“But you’re saying if she doesn’t agree to mate you, she won’t escape Braden.”
Kade gave a curt nod. “It’s looking more likely. Yes.”
Zach glowered. What Kade was asking—“You want me to back off. To reject her, even. So that she’ll consider mating you.”
Kade’s growl rumbled through the air, and Tucker flinched violently.
“I want you to do what is necessary”—Kade snarled—“to save her.”
It was all too much. Zach’s rage and pain could no longer be contained. Tucker started to buck. The horse was losing his mind, and Zach wasn’t far behind.
Kade watched him battle with Tucker in silence. Zach’s thoughts swirled chaotically and settled on the only clear conclusion.
There was nothing more to be said. Nothing that would change what needed to be done.
Zach released the horse. Tucker bolted down the trail, and Zach leaned over the horse’s withers. Urged him on with his heart, body, and soul.
But he couldn’t run away from this. No matter how hard he tried.
* * *
Jessie petted Buffy, but her focus remained on Neil as he went through the change again.
She gestured to his hands. “So if you visualize just the claws coming from your fingers, you get claws on your fingers?”
“Yes.” The Were was surprisingly patient with her. He’d admitted the process was painful, yet he’d gone through it multiple times, and answered her questions with care. “The more you practice it, the better you get at doing just a partial change like that. But it takes energy to maintain it. Once you are fully shifted to either human or beast, it is a natural state and you can remain that way indefinitely without strain.”
“How long can you keep just your fingers changed?” Jessie asked, interested.
“I’ve done it for a few hours at a stretch,” Neil admitted. “But by the end, it was very painful.”
Zach and Tucker appeared in the pasture. The horse tossed his head and stepped sideways, obviously distressed. By the time they’d made their way to the barn, Jessie had to admit her focus was shot. Cara called the session to a halt.
“Thanks, Neil.” Jessie smiled at him. “You were really helpful.”
He smiled back at her. “Anything I can do to help. You guys got a bum steer, and that’s the truth.” He peeled his lips back from his teeth. “I’d like to rip that Braden apart myself.”
If it were anyone else making that statement, it would be metaphorical. Jessie merely nodded in thanks.
As Neil left, Cara’s attention was riveted on Zach. He’d tied Tucker to a hitching post. The big horse was soaked in sweat and danced around as Zach stripped off the tack and hosed him down.
Jessie rose to walk across to him, but Cara put out a hand. “I think Zach could use some time to himself.”
To himself? He’d been out riding, alone. But Jessie noted that Zach’s movements were unusually stiff and jerky as he worked with Tucker. And the big horse refused to settle. As though Zach was too preoccupied to project calm to the animal.
“Is there something wrong?” Jessie asked. She didn’t sense anything from Zach.
Cara’s brows had drawn into a frown. “There’s lots wrong. The question is, which one of those things is troubling him at this moment. I think he needs some time.” She turned to sketch a smile at Jessie. “Why don’t you see if you can catch a nap? Sleeping at odd times is the best way to stave off Braden’s interference. If he doesn’t know you are asleep, he may not be aware enough to come after you.”
Jessie swallowed. It made sense, but the thought of running into the Dire again in her sleep made her shiver.
“I will sit with you and Laura,” Cara continued. “My powers are limited away from my home, but I should be able to shield you for a short time.”
Exhaustion pulled at Jessie. The thought of a dreamless sleep appealed to her. She gave one last glance back at Zach. “But Zach—”
“Won’t welcome me at the moment, either.” Cara rose. “Fortunately, I have other options.” She looked down at Buffy who had jumped off Jessie when she rose. The fluffy, gray cat trotted past them to vanish into the bushes.
“What about Willow?” Jessie asked as she followed Cara into the house.
