Snared Read Free Page A

were they’d either think she was joking, or more likely, that she was crazy. It was an impossible situation with few viable solutions short of dragging them somewhere secluded and changing in front of them.
    Tayen winced. Would they still want to be with her once they’d witnessed her body change? To her, it felt as if it only lasted a moment—human one second, cat the next. But to an onlooker, would they see her muscles shift and her bones contract? Would fur suddenly sprout from her skin as her ears ghosted out from her head and her nose grew into a snout? And what about her tail?
    “I think that takes the meaning of getting some tail a bit far.”
    A near hysterical laugh bubbled free as she pushed to her feet and headed to the back, grabbing her keys off the hook. Though she’d been ready to lock up when the boys had arrived, the thought of going home now, by herself, only increased the tight feeling in her chest. She sighed, feeling completely out of control as she checked the clinic one last time, straightening papers and stacking some files on her desk. Time ticked away in the background, yet she found it hard to leave. Finally, after ensuring the animals were still secure for the night, she headed for the door linking the clinic to rest of her house. She turned the handle, wondering how she’d spend the night, when her scanner hissed near the back of the room.
    Tayen paused, glancing back at the small device as mumbled voices crackled through the air. She turned slightly, listening closely as more intermittent words interrupted the static.
    “Roger base…at…river. Suspects…run…heavy casualties…”
    The words were difficult to make out, but she couldn’t miss the agitated tone in Quinn’s voice. He clearly didn’t like what he’d found. She cursed, fisting one hand at her side when his voice broke through again.
    “Rogan’s heading east along the river…trying to head them off…”
    Tayen gripped the receiver, holding it closer so she could make out more of his words.
    “In pursuit…armed—”
    A loud screech echoed through the scanner, making Tayen jump back. A sharp pain spiked through her ear, but it quickly faded as the tone died, leaving an eerie silence in the room. She dropped the small unit and began pacing, conflicting emotions warring within her. The thought of Quinn and Rogan facing down armed poachers made her stomach roll. Though she knew they were more than capable of handling themselves, just knowing they could get shot sent a cold shiver down her spine.
    She stopped, a deep-rooted need to protect her mates settling over her. All doubt faded into nothing more than the constant thrumming of her pulse as she removed her clothes, folding them on a nearby chair. She took one last breath before allowing her body to shift. Bones shortened and thickened as she fell forward, paws hitting the cool wood. Her claws ticked against the floor as she shook her head, ears unfurling on her head just as a stubby tail flicked to life on a gentle swoosh. Whether she was ready to acknowledge her connection to the boys or not, her inner cat’s feelings were clear.
    Tayen dashed to the adjoining door and leaped up the stairs, heading for her bedroom. Silky drapes billowed in the steady breeze, shading the open window. She took one last glance back before jumping to the yard below and scenting the air. Their combined scent lit up the evening, showing her the way as clearly as if she were staring at a map. Determination coiled tight in her belly as she gave a quick yip and disappeared into the growing dusk.
    * * * *
    Quinn Harrington ran along the trail, following Rogan’s dim form. The other man was several yards ahead of him, darting back and forth through branches and bushes that spilled over the small path. They’d caught sight of two men at the river’s edge shortly after winding their way down to the water, but the guys had bolted the instant Quinn and Rogan broke clear of the