Prowl the Night by Crystal Jordan Page B

since they were outcast.”
    The knot in his gut expanded. If the Ruizes would try to murder a Pride leader’s mate, then everyone was in grave danger. And Ciri had been stalked by one of them. “How big a threat would you call them now?”
    â€œIt’s difficult to say. I think it’s safe to assume they blame this Pride—specifically the Cruz family—for their fall from affluence and for the death of their mother.” Landon paused for a moment, his long fingers cupping the glass in his hands. “It’s possible they have a specific goal in mind, a single target. But considering their hunting of a woman they’d had no known association with, my guess is they want to make trouble for the entire Pride and any Panther who associates with the Pride.”
    Tomas set his scotch down, the fiery liquid churning in his belly. “Ciri said she sensed only one man.”
    â€œIt could be one of them working alone, but all three are in the city.” Landon shrugged, his gaze hardening. “In all likelihood, they’re working together.”
    Antonio nodded slowly, his expression both concerned and considering. “So, what do we do now?”
    â€œWe wait. We stay alert.” The human set his empty glass on a side table and stood. “I’m going to keep my people looking for them, see if we can beat the bushes and get them out in the open. It would be better if they left, but I’ve yet to meet a Panther that wasn’t tenacious. And dangerous, when provoked.”
    Tomas snorted. Truer words had never been spoken. Panthers were predators. “Thank you.”
    Landon slid his hands in his pockets, his gaze meeting Antonio’s. “I’m going to recommend that no one be allowed off the property alone, especially the women and children.”
    Protect the most vulnerable Pride members. Tomas and Antonio spoke at the same time. “Agreed.”
    The human left the room, but the Pride leader stayed where he was, sipping his alcohol. “I’ve known you for a lot of years, Tomas, and it may not be politic considering our positions, but . . .”
    â€œBut what?” Tomas wouldn’t have thought the knot in his stomach could get tighter, but it did. Whatever the leader wanted to say, he was pretty sure he didn’t want to hear it. He really didn’t think he could handle one more thing falling apart.
    â€œIt’s your mate. I hadn’t said anything before now, but even without the Ruiz incident . . .” One of Antonio’s broad shoulders dipped in a shrug. “She’s not happy here.”
    â€œShe’ll adjust.” The words were reflexive. He’d thought the same thing himself, but the last six months had been a lesson in pretending nothing was wrong, when in reality, nothing was right.
    â€œI’m not so certain about that.”
    Neither was Tomas, and it made every last pressure that weighed down on him feel even heavier. It seemed no matter what he did, it made things worse. If he pushed Ciri into the very public arena of politics, it made him and his father happy, but made his mate miserable. There was no way to please everyone, no compromise to be found. The breath eased out of his lungs. “Well, she doesn’t have to live here forever. I’m sure South America will be more to her liking.”
    The older man arched an eyebrow. “You’re that sure?”
    A bitter little smile curved Tomas’s lips. “It’s her destiny to be there, isn’t it?”
    â€œOnly if you’re the Pride leader.”
    That sent a jolt of shock through him, and everything in him rebelled at the thought. It was one thing for him to consider it at his darkest moments, but quite another for someone to voice it aloud. “That’s my destiny, isn’t it? It would be foolish to give that up. My people need me.”
    Antonio hitched his ankle onto the opposite knee. “Do they