Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 105815 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105815 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“Yes, it was a surprise and offers a small amount of protection.”
Leo shifted on the ground so that he could lay his head on Junjie’s lap. “Well, you’re in luck. I am happy to spend even more time hanging around your place at night to act as an early-warning system against this Jiang Chong asshole.”
Junjie frowned at him, his eyes flicking to Erik before darting back to him. “I wouldn’t want to impose upon your time and safety. If Jiang Chong discovers you can see him, it will make you a target.”
“I’m not worried when I’ve got such a sexy vampire close by to keep me safe.” He grinned and fluttered his eyelashes at Junjie. The vampire’s lips twitched and pinched, as if he were trying so very hard not to laugh at his nonsense.
A heartbeat passed and Junjie shocked him by slowly running his fingers through Leo’s hair, brushing it from his face. Leo held his breath, waiting to see if Junjie would repeat the motion or if it was a one-time thing. After another heart-stopping pause, Junjie continued to stroke his hair, a tiny smile forming on his pale-pink lips like a rose bud unfurling in the morning sunlight.
“The members of the Zhang clan will always protect you whenever you come to visit us,” Junjie murmured.
“I’m only worried about one clan member in particular protecting me.”
“Chen will protect you even if he doesn’t like the idea of it. He understands his duty to protect all of our guests.”
“Oh, ha ha ha. You’re so funny.”
Leo was debating getting up and tickling Junjie when Erik let out a fierce “Rawr!” and flopped on Leo’s chest. Leo’s oof turned into chuckles as he grabbed the boy and lifted him to his face so he could blow raspberries into his neck and cheeks. Erik giggled and kicked his feet as if he wanted to escape. Yet the second Leo released him, the child stretched out across Leo’s chest and closed his eyes, a bright smile on his face.
“Is this a cat shifter thing, too?” Junjie teased.
“Lying on people to get attention? Definitely.” Leo lifted his hand and rubbed Erik’s back. “When we find someone we like or trust, we’ll lounge on them and soak up the attention until we’ve had enough, then pop up and go about our business.”
“And how long does that take?”
“Depends on the person. Sometimes a few minutes.” Leo looked up at Junjie and grinned. “You? I don’t think I’ll ever get enough.”
A hint of red tinted Junjie’s cheeks, but his hand didn’t stop running through his hair. “Shameless flirt.”
“I don’t know the meaning of the word when it comes to you.”
“I’ll buy you a dictionary.”
Before Leo could cook up a response, Erik shoved off him and wandered over to his trucks as though he’d not stopped for an attention break.
Junjie chuckled. “Apparently, he’s had enough.” The vampire watched the little boy with an expression of such fondness that Leo’s heart squeezed. As if sensing Leo’s gaze, Junjie glanced at him and cleared his throat. “Is there anything else you can tell me? I know you’re reluctant to share your secrets, but I only wish to help Erik.”
Leo’s smile disappeared, and he sat up so he could face Junjie. A breeze swept through the courtyard, carrying with it the rich scent of fading summer and the distant chirp of birds. He threaded a lock of hair behind his ear for something to do with his hands.
“I’m sorry about earlier. It’s just that…you have to understand…” He paused and frowned at the grass in front of him. “There have always been very few cat shifters in the world. The wolf shifters are pretty free with the information about their kind, but they’re almost always found in packs. They’ve got other wolves to rely on to protect their backs if they’re in danger. Cats are always on their own. We live a very solitary life. Solitary hunters. If you get into a fight, you’re on your own. So, our secrets give us an edge. I’m not trying to be cagey or mysterious or even difficult. Once those secrets are out…” Leo let his words drift off and held out his open hands toward Junjie.
“I understand. I promise that anything you tell me, or any member of my clan, will remain a secret within the Zhang clan. We will protect that information with our lives.” Junjie’s handsome face softened. “As Erik grows older, I don’t want him to feel alone or scared. I want him to understand his kind and feel pride in what he is.”
Leo nodded. It came down to whether he trusted Junjie and his clan. That wasn’t a hard question to answer. He’d given them a two-year-old kitten to raise.
“We are skilled hunters,” Leo began with a grin. “We have excellent balance and grace. Erik will still be a clumsy and awkward teenager, though. Most of that grace and balance doesn’t kick in until we’re older, like twenties and thirties. Unless he’s an early shifter. Then he might get some of that at a younger age.”