pride has the right to take a punishment for any other, but it has to be voluntary. Dad and I could take the lash; Connor never has. And I wasn't wrong about Fergus wanting to punish me instead. Connor gave him the excuse."

"This is one of those Shifter things I don't understand, isn't it?"

Liam let himself grin. "You'll get used to it. You'll get used to all things Shifter."

"No, I won't." Kim pulled her knees to her chin, shaping her body into delectable curves and shadows. "We can't date right now, Liam. Not until after the case is over and Brian is free. Then, I won't lie, I wouldn't mind getting to know you--much better. What we did today will have to be a one-off."

Liam laced his fingers through hers. "We're not dating, love. We're bonded for life."

Kim gently disengaged her fingers and scooted a few inches away. Liam let her go; this was new to her, and he had to ease her in a bit at a time. "That's what it means for Shifters to be mated."

"That's not the human way," she said. "I'd only be bound to you if I married you. Signed a piece of paper saying so."

"Shifters aren't allowed to get marriage licenses. Not under the current laws."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Fergus pronounced us mated, in the Shifter way, under the light of the sun. In a few days, my dad will pronounce it so under the light of the full moon. Then it's you and me together forever. Because you're human, I'll seek a Fae to bond us as well, increasing your lifespan to match mine." He grinned at her. "Think of how many cases you can defend that way."

"The Fae can increase lifespan?" Kim's eyes widened. "Why isn't everyone out to find a Fae and stay youthful?"

"Because the Fae are bloody elusive to humans, and it only works if the human is bonded to a Shifter. That happens rarely, for obvious reasons, and only the Shifter can seek out the Fae. The Fae have certain obligations to Shifters, as much as they hate it, and this is one favor they grant us if we ask for it. Your natural lifespan will lengthen to match mine. When I grow old and die, so will you."

"Great, what if you get hit by a bus?"

"I said natural lifespan. It would be like a human relationship but longer."

Kim half smiled, shaking her head as though she thought he was talking nonsense. "That's not how it works."

She still didn't understand. She would in time, though; Kim wasn't stupid. And then--she'd kill him.

"It is working, love. Anyway, you've taken my seed. What will you say to the wee one that comes if you haven't bound yourself to me? It'll be embarrassed."

"Wee one? Oh, you mean if I have a baby. Don't worry about that. I take contraceptives."

"Contraceptives?"

"You know, birth control. I don't know if Shifters have that."

"I know what it is, Kim." Humans bred like rabbits, and they were always looking for ways to keep babies from coming. So few Shifter babies were conceived and so few survived that Shifters wouldn't dream of preventing them. Shifter women knew how dangerous it was to give birth, and yet they sought it with everything they had.

"I was taking it because I was going out with Abel," Kim said in reasonable tones. "It would look bad if he and I had a child together. No, let's be honest--it would be a hell of a complication if we'd had a child together."

"And if you had one with me?"

"You're a Shifter."

Liam lay back on his elbows, eyes narrowing. "This makes a difference?"

"Please don't be offended. If I had a half-Shifter baby, that would be the end of my career. I researched this when I took up Brian's case, because he was dating a human. There haven't been many hybrids since you took the Collar, but the woman in question gets shunned by human society every time. In fact, my theory about Michelle's death is that her ex-boyfriend killed her because she'd betrayed him with Brian, a Shifter. I imagine that made him crazy." Kim sighed. "Proving it is a bitch, though."

Liam heaved himself to his feet and stalked to the medicine cabinet over her pristine pedestal sink. He opened it and started pulling out bottles.

"What are you doing?" Kim asked.

"Looking for your birth control pills. I want to flush them."

"I don't take pills. I get injections from my doctor."

"Then stop."

"Excuse me?" Kim stood and planted her hands on her naked hips. "How is this your business?"

"Everything you do is my business."

"Liam, if you want someone to breed little Shifters with you, you have plenty of Shifter women drooling over you. I saw the waitress at the bar--what's her name?--Annie. She'd have gone to bed with you in a heartbeat."

"And she has."

"Oh." Did Liam dare hope that was jealousy in her eyes? "Did you throw away her contraceptives?"

"She's Lupine. I told you that the chances of conception in those cases are low, remember?"

"How lucky for you."

"You say lucky like you'd never want a child."

"I do want one." Kim threw him an exasperated look. "I like kids. But not right now."

"And not with a Shifter."

"If I decided to pick a Shifter, it would be you." Kim smiled her beautiful smile. "Maybe later, when I have a solid career, and if you're still available..."

Liam moved across the floor and had her in his arms before she could turn away. "Understand me, Kim. We are mated. That means I go to no other female unless I lose you to death, and even then it will feel like betrayal. I protect you, I take care of you, I bind myself to you, and you alone."

Her face lost color. "That's your custom?"

"It's not custom. It's Shifter law. It's magic that runs deep inside us. This mating brings you into my pride. Even Fergus can't touch you without going through me. That was the point of me claiming you."

Kim squirmed away, and Liam let her go.

"It was necessary," he explained. "If I hadn't made the Challenge, Fergus would have taken you as mate whether you liked it or not."

"How could he?" Kim asked. "I'm not bound by Shifter law."

"He could because we're animals. We look like humans and you

put Collars on us, but we're born animals and only learn to become human later. The leader of the clan can claim whatever unmated female he wants, and we have to step back and let him unless we want to Challenge. It's his right. But Fergus is hellaciously strong, and most in the clan don't want to fight him, so he takes the mates he wants."

"But I'm not Shifter..."

"Do you think Fergus gives a damn about that? He wants to control you, needs to control what you tell the humans about us."

"Wait a minute." A look of horror moved over Kim's face. "Are you telling me that if I hadn't agreed to do this mating thing with you, Fergus might have taken me off and raped me?"

"Very likely."

"But he'd go down for that. A human court would crucify him."

"Would they? Or would they say it was your own fault for hanging out with Shifters? You just said that having a child with me would ruin your career, that you think Michelle died for associating with a Shifter. Shifterwhore is the term."

Her face went white, and she sat down hard on the edge of the tub. "Shit."

Liam came to her, crouched in front of her. "Don't be afraid, love. I'll never let Fergus hurt you. Ever. The mate claim overrides clan hierarchy. He can beat up on me, but never you. Even if he kills me, you'll still be protected by my family, my pride."

"But why would Fergus still want to kill you?" Kim asked in confusion. "He seemed to back off all of a sudden, like he didn't care about the mate thing anymore."

"Because he knew he'd won. He got me to promise to control you, for the good of all Shifters. If he'd pursued it further, for nothing but self-satisfaction, the clan wouldn't have approved, and even though he's leader, he can't afford to lose the clan's respect. Besides, Dad was there. Fergus has never been one hundred percent certain he's dominant to Dad, and he didn't want to put that to the test, especially not in front of the whole clan."

"So why doesn't your dad fight him, then? It's obvious none of you like him."

"To tell you the truth, love, I'm not sure," Liam said, troubled. "Dad won't talk about it. Maybe he knows he isn't dominant to Fergus, and if Dad were killed, he couldn't protect the rest of us from him. But I don't know. He's never said and gets pissed off when anyone brings it up."

Kim frowned, rubbing her arms. "But when Fergus came at me with the whip and you almost attacked him, Dylan stopped you, said it wasn't your 'right.' What did he mean? I thought you were supposed to fight."

Liam remembered the surge of adrenaline rising white hot, searing him like a brand on flesh, when he'd seen Fergus focus on Kim. Only Dylan's harsh voice had stopped him from making a fatal move, or this day would have ended differently.

"Because at that moment, I wanted to kill him. The Fae-cat in me wanted to go after Fergus in a clan dominance fight, to take him down for good. The mate Challenge isn't to the death--at least, not anymore--but fighting for clan leadership usually is, unless the clan leader surrenders before the fight. Dad stopped me from making it a clan dominance issue, thank the Goddess."

"Why? It seems like you could have saved him a step." She let out her breath. "Not that I want to see you in a fight to the death. I'm happy he stopped you too."

"Shifter politics." Liam tried to sound offhand, but something subtle had changed during the moot today, and he wasn't yet certain what. "Only Dad, as pride leader, has the right to fight for clan dominance. If I want to take out Fergus, I first have to take out Dad, and I won't be doing that anytime soon."

Kim gave him a faint smile. "Because you know he could kick your ass?"

Liam laughed. "No, because he's my dad, and I love him." Another laugh. "And yeah, he could probably kick my ass."

Kim hugged her chest. "I thought I researched Shifter law down to the last degree. I don't remember any of this."

"Because it's not written law. It's passed down through the generations, and it's based on instinct and what you call custom." Liam laid his hands on her shoulders. "It's complicated even for us. I'm going to protect you, Kim. Believe that."

She looked up at him with anguished eyes. "Liam, I can't be your mate. I only came to Shiftertown to get help building my defense for Brian. I'm fine with you keeping Fergus off my back, but I can't move into your house to become a Shifter baby-making machine. You're crazy if you believe I'll agree to that."

He traced circles on her shoulders. "I'd never believe you'd do anything you don't really want to, Kim Fraser."

Kim broke his hold, got to her feet, and reached for her clothes. "You got that right." She pulled on her jeans in short jerks. "Now if you'll take your family and go home, I really have a lot of work to do. I'm seriously behind."

"All right."

She stopped and stared at him. "You agree? Just like that?"

"Just like that, love."

"Stop calling me 'love.' "

Liam chuckled. "Now that, I can't do."

He watched Kim's breasts softly bounce as she scrabbled for the rest of her clothes. He wouldn't push her now--she was human, this was sudden, and it would take her time to get used to him. But Kim was his. His mate, his lover.

All mine.

She finished dressing and hurried out of the bathroom. Liam followed, not bothering with his clothes. He paused on the landing to watch her hips sway as she ran lightly down the stairs.

As angry and confused and hurt as she was--and as likely to make his life hell--Kim glowed with beauty. Her body was covered with Liam's scent, filled with their lovemaking. Beautiful, beautiful Kim.

Liam went down the stairs after Kim. Below him, she stopped abruptly, noting that the TV was dark, the living room quiet. Sean and Connor looked at her with innocent faces.

Connor grinned. "Everything all right up there? I thought the ceiling might come crashing in."

Kim flushed. "Where's Dylan?"

"Gone," Sean said. "Took the bus back to Shiftertown. Dad does his own thing."

"I see," she said, clearly flustered. "I can call a taxi for the rest of you."

Sean shook his head. "No need. Dad said he'd be back to fetch us."

Connor lost his smile. "Aren't you coming home with us, Kim?"

Poor cub. He liked Kim, was ecstatic about the mating, and probably assumed Kim would instantly become one of them. Connor had much to learn about females.

"Now that Liam says Fergus is no longer a threat, I'm going to stay in my own home," Kim said. "I didn't mind helping out today, and thank you for the pancakes, but I'm kind of tired and have a lot of work to do."

Liam shifted. His Fae-cat didn't wait for him to ready himself, and for the first time in his life, the shift didn't hurt. He leapt off the bottom step, the stairs creaking under his weight, and he tackled Kim. His big, sheathed paws sent her to the ground, and he landed on top of her, balancing so he wouldn't crush her.

In this form he could truly smell her, and she was better than the best field of blossoms. She combined her scent and his in perfect proportion, the sign of a perfect mate.

Kim tried to squirm out from under him. "Liam, what are you doing? Someone get this big cat off me."

Liam didn't mind her wriggling while his brother and nephew laughed at them. He swiped her face from chin to forehead with his large tongue, shifting back to human form as she turned her head and cried, "Eeewwww."

Incredibly, Liam did leave with his family, and Kim found herself alone in the house. She'd expected Liam to stay on his overprotective kick and insist she come back with them to Shiftertown for the night. Or maybe move his whole family to her house so they could watch satellite TV, she wasn't sure.

But Liam had gone back upstairs, put on his clothes, and herded Connor and Sean out through the garage just as Dylan pulled a big pickup into her driveway. As the others piled in, Liam slid his arms around Kim and kissed her.

"You rest now," he said, smoothing her hair. "We'll talk later."

Kim's lips tingled and she wanted more, but she made herself step back. "I'm going to work in the morning. I'm not dropping the case, whatever Fergus might think."

"I know." Liam lifted her hand and kissed her palm. "You wouldn't be yourself if you dropped it. But as you like to say, we need to talk."

Kim suddenly, inconsistently, didn't want him to leave.

"Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow."

Liam brushed another warm kiss to her lips and walked out. Kim resisted the urge to rush after him, to tell him to come back, to beg him to stay.

What was the matter with her? Liam and his family had imprisoned her in Shiftertown, and then she'd driven them a hundred or so miles to the middle of nowhere so she could endure the abuse of Fergus the Irish biker thug.

Then why did her heart ache as the pickup backed away, all four Morrissey men squished into the cab? Liam must have brainwashed her with his fine blue eyes and incredible smile, not to mention intense, mind-blowing sex.

As Kim closed the door, the emptiness of the house pressed on her. The TV was dark and quiet, no male voices raised in jubilation. She stood in the middle of the living room and felt the silence.

Kim went through the rest of the afternoon on automatic. She showered, trying not to gaze at the rug where she'd ridden Liam so ecstatically. The tactile memory of his body on hers, of every finger press, every kiss, every slide of skin on skin was imprinted on her. Kim had never had sex like that in her life.

In a half daze she drove down the hill to her local grocery store. She found herself putting things in her cart that wouldn't have occurred to her a few days ago--steaks, ground beef, potato chips, and Guinness stout. Why? she wondered as she paid without meeting the cashier's eyes. It's not like I'm going to invite them over again. But just in case...

Kim took the food home and crammed everything into the refrigerator. She fixed herself a salad that she picked at, and then she opened her briefcase and laptop and flipped listlessly through files.

She needed to get her head around all this--Brian, the Collars, Fergus, this mating thing. She reread a note from her friend Silas asking Kim whether she could get him an interview with the Shifter leaders. Silas was a good, evenhanded journalist who didn't shrink from bald truth but didn't make something out of nothing either. Two days ago, she'd have eagerly set up an interview for him. Given what she knew now, she wasn't so sure it was a good idea, or if Liam would even agree to talk to him.

On the other hand, everything that had happened today helped Kim look at Brian's case from a new angle. Had Brian intended to make Michelle his mate? If so, wouldn't he have been as protective of her as Liam was of Kim? If Brian had decided to "claim" Michelle, that might mean he'd never dream of hurting her. Wouldn't he have done everything in his power to keep her safe?

Michelle's ex-boyfriend, on the other hand, might go ballistic. Brian, a Shifter, would be hard to kill, but not Michelle. And if Brian could get blamed for Michelle's death, so much the better.

Then again, why hadn't Brian been there to protect his girlfriend from her killer? Where had he been and what had he been doing to keep him from Michelle at the critical moment?

Kim sighed and rubbed her temples. She was getting nowhere.

After an hour or so of trying to think and failing, Kim went to bed. Mistake. She should have been exhausted after rolling on the bathroom floor with Liam, but instead she was wide awake, her pulse speeding as their lovemaking played over and over in her mind.

She'd never, ever felt like this before. Kim should be sated after

that incredible sex, but she wanted more of Liam. And more.

"What is the matter with me?"

She sat up and snapped on the light. Three seconds later, her phone rang.

Kim picked it up, her heart pounding as Liam's rich Irish tones rolled over her. "Kim. You all right?"

Kim wanted to sigh with happiness. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

"I wanted to make sure."

"I am fine." She lay back down on the pillows, feeling warm and content. "Really. Really, really fine."

"Good." He sounded as though it was the best news he'd heard all day.

Kim hesitated. "How's Connor doing?"

"Still not happy with me, but he'll be all right. Letting him watch Irish football has made you his superhero."

"I'm glad he's okay."

"I'm glad you're glad."

Kim wondered if Liam was in bed talking to her, if he was stretched, naked, on top of the bed she'd slept in last night. Her heart beat faster.

"I'm going to my office tomorrow." She said it firmly.

"I know you are. I wouldn't expect you to do anything else." Liam's voice softened. "Good night, love. You call me anytime you need me, all right?"

He meant it--his sincerity came through loud and clear. All she had to do was say, Liam, I need you, and he'd be there. So different from Abel and his I'm busy, honey, I'll call you later.

"Good night, Liam." Kim made herself click the phone off and set it on the nightstand, but it was a long time before she snapped off the light.

Outside Kim's big house, Liam tucked away his phone and kissed his fingers to her bedroom window. He faded into the shadows against the wall and settled in to guard her for the rest of the night.