A Lion’s Mate by Eve Langlais
Chapter Fifteen
Zach caught Fluffy—er, Arleen—before she fell and held her as she made distressed noises in her unconscious state. He ignored the glaring cousin and her demand.
“Unhand her.”
“She’s having some kind of a fit. She needs to lie down.” He lifted Arleen and lay her on the bed.
The blonde fully entered the room, hissing. “Get your hands off her.”
“Would you calm the fuck down? I haven’t hurt her. This isn’t what you think.”
“Did you have your hands on her?”
“Yes. But she put them there.” She’d climbed him; he had to hold on to something.
“Liar. You’re not Arleen’s type.”
“Arleen doesn’t know she has a type. She’s been lost so long, she doesn’t remember who she is.”
“What are you talking about? She’s been gone for six weeks.”
“No, that’s not right. She said something about being young and losing her mother.”
“That would be the first time she went missing. What was supposed to be a sixteen-day trip turned into six months. And she remembered us right away as soon as she came home.”
“Only six weeks since she was last heard from?” It didn’t seem possible given her state. He had to wonder if the box had something to do with her rapid regression. She’d clearly said she hadn’t wanted to guard it. Perhaps it had a protective mechanism that forced living beings to act as protectors.
“Before I keep talking to you, who are you?”
He held out his hand. “Zachary Lennox, East Coast Pride. Currently on a mission for the king.”
Her brow rose. “Excuse me. Since when does America have a king?” She blinked as if confused. But her scent… It reminded him too much of Arleen.
“No need to pretend. You know what I am. Just like I’m aware you’re a Sasquatch. Arleen is, too.”
The cousin’s lips pressed tight. “What’s a lion doing travelling in our mountains?”
What could he say? What if she wasn’t aware of the artifact? “When Arleen said she remembered something about the mountains, we decided to come here and see if the sight of them sparked anything.”
“A likely excuse. Everyone knows your kind are tricky.”
“My kind?”
“Cats. All pains in the asses, pissing in the garden. Chasing off the birds.”
“I’m a lion, not a tabby.”
“One and the same. Her mum won’t like that Arleen’s taken up with one.”
He frowned. “I thought her mother died.”
“That was mother June. I’m talking about her other mom, Mama Maureen.”
“And you are?” he prodded.
“Klara.” She didn’t shake his hand, but she did step aside.
The door suddenly slammed open again, and a second woman, followed by a third, entered.
It was if the forest filled the room, crisp and cold. If he’d been in the woods, it would have blended perfectly. But in the city, the Sasquatch couldn’t hide their scent as well.
“Get away from her,” declared the oldest of the room invaders.
“I’ll make you into a rug,” said the other.
“Ew. No fur, Pamela,” exclaimed Klara. “You know I can’t even stand the fake stuff.”
“Sorry.” Pamela hung her head, whereas the older woman scowled.
“Both of you be quiet and let me see.” The female stepped to the side and peered at Arleen on the bed. Gasped. “I’ll be. It is her.” A steely gaze turned on him. “What have you done to her?”
“Nothing. She lost her memories. I helped bring her here to see if we could spark them.”
Lips pursed. “Her scent is all over you. A cat. Her mother won’t be pleased.”
“We’re not together like that.” But had they not been interrupted…
“Hmph. What were your plans for her?”
“I’m supposed to protect her,” he admitted.
“Why would she need protection?” the older woman asked.
He wasn’t supposed to tell but lying would probably see him dead. At this point, he had to bluff his way out of danger by being bold. “Did she ever tell you about an artifact? From her time when she was missing?”
“Not that stupid box again.” The older woman rolled her eyes. “I swear, she truly believed her mother when she claimed it was some magical treasure. Once she returned, she never stopped talking about it and how it had to be protected.”
“It’s real.”
For some reason, that had all three sets of eyes focused on him. “Say that again?” asked the oldest.
“I said, the artifact exists. And she was guarding it. Only a bunch of people showed up at once, a fight broke out, she got shot—” At their collective hissed breath, he worried for his safety, so he kept going. “But she escaped before the volcano exploded, stowing away aboard my chopper.”
“You fly choppers?” Pamela fluffed her hair.
“Yeah. Anyhow, she didn’t know who she was, and when I called it in, they said I should give her a hand. And that was a good thing since the people who went after that box came after her next.”
“Why?” Klara blurted.
“I won’t protect it!” The words erupted from Arleen, and she jerked on the bed before sitting upright. She opened her eyes and saw him. Her gaze lost its panic and softened. She sighed his name. “Zach.” And then reached to touch his face.
“What is going on, Arleen?” the older female snapped.
Arleen bolted out of his lap and froze, eyes wide. Her hands twitched by her sides before she waved and managed a weak, “Aunt Francine. Klara. Pamela. Fancy seeing you here.”
