Page 199 of The Queen’s Shadow

“She’s a keeper.” He said, watching Rhyalla skip through the community.

“Rhyalla? I know. K’yen better make sure she’s happy or I’ll cut his dick off.”

Koda chuckled but shook his head. “Your sister is one of a kind. But I mean your Little Sprite. I was talking about Kasha.”

I shot him a look and sighed.

“She’s been through a lot, and I’m no good at fixing broken people. I’m glad you were here today. This is the best she’s been since we came here.”

“I think you’re better at it than you give yourself credit for.”

I barked out a laugh. “I don’t think so. I can’t control myself around her. She needs someone to be gentle with her. Someone who will help her heal. I’m a controlling, possessive asshole. I’m everything she’s trying to escape. It’s fucked up that the universe decided to make us mates. She deserves someone kinder than me.”

“You need to have more faith in the fates, Little Cub. You two are paired for a reason. You say you are not what she needs, but would she have even come out of that room to meet me today if it weren’t for you?”

“Probably not. She’s been sleeping for like four days straight.”

“See?” Koda said sagely. “Everyone is made up of different stuff, Rycon. Some people might need someone gentle and patient to help them through the trauma that your mate has gone through.

“Others may need to be reminded of their strength and pushed to reclaim their fire. Who better to remind you of how strong you are than a controlling, possessive asshole who baits you until you are forced to fight back?”

“She’s not a shifter, Koda. That shit might have worked for me, but she’s not made the same way we are. She doesn’t understand how influenced we are by our baser instincts. She probably just thinks I’m a sex crazed idiot.” I bit my lip. I didn’t want her to think that it was just about sex. It was so much more than that. I wanted her to be mine, but I also wanted to be hers. I wanted her to claim me as much as I needed to claim her.

“So, help her understand, Little Cub. She isn’t a mind reader. Show her your world and teach her our ways. Don’t be so quick to assume she’s not made of the same stuff as you. You’re both a couple of fighters. Look at this as a chance to fight together. To fight for each other.”

“Here we are!” Rhyalla sang, stopping in front of Koda’s guest tree, throwing her arms over her head in excitement. “Tadaa!”

We both smirked at her, shaking our heads. Koda turned to me, before heading in for the night.

“Just be there for her in whatever way you know how, Rycon. Trust yourself. Trust her.”

I rolled my eyes.

Sentimental old bear.

Even though he was being cheesy as fuck, I couldn’t help but smile at him.

“Yeah, yeah, you old bear. See you in the morning.”

“Night, Little Cub.” He said before scaling the tree without bothering to use the ladder provided. Rhyalla pranced up to me, smiling wide.

“Let’s go,” I said, grabbing her hand. “Your twat of a mate is probably waiting for you.” I grumbled, but she just continued to grin at me.

“You always act like you don’t like anyone, big brother, but I know your secret. I know you care about us. You care about us soooooo much!” She sang, and I bit back a smile.

“Yeah. Don’t tell anyone, though. It’ll fuck with my street cred.” I muttered, knowing she probably wouldn’t remember this conversation tomorrow anyway.

Kasha

‘Alexa, Play Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo?ole.’

While Rycon was gone, I took the opportunity to search the house for the notorious Alley Cat. I needed to see it with my own two eyes. Imagining Rycon as anything other than the ruthless, violent mercenary who ran his leap with an iron paw was almost impossible. I needed to see the little stuffed cat that he had toted around as a cub.

I checked the cupboards in the kitchen first, paying special attention to the highest ones.

Nothing.

Next, I ran my fingers through the cushions on the sofas, even going so far as to tug some of them right off the wooden frame. I was on my hands and knees, checking for trap doors under the coffee table when the record player Rhyalla had put on came to an abrupt stop.