The Gazelle Who Caught a Lion by Scarlet Hyacinth Read Free Book Online Page B

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    respectful good-bye to Sara and the doctor, left the infirmary.

    The Gazelle Who Caught a Lion
    45

    Chapter Four

    “What do you mean you’re being suspended?” Reed screeched.
    Angel sighed. “According to Sara, it’s just a temporary thing while
    they investigate. Both Clark and I went against the rules when we
    shifted.”
    “That’s bullshit,” Reed replied. “You did it to save yourself.”
    “Yes, well, it would seem that the cheetah’s parents believe Angel
    baited him by shifting first, and then I attacked him unprovoked.”
    Clark squeezed his hand. “That fucker. I should have torn his jugular out.”
    “This is an outrage,” Alexis commented. He looked upset,
    something Angel had never seen him be. “They should be focusing on
    why the attack was possible in the first place. The guy should have
    been tranquilized by the coaches the moment he shifted.”
    Morgan and Layton shared a look. “You know, accidents happen,”
    Layton drawled. “People disappear.”
    Alexis perked up and grinned wickedly. “Or he can suddenly have
    an erection he can’t get rid of.”
    Angel shook his head. “Thanks for the offer, guys, but seriously,
    no. I don’t want you to get into trouble.” He didn’t doubt his friends would do all they’d said, and more, but right now, he didn’t want to worry about more violence. He just wanted to sleep, preferably in
    Clark’s arms.
    “It’s not so bad. We get some time off, and we’ll be with our folks.
    I think they need it, too, after the scare.”
    Reed didn’t look convinced. “If you say so. You’re leaving in a
    few hours, right?”

    46
    Scarlet Hyacinth
    Angel nodded. “As soon as our parents are done talking with Sara
    and the others. It could take a while.”
    Reed offered Angel a small smile. As always, the swan seemed to
    read his mind. “Well, until then, get some rest, both of you.” He
    turned toward the rest of the group. “Come on, guys. Let’s give them some space.”
    Everyone got up and made a beeline for the door. Just before he
    left, Alexis mouthed at Angel, “Go for it.”
    Angel would have liked to know what that meant, but Alexis
    didn’t stick around for him to ask. With a few warm good-byes,
    everyone was gone, leaving Angel and Clark alone.
    Angel lay back down on his bed and closed his eyes. “I guess our
    hunt’s off again.”
    Clark cuddled by his side and pulled him close. “We have plenty
    of time now that we’re going home.”
    For a few moments, Angel didn’t speak. He buried his face in
    Clark’s shoulder, simply inhaling the other man’s chest. Clark was so warm, his simple presence so comforting. A light growling sound
    escaped Clark, and Angel cracked his eyes open.
    “Are you purring?” he asked with a grin.
    Clark just grunted. “Get some sleep. You need it.”
    And Angel would have obeyed. The purring was so very familiar,
    just like everything about Clark. Angel didn’t remember much since
    before his time with his parents. Of course, he knew the story—that
    his mother had been killed by a lion pride and Clark’s mother adopted him, only to find her death shortly after. Unfortunately, he couldn’t recall either of his mothers, except very distantly, as if through a dream. What he always remembered, though, was Clark.
    Whenever Angel was afraid or upset, Clark would purr in that
    strange way of his. Lions didn’t purr like house cats, but that was all right because, for Angel, it was just one more thing he loved about Clark.

    The Gazelle Who Caught a Lion
    47
    This time, though, the sound roused something different inside
    Angel. The cheetah might not have hurt them severely, but he could
    have. He remembered Alexis’s words and wondered. Could he be
    brave enough? Could he try to tell Clark how he felt?
    His gaze met Clark’s, and he hesitated. What about Tate? Did
    Clark truly love the other lion? He’d seemed honestly puzzled when
    Angel had confronted him about it. But even if Angel was