The Purrfect Predicament (Australian Shifters) by Angela Castle Page B

around the ground floor of their home with a quick tour.
    "And this is the rumpus/game room. We've got an Xbox , PlayStation and a Wii , in the cupboard under the TV. I, of course, rock at Guitar Hero . Hamish has yet to beat my score."
    "That's because you cheat."
    "Nu-uh, Bro, that's because I'm awesome."
    Juniper groaned, rolling her eyes, and Hamish chuckled. "She's getting to know you already."
    "I'm starting to think this house isn't big enough for just Andy and his ego."
    "Yup, she's got you pegged." Hamish squeezed her around the shoulders, guiding her to the overstuffed, soft sofa in the corner by the window.
    "Juniper, it's time to reveal some truths about us, and who we are, and just why we took you."
    Hamish sat beside her; Andy could see her hands trembling in Hamish's. He wanted to touch her, needed to touch her. His snarling Panther still paced restlessly in the back of his mind, and would not settle until he—they—had properly claimed her.
    He sat down on her other side. Her hair was just shy of her neck. He brushed his fingers along the lovely curve of her neck.
    She shuddered under his soft touch, tearing her gaze from Hamish to glance up at him. "Just admiring your beauty."
    When she opened her mouth to no doubt protest his words, he pinned her with a dominant glare, daring her to contradict him. Her mouth snapped shut. He smiled his triumph; he wouldn't stand for any more derogatory words coming out of her mouth.
    He stole one of her hands from his brother, turned it over and pressed a kiss to her wrist. Her breathing hitched when he ran his tongue over her skin, tasting her. By the Goddess he wanted her, badly.
    Take her, claim her! I'm working on it, buddy.
    "Your past has nothing to do with why we took you. Andy first bumped into you at the café. For us, it's natural instinct to know the ones we are destined to be with. To us you are our one true mate," Hamish explained.
    "Mate?" Her head swiveled back to stare at him.
    "It's a bond stronger than marriage, it lasts more than a life time," Andy added. "Although it's not common for two of us to gain one mate, but it has happened. For our people, more often than not, our children are born in sets of twins."
    "And the fates have given you to both of us."
    "Fates, mates? Do you realize how crazy this sounds? Your people? Are you a part of some kind of cult?"
    Hamish chuckled. "Far from it, while we believe in the mother Goddess, we are as cult-less as they come. But, we do protect our own."
    "And just what is your own; who are your people?"
    Hamish caught Andy's gaze. "Would you care to show her your Panther first?"
    "Oh, where are your Panthers?" Juniper gazed up at him with eagerness.
    She loved the damn Panther more than him.
    Ah hell, who was he kidding? He was already head over heels in love with her. She was his mate. What was there not to love? But best not to reveal that little bit of information yet.
    "I get to be show and tell boy, one Andy coming up." It took great strength to pull away and stand. He toed off his boots, swiftly removing his shirt and shucking his jeans.
    Juniper's eyes widened, her cheeks filling with color as he stood naked, and grinned. Hamish had put his arms around her, getting ready to hold her tight if she launched into another panic attack. "You see, Juniper, we're not entirely human. Andy and I are shifters, we turn into Panthers. The Panther who invited himself into that shack you called a home back in Sydney, is Andy here."
    Her nose scrunched up, confusion in her gaze. "You are crazy, and he is naked and crazy!"
    Hamish's smile was gentle and knowing. "Watch him, baby girl."
    Andy summoned his Panther, letting it take him over. The change washed through to his every cell and molecule, mutating into his other half. He dropped to the floor, his tail swished as he stared up at Juniper. Her mouth hung open and her eyes were as wide as saucers.
    "That did not just happen!" she squeaked, in a high pitched panicky