The Secrets of the Panther
Chapter 22

Blake

I couldn’t believe my mate was about to kill Linda even though her actions would have been understandable but I can’t let her do it, not to Dale and Kacey.

Izzy and Puna ran off through the woods.

I turned to look at every one.

Dale and Kacey were standing with Linda, trying to comfort her.

My mum was comforting Kat, while Paul is holding his mate Alice.

I have to mind-link my father about what happened.

I opened a mind link.

“FATHER SEND SOME GUARDS TO KAT’S CAFE NOW,” I said.

But when my father speaks I know my mother has beaten me to it. “They are on their way son, you need to be with your mate,” he said.

How did he know about Izzy?

“Dad, how?” I said, but I am cut off by his voice. “Your mother told me, but I had a funny feeling that you were mates back at your party when you were asking Elder Johnson about different shifter mates.″

Well, that I needed to know but that could have been for someone else but he continues.

“I’m ok with who your mate is,” he said. “We will sort out that crap after but you need to be with her, she needs you.”

After that, he shuts the mind link down.

I look around, but my eyes land on Kat who looks at me.

“You need to replace her, Puna can calm down easily, especially after running as she wears herself out but Izzy will be a mess,” she said with a shaky voice towards me but turns her head, her anger flaring up again and glares at Linda.

“You need to get her out of here too, it won’t be Izzy she will be worrying about. I will kill her myself” she said seething while glaring at Linda.

I couldn’t agree more and looked at my best friends.

“Kace, you and Dale take your mother back to the pack house please,” I said turning towards them.

They both look hurt and guilty but also torn.

Dale is pissed off but he shows nothing on his face. I know him too well.

I know they want to get to know Izzy but Linda isn’t going to make it any easy for them that was clear after what happened this evening.

Kacey and Dale don’t say anything to me, as they leave without saying a word.

I watched as they stepped through the broken glass on the ground and make their way to Linda’s car on the other side of the road.

I turned to leave, but a hand stops me.

“Blake, replace my cousin please,” Alice asked.

I looked at her, she looks defeated.

I give her a small smile and place a kiss on her head.

Paul lets a low growl slip through, I look back at him and smile, “You have nothing to worry about dude, I am going to get my mate” I said.

I turned to leave through the broken glass, but a mind link comes through. “Bring her back, bring back our sister,” Kacey said in a small voice. “We can sort it out with Izzy, Blake. We need to make sure our mother is not around in the future.”

I felt conflicted as I didn’t want to hurt Izzy anymore, so I changed the subject.

“How are you and Dale?” I asked.

I stared out where I have been for the last few seconds as I watched Dale drive away with Kacey in the front and Linda in the back of the car.

“We’ll be fine,” she said. “I don’t know how Dad will take all this.”

Graham was the least of my worries.

“Just take your mother home, but not to the pack house. Have Dale mind-link your dad about what has happened. Once things have cooled down, I will see you both back at the pack house soon,” I said, closing down the mind link.

I was about to leave when an SUV pulls up with three guards climbing out.

I look around.

The guards that have come are sweeping the glass up and dealing with damage control with other pack members who witnessed everything or heard it all.

I looked in the direction that my mate went and run.

It wasn’t long till I picked up her scent quickly, but she has a head start on us, she runs really fast.

I am going to have a hard time catching up with her. I quickly shift into Axel and run as fast as we can through the forest, picking up our mate’s scent.

We need to make sure she is alright but also we need her to know that we want her.

LINDA

I had to see her; everyone has been on about the new panther girl.

My goddess, she looks like her mother.

I want nothing to do with her.

I looked around the car; both of my kids haven’t said a word to me since we left.

“Has Blake found his mate yet?” I asked.

Both are still ignoring me.

“Well, we can have a nice meal when we get back. Your father will like that” I said but Dale lets a growl slip through. “That’s enough mother, I wonder what Dad will say about this,” he said through gritted teeth.

That girl has turned my son against me.

Kacey looks back at me through the sun visor mirror with a grim look.

She has turned them both against me.

I sighed and pulled out my phone as a text message:

Should have been careful with what you said but I liked the show.

I started to type, trying not to let either Kacey or Dale know:

Were you there? Are you back with him?

I looked up and out the window, we are closer to our house, and I can see Graham standing on the porch with a pissed-off look, I wonder who told him.

As soon as Dale stops the car, they both climb out of the car and leave me in the back seat.

I watched as they head straight to Graham, all three of them talking.

Suddenly they all stop and look back at me; I haven’t left the car yet.

I am about to open the door when another text comes through:

I’m not there but word has gotten out. Your little stunt might have made it go our way to get rid of the panther once and for all. But he is waiting for his timing; when she is on her own that’s when he will strike.

I read the message again and smiled.

At last some good news.

I opened the car and knew what was waiting for me, but I didn't care.

I got rid of one panther, I was about to get rid of another.