The Snow Leopard's Love Read online

  Rift swung his head around to check on Caleb. His brother had sensed it, too.

  “Something is coming through the trees.” Rift moved to the left, heading toward whatever was coming their way.

  However, Caleb put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him from moving any farther. “I’ll go.” He sniffed the air. “If I’m not mistaken, it’s a bear. And no offense, but your snow leopard might not be a match for it.”

  “Should we split up at all?” Rift asked. “What if that’s what they want? What if they figured out what we planned?”

  Caleb turned his head from side to side, then a smile crept over his lips and he relaxed. “I don’t think we have to worry.”

  “What?” Rift bent forward and turned his head from side to side as he zoned in on the bear coming toward them. “Aiden?”

  “Yeah.” Caleb thumbed toward the car. “At least Belle can stop worrying that he’s run off with her mom and kids.”

  Rift nodded. “I got the impression she wasn’t too sure about us when we swapped places with the kids.”

  “Do you blame her?” He nodded in the direction of Aiden. “I’ll go meet him. We should stick with the plan, it’ll be easier with Aiden’s help. I don’t feel so outnumbered.”

  Rift nodded and as Caleb ran to the left to meet his twin, Rift headed to the right, melting into the trees. Only when he was completely out of view from the road and the oncoming truck did he shift into his snow leopard and slink back toward the road.

  The truck was close now, the four people still inside. He was certain none of them were shifters, but he wasn’t ready to take any chances. Moving at a jog now, he moved farther away from Belle’s car, even though it went against everything he believed in.

  He should be there with his mate. He should be by her side, protecting her. That was his job. That’s what he’d promised he’d do.

  Yet he had to stick to the plan. Even with Aiden’s help, things could spiral out of control.

  The snow leopard stopped and pushed his senses out as far as he could, stretching his limits. There was no one else around. Wait. Yes, there was. He could sense four other people, huddled together.

  Flora, and Belle’s family, were just within his range. He let out a sigh of relief, at least he wouldn’t have to worry about them.

  Although, that might expose them to danger if any of the guys in the truck was a shifter.

  If Rift could sense Belle’s family, then they might, too.

  The truck passed Rift, who hid behind the dense undergrowth. They were going slow, no doubt looking into the forest for any sign of Belle’s car.

  Rift searched for his brothers. Caleb was matching the truck’s speed, mirroring its movements as they closed in on Belle. Aiden was across the road, heading straight for Rift.

  Rift waited for his brother to join him before they both shifted back into their human forms.

  “Belle’s mom kept telling us we shouldn’t leave you guys. When Elise texted Flora to say the truck was following you, we decided to double back,” Aiden explained. “In case you couldn’t handle the situation by yourselves.”

  “I’d like to think we could, but honestly, I’m glad to have you here.” Rift clapped his brother on the back. “Let’s go see what these guys want.”

  They jogged along the edge of the road. Caleb still followed the truck, keeping parallel to the road as he traveled through the trees.

  “Did Belle give you any clue?” Aiden asked.

  “No, what about Katrina?” Rift asked. “Did she give anything away? Do you think she knows more about Reggie and Murray than she let on?” Rift didn’t believe Katrina would do anything to hurt her daughter or the children. She obviously loved them and had raised Belle away from Reggie and Murray.

  “Perhaps. There’s a chance she might not want Belle to know some of the things her father was into. But I do believe her when she said she had no idea that Murray was into kidnapping children.” Aiden stopped walking and stared at the truck in front of them. “But these guys might. These guys might be wrapped up in the whole thing.”

  “Maybe there was something in the house they wanted?” Rift asked. “Stolen goods?”

  “That would be my guess. But looking at the house Reggie was living in before he died, it doesn’t look as if he had much money.” Aiden raised an eyebrow at Rift. “There seemed little of value there. Perhaps if there was something, he sold it to give himself some cash to spend.”

  “You’re right.” He inclined his head toward the truck. “Caleb’s about to make his move.” Rift paused. “We should get closer. If we keep just inside the tree line, we’ll be out of sight.”

  “Let’s do it.” Aiden kept low as they drew closer to the truck, making sure they could not be seen in the mirrors. They should be out of sight unless someone turned and looked directly at them.

  Caleb emerged from the trees and stepped out in front of the truck, which abruptly stopped, the guys in the front leaning sharply forward as the brakes were slammed on. For a moment, no one in the truck moved, they simply stared at Caleb before exchanging startled glances with each other.

  Aiden and Rift drew level with the doors, ready to deal with anyone who left the truck if they caused trouble. The plan was to let the guys talk so they could learn why they were here and exactly what they wanted from Belle and her family.

  “Here we go.” Rift tensed as the passenger door opened and two guys got out of the truck.

  “There are another two men in the truck,” Aiden murmured. “I’ll watch them while you stick with these two.”

  “Agreed.” Rift shadowed the two men as they closed the truck door and moved toward Aiden.

  “What do you want, friend?” The first guy was about six feet tall, broad-shouldered, and with the confidence of a man who knew how to handle himself.

  “I could ask you the same thing.” Caleb kept his tone light and friendly, but Rift knew his brother too well. There was an underlying steeliness to his voice, a warning to back off.

  The guys didn’t. Instead, they drew level with the hood of the truck, closing the gap between them and the bear shifter. “We need to talk with the people in that car there. So, step away and don’t get involved in something that doesn’t concern you.”

  The second guy suddenly broke away from the first and ran toward the car. Rift’s reflexes kicked in and he sprinted forward, grabbing the guy around the shoulders, and despite being smaller and lighter, wrestled him to the ground.

  The guy struggled, breaking free of Rift’s hold to land a punch on his jaw. Rift reeled back, clenched his fist, and threw a punch, whacking the guy in the temple. He smacked into the ground, his head ricocheting off the hard road. He didn’t get back up.

  Rift checked the passengers in the car, using his senses to locate his mate and Elise. Happy they were safe, he wheeled around and ran back to the truck. One of the other passengers had attempted to get out but Caleb slammed the truck door his legs, preventing him from going to the aid of his friends.

  Meanwhile, Aiden was dueling with the first guy, exchanging blows. They were evenly matched in size and strength, but the guy seemed to have had training. His footwork was light and controlled, like a professional boxer.

  As they fought, the driver of the truck suddenly slammed his foot on the accelerator, and the vehicle jolted forward, aiming straight for Belle’s car.

  The guy who Rift had knocked out woke up, startled eyes popped from his pale face as he scurried out of the way. Rift sprang after the truck, helpless to stop the vehicle as it sped toward his mate.

  The doors of the car were flung open as Elise and Belle rushed to safety. But as soon as Belle was out of the car, the guy Rift had hit propelled himself forward and grabbed her by the wrist. She yelped and brought her knee up to his groin, but he spun her around and closed his arms around her body, leaving her gasping for air.

  “Let’s all just take a moment, shall we?” the guy snarled as he grabbed Belle’s wrist and twisted
it cruelly. She cried out, leaving Rift fighting with his other side as his snow leopard fought for freedom, fought for the right to finish this guy who dared hurt their mate.

  Behind Rift, Aiden let go of the man he’d fought and nearly overpowered, while Caleb stalked forward to stand at Rift’s shoulder. He had his brother’s back as always.

  “Let her go,” Rift ordered.

  “Not until we get what we came for,” the guy said.

  “What did you come for?” Belle asked.

  Elise kept low and moved to hide behind the car as the guy jerked Belle upward. “You know what I want. The treasure.”

  “Treasure?” Belle asked. “What treasure?”

  “Reggie kept it hidden all these years. But he had it all along. We knew you’d lead us to him eventually.”

  “Reggie is dead,” Belle spat. “He’s cold in the ground and the only things he left behind are in the trunk of my car, and believe me, there is no treasure there. It’s all junk.”

  “You expect me to believe that?” the guy asked.

  “Why would I lie?” Belle asked.

  “Because it’s in your blood. Your father was a murderer. Your uncle was a murderer.” He took a long shuddering breath. “We know what they did. We know they have dragon blood on their hands. And unless you hand over the treasure, you do, too.”

  “Dragon blood?” She gasped as the shock of his words hit her. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Rift made his move, but the guy stared directly at him and shook his head as he tightened his grip further.

  A flash of movement from behind the car caught his eye as he looked on helplessly while the guy held his mate prisoner. Elise.

  She sprang forward and spun around, the thick tree branch in her hands aimed at the guy’s head. A sickening crack and the branch exploded, felling the guy who sank to his knees.

  Belle ran forward and Rift opened his arms, needing to feel her safely in his embrace.

  A shout from behind them and the truck plunged forward again. Rift, his arms locked around his mate, leaped to the side as the truck grazed the car’s hood. One of the guys got out of the truck and dragged their fallen friend to his feet. The others helped, getting him into the back seat of the truck.

  “We know where you live!” someone yelled. “Give us the treasure and you can go on with your lives. The choice is yours.”

  The truck doors slammed, and wheels kicked up damp leaf mold as they backed away, heading back up the road.

  Rift watched them go, his arms still wrapped around Belle as they lay on the ground. She didn’t struggle for freedom, instead, she lay limp, breathing harshly as she gasped for air.

  “Are you okay?” He moved, loosening his hold as he gently turned her over.

  “Yeah, I’m okay,” she rasped. “It’s just my wrist that hurts.”

  “Wait, I have something that’ll help.” Elise ran to the car and returned with her purse. Rummaging inside, she pulled out a small jar and twisted it open. “I always carry it for emergencies. It’s a special mix, arnica and some other herbs. It’ll help with the bruising.”

  Rift clenched his fists as Elise lathered the cream onto Belle’s wrist. The marks where the guy had twisted it viciously were red and angry. He wanted to shift and run after the truck. He wanted to track them down and maim them for life for hurting his mate.

  But he needed to be here with his mate. She needed him more than he needed revenge.

  Chapter Eleven – Belle

  Belle touched her wrist, the pain was subsiding. “Thanks.” She nodded at Elise.

  “You’re welcome. When we get back to Wishing Moon Bay, I’ll treat the bruising with something stronger.” Elise glanced at Rift and then went to join Caleb and Aiden.

  “I’m sorry.” Rift’s mouth turned up at one corner. “I promised to protect you and...you got hurt.”

  “This is not your fault.” She pointed to her wrist. “You didn’t do this, they did.” She took a deep breath that shuddered through her body. “Whoever they were.”

  “Do you have any idea what they want?” Rift asked. “Any clue as to what this treasure is?”

  She shook her head. “No.” She glanced over his shoulder, staring down the road, worried they might come back. “But my mom thinks she recognized the one guy. He went to her house asking about Reggie.”

  “Reggie.” Rift nodded. “He must have stolen something from them and now they want it back. Do you have any idea what it could be? Was there anything in Reggie’s belongings they might mean?”

  “Everything from the house is packed into the back of the car.” She turned around, her legs weak as she walked to the trunk and opened it. “It’s not a lot, we were going to take anything salvageable to the thrift store and the rest is heading for the trash.”

  “When we get to Wishing Moon Bay, we should go through it all and check that there’s nothing we’ve missed.” Rift stared at the boxes. Did he also have X-ray vision? Could he see the contents of the boxes through the thick cardboard?

  “I never said I was going to Wishing Moon Bay.” Belle folded her arms across her body as Rift turned around to face her.

  “You’ll be safe there.”

  “For how long? If we run now, we’ll be running forever.” She jutted her chin out, she appreciated his help, but he wasn’t the person to make decisions for her and her family.

  “Belle, those guys are out there, they know where you live, they know where Katrina lives, and they know how to handle themselves.” He reached out and placed his hand on her upper arm. Warmth flooded her body, a comforting warmth that lulled her into believing this would all work out if they stuck together.

  She didn’t need a savior.

  “I know all that. But we have a life here. When we get back home, I’ll call the police.” Even in her head, her idea sounded lame.

  “They can’t watch over you all the time. These guys have been waiting for how many years for Reggie to find this treasure?” Every word Rift said was true. And she hated it.

  Ever since Landon had left her to raise Jack and Rosie alone, she’d relied on herself. And Katrina, of course, but her mom was independent, too. Growing up, Belle’s mom had shown her how to cope and deal with her own problems.

  Belle wasn’t ready to hand over control to someone else. Yet Rift was right, they were not safe.

  “And what happens when we go to Wishing Moon Bay?” She unconsciously closed her hand over her sore wrist, which was a constant reminder of the attack.

  A constant reminder that until they resolved this, neither Belle nor her family were safe.

  “We figure this out so you can go back to your lives.” His gentle smile assured her they’d figure it all out.

  Belle nodded. “I should go talk to my mom. Maybe there’s something she’s forgotten. You know, from when my dad was alive. Before Reggie...” She covered her eyes with her hand as tears trickled down her cheeks. “Those poor kids.”

  “Not your fault.” He ducked his head and took hold of her hand, pulling it away so he could look into her eyes. “Isn’t that what you told me?”

  She sniffed loudly and nodded. “You’re right. I always remind myself that when I teach my kids life skills, I have to lead by example.”

  “You’re a good mom, Belle.” He placed his hand on the open trunk and slammed it shut. “We need to go.” Rift looked along the road, his eyes out of focus.

  “Are they coming back?” She took an involuntary step closer to him.

  “No.” He turned ninety degrees and stared into the surrounding trees. “You should call your mom and tell her everything is okay.”

  “Oh!” She pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Mom. It’s me.”

  “Belle, I was about to get out of the truck and come find you. Are you okay?” Katrina paused. “Are you hurt?”

  Belle glanced at her bruised wrist which still throbbed despite Elise’s ointment. Rift’s eyes lingered on her fingers as they stroked the bruised skin an
d his eyes darkened. “I’m okay. I just have a sore wrist.”

  “A sore wrist. What happened?” Katrina’s voice rose in panic.

  “I’ll explain when I see you. Right now we need to get going.” She paused and looked at Rift. This was it, decision time. Would her mom agree with going to Wishing Moon Bay?

  “Are the men gone?” Katrina lowered her voice and whispered. “Are we safe?”

  “For now.” Belle swallowed hard as she fought to stop the threatening tears.

  “What do we do?”

  “We’re going to Wishing Moon Bay. At least until we figure something out. The kids aren’t at school for another week. Hopefully, it’ll all be resolved by the time their new semester starts.” Belle put her fingers to her temple and her headache had worsened as the shock of the attack weighed on her.

  “I think that’s for the best.” Katrina sobbed down the phone. “I’m so sorry.”

  “This isn’t your fault.” She glanced at Rift who had walked around to the driver’s side of the car. She was about to ask her mom if she had any idea what the men had been looking for. If she had any clue what the treasure was. But it was a conversation best left alone for now. Belle would speak to Katrina in private.

  “I’ll see you soon.” Katrina ended the call and Belle slipped her phone into her pocket and went to join Rift. “What’s the plan?”

  “Shall I drive? You look all done in.” His worry deepened the laughter lines around his mouth. “And you should rest your wrist.”

  “That might be a good idea. I have a headache from hell and an adrenaline rush hangover. All I want to do is curl up in a ball and sleep.” Belle rubbed the back of her neck. “I feel so damn useless.”

  “You’re not useless. You’ve had a shock...or two today.” Rift hooked his hand under her arm and led her around to the passenger side of the car. “Sit, try to relax.”

  “Wait.” She didn’t get in the car, instead, she headed over to where Caleb, Aiden, and Elise were talking quietly. “Thanks. For risking your lives for me. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t come back for us.”