A Mate's Wish (Ouachita Mountain Shifters 0.5) by P. Jameson Read Free Book Online Page B

hurt.
    The animal cried out at the same time Layna spotted Beth. “Oh, no.”
    “Shit,” Magic said. “Get her out of here.”
    Beth frowned. “No, I can help. I know a little about animals—”
    “ Leave ,” Magic bellowed as the cat hissed and growled.
    Eagan let go of the cat and stood. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”
    The cat made a sound that could only be described as a warning. The tone sent a shiver down Beth’s spine and brought her eyes back to the animal. With one huge paw, he slapped at Magic sending him sprawling backward.
    “Fuck! Stop it, Ren.”
    Ren ? Beth went cold. Did he call the animal Ren?
    The three men jumped on the cat wrestling it but clearly still trying to take it easy on the hurt animal.
    Christina yelled but Beth couldn’t understand. She could barely hear anything over the awful sounds coming from the melee. There was a yelp immediately followed by a whistle that cracked the air, catching everyone’s attention.
    “Bethany, come here,” Layna barked, still kneeling near the animal’s snarling head.
    “No, Layna.” Magic went to move but the animal bucked again.
    “ Shut up , Magic. Bethany, now. Come here.”
    Beth slid to the floor next to her friend, and the panther went utterly still.
    “Right here,” Layna instructed. “Put your hands on his head like this.”
    Beth did as she was told. Sad, pain-filled eyes stared into hers, but there was no aggression. Just such deep sadness, she could almost feel it in her own heart. She rubbed her palm across the short fur on his head. It was soft, but bristly and thick. He didn’t take his eyes from her, but a loud, rolling purr filled the room.
    “Okay,” Layna said, carefully. “Get in there, doc.”
    Christina went to work on the cat while Beth kept up the petting. Tears filled her eyes as memories from childhood assaulted her. It reminded her of nights with Renner. The sadness in the cat’s eyes now was like looking into a mirror to the past. She’d pet his head just like this.
    “The bullet went in under his arm. I can’t get to it like this. He has to change.”
    “He can’t,” Layna argued. “Too much pain.”
    Christina threw her hands in the air. “I can’t fucking get to the wound, and he’s losing a lot of blood.” She got close to the cat’s face, obstructing Beth’s view of his eyes. “ Ren . Listen to me. You have to change. Right now. You’re bleeding out and there’s nothing I can do about it. I need you human.”
    Beth frowned. Human? And she’d called him Ren too.
    The animal hissed and Beth let her hand travel behind his ears, rubbing soothing circles that brought the purring back.
    Magic cursed.
    The pool of blood on the floor grew bigger but Beth refused to look at it.
    “Renner, you little asshole, change .” Layna’s voice was filled with panic. Her gaze swung to Beth. “ You . You can make him change.”
    Beth shook her head. “What?”
    Layna grabbed Beth’s shirt, bringing her close. “You don’t have to understand what is happening. Nothing will make sense to you right now, but I’m telling you, this cat is Renner. And if he doesn’t change back to his human form, we’ll lose him. He’ll do it for you.”
    Beth’s mouth opened and closed but produced no sound even though her mind was screaming a million words.
    “Try,” Layna hissed. “Just do it.”
    Beth’s gaze went back to the cat. His eyes seemed tortured. This couldn’t be Renner. It was impossible. This was an animal. A wounded animal.
    Layna’s eyes were peeled wide with terror. “Bethany, please .”
    “I… I…” She looked at the panther. “Renner?” she whispered.
    His eyes blinked closed. When they opened they were watery.
    “You… you have to change. Christina can’t fix you up like this.”
    Nothing happened. He nuzzled her hand with his face.
    “If it’s you in there, Renner, please do this. We still have things we need to talk about, remember? You can’t go like this.” Part