"Of all the pets, we're the most owned of them all," Flor said. "They don't think we're a threat. We're cheap delights, like fast fashion. You came from their homes, their clubs--and you know that we're the last ones they think will fight back. So I hope you're ready to prove them wrong. Wolves and cats aren't the only ones with sharp edges, with spines. We will fight to defend our homes, our families. We will show the world that we're not fucking tiki lounge parrots, we're the eagles that go to the volcano in the Hobbit. We’re a nightmare out of Hitchcock. We’re going to take this world back." He sat down again and started downing his wine, in the moment of dead silence that followed.
"It was Return of the King, with the eagles," Ian whispered, like he just couldn't help himself.
Then some woman at the next table said, “Fuck yes, I worked twenty years at one of those shitty clubs!"
"I was a pet for twenty years!"
"I dream of pouring a cocktail on someone's head every day,” a guy said.
They started to cheer, although I think Merilee and Spencer were proud of genteel Birdland and looked a little miffed. Now I realized Florian had done exactly what he needed to do--break the pleasantries and cut through the bullshit, making it clear that this would be a fight and I was their new leader.
Not every shifter is going to agree with the aim of the prophecy. That's why it's important to act like a leader right away, whether I feel ready for it or not. If I don't start off strong, I can't get it back easily later.
Although I'd never been a leader before, this was a lesson I learned working for Uncle Roy. Be on the attack, not on the defense. It started with Roy himself. I learned as a kid that if I was soft or I cried, he'd give me crappy jobs and none of his respect, but when I stood up to him, he'd reward me for it. He knew that all I'd be able to rely on in the world he was sending me into was my own moxie.
With Flor clearing a path, I stood up and thanked Spencer for the toast and the welcome. "Flor has it right," I said. "This moment in time might be our one chance to forge a place for ourselves. Shifters were able to hide for hundreds of years, but those wild places are largely gone and we know with technology, we can never hide again. So our choice is clear. We can remain servants and pets and something for humans to fear, or we can make Istara strong and show the humans that there will be consequences to pushing us around!"
The birds cheered me on. I picked at my food and I came home exhausted. I said all that stuff and I still had no idea how to use my powers. But at least I can talk big...
Ian and Waylon had been really good about stepping aside for each other and letting me give them a signal about who I wanted next to me at night. I'd spent last night with Ian after his fight, although his wounded shoulder meant I couldn't get as hot with him as I wanted. I wanted him again tonight, because he was familiar. Actually, I wished I had both of them, but I wasn't sure they'd be comfortable with that yet.
I ran into Flor in the hall again as I was coming back from the kitchen.
"Hello again, stalker," I said in a playful tone, since he was standing there like he was waiting for someone.
“Are you drinking a teacup of milk, kitten?” He snort-laughed.
“It has chamomile tea in it too! It helps me sleep!”
"I wanted to apologize for hijacking your speech," he said. "I just got really pissed off seeing the birds in the park and everything presented with such...a veneer of bullshit."
"You don't have to apologize at all." I smiled. "I liked it. Actually, it was the perfect lead-in. I don't know if the 'Co-Mayors' loved it, but...I did."
"Good," he said, and then he turned back into his bedroom.
Really? What a frustrating man.
I was going to let him go and then I decided, fuck it. I reached for him instead and when he turned back around, I kissed him. Well, it was more of a peck, but at least it was a claim.
His eyes bored into me.
"You know what you are," I said. "You know there's something."
"You don't want to mess with me. I'm a bad partner. I'm not good at relationship stuff, I'm not touchy feely, and I like to have total control when I fuck a woman. Which is all I do. I'm no lover."
Wet heat bloomed out of me at the thought of him just trying to assert total control over me. Not that he'd have much luck. "Sounds like a pretty hot challenge," I said. "Plus, I'm not sure you have a choice. Plus, plus, I think you're full of shit. You're far from heartless."
"Helping random people is different than giving a woman what she needs."
"You don't know what I need. I bet you've never been any woman's third in line before."
"Don't bet on that," he growled. "Maybe not that, but I've been a pet and a toy and I'm not going to be that for you. If you really want me, then when you're with me, you're all mine--every inch of you. Those are my terms." He gave me one last look that penetrated deep into my lady bits and then pushed his door shut, forcing me back a step.
"Fuck you," I yelled.
Oh, good god. That had made it so much worse.
"Ian...I know you're still recovering from the shoulder..."
"Damn, what got you going?" Ian was waiting for me in bed, reading the end of Return the King. He put it down and beckoned me to the side of the bed.
His hand slipped right up my skirt and down my underwear and stroked the ache. I moaned, still incredibly turned on by him too, especially now that his shirt was off, although his shoulder was still all bandaged up.
"I guess you got in the mood for giant eagles," I said. "And I got in the mood for a falcon." I bit my lip as his hand kept giving my clit a firm caress. "Florian is my consort too. I'm sure of it, especially after today, and...Ian, I don't know what's happening to me…"
"None of us really do," Ian said. "But I think we all suspected Florian might be part of this...and if so, he'll come around. He can take his time, though..." Ian pulled his hand out of my underwear and licked my juices off his fingers, then immediately pulled me into bed with him, onto him. I straddled his crotch, feeling his cock swell to life under my wet panties, and I moaned again.
"Need a ride?" he said, grinning.
"Yes..."
I pulled off my clothes and helped him pull off his, to spare his shoulder, and then I sat on his shaft, easily taking him to the hilt. Even when he had to take it easy, Ian was a gratifying partner, flexing with me, caressing me, and looking me over like I was the best sight he'd ever seen in his life. Ian might be tougher now, but he was still the boyfriend i'd dreamed of as a teenager--truly a partner to me, who knew me well enough that I could fully relax in his arms when it was over, savoring the comfort of his skin touching mine, my breasts pressed into his muscles, his strong arm draped over me, his kisses soft and spontaneous even as we were starting to drift into sleep. I licked his cheek a couple of times, unable to resist, and then zonked out.
But even as I fell asleep I found myself wondering...what would Florian say if I went to his room and told him, You can have me...do what you will.
Chapter Fourteen