Oath Sworn - K.N. Banet Page 0,91

by any means. It would make me a target of the werewolves if it got out that their major advantage was suddenly being used by a werecat, but if push came to shove…I had the ability now and would use it.

A few of the wolves gave me odd looks and I shrugged. “I’m good at pantomiming,” I explained. I mean, I am.

“Fine. That gives us a very powerful combatant in the fight.”

“Wait. Her? Powerful?” A wolf snorted.

“I’m four feet tall at the shoulder in werecat form and over four hundred pounds, and none of that is fat,” I informed him, yawning. “You really need to start educating your wolves better on werecats. I can tell you all sorts of things about werewolves.”

“We don’t run into your kind much anymore, so it’s fallen to the wayside. The vampires are more of a problem these days.” Heath seemed patient, but I could tell he was tired of everyone interrupting him. “Jacky brings up a good point, though, you do all need to start respecting her a bit more.”

“That’s not my point…”

“Werecats are larger, stronger, and faster than our kind. If you ever encounter one, make sure you have friends. Not a few. More like ten and even then, you’ll probably lose a few wolves in the fight. That’s what I’m counting on with bringing Jacky.” He smirked my way. “While she’s a bit of a hot mess, she is a werecat. She knows how to fight wolves. It’s in her bones. She just needs to listen to them.”

“I’ve fought before in my werecat form. This isn’t new to me. Well. This particular case is, but I’ve fought other werecats. I’m not a pushover when I’m in my werecat form.”

“Good,” he said softly. “And you’ve had quite a learning experience with wolves recently. When do we need to let you Change? Before the trip, or…”

“I can Change when we get there. Doesn’t take very long.”

“Okay.” He stopped staring at me now and turned to his advisor. “I want you to stay here, Shamus. Just in case.”

“Heath…You think I’m going to let you—”

“You don’t have to let me. I’m ordering you to stay here in case I die,” Heath snapped. “Don’t try to put our long friendship over the pack. Everyone left here will need a leader if I don’t make it out.”

Shamus lowered his head, displeased but respectful.

There were moments I was glad werecats were loners. There was really no one I had to worry about if I died. Carey was the exception, but if I died and her father lived…well, I didn’t have to worry about her either. I didn’t have to think about how this would leave Hasan without anything because he had other children, more family. He would lose another daughter, one who didn’t like him all that much. Oh no. Lani would lose a friend who was off breaking the Law anyway.

No one would miss me. Not really. And my being gone wouldn’t ruin anyone’s life.

Not that I want to die, but hey, at least no one will be bereft of anything important if I’m gone!

Can I get any more pathetic?

“I’m going to pick who is guarding us next,” he said loudly. “As honor dictates, I’ll ask first. Are there any volunteers?”

Every wolf in the room stepped up.

I sighed. Wouldn’t it be nice to have so many people willing to jump in front of a bullet for you? Scary, but nice.

I left the room after that, not needing to know who was chosen or be involved with the process. I shoved my hands into my hoodie pocket and left through the back of the building, enjoying the warm sun on my face.

Someone followed me, I could smell them, but I couldn’t see them. I sighed. I wished I was home for a moment. At least on my own territory I would be able to pinpoint the exact location of my mysterious companion.

Then I caught the scent of human on the air, one I knew now.

“Stacy, come out,” I ordered. “I don’t like people sneaking up on me, and I would have hated it if I’d accidentally hurt you.” And it was a real possibility. If I hadn’t smelled her humanity first, I would have roughed her up like a werewolf, and it might have killed her.

“Sorry…” She stepped around the corner. “I got tired of being there, useless.”

“Me too,” I said, exasperated. “Now we just wait for the wolves to make their plans and follow along. You just have