Nearly half a dozen of my best people had gone rogue, among them my Chief of Security, our Head of Medicine, a young wolf, and the Scion of Clan Bouda. They had broken my first law. They had chosen to participate in the Midnight Games and had refused direct orders to appear before me and explain their actions.
I had never before questioned Jim’s loyalty; he was Alpha of Clan Cat and for all intents and purposes my Second. Doolittle despised pack politics and had saved my life more often than I liked to think about. Derek had become a member of the Pack after his father had gone Loup and slaughtered his mother and sisters. When this happens, and it happens more often than humans think, SOP is to kill male survivors, especially adolescents as they were believed to have a genetic predisposition to going Loup. Jim had been in favor of putting Derek down. I had overruled him, which I rarely do. The kid had been through a lot and I decided he deserved a chance. Had I made a mistake? That Raphael was involved in this surprised me not at all. If Bea’s little peacock thought I wouldn’t mess up his pretty face he was as dumb as those girls who followed him around like dogs in heat.
What could possibly cause a cat, a wolf, a hyena, and a middle-aged medmage honey badger to risk my wrath? I couldn’t figure out the what or the why, but I had a damn good idea of the who. Kate Daniels, professional fuck-up. Kate worked for the Order, humans who despised my kind. Yeah, she was employed by the Order and did jobs for the Guild, but I swear her mission in life was to make mine miserable. She defied me publicly, challenged me privately, and God help me, she bounced around inside my head like a bull in a china shop.
As soon as I had gotten wind that something was amiss, I had called her. In her usual charming and diplomatic way she had both denied any and all knowledge as well as politely declining to assist me in any way. Of course she was in this up to that nice ass of hers. Later as I started to put the pieces together, she had called to tell me that she and Jim were running off together and even offered me an erotic dinner if I could find them in three days. Kate short-circuits my brain. In my head we always have these clear coherent exchanges, but once we meet, what comes out it is, “Kate, do what I say or I’ll kill you.” Her default reply is, “Fuck you!” and we go downhill from there.
Once I shook the idea of naked Kate out of my head, the big picture made no sense. Jim and Kate had worked together on odd jobs for the Guild but there had never been a hint of anything more than a friendship built on mutual respect. I knew for a fact that Jim liked that half-blind vegetarian tiger. Who the hell ever heard of such a thing? She gave the big cats a bad name and she kept trying to kill herself by driving too fast.
Jim had a high opinion of Kate’s abilities, which was a rare thing. Kate was skilled with that sword of hers, almost as good as she thought she was. I kept trying to puzzle it out: even if they had decided to run away together, how did the Games figure into it? I knew Kate would fight for the fun of it, or the money. Did they need the money for their new life together? How had they gotten the others involved? Derek worked for Jim, almost worshiped Kate. If they had used him…. That I could not forgive.
I also knew that Raphael’s mate was Kate’s best friend. He would do anything for her or just to piss me off. Perhaps he thought his Mommy could intervene on his behalf if he got caught. I had almost hoped B did interfere and got tangled up in it. After all she has been a thorn in my paw as long as I can remember. It would feel good to remove it. Since Mahon was not mixed up in this nonsense, I could give him that honor. I know he would enjoy it and faithfulness should not go unrewarded. None of this of course explained Doolittle’s involvement. Had they forced him to help? Possibly, but he is a tough old bastard and you don’t cross a badger without a good reason.
I had to know, and so I tracked Kate to one of Jim’s safe houses. She was alone but I could smell the others, they had been there recently. Derek was hurt, I could sense it. That had driven me over the edge and I had leaped at her without looking. Right into a Loup cage.
When I had stopped roaring, Kate explained it all. I now knew about the Wolf Diamond and the Rakshasas. I understood why Kate felt compelled to do these things. It made sense; she was trying to help her friends and the Pack. What I could not condone or comprehend was how she did these things. Some people go about things in a roundabout way. Kate blows things up and then tries to glue the pieces together with spit. If she had only come to me in the beginning, but now it might be too late.
As I sat at the bottom of the Loupe cage, waiting for the skin on my palms to heal enough to try the silver bars again, I slowed my breathing and went over my options. None were great. I could wait for them to let me out of this cage or for someone else to find me. No, that was unacceptable. I am the Beastlord, I will not be crated and let out like a puppy. I could break out of this, but it would hurt, a lot, and in that rage I would slaughter not only Kate and cohorts but anyone who tried to stop me. As angry as I was, I had to admit I did not want to do that either.
By now they would already be in the Arena. Short of slaughtering the entire Red Guard, I could not get in there to stop them before the entire audience of sick fucks saw members of the Pack take part in the Games. After that too many people would know and I could not let that pass. If they survived I would have to kill them. By myself in front of the rest of the Pack.
Kate had finished her spiel and left. I forced myself to relax and try to find a way out of this mess. I assumed I was alone with my thoughts when I heard something move down the hallway. The smell was familiar but I could not place it, definitely not Kate but…
Julie. Her kitten. All I had to do was to convince her to let me out.
I closed my eyes and listened to her sneaking through the house. Close by, almost close enough. Here, kitty kitty.
Hmmm, I wonder why I didn’t see that there was a Jim/Dali thing…
Thank you so much for the POV Gordon!
I can’t stop grinning. So glad I decided to stop by tonight. Thanks, Gordon!
Loved it Thanks so much
i new jim liked dali.
“her kitten” it totaly shows he thinks of her as an alpha
What a great way to end a yucky day, thanks Gordon!
Hilarious and brutal. Thanks, Gordon!
This was awsome. And i didn’t see Jim and Dali thing either. Thanks!
You just made my day…er, WEEK with this. Thanks so much.
Thanks Gordon, this was wonderful!
Thank you!
Lovely POV snippet!
I remember thinking that Jim deserved being attracted to Dali. There was just something about how he calmed her down.
Woo-hoo, love the Curran POV’s. Thank you!!!
Thank you Gordon!! Just made my day better! =)
oh, gods, more, more!
LOVE the curran POVs, please add MORE!!
Please and thank you! =)
Enjoyed reading!
Thanks for sharing.
LOL! “Here kitty kitty”… from a lion to a human cubling? ROTFL. Awesome.
Epic Win.
oh Gordon thank you for the pov you’ve made my week (grin) i cant wait till the book
Thanks for the POV! It was full of cool surprises. I love it!
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!! Thanks for this awesome POV!!!!!!!!!! *does weird happy dance*
Great POV.Loved every single word. Thank you Gordon.
thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
that really helped with the pain of my wisdom tooth removal. loved every word of it! can’t wait for part 2
Loved it!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU!
eeeeeeeeeee! so fun!
dali and jim?
I can’t believe i didn’t see that!!!
and this is only part 1?
holy moly these POVs are awesome!!
WOW! I was just re-reading that scene about an hour ago! You really shed a whole new light on it. Never caught the Jim/Dali thing. Went right over my head. I really wish I had found this blog a long time ago!
Yayyyyy!!! I was waiting for this!!! I can’t wait to read more!!! I stumble upon this at the Amazon website!!! So excited!!!! I’ve been dying to know Curran’s POV.
“Kate blows things up and then tries to glue the pieces together with spit.”-Loved this. It is so Kate. I also adored Curran complaining that he has “clear and coherent exchanges” which go where the dead crabs go. What is the deal with Curran and Aunt B? That was so not fair to dangle that tidbit. As much as I love Curran, my money is on Aunt B in that fight.
That is why he will probably give it to Mahon. Bears are very conservative and the Pack’s Executioner has never approved of the Boudas or their lifestyle. Bea is powerful but she would not win that fight.
Wow Gordon thanks!! Will you be writing a chapter? novel? I hope so!. good work
Curran point of views always seem to make the universe explode.
Loved it. Thank you. I think turning a bad week into a good one for so many people, with only a page or two, says it all.
Thank you for the snippet!
That was great. Curran was completely meowing up the wrong tree with Jim/Kate’s reasons for hiding out together. Heh.
Jim likes Dahli, I bloody knew it.
Here kitty, kitty. Indeed.
Awesome as always! Thank you!
That was a wonderful ending to an otherwise blah day! Thanks!
Squee!!! Thanks Gordon!
And I like how you cover several of the things on our ‘scenes we’d like to see’ list in just one. Like multipacks at the shops – extras of your favourite thing, for the same price
My favourite bit: “In my head we always have these clear coherent exchanges, but once we meet, what comes out it is, “Kate, do what I say or I’ll kill you.” Her default reply is, “Fuck you!” and we go downhill from there.“
Thank you so much! These little morsels keep us all sane!
i loved it but i totally dont understand how after this view curran ends up participating in the games. he is so against it! what happens?
He talks to Julie. That is the second part, silly.
LOL. (HEAD SHAKE GRINS)
It was great.Thanks Gordon!
I can’t wait for part 2.
Dad, thats alot of comments
I always find it interesting to see things from other peoples point of view, and as the Kate Daniels books are some of my all time favorites, it’s even better then usual.
LOVE!! I knew Denali and Jim!!! its nice to know that he really doesn’t want to kill kate and I find the discription of his conversations with kate hillarious!! Want MORE!!!
Oh YES!!! You gave an addict just the right Medicine <3<3<3 this is fuel to my patience.
I have had it ordered as soon as amazon had it on their german site, BUT i have no complaints if there would be more of this till the book comes out.
Thank you very much!
I really enjoyed the Curran POV and was actually surprised.
I thought deep down Curran was more magnanimous, controlled and calculating a person but his violence is because he knows that in the Were world “Might makes Right”. If he wants to maintain dominance and order he has to kick-butt on a regular basis.
Thanks so much for letting us see inside Curran’s head.
Thank you so much. I discovered Kate’s series with Must Love Hellhounds. I just finished reading all 3 books. I love your series! It has the perfect mix if humor, mythology and action. Only thing that would make it better? More Kate and Curran! So wonderful! Thank you for the tidbit here with Curran’s POV. I am so anxious to get Magic Bleeds!! The cliffhangers. I want to know if Hugh figured out Kate’s secret! Thank you!
Thank you Gordon! You helped with the “Andrews witdrawal”
Amazing! Though this seems a liitle like Curran pre-breaking and entering, not post. Maybe it’s just me I don’t know. Totally made my night though thanks so much!
After a long time of draught my internet conection is up again and what a welcoming present that was…. Thank you so much My Lady and Lord (or Lord and lady) of the Otherworldly and Human alliance….
can’t wait for part 2….
your loyal Greek Fan
So Lovely!!!!! I can’t wait for more and thank you so SO MUCH!
This totally made my day less crappy, Thanks. It gave me a look at what runs through Curran’s mind, and the whole Jim likes Dali thing got me by surprise; I so missed that.
I love getting to read a piece straight out of Curran’s head. Also Jim and Dali? Never would’ve guessed. I LOVE THAT!!!
What lovely little gems these Curran POVs are! We learn a little more and get our fix while waiting for the next book. MUCH appreciated and please keep them coming! There are several scenes, particularly in Magic Strikes, that I’d love to read his POV.
I just recently found your books. Then read the three Kate Daniels books within a very short time frame.
I enjoy your website as well and the way you interact with us readers. It makes me feel welcome. Curran POV’s are very interesting and bring a different light to the situations Kate finds herself. I look forward to the additional books and stories.
Thank you for such an interesting and enchanting world and protaganist.
i saw the jim dali thing i thought it was hilarious because he was so pissed that she kept trying to drive when she was blind. that totally rocked gordon. i also love the fact she does magic through caligraphy it’ cool as H.e.*&
Thanks Gordon! That was awesome!