She accepted that. Werewolves were known for fighting more fiercely than pride males. Cats could be flat-out lazy. She knew that from living with one. She relaxed. “You would have been fine if I hadn’t come to warn you?”

“No. They could have attacked and taken out many of us if we weren’t expecting them. A lone wolf against a large group of cats would assure his death. We’re under orders to stay in twos right now but even then, two against thirty would be grim odds,” Rave answered.

“A lot of us are ignoring the order too.” Brand shot the other male a raised eyebrow. “I don’t see you with your shadow.”

“He stopped to check on the bar. I don’t see you with yours either. Where is my youngest brother?” Rave arched an eyebrow.

“Hanging out in my basement. I didn’t want to bring him along since I knew something bad had happened. Jeff called.” Brand stared at Charma and sighed. “You could have been killed coming here.”

“I knew the risk. I even expected that might happen. I just hoped your pack would allow me to warn them first.” She wouldn’t lie to him.

He opened his mouth as if to speak but quickly closed it. His harsh features softened as he stared at her. “You’re safe, Charma. Nobody is ever going to hurt you.”

She believed him.

“I’m never letting you go. Deal with that. You ran out on me once but don’t try to do it again. I want you to swear that you won’t leave me. You’re mine and always have been. You don’t belong to that pussy.” He snarled the last word. “I looked for you.”

That news stunned her. “You did?”

He growled softly. “Did you believe I wouldn’t? I was afraid to use your name in case it put you in danger but I put out feelers for a woman with your looks. No one ever reported a sighting.”

“I never leave my pride’s territory. It’s forbidden.”

“I hate to interrupt,” Rave muttered, “but we need to get her out of the center of town. We’ve got a lot of strange wolves roaming during mating heat and her being a she-cat… They already attacked her once.” He glanced at her car. “And we probably should hide her car before her pride arrives.” He met her gaze. “I take it you don’t want them to know you warned us?”

“It won’t matter. I fled my pride. They’ll want me dead regardless of what I do. I knew there would be no turning back and that my life there ended the second I drove away.”

Two werewolves in skin approached. Charma’s hold on Brand tightened and she stared at them fearfully. Brand growled in response. His hold on her adjusted, one arm releasing her waist as claws slid out of the fingertips of the hand he used to point at the males.

“Stay there. Don’t come any closer.”

Charma stared at the blond guy who stopped in his tracks, recognizing him but not the man with him. “Yon?”

His dark gaze fixed on her and he frowned. “How do you know me?”

“The pride council sent your pictures and you were one of them.” She glanced at Brand. “That’s how I knew this was your pack. They had your picture too. I saw you and knew I had to come.”

“Fuck,” Rave groaned. “They have pictures of us? Really? I feel totally out of the loop. Should we have pictures of them?”

“No. We’re more of a threat to them than they are to us,” Brand stated. “Guys, this is Charma. If you look at her twice, I’m going to hurt you. You feel me?”

“Shit!” Yon groaned. “Another one? Really? Good thing your aunt was sent away. She’d go nuts if she saw you holding a she-cat that way. I’m guessing you’re spending your heat with her?”

“She’s mine.” Brand’s voice deepened into a dangerous tone. “Forever. She’s going to be my mate.”

Shock tore through Charma. It was one thing to announce it to a male relative but he seemed to be telling pack members he planned to claim her. He turned his head and their gazes met.

“Won’t they shun you? Don’t get exiled from your pack for me.” She kept her voice low. “Please? I couldn’t stand it if you are attacked for protecting me.”

He emitted a soft rumbling sound but it wasn’t scary. He used to do that when she said something that annoyed him but she knew he’d never hurt her. Not Brand. He shook his head and wrapped his arm around her again to hug her tightly.

“They won’t kick me out and they sure as hell won’t fight me.”

She turned her head, still uncertain, but the other men didn’t seem aggressive. The blond actually winked.

“She’s cute but too thin. She looks like a bitch. I’ve never seen a she-cat so small but I haven’t seen many this close.”

“She’s lost weight.” Brand pushed away from the car. “Do me a favor and hide her vehicle. I’m sure her mate will be searching for her.”

“Mate?” The blond gasped and his dark gaze widened. “She’s mated already but you’re going to mate her? Are you nuts? She’s taken.”

“By me.” Brand turned his head to address Rave. “Stash her car, okay? I want to take her home.”

Rave nodded. “Go. Keep Braden from the running and I’ll call you in a few hours. I’m going to get in touch with my brothers and we’ll hold a pack meeting early in the morning to warn everyone of what’s coming. I’m worried they’ll suspect she warned us when they realize she’s gone. They might attack earlier than planned.”

“They won’t,” she informed him softly. “They’ll think I ran for other reasons. No one knew about Brand and me. I was too careful and didn’t even take pictures of him with me when I returned to my pride. It would have put him in danger.”

“Who is going to attack us?” Yon sounded confused. “What did I miss? It didn’t take me that long to get here after we heard there was trouble brewing in town.”

“Brand, take her home with you and I’ll deal with this.” Rave hesitated. “Did you run here or drive?”

“Ran.”

He held out his keys. “Take the bike. Just leave the keys under the seat. I’ll pick it up later. I don’t want you walking back with all our visitors in town. They’ll scent her. The bike will get you there faster.”