Chapter 13

Sydney glared at Isaac as he pushed her into his vehicle.  “I can’t believe he just did that.  He picked them over us.”

Isaac rolled his eyes at her and walked around the car.  He hopped into the driver’s seat before saying, “He did not chose them over us; he found the situation that would be best for everyone as a whole.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and stared out the window.  If she were being honest with herself, then she would admit that it wasn’t the fact that Blake sent them away that was bothering her.  She didn’t like how he had stood there, stared at her, and then picked up that woman.  He had walked off without a backwards glance, leaving her and Isaac in the middle of a crazy mob.

“Wait,” Isaac drawled out, “are you jealous?”

“Me?” she asked, hoping to stress the disgust she felt.  “I am not, and will never be jealous over the women in Blake’s life.”

“You’re jealous of Ally.”

“Ally,” she mumbled.  “You already call her Ally.”

“What gives, Syd?  You’re not acting like yourself.  Is it the after effects of the fight?  Or have you really turned into a moody bitch since I left?”

“Everyone likes her,” Sydney mumbled, admitting to herself that she did feel a bit envious of the woman.

Isaac snapped on his seat belt, started the engine and pulled out onto the road before replying, “It’s because she doesn’t put up fronts.  Plus, I know for a fact that there are people who don’t like her.”

Sydney waved her hand dismissively.  “They don’t like what she is, not who she is.  It’s different.”

“If you would quit pretending to be so mean, people would enjoy your company too.  You put way too much energy into keeping this façade up.  The people closest to you know how you really are.”

She began counting trees as they passed by.  It wasn’t an easy task, and the faster they went, the more impossible they became to count.  “Do you even know where we are going?”

“Nice change of subject, but to answer your question, yes.”

“How?”

He glanced her way for a moment.  His gold eyes connected with hers, and she immediately knew the answer.  Keeping her mouth shut, she still waited for him to speak.  “When I was a lion, I came through here a lot.  I actually stayed in a local motel once when it became to blurry.”

“Blurry?”

“Yeah,” he said with a nod.  “I didn’t know whether I was born a lion or a human.  When that happens, you know it is time to shift back to your human form.”

“How long were you a lion?”

Something flashed in his eyes before he turned his attention back to the road.  “The motel is just a couple miles up the road.”

“Nice change of subject.  How about we talk about something else?”

“What?”

She thought about the events that had just passed.  The fact that she was about to kill Kris didn’t bother her.  She now knew that that wasn’t her.  It wasn’t her that had the urge to snap the white neck; it was someone urging her on, someone who had magic.

“Who do you think was pushing their magic on me?”

Isaac paused for a moment, and Sydney knew that he was thinking the question over.  “It wasn’t Kris.  The girl was petrified when Blake saved her.  It had to be someone with a lot of power, and who wanted a war between the lions and the leopards.  My best guess is that it is someone who doesn’t want Ally on the throne.”

“And who would that be?”

“That’s the problem,” Isaac replied with a shrug.  “It could be anyone.”

“True, now, one more question.”

“Why did Blake go after the woman instead of helping us?”

Sydney sent him a tiny smile.  “You know me too well.”

“Yes, I do, babe; yes, I do.”

“Any way,” she said, attempting to ignore the slight blush that covered her face as he called her babe.  He hadn’t done that since before he left, and the name brought back memories.  “What do you think?”

“It could be because he felt as if he owed his life to her.  It could be because she was the most helpless out of everyone.”

“Or?” Sydney asked when he began to trail off.

“Or, she could be his mate.”

She shook her head.  “He wouldn’t know this quickly.”

Isaac shot her a quick glance.  “You know how it is when you find your mate.  We may be able to choose who we mate with, but there is an unmistakable urge to be with that one person.”

“It only happens with true mates, and not everyone has one.”

“But the few people, who are lucky enough, can recognize the signs.”

“What are the signs?”

“You know them,” he whispered, “but if you want me to tell them to you, here you go.  You have this urge to protect that person.  When they are with a person of the opposite sex, jealousy courses through you unchecked.  When you are touching them, your problems disappear, and everything seems better than it was before.  That is just a few things that happen when you find your true mate.”

She glanced away from him, not liking his words.  If what he said were true, she had already met her true mate, and she had let him go years ago.  Now, there was no hope.  She would never be able to be with him.  She had responsibilities, none that included indulging in fantasies.

The sign for the motel appeared, making relief relax her body.  Finally, they were going to get out of this car, and away from the conversations.  His blinker flicked on, signaling his right turn.  As soon as he stopped in the parking lot, Sydney jumped out of the car and sped towards the office.

Pushing open the door, she listened to the ding as she looked around.  Only one man sat behind the small desk.  It wasn’t a nasty motel, but it also wasn’t one that would be found in the upper class neighborhoods she was used to.  Walking up to the man, she sent him a smile.  “I would like to book two rooms, please.”

He glanced up at her, glanced out the window then shook his head.  “I’m sorry, Ma’am, but we only have one room available.”

Sydney glanced around the place in disbelief.  “You have got to be kidding me?  There is no one else here.  We are in the middle of nowhere, and you are seriously telling me that there is only one room available.”

The man nodded, but didn’t say another word.  After a few seconds, Sydney realized that the man would not back down.  “Fine,” she said with a sigh.  “Can I book the room please?”

“Yes, you may,” the older man replied while smiling at her.  He reached back without looking, and grabbed a key.  Sliding it across the desk, he waited for her to grab it before talking.  “Now, there is a place out back where you can go running, if you find the urge.  No animal forms in the rooms.  Cats like to claw, and I value my furniture.  Any food that you require will be given to you, but don’t expect a gourmet meal.  If you have any other questions, or need any help during you stay, don’t hesitate to come talk to me.”

“You know what I am?”

The man’s smile widened as a ding sounded once more.  “Magic.  If you a shifter, the door dings when you enter.”

“Interesting,” a voice said from behind her.  Looking over, she watched as Isaac made his way towards the counter.  “Can you tell me more about this magic?”

The man shook his head.  “Sorry, boy, but it’s a trade secret.”

“I understand,” Isaac replied with a nod.  “If I knew how to do that, I wouldn’t share it with anyone either.  Does it work with shifters who can mask their scent?”

“Yes, the only ones that it doesn’t pick up on are the ones that are so powerful that they can mask themselves.”

“Very interesting.  I may have to find a couple of your secrets out before I leave.”

“But,” the man said with a nod towards the door, “now, you have to get going to your room.”

“Yes, Phil, I think you’re right.  I’ll see you later?”

“Sure thing, Isaac,” Phil replied as Isaac began walking out the door.

Sydney just stood there in amazement.  The two knew one another?  Well, of course they did.  Isaac had said that he stayed here once, Sydney just didn’t realize how much of an impact Isaac had made on the man behind the desk.

“Well, hurry after him or you won’t know which room to go into.”

Phil’s words snapped her out of her thoughts.  Sending the man a sheepish grin, she ran after Isaac.  He passed up a couple doors before finally stopping at one.  Entering the key, he twisted it until the thing unlocked.  Pushing the door open, he sent her a smile.  “Ladies first.”

Glaring at him, she made her way into the room and stopped in horror.  “What is that?”

“What?”

She pointed towards the bed.  “That.”

“Well, my dear, that is a bed.”

“Where are you sleeping then?”

He looked at her in disbelief.  “In the bed.”

“What about me?”

“You can sleep wherever you wish,” he said with a shrug.  “Just remember I sleep naked.”

Her body froze.  What was he saying?  He didn’t mean what she thought he did, did he?  That was when she saw the joking smile on his face.  Smacking him on the shoulder, she let out a laugh.  “Fine, I don’t see a reason why we can’t both sleep in the same bed.”

“Me either,” he replied.

She stopped for a minute.  She was lying to herself.  There were many reasons that she shouldn’t sleep in the same bed with Isaac.  This would be a test for her.  She could see if she really could be close to the man without resorting back to her old ways.  Nodding her head in determination, she promised herself that she would look at this in a completely platonic way.  Now, she just hoped that she didn’t break that promise.

****

This chapter is dedicated to: lexsmow3254, anfisa12, Phabiona, Naarah, jessicadawn1987, kfconway. darkprincess38, torrent, kinix890, catterbrie, XxSummer-leafZxX and, DerekAspinwall-Brun!  Thanks for being awesome and answering my question :)