Kane hesitated, but only momentarily, and then he straightened himself up, knocking one of the guards out with one blow, and then facing the other. His fists clenched, in his human form, these guards were no match for him. His uncle’s training in combat had paid off after all.
The guard lunged at him, and Kane dodged to the left, before bringing his two hands down on his opponent’s back, sending him crashing to the floor. A swift kick to the ribs had him doubled over, and Kane left him, to turn towards Amara.
She was gone.
The hallway was empty. Both the two women and the man, whom he guessed was Serrif, had fled. Coward. He lifted his head and took in Amara’s scent; he would know it anywhere, his lion’s senses making his own stronger.
Across the hallway and out into the night he followed her, he would always follow her, she knew that, she wouldn’t be scared because she knew he would always be there for her.
But she was scared, when he caught up with them, standing on a tennis court, with floodlights spilling down across the grass, he could see the fear clearly in her face. But it wasn’t fear for herself; it was fear for him. He understood why. This was the reason they had come to the Prime, this was the man who had killed his father and forced him and his brothers into hiding.
This was the man. This was the moment. This was his life.
And he wanted to keep it. He had so much to live for, so much he wanted to do, so much unfilled potential. Being one with his lion, even over such a short space of time, had made him understand more about life than he had in all of his years before. Being with Amara was life.
Inside him, his lion stretched, pacing backwards and forwards, ready for release. His tail swished, his lips drew back over his sharp teeth. They were waking as if from a deep slumber, their blood stirring, adrenaline pumping, they would be triumphant, here on the ground that had belonged to his father. This usurper would pay the ultimate price.
“Well, what do we have here?” Serrif said. “You look familiar. A face I haven’t seen for such a long time. Yes, I know who you are. I have been expecting you, or one of the other little cubs. I knew eventually you would have to return.”
He dragged Amara close to him, his hand travelling over her body, disrespectful, enjoying the way she tensed. Then he kissed her cheek, making Amara pull away, and he let her go, leaving her to fall to the ground as she overbalanced.
“She won’t get far. After I have beaten you, there will be nowhere to hide. I will enjoy having her in my bed, just as I have enjoyed having your mother in my bed.” He sneered, and beside him, Kane’s mother hung her head in shame.
Serrif laughed. Then he walked towards Kane, confident, in control, and Kane knew he would beat this man to a pulp and not stop until he was dead on the floor. Inside him the alpha lion woke. The lion whose task it was to protect his pride was lifting his head, ready to tell the world he was here, and he would be victorious.
“Shall we, little lion cub?” Serrif asked in a sing-song voice.
Kane did not speak, he simply moved away, gathering his lion to him, and letting him spring to life, fur erupting, claws digging into the ground, sharp teeth piercing his gums, tail flicking the air, not in anger, but in disgust at this man who had taken everything from him as a child.
Well, payback was coming. And payback was a young lion who was about to strike.
“You think you can take me on?” Serrif laughed. “I mean, really. You are already battered and bruised, it wouldn’t be a fair fight.”
Kane lifted his head and roared out his challenge, leaving no doubt to anyone who could hear that he was ready, and more than willing to fight.
“If you insist,” Serrif said, but the woman with him stepped in front of him to stop him.
“Serrif, please, let him go. Let them both go. Haven’t you done enough damage,” she pleaded.
“I am not the one who came here to fight. But if he insists, then for the sake of the Pride, and my pride.” He grinned at his own joke. “I have to do this. I promise not to kill him, my poor sweet Leandra.”
“Is that what you said to Kane’s father before you killed him? Told him you just wanted to talk?” Amara asked.
“Now, now, let’s not go dragging up the past, Leandra finds it quite upsetting, don’t you, dear?” he asked the women, who Kane now realised was his mother. “No, don’t worry, I’ll let him live, it’s much more enjoyable knowing he will be alive in Shifters Prime, while you live here with me, serving my every wish.”
He saw Amara move, knew she was going to change into her lion and take him on herself, but he didn’t want that. Serrif was his, he had to beat him, had to prove to everyone he was worthy to be his father’s heir. So he leaped forward, landing only ten paces away, and roared his challenge again.