time for a change. What with a moggy leader and the ways your colony engages with humans and moggies as though they’re equal to pures, we’re concerned you may be putting yourself in danger.”
“Danger?” A tight grasp on his temper, Conrad scoffed. “My colony is not creating danger. It is protecting me. It is doing what it can to make the world safer and better for everyone. Besides, what do you know about my colony? How could you profess to know anything?”
His parents exchanged glances, and his mother took a deep breath. “The were-cat community exists outside of human detection. But we hear things.”
A controlled growl rolled in his chest and came out as cynical snickering. “I can just imagine you and your friends chittering about my colony mates, as though you have nothing better to do with your time than criticize.”
His mother held his gaze, her lips a tight, thin line. “It’s not like that, Conrad. I wish you could understand how far your stature and affluence can take you—if you align with the right people, including in the were-cat community. You should consider joining our colony. The members are strictly pures and we interact with other colonies located in Canada and Europe. It could be a very fruitful association for you.”
“That’s right, son. We’re thinking of you and what’s best for you, as we always have.” His father’s voice ground on Conrad’s nerves.
Conrad leaned forward across the table. “If you truly loved me and wanted to show me, you would let me live my life as I choose, interacting with were-cats I’m comfortable being around. You’d be happy I have a great friend in Asia, and welcome her to the party.” They didn’t know back when he joined and he wouldn’t share it with them now, but in what was now Casey’s colony he’d found a safe place.
His father’s cheek muscle clenched. “We only want what’s best for you, Conrad,” he repeated. “You have to trust us. Asia is not your friend. She’s a moggy, and moggies see you for what you can give them. They can’t be trusted.”
Conrad’s pulse raced. His body tingled with adrenaline. He wouldn’t let them see his emotions or that he was so close to rage that he was fighting shimmering right here in the sunroom.
Slowly, he folded his napkin and laid it on the table. He could be calm. There was nothing to benefit from flashing his anger at them. He pushed away from the table and made to leave. “I’m sorry you feel that way, both of you. Asia is my friend and I want a friend with me at your gala. I expect you’ll treat her with the respect and graciousness you reserve for your own friends.”
His mother stood and walked up under his nose. “Your kindness to humans and moggies is admirable. But you are only causing problems that you may not be able to manage. You don’t want harm to come to your friend, do you? Or for your friend to feel out of her element? Reconsider, Conrad, and start a relationship with Rebecca.”
“That sounds like a command. I don’t take well to commands, not even from you, Mother.” He turned to leave, sorrow lying in a lump in his heart, but his father grabbed his arm.
“Are you pretty happy with all the luxuries our money affords you, Conrad?” His father raised an eyebrow.
“Threats, Dad? That used to work when I was younger.” The lump in his heart turned hard. “I love you, but I don’t need you. I’ve made a life of my own. You can’t coerce me with bribes or commands or threats.”
He headed to the door with only the clipped sound of his shoes on the marble floor punctuating the awkward silence.
Chapter Five
“It was super sweet of you to bring me lunch.” Asia sat across from Gavin at a small table in the newspaper’s break room and picked through the turkey and Gouda sandwich on wheat bread, removing the sliced tomatoes.
“I’m sorry I didn’t know you don’t like tomatoes on your sandwich.” He slanted his head and gave her an
“Danger?” A tight grasp on his temper, Conrad scoffed. “My colony is not creating danger. It is protecting me. It is doing what it can to make the world safer and better for everyone. Besides, what do you know about my colony? How could you profess to know anything?”
His parents exchanged glances, and his mother took a deep breath. “The were-cat community exists outside of human detection. But we hear things.”
A controlled growl rolled in his chest and came out as cynical snickering. “I can just imagine you and your friends chittering about my colony mates, as though you have nothing better to do with your time than criticize.”
His mother held his gaze, her lips a tight, thin line. “It’s not like that, Conrad. I wish you could understand how far your stature and affluence can take you—if you align with the right people, including in the were-cat community. You should consider joining our colony. The members are strictly pures and we interact with other colonies located in Canada and Europe. It could be a very fruitful association for you.”
“That’s right, son. We’re thinking of you and what’s best for you, as we always have.” His father’s voice ground on Conrad’s nerves.
Conrad leaned forward across the table. “If you truly loved me and wanted to show me, you would let me live my life as I choose, interacting with were-cats I’m comfortable being around. You’d be happy I have a great friend in Asia, and welcome her to the party.” They didn’t know back when he joined and he wouldn’t share it with them now, but in what was now Casey’s colony he’d found a safe place.
His father’s cheek muscle clenched. “We only want what’s best for you, Conrad,” he repeated. “You have to trust us. Asia is not your friend. She’s a moggy, and moggies see you for what you can give them. They can’t be trusted.”
Conrad’s pulse raced. His body tingled with adrenaline. He wouldn’t let them see his emotions or that he was so close to rage that he was fighting shimmering right here in the sunroom.
Slowly, he folded his napkin and laid it on the table. He could be calm. There was nothing to benefit from flashing his anger at them. He pushed away from the table and made to leave. “I’m sorry you feel that way, both of you. Asia is my friend and I want a friend with me at your gala. I expect you’ll treat her with the respect and graciousness you reserve for your own friends.”
His mother stood and walked up under his nose. “Your kindness to humans and moggies is admirable. But you are only causing problems that you may not be able to manage. You don’t want harm to come to your friend, do you? Or for your friend to feel out of her element? Reconsider, Conrad, and start a relationship with Rebecca.”
“That sounds like a command. I don’t take well to commands, not even from you, Mother.” He turned to leave, sorrow lying in a lump in his heart, but his father grabbed his arm.
“Are you pretty happy with all the luxuries our money affords you, Conrad?” His father raised an eyebrow.
“Threats, Dad? That used to work when I was younger.” The lump in his heart turned hard. “I love you, but I don’t need you. I’ve made a life of my own. You can’t coerce me with bribes or commands or threats.”
He headed to the door with only the clipped sound of his shoes on the marble floor punctuating the awkward silence.
Chapter Five
“It was super sweet of you to bring me lunch.” Asia sat across from Gavin at a small table in the newspaper’s break room and picked through the turkey and Gouda sandwich on wheat bread, removing the sliced tomatoes.
“I’m sorry I didn’t know you don’t like tomatoes on your sandwich.” He slanted his head and gave her an
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