Chapter 228 Chapter 228
Jesse ran faster, determined he was catching up to her. Minn was using all her reserves now, but had to tire at some point, he thought. He ignored the fact that he knew she’d run all the way to the mountain once Leah had gotten out of that place.
Seeing the rise in the ground on the other side of the trees, he darted between them, so he was literally on the higher ground. Jesse’s cat poured on speed he didn’t know he had. That was their mate he was chasing and short of interference from the heavens, he was catching her.
Minn was still darting in and out of the trees, it was slowing her down, even if she didn’t realize it. Part of him hoped Evanna was working on getting control of her, but after seeing what happened to her when she did, he needed to be able to get through to her. At least they were headed back toward the van now.
Spotting an opening, he pushed harder and then leaped down so he bumped against her, breaking her stride. She slid to a stop and then spun back to look at him.
Her sides were heaving, although he wasn’t doing much better in the breathing department. Putting his head down, he kept his legs straight and uttered a low growl. Not a warning really, but enough to get her attention. She stared him down, her tail flicking in annoyance.
Jesse took a few steps closer, keeping his tail still, and gave a breathless yowl, trying to communicate with her. He had to keep his cat in line while trying to get through to his out-of-control mate.
Minn’s tail stopped, she hissed at him, ears back, but wasn’t belly to the ground, so she was at least considering listening.
Advancing a few more feet closer, Jesse lowered his head down, so she wouldn’t feel like he was trying to pick a fight. He sat down, but his cat inside was coiled and ready if she bolted. His cat sounded a soft yowl, more of a ‘come on, let’s get along’.
The she-cat paused, her ears lifting, eyes wary.
Jesse let his cat take the lead, he knew what was at stake here. His cat shook his head, then made the low rasping meowing noise. Jesse had only ever heard it a few times in the years he’d been shifting and still thought he sounded like a big old bullfrog when he did it.
Minn yowled quietly back to him and took a few hesitant steps toward him.
Jesse got back up and waited for her to reach him. He would have stayed sitting, but his cat took the lead again, letting him know that was asking for a serious nip or swat. When she got closer, he stretched his neck as far as he could and made a show of sniffing at her, as if to say, ‘smell me, it’s not what you think.’ He admitted to himself that neither he nor his cat would ever be considered a lady’s man.
The scared she-cat moved closer and sniffed the air in his direction. He could see the surprise in her eyes when the scent registered with her. She had just learned that he was her mate.
Inside he was cheering, thinking, okay all three parts of her now know, on the outside he sat completely still and let her move closer and take his scent into her body.
When she flinched, it startled him and he moved closer, thinking something was out there and he’d missed it. The first priority was to protect his mate, once beside her he turned his head and checked the air. Three was nothing out of the ordinary. Looking back to her, she was laying on the ground, her breathing changing from cat to normal. Evanna had control now and was working on shifting back. He backed up to give her a little space.
“What happened?” Evanna sounded out of breath.
Jesse shifted quickly and sat behind her, “a noise like a gunshot, I think it was a car backfiring.”
“Oh. One second everything was fine and then she just took off.” She groaned. “How did you get her to settle?”
Jesse frowned, he’d thought it was Evanna that had done it. “I don’t know, I guess she realized I was calm and there wasn’t a threat.” He stood up, “I’m going to grab our clothes, are you good?”
“Yeah, it’s not as bad as it usually is. I’ll be good in a few minutes.”
“Okay, I’ll bring your clothes over.”
“Thanks.”
Jesse hurried over and grabbed his jeans. Pulling them on he, went to behind the van and picked up hers. He looked to see Thera sitting by the van. He was surprised she let him to the chase alone. “Standing guard?” He motioned to the field, “go run, this is the last time we stop for one until we get to Blair’s.”
Thera eyed him up for a moment and then got up and walked toward Evanna.
Shaking his head, Jesse went over and set her clothes behind her. He couldn’t stand here and look at her laying there naked. Nope, not for even a second. “I have to call Calum. Come and grab some jerky when you’re steady.”