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He shook his head and pressed his hand against her cheek. We aren t slaves to
our instincts. We are able to make choices and change behavioral patterns. It might feel
more natural to cling to our individual clans, but the situation is dire. Our survival
depends on cooperation. No one breed is powerful enough to take on the keepers alone.
We must unify.
The problems with our relationship have nothing to do with unification. He
started to object, but she raised her hands and touched his lips with her fingertips. No,
listen to me. The breeds can work together to resist the keepers without becoming one
large clan.
Don t you want to be with me? Her obstinacy was wearing him down. He
couldn t fight the expectations of his pride if Dyauna resisted him every step of the
way.
You know the answer to that. This has never been about what I want.
Then say it. He brushed his thumb over her lips. Just once, let me hear you
say that you love me.
My feelings are irrelevant, she snapped, anger flashing in her eyes. You are
pride leader. You must be able to pass on your bloodline.
He drew his arm out from underneath her and rolled onto his back. There was an
obvious solution, but he knew she wouldn t like it. Pride leaders are allowed to have
more than one --
I don t play well with others, and you know it.
So I m just supposed to let you go? Let you fight your rebellion while my heart
breaks?
Aubrey Ross United Passion 37
She shifted to her side and propped herself up on her elbow. The longer we
allow this to go on, the harder it will be to end it.
I don t want it to end. He caught her hand and pulled it to his mouth. The cuffs
dragged across his chest, the cold metal shocking against his skin.
Fate doesn t care what we want. Her wistful tone only incited his
determination. We are meant for different paths. That should be obvious.
I don t accept that. If you didn t love me, I d move on. But I know that s not the
case.
I enjoy being with you, but this isn t love. Her gaze darted away as she made
the claim. It s lust, pure and simple.
* * *
Grayson paced in front of the fallen log on which Sasha sat. It had taken longer
to reach the small clearing in human form than it would have if they d shifted into
tigers, but he didn t know Jizette, wasn t comfortable enough with Maddox s sister to
converse with her in the nude.
If you don t stop pacing, you ll wear a rut in the ground. Sasha smiled at him
and patted the log beside her. Come sit down.
A rustling in the darkness announced someone s approach. Grayson inhaled
deeply and verified that the visitor was a lion. After a long pause, a tall blonde woman
walked out of the surrounding trees. She wore a simple cotton dress and held a
backpack in one hand.
Thanks for coming, he greeted. He d spent enough time in the village to know
who Jizette was, but this was the first time he d spoken with her.
What can I do for you? Your message was rather vague.
Sasha stood and moved up beside him, slipping her hand into his. Do you
know where your brother is right now?
Jizette s guilty smile confirmed their fears. Not exactly.
But you know what he s doing? Grayson persisted.
I have a pretty good idea.
Aubrey Ross United Passion 38
Dyauna went on a perimeter sweep a couple of hours ago, and she never came
back. Grayson spelled it out so there would be no confusion. Is she with Maddox or
should we be searching the forest?
She closed her eyes for a moment then slipped her hands into the pockets of her
dress, trying not to let her amusement show. They re together, and they re safe.
There s no reason for concern.
I m not sure I agree. Does Maddox actually think he can coerce her into& What
exactly is he trying to do?
This has been brewing for a long time. The proposed unification is just the
catalyst that motivated Maddox to act.
I told you they were a couple, Sasha said, and the women exchanged knowing
smiles.
Grayson shook his head. Talk about opposites attracting.
I m not sure where he took her, Jizette went on, but if they were in danger, I d
sense it.
What s going on outside the colony? Sasha asked. Has DOMA managed to
suppress the vid or discredit us completely?
Not for lack of trying. Jizette finger-combed her hair back from her face. Like
everyone in Barbary pride she was tall and striking. The fallout from the vid has
surpassed our most optimistic projections. Coverage has been all over the news feeds.
There have been demonstrations and numerous calls for a full-scale investigation.
Is my grandfather safe? Grayson asked.
Jizette offered him an encouraging smile. I spoke with him this morning. He
was questioned and released. I think they know he s involved, but they can t prove it.
Grayson nodded. He hated the passivity of his role, but there had been no other
way. Separation was their best chance of deflecting danger away from his grandfather.
He was supposed to keep me updated through Maddox.
Well, Maddox was unavailable, so I convinced him to update me. I was going to
come see you in the morning, but your message beat me to the punch. Your
Aubrey Ross United Passion 39
grandfather s contact will release the test results sometime tomorrow. Hopefully that
will keep the momentum going. She rolled her shoulders and glanced off into the
distance. If Maddox shows up in the village, I ll send word to you.
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