Page 62 of Tiger Bitten

She was Ren, the Half-Cat.

Okay.

Mars reached over the arm of her chair and slid his hand around hers and then brought her knuckles to his lips for a soft kiss. His bright eyes were steady on her.

This was it. This was the life she hadn’t even known could exist for a creature like her.

Misty was human, and Dame loved her. Anyone around them could feel the bond between them. The Ledger brothers were Cats. This Ambush was both human and Cat, and for the first time in her entire life, Ren felt like she belonged.

And on top of it all…on top of all the kindness and honestly and genuine interested these people had showed in her…Misty was saying she was a part of their Ambush, like it was nothing.

But to her, even the mention of it was everything.

“I think okay then,” she said softly. “If it comes up, I don’t mind you talking about it with other Cats. I think maybe I should stop being ashamed of it.”

“Own it, girl,” Misty said, her tone dripping earnestness. “No one here will let you get shamed for it.”

“Thank you,” she said thickly. “Um, if Mars wants to stick with me, I would love to be a part of your Ambush.” She was emotional, and so happy, and relieved that no one here hated her after last night, or felt pity for her, or worst of all, felt uncomfortable around her.

“Hell yeah,” Dame said.

“Yesss,” Misty said, and scrambled out of her chair to give Ren a long, tight hug.

Stellan ruffled her hand from behind her and then went to sit in the chair across from her. He wasn’t smiling, but it was the first time she’d seen him not frowning, and that was progress.

Mars couldn’t seem to take his bright glowing blue eyes from her. He looked so proud, and she knew she would remember this moment for always. She pulled his hand to her cheek and pressed it there for a few seconds and then looked back up at him. His heart was in his eyes. “I’m sticking with you,” he said low. “You know I’m sticking with you. I couldn’t leave you if I wanted to.” He leaned over the chair and kissed her lips, then pressed his forehead against hers and whispered, “You belong.”

She was tearing up so badly right now, but the others seemed to know she needed a minute. They turned the conversation to plans for the day now that she and Mars were staying extra time here.

She was glad, and excited to have another adventure day with these people who were quickly becoming so important to her.

Ren was going to miss them when they had to leave. Misty with her positive energy and genuine kindness. Dame with his steadfast leadership. He seemed like the glue of the Ledger brothers. She would even miss Stellan with his insults and cactus-like personality.

As they all broke the Ambush meeting to go get ready for the day, Ren couldn’t stop the smile that stretched her face. Not if she tried with all her might. Look at what Mars had given her.

She was going to go back home a different woman. A different Half-Cat with a different level of confidence and a bigger support system of people who could understand her.

She was seen now.

And Mars would be right there with her as she tackled the next three months before Misty and Dame’s secret wedding. They had something so important.

He opened her door to the truck and waited for her to get in.

“I’m excited,” she told him suddenly, before he could shut the door. “About life.”

“I’m going to make sure it gets better and better.” Truth.

God, she loved that man. She loved him.

He’d broken her scars wide open so that she could start healing them from the inside out, and she didn’t know how to explain how thankful she was for him.

From the look on his face, she thought he understood. At least as much as he could.

From here on, she wasn’t alone. She wasn’t destined to have Almost-Changes in shame, or in the shadows.

Mars was her team now.

They all were.