Page 38 of Hayes

Felix spoke up, facing the bears. “Have your elders convened with regard to their stance regarding us?” The last time Surge and Thorn had come, they had mentioned their proposal to set up a specific alliance with the wolves.

Surge nodded. “Yes. Thorn and I have been assigned as the liaisons with your people. That’s why we wasted no time coming to you at this hour. In light of events tonight, I think it would be prudent to arrange a meeting. We can’t know the lions’ intentions, but I’d be interested in solidifying a formal agreement with you.”

Felix grabbed his mate’s hand and pulled her into his side. “I’m sure our elders will be amenable to that suggestion.” He glanced at Khloe and then Rylee.

Hayes figured he was wondering if either of them had any more information to share.

Rylee was still fisting Hayes’s shirt. Her jaw was tight. If she had more to say, she didn’t seem inclined to do so at the moment.

Thorn took a step back. “We’ll speak with our elders tomorrow and get back with you.”

“Thank you.” Felix reached out a hand and shook both Thorn’s and Surge’s.

Hayes stepped off the porch, still holding Rylee, and did the same.

As the bears turned, shifted, and disappeared, Hayes sighed. “We’re at a disadvantage. They know where all of us live. Weonly know the basic distance and direction concerning their location.”

Rylee released his shirt and patted his chest. “Don’t worry, Daddy. I could trot right up to any one of their homes without any difficulty.”

He hugged her closer and chuckled. “Good point, Little one.”

Chapter Seventeen

Rylee was too hyped up to go back to sleep. She let her Daddy change her into a nightie without argument, but she refused to lie down in their bed. She was on her knees, rocking back and forth, too much nervous energy coursing through her to settle.

Her Daddy was humoring her as he nearly always did. He stretched out next to her on his side, propped up on one elbow. He’d stripped down to just his shorts, which she appreciated because there was nothing better to look at in the world than her Daddy’s sexy chest.

He smiled at her indulgently, probably because he was also enjoying the view. The nightie she now wore was white and nearly translucent. She didn’t have on panties.

Ignoring her arousal, she tapped her lips, still shifting her weight from knee to knee. “Lions live in a pride, right?”

“Yes.”

“Twelve lions is a lot of lions. There could be more. What if they want to eat us?”

Daddy did not laugh at her. Even though her question was worded in a slightly comical manner, the issue was a serious one.

She continued, “We’re all spread out. Even if there were only twelve lions, they could surround any home and kill theoccupants in seconds. There could be even more of them. Groups of four of them could each sneak up on a home and pounce at the same time, wiping out entire households.” Why was her mind being so cruel to her?

Daddy reached out a hand and toyed with the hem of her nightie which rested just an inch below her pussy. “You’re forgetting that Khloe would know this in advance. Plus you would scent them just like you did tonight.”

“That wouldn’t do me any good if I don’t smell them until they are upon us. Khloe either.”

He nodded. “True. But let’s look at this from another angle. Shifters have existed in relative peace and harmony for hundreds of years. Though it’s been a long time since bears have occupied this general territory and even longer since I’ve heard of lions being spotted, there is a distinct difference between now and two or three hundred years ago, Little one.”

She inched closer to him. “What’s that, Daddy?” She’d love it if he could shed light on any detail that would make her feel safer.

“We have weapons now, Baby girl,” he said gently.

She swallowed. “You mean guns?”

“Yes. Among other things. But rifles are powerful tools. If the lions don’t believe we have them, they would find out the hard way.”

Rylee glanced around the room. “Do you have guns in the house, Daddy?”

“Yes, Little one. Several. They are secure, and you do not have permission to touch them for any reason. If you ever come upon a weapon, I expect you to stay away from it. Do you understand?”

She nodded slowly. “But…”