“Yes, but with our help,” Kenzie said, keeping her impatience in check. “We attacked it, and Bowman got it after we harassed it a lot.”

“Got it with what? His teeth? His claws? His body odor?”

“Don’t be a shit,” Kenzie told him in English. “With Cade’s truck, and I’m betting you already heard the story, so don’t mess with me.”

Cristian lost his derision as he let out a real laugh. “No wonder Cade snarled at me. He must be in mourning. He worshiped that stupid truck.”

“It wasn’t as funny as it sounds. Bowman was nearly crushed to death, and even then the thing only ran off.” She remembered her terror as she’d rushed to Bowman lying bleeding under glass and bent metal. She’d nearly wept in relief when she found him still alive. “That creature didn’t die. It’s still out there.”

“I know.” Cristian stopped, turning a sharp gaze on Kenzie. “What is Bowman doing about it?”

“He’s getting over being hurt first.” Kenzie returned his look with a scowl. “He doesn’t want to rest, but I’m making him stay down for a while. And you’ll leave him alone while he recovers.”

Cristian gave her an innocent look that Kenzie didn’t believe for a minute. “You think I would rush in while he’s injured and try to take over Shiftertown?”

“Yes,” Kenzie said steadily.

“Give me credit for some honor, please, sweetling. When I fight him, we will do so on equal footing. I would not creep up on him while he is down and take him out.” Cristian looked genuinely hurt that Kenzie would think so, but Kenzie knew better. Her uncle would take any advantage he could—he always did.

In his sweats, his skin sheened with perspiration, Cristian looked like any other man out for a jog—any tall man in great shape. Cristian was a hundred years older than Bowman and had a hundred and fifty on Kenzie, but he was at the height of his strength. “My niece, when I do take Bowman down, you must be ready to decide whose side you are on. I will not let you get in my way. And if I defeat him, you must be prepared for those consequences too.”

Kenzie glowered at him. “Don’t threaten me, Uncle Cris. You know I’m not afraid of you, and you’re just pissing me off.” Not exactly true—she did worry a lot about what Uncle Cristian got up to.

Cristian knew she did. “You share no mate bond with Bowman. We all know this. If he dies, you will be free, not dead inside yourself. When that day comes, I know you will be strong. I will need you.”

“I’ll stand by him,” Kenzie said, her jaw so stiff it hurt. “He’s my mate. Unlike some people in this family, I know what loyalty means.”

Cristian’s lip curled. “If you refer to me killing my father to take over the clan, he was very old and knew it was his time to die. He fought well, and was grateful to go out with some dignity. He smiled at me when the Guardian came to send him to dust. He knew I could well look after the pack and Afina.”

Kenzie had heard this version of the tale before. “So you’ve said.”

“Times were different, Kenzie. All clan leaders gained their position by the death of the leader before them. None of this politeness—Pardon me, Dad, while I take over the clan, and you go live with your girlfriend.”

Cristian was talking about the Austin Shiftertown, where leadership had recently switched without bloodshed. The understanding the Morrissey father and son had reached was, to Kenzie, much preferable to a fight to the death. She certainly didn’t want to think about Ryan and Bowman trying to kill each other.

“It wasn’t exactly like that,” Kenzie began, but Cristian shook his head, not interested.

“I should lead this Shiftertown by right of hierarchy, not to mention strength and experience. You’re a sweet woman to stick by your mate, but don’t push me, Kenzie. I’m still your clan leader.”

“Not anymore,” Kenzie said. “I switched when I left to live with Bowman, remember?”

Cristian’s hands went to her shoulders. “You never lose your connections, niece. You’re Dimitru pack, and always will be. The sooner you understand that, the easier your life will be.”

Kenzie’s throat hurt. She’d made a pledge to the O’Donnell pack as soon as she and Bowman had been mated under sun and moon. She was the flag of truce between the packs, Ryan their hope of permanent unification. When Ryan was leader, the clans would be one.

But Ryan, at the moment, was an innocent cub who only wanted to play with his friends.

“I have to catch up with my son,” she said to Cristian. “Don’t talk to me anymore unless you’re passing the time of day or telling me how Grandma’s doing. I’m tired of you trying to turn me against Bowman.” She made a gesture like a baseball ump signaling an out. “Not gonna happen.”

Anger flared in Cristian’s eyes, making the gold spark. “You’re still family, Kenzie. Still pack. I’ll talk about what I damn well please. Soon, you’ll have to remember who you are.” He gave her a long look. “You’ll understand, in the end.”

Without giving Kenzie a chance to answer, he turned his back and walked away, picking up into a jog a dozen strides down the road.

Kenzie watched him go in disquiet, knowing the abrupt back-turning for what it was. He was telling her he wasn’t afraid to show her his vulnerable side, because it made no difference. He was stronger than any Shifter around and always would be.

Soon, you’ll have to remember who you are.

Kenzie didn’t like the hint, or the implication that he’d oust Bowman sooner or later. Had he anything to do with last night’s attack? Had he figured out a way to clear Bowman out of his way? She didn’t see how, but, as she’d thought at the beginning of the conversation, Uncle Cris could be slippery.

Damn him. Whatever he’d been on about, he made the crisp winter air oppressive. Kenzie watched her uncle jog away for a time before she quickened her steps down the road the rest of the way to Cade’s.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Bowman didn’t like the thought of Kenzie and Ryan out there alone. Not today.

He started out of bed, letting out a grunt of pain when his leg reminded him it wasn’t all the way healed. It wasn’t agonizing anymore, but very stiff, the muscles pulled all to hell. The break itself would already be fused, or close to it, but the soft tissues were going to ache and annoy him for a while.