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along the river’s bank, and away from town, savoring the sweet smell of pinesap and freedom. A few miles later, he arrived at the back of his fathers’ house, located on several dozen densely wooded acres. He was damn glad he and Reidar had chosen not to forego the private surroundings of their childhood home to move into town. A lone cougar traipsing through the streets of Leavenworth wasn’t something he wanted to be, even if the town’s council turned a blind eye to the Falkes’ family pet.
    He leaped onto the second-floor balcony outside his bedroom, changed into human form and slipped into his room unseen. Something he’d done since he was old enough to take catamount form. Sure, he knew his dads had that paternal sense when he’d snuck in or out as a youth, but as long as he didn’t get into too much trouble, they’d let it slide. Besides he wasn’t a teenager anymore.
    Even so, today could have been a shit load of trouble. Thank God his captors hadn’t hauled him halfway across the state to experiment on him. He went straight through his room to the bathroom he shared with Reidar, flipped on the light and stared at the reflection of the red plastic tag in his ear.
    “Son of a bitch,” he muttered as he leaned closer to the mirror and moved his earlobe around to see the back. He’d need wire cutters to get the thing out.
    “Kel, that you?” Reidar called just before the other door to the bathroom opened. “What the hell is that?”
    Kelan narrowed his eyes at his brother’s reflection. “Thought I’d go wild and get my ear pierced.”
    Reidar rolled his eyes. “Axel came by after dinner. Wanted to talk to you. Where you been?”
    “Would you just go find me a pair of wire cutters…or something.”
    Reidar shrugged. “Everyone seems to be in such a pissy mood today. Don’t rub it off on me.”
    Kelan growled, and Reidar chuckled. “Be back in a minute. Then you can tell me what the hell that new fashion statement is all about.” He waved his hand toward Kelan’s ear. “And more importantly, bro, why you aren’t wearing a collar. You obviously snuck inside in catamount form.”
    Kelan’s hand went to his neck. His gaze snapped back to his reflection. Sure enough, his collar was gone. Son of a bitch. His scowl darkened. How was he going to explain losing that?

Chapter Three
    Drowsy, Beth stretched like a cat beneath the comfort of soft linens. Just five more minutes…
    The phone rang loudly in her hotel room, startling her wide awake. Grumbling to herself, she rolled over to pick up the receiver and eyed the alarm clock’s red numerals. Tim better have a good reason for calling so early, especially after she set aside work to go to that theatre with him.
    “Hello.” The word came out husky with sleep.
    “Ms. Coldwell? This is the front desk. Sorry to wake you.”
    “Yeah?” More awake with each heartbeat, she sat up and combed her fingers through her tangles.
    “I regret to inform you that we believe your trailer has been broken into.”
    “ What ?” She leaped from the bed and scrambled for her clothes, the phone still held to her ear. “Tell me.”
    “A staff member reported seeing the side door ajar when he came in. I know it’s early, but we thought you should know immediately.”
    “Yes, thank you. I’ll be right down.”
    A short time later she stood inside the mobile lab, confused and ticked, but somewhat grateful. It didn’t appear to be a break-in but rather a breakout. The puma’s cage was damaged, its latch bent, and the hatch open. She should’ve realized the slide latch alone wouldn’t hold a full-grown mountain lion.
    She knelt and fingered the grooves scratched into the trailer’s side door. You really wanted to be free, didn’t you, big fella?
    Wrinkling her nose, she glanced back at the cage. The raw steak was left untouched and starting to make the trailer smell. After she cleaned that up, tossing it in a nearby garbage bin, she returned to survey the