That Shifter Love

“Kidnapping anyone is against the law, both were and human, Marissa,” Nathan reminded her.

“We’ve used this method many times before, Nathan,” Marissa retorted. “Why are you so angry this time?”

Nathan didn’t answer her question. He asked his own. “Why did you send men the next day? Usually we give them a week to come in on their own.”

Marissa shook her hair back and rolled her eyes, buying a moment to think of an excuse. She did not want Nathan to realize she was jealous of this woman.

“Marissa, I think you’ve overstepped today,” the Head admonished. Marissa opened her mouth to protest, but he held up his hand. “This woman was only invited once. She was not given the chance to come in of her own volition.”

Marissa stared at him, trying to keep her face impassive rather than furious. She looked down at the floor before answering. “I understand.”

The buzz of the Head’s phone stopped their conversation. He lifted it and listened. “Send them in, please.”

The door behind Nathan and Marissa opened, and Lucy marched in, her kidnappers behind her. When she saw Nathan, her nostrils flared in anger and she nearly spat at him. She looked at the other two people in the room briefly before returning her attention to him.

“What the hell, Nathan?” Lucy snarled. “This is what you meant by they’ll come to me? This is fucking ridiculous! That guy tackled me like a common criminal!”

All eyes turned to the were she’d indicated. The Head lifted an eyebrow at him. “I apologize, sir. She ran. We didn’t want to stun her and knock her out, so the tackle seemed the best option at that moment.”

The Head nodded his head. “I understand your choice, but please apologize to Lucy and remove the handcuffs. She poses no threat here.”

Lucy raised an eyebrow at him as if to indicate he shouldn’t be so positive about that, but she remained silent as the man removed the cuffs. She jerked away from him the moment he released her, standing as far from every other person in the room as she could get.

Nathan rose. “Lucy.” He stopped when she whipped her head around to glare at him. He lifted his hands in a defensive gesture. “I’m sorry this happened. It wasn’t supposed to. You were supposed to have a week to consider, but someone jumped the gun.” He looked at Marissa, who blandly stared at Lucy.

Lucy’s eyes moved to the woman. Hatred stared at her. “I do not appreciate being treated like this. I have done nothing wrong.”

“Nothing wrong?” Marissa sniffed. “You shifted in front of a human. That is against our laws.”

“And do your laws not take into account defensive need?” Lucy asked derisively. “A man attacked me, slammed my head into a wall, and would have assaulted me on the street had I not shifted. Nathan knows all this. He saw it.”

All eyes shifted to Nathan. “I explained the circumstances clearly to everyone in this room, Lucy.” He looked at the Head, ignoring Marissa completely. “I watched the man attack her and was going to step in when she shifted. No one saw her but this man, and he was so drunk I’m sure he questions what he actually saw.”

The Head opened his mouth to speak, but Marissa answered. “Regardless. She should not have shifted on a public street where anyone could have seen her.” She rose and looked at Lucy. “For newcomers, which you sort of are, we give a warning the first time. However, if you—”

Lucy interrupted. “Nathan explained your damned law to me. I’m not stupid; I understood it when he explained and do not need another explanation.”

Marissa glared at her, stepping forward with a finger pointed at Lucy’s chest. “Listen here, girl. You will follow our laws or you will suffer the consequences.”

Lucy stepped forward as well. “Don’t threaten me, bi*ch. I know the human law as well. What you did today is illegal, and you know it.”

“Are you threatening to involve humans in were affairs?” Marissa yelled, moving another step closer. Nathan stepped between the two women, both of whom were shaking in anger.

The Head rose to defuse the situation. “Ladies, please.” He looked at Marissa. “Marissa, this situation is getting out of hand because of your actions today. You and I will discuss this later, but for now, I’d like to have a calm discussion with Lucy. That won’t happen if you’re in here.”

Marissa gaped at her boss; she was being dismissed. And in front of Nathan and Lucy. Her anger spiked again, but she remained silent. Without a word, she turned and walked out of the office, slamming the door behind her.

The Head sighed loudly and returned to his chair. He indicated the chairs in front of him as he spoke. “Please be seated, you two. Let’s start over and have a normal conversation.”

Nathan sat down and looked back at Lucy, who hadn’t moved. Her fists were clenched, her jaw was clenched, and her eyes were closed. She was visibly trying to relax before continuing the conversation. Nathan’s respect for her jumped up a notch. Beautiful and classy, he thought.

Lucy opened her eyes; both men were watching her. She was instantly embarrassed by her behavior. She knew better than to behave in such a fashion. She took a deep, calming breath before speaking. “Gentlemen, I apologize for my reaction. Although I feel that I’m completely entitled to be angry, I shouldn’t have lashed out.”

The Head raised his eyebrows at her, surprise clear on his face. He looked at Nathan, who grinned at him. “Your apology is not necessary, Lucy. Marissa shouldn’t have sent those men or gave them permission to treat you so roughly. You will receive a written apology from her.”

“Don’t bother with that,” Lucy said. “She won’t mean it and it will only make this situation worse. I hope I never see her again, so it shouldn’t matter.”

The Head chuckled. “You’re probably right. We’ll leave it alone then.”

“Thank you,” Lucy answered. “So, I understand the law. Is there any other reason I’m here?”

“Actually, yes,” the Head replied, leaning forward in his chair, his chin resting on his hand. “The Guard is not here only to make weres follow the law. We also protect our own. The humans, though they know we exist, do not like to admit it. So we play their little game and remain in hiding, somewhat.”

Lucy nodded. “My mother is from the city. She warned me about all the rules and such, although she didn’t say a word about your . . . organization? Is that the correct term?”

“That’s fine, of course,” the Head replied. “What is your mother’s name? Maybe I knew her; we’d be close to the same age, I bet.”

Lucy smiled and nodded her head. “Yes, I think so. Her name is Maryann. Her maiden name was Curran.” The Head and Nathan exchanged a quick look. Lucy looked between them and asked, “Did you know her?”

“Not well, but I knew of her,” the Head replied with a smile to cover the turmoil in his mind. He rose. “Well, I think that’s all, Lucy. Please let us know if you need anything, and no more shifting.”

She smiled at his gentle admonishment and rose as well. “I will and I won’t.”