Jaycee went into a crouch. As Addie watched, her limbs started to change, becoming larger and more muscular, the seams of her shirt tearing.

Jaycee didn’t change to a leopard—she became a leopard-beast, with the height and dexterity of a human but the lithe strength of her wildcat.

She leaned to the door, listening. Jaycee was motionless, somehow blending into the shadows around the overhang of the entrance. The way the leopard-woman became almost invisible was uncanny.

One of the others must have signaled her, because Jaycee instantly became alert. The next moment, she dug immensely strong fingers through the crack in the doorframe, and yanked the door from the wall.

Addie heard screaming inside. Without being aware she moved, Addie dashed across the yard and barreled into the house in Jaycee’s wake.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Addie followed close behind Jaycee as the woman raced into the kitchen. Tori, the dark-haired eleven-year-old girl standing next to the refrigerator, dropped the full glass of iced tea she was holding and screamed.

Her screams joined those of Ivy, who had picked up a chair to face Zander. Zander hadn’t shifted or become a beast like Jaycee, but he was plenty scary with his snapping dark eyes, giant bulk of a body, and wild hair.

Only Josh wasn’t yelling—he was heading for the cell phone that rested on the counter.

“Ivy!” Addie shouted into the cacophony.

Her sister jumped and swung around, her eyes going wider still. “Addie! Look out! What . . . ?”

Addie lifted her hands. “Could everyone please stop screaming!”

Tori closed her mouth and the sound cut off. Tea spread in a pool at Tori’s feet amidst ice and broken glass.

Ivy’s chest rapidly rose. “Addie . . . What is going on?”

“Where is he?” Addie demanded.

Ivy blinked. “Where is who?”

“Not here.” Ben came in from the living room, holding something his hand. “I’m thinking he never was.”

Addie stared. “What are you talking about? What is that?”

“Webcam.” Ben held the small piece of white plastic with lens in his palm. “Positioned on the tree so it would look into this window.” He indicated the wide kitchen window that gave onto the side yard and another live oak. “From the angle, it would seem like someone standing outside looking in. What he showed through his phone was probably feed through a computer monitor.”

Addie could barely breathe. “What the hell?”

“Addie!” Ivy raised her big-sister voice. “Who are these people? What are they?”

“Jaycee, could you . . .” Addie waved her hand.

Jaycee looked annoyed but she gave a leopard snarl and sank down into her human form. Her torn shirt showed glimpses of her ample curves.

“These are my friends,” Addie said. “Ivy, I thought you were in danger. Did anyone come here today?”

“Today? No.”

Tori spoke up. “Yesterday some guys came to repair the electricity on the house next door.” She pointed out the kitchen window.

“They set the camera,” Zander said. “Probably Lachy’s thugs.”

“Why?” Jaycee demanded. “Why would they trick Addie like that?”

Zander gave her a hard look. “To get us all out here, of course. We’d charge to the rescue, while Lachlan slips back around to do his evil deeds.”

Addie gasped. “The cubs!”

“Are protected,” Zander said. “Some of Kendrick’s and Dylan’s best Shifters are at the ranch. No, what Lachy-kins really wants is—”

“Kendrick,” Jaycee and Addie said at the same time.