Feral Bonds

Chapter 64

Natania's head was pounding, her links raw and open after she had carved out a space for the pridelanders. It had worked, they were there, but they didn't flow as easily as the other bonds did. Even her connection to Gretchen felt more natural than the wildcats. When she had more time, she would try to settle them in better, but right then she was ready to collapse.

Eight of them had joined, accepting the ceremony willingly after Meriam had proven it was safe. Nine if she included Meriam's son, Mikael. The others had been easier, falling into the space Natania had made for them. The two cougars, one leopard, two lions, a cheetah, and two panthers, and an odd small little cat Meriam called a serval. It looked like a tiny cheetah to Natania.

Natania's beast had fallen dormant, silenced by the force of their bonds, but there was a pain in her head that she couldn't shake.

"How do you feel?" Lily asked. She had grabbed onto Vincent's arm at some point, her fingernails leaving punctures in his skin, but he didn't seem to mind.

Natania walked over to them and bumped her head into Lily's thigh, wagging her tail slightly. Natania reached for her magic, and laughed as she managed to shift. She glanced over at Meriam. "I guess your magic doesn't affect me if we're pack."

Gretchen ran over and wrapped her arms around Natania. Lily squeezed her way in and tugged Vincent over as well. Natania grinned at them, then ducked out of their grasp. She was still pretty raw from the fight. But, as she stepped free of them, Bran tackled her from behind, followed by Sara, then Brady.

"Okay, okay." Natania tensed as they all squished her at once. "I love you all, too, but please, I'm wounded here." She had burns on both sides and at least a dozen scratches and bites. The added pressure didn't help.

"Oh, shit, sorry." They backed up from her and Natania gave them a small smile. The rest of her pack piled forward, but took more caution as they assured themselves she was alive.

Hayley took her hand and squeezed it. Avery clapped her carefully on the back. Alex gave her a nod.

Amani and Tyson kept their distance, but the grin Tyson sent her could have lit the sky. The thought reminded her that the sun was going to be up soon, and Natania turned to Vincent and Lily. "Thank you, both of you." Natania glanced at the ground and rubbed her arm nervously. "I'm sorry about your people."

Vincent ruffled her hair. "They knew what they risked."

Lily cupped her face and kissed her, pulling back quickly before Natania could react. Gretchen cleared her throat behind them and the vampire grinned over at Gretchen. "I think we can share."

Gretchen laughed, too overwhelmed with relief that they were both alive to be angry. "No, I don't think so." She wrapped an arm around Natania and pulled her against her chest.

Lily shrugged. "Had to try."

Natania laughed and glanced sheepishly up at Gretchen.

Gretchen kissed her nose. "Now what?" her mate asked.

Natania glanced around, taking in the mess that still hung around them. "Now we take care of the dead," she said.

"And after that?"

Natania glanced over her wolves, then turned to Amani and Tyson. "I think it's time I took back my territory." She flashed her fangs. "Rig didn't bring his entire pack, but I don't know most of them. Maybe they'll be more open minded to a familiar face?"

Amani stiffened, then nodded once. Wariness and anticipation battling in her eyes.

"What about the life we built here?" Gretchen said, frowning down at her.