Determination. And anger.
Lew wasn’t going to get her in any more trouble. It wasn’t going to happen. She was going to make sure it didn’t—and this time, she wasn’t alone.
***
Cal frowned after Lillian as she slipped out. But surely she would’ve said something if the phone call was urgent. Maybe it was just her mother wanting some kind of reassurance.
He finished outlining the situation, looking around the room for input. If he was honest with himself, he felt hesitant about what to actually do. Starting an all-out war with the mountain lions would involve everyone in this room, whether they wanted to be involved or not. And he couldn’t help looking at Leah’s little daughter, aware that consequences might spiral out of control.
He wouldn’t involve anybody against their will. But maybe if Grey or Zach participated, they could give Gordon and his brother a bit of a thrashing, teach them a lesson...
But it probably wouldn’t stick. That was the problem. How to make them understand that they had to back off for real? They were the type that if they lost a fair, one-on-one fight, they’d retreat and then come back with something mean and underhanded, and Cal didn’t want to risk any of his people against dirty tricks.
The door opened, and Lillian came back in. Cal instinctively sat up straighter at the sight of her white face and the determined set of her mouth. Everyone turned, following his gaze.
Lillian squared her shoulders under their eyes and held up her phone. “That was my ex-husband,” she said quietly. “He’s being held by the mountain lions in their cabin. They’re hurting him, and they’ve given me until the end of the day to show up with their money. They said that even if I bring Cal, I won’t get anywhere, because it’ll be five against one.”
“Screw that,” Teri said immediately. The tension broke as people chuckled.
Lillian’s mouth turned up slightly at the corners. “That’s exactly what I was thinking,” she said. She looked calmly at Cal.
And slowly, one by one, everyone’s eyes came back to him. “Well?” said Grey finally. “Got a plan?”
In that moment, Cal realized something.
Every person there wanted him to make a decision. They were all waiting to hear what his plan was, how he thought the situation should be handled.
None of them was afraid of what he might say. None of them thought that he’d lead them down the wrong path.
They wanted him to lead them.
And for the first time, without any reservations, he was willing. Because his mate needed help.
“Listen up,” he said quietly. “These mountain lions think they can make the rules. They think there’s enough of them that they can hurt people, threaten them, and no one can stop them. Because they’re shifters, the police are wary to get involved, and they’re taking advantage of that.”
He took a deep breath. “They don’t think we’ll band together to stop them.” He met everyone’s eyes. “That’s my fault. I’ve kept this pack as loose as possible, because I don’t want any of you to think you’re being forced to do what I want.”
Disagreement and disbelief was obvious on their faces. In fact, with every word Cal spoke, he realized further how misplaced his fears had been. These people trusted him, and they trusted him because he’d always wanted to do right by them.
And he was suddenly certain that this was the right thing. Sure, the mountain lions were sneaky and vicious, but they were also cowards. If they realized what a force they’d reckoned with...
“So I think it’s time to show them what being a snow leopard means,” he finished. “There’s only five of them. They think they’re facing five against one, but they’re wrong.”
“They are so wrong,” Teri said fiercely, to another round of chuckles.
“Same rules apply,” Cal said. “No one’s coming against their will. Anyone wants to stay behind, there’s no consequence and no one is upset with them, am I clear?”
“You’re clear,” Alethia spoke up. “But I’m in.”
The chorus of agreement filled the room.
***
Gordon Hennessey’s face was as eloquent as any words. It was easy to see that he hadn’t expected this.
They’d come as a group. Lillian had insisted on joining them; Cal had deeply wished to tell her to stay behind and safe, but she’d squared her shoulders, looked him in the eye, and said, “I have a right to see what happens.” And he’d acknowledged that she did.
So now Lillian was standing several yards back from the cabin alongside Leah, who’d dropped baby Emily off with her in-laws. Between the two humans and the cabin were Cal, Grey, Alethia, Jeff, Zach, Teri, Joel and Nina.