Cat Class (Trick Or Treat) Read Free

“There’s a man named Orson Branker. He claims he’s a doctor, but no one knows for sure. When I was very little, before you adopted me, he came to Hildy’s house. Said something about wanting all the kittens. He loved kittens or some shit like that. She didn’t believe him and it’s a good thing. He wanted us for lab rats.”
    “Cats.”
    “Huh?” She’d confused him. “What?”
    “Lab cats.” Hayden snickered, but went silent. “Guess that was a bad joke.”
    “You’re a smart aleck.” He scooted the chair closer to her and held her hand. “I like it.”
    “But why does he want you? To say he’s got all the shifters? That’s nuts.”
    “Genetic engineering. He wants to corner the market on manmade animals. If he can mutate our DNA to create super animals, he can make money. Lots of it. We’re nothing but walking DNA strands to him. He’s got a peon working for him named Nugent. He’ll tell you whatever he thinks you want to know in order to help Branker.”
    “It’s crazy. I mean, come on. You just shifted. As far as anyone knows, you might not have been able to. Branker and Nugent are banking on you all being walking, talking, fully functioning humans who can do something extraordinary. Oh, and while you’re at it, I shouldn’t trust crazy people who want to con me into giving you up. I’m still not sure how you managed to learn how to do half the things you can do, and I sure as hell don’t know if I believe this story.”
    “We aren’t the only shifters. I’ve been around others. Hildegard had other shifters camp out with her. Wolves, big cats… one guy turned into a bird. We watched and absorbed what we saw. This was my first shift, but she was good about providing for us, even when we didn’t know what we needed.”
    “I get it.” Hayden nodded. “You’ve learned by doing. That explains the shopping and the kissing.”
    “You’re going to drive me nuts.” Joel pinched the bridge of his nose. “There is so much I need to tell you. Give me time, okay?”
    “So what now?” asked Hayden. “You’ve got a girlfriend? A girl cat? What? And what do we do about the lunatic, Branker? Maybe you’d better tell me everything now.”
    “I shifted, which makes me more valuable. You’re right. If I hadn’t, then I’d be an ordinary cat. But I don’t have another woman in the wings. You own me.”
    “I see. Well, you can’t hide for the rest of your life.”
    “But I can find my mate.” He squeezed her hand tighter. “With her and the magic, I’ll be able to shift when I want, and my DNA will bond with hers. I’ll mutate enough he can’t do shit with me.”
    “That’s… strange and sad.” Hayden stared at him for a pregnant moment. “Who is your mate?”
    Joel grinned. No hesitation, no second thoughts. “You.”
    * * *
    “You do realize this is a lot to throw at a girl. First you’re not just my cat, but a guy. There’s some crazy guy wanting you dead -- oh, and I can change that. Geez.” Her brain fuzzed. Nothing made sense. And damn it, she’d need to get another cat. She rather liked having the fur baby to talk to. Then again, Joel wasn’t a bad companion.
    “I’m sorry, babe.” He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I wasn’t sure how else to tell you.”
    Hayden massaged her temples. Her brain hurt. She loved her cat and damn, seeing Joel in his human form turned her on, but mates? Like a forever connection? It didn’t seem possible. “How do you know I’m the one? I’m your person when you’re a cat, but you haven’t really known anyone else. There could be someone out there who is better for you.” Her heart hammered. She could hope all she wanted she was the one for him, but hope meant very little sometimes.
    “Hildy told me I’d know when I met the person for me.” Joel crooked his fingers under her chin.
    “The witch? She’s just a nice old lady in a slightly beat-up house. Okay, she’s cornered the market on cats, but people