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  Roar

  Catnip Assassins Book 7

  Skye MacKinnon

  Contents

  A quick word before we get started

  What Happened Before

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Song of Souls - Sample

  Also By

  Roar © Copyright 2020 Skye MacKinnon

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organisations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  * * *

  Cover by Ravenborn Covers.

  Published by Peryton Press.

  * * *

  skyemackinnon.com

  Blurb

  It's time for the last meow.

  * * *

  Her whole life, Kat has been fighting for survival. For her freedom.

  * * *

  Now she's done. She wants peace. Even if that means having to risk everything she loves.

  * * *

  The final book in this purrfectly exciting urban fantasy series full of action, suspense and cat puns. A slow burn reverse harem where Kat won't have to choose.

  A quick word before we get started

  As you will know from the previous books, this series is set in a world very similar to our own, but there are some deciding differences. Technology has developed differently, and while there are many devices you may be used to, such as televisions, there are no mobile phones, cars or the internet. No guns, either.

  This book is written in British English and uses some British expressions and idioms. Please don’t see these as spelling mistakes. We say mum rather than mom, use a lot of ‘s’ instead of ‘z’ (cosy, realise, …) and use ‘got’ as the past participle of ‘get’ (instead of ‘gotten’).

  And finally, subscribe to Skye’s newsletter for updates about new releases: skyemackinnon.com/newsletter.

  You’ll even get a free book for subscribing, so it’s totally worth it.

  For Sootie, my little demon/cat.

  You’ve helped Kat reach the final meow.

  What Happened Before

  Kat has been catnapped (although she calls it self-kidnapped) and is being tortured, starved and left in isolation. After months of abuse, she finds herself in a new room instead of her cell. Of course, she tries to escape, but she gets stopped by mutant goons every time. She meets a mouse called Whiskers and is surprised she’s able to communicate with the rodent. Together, they hatch out an escape plan, but before they can put it into practice, Kat’s clone sister visits her. She calls herself Sophie and while she’s clearly been brainwashed, she’s also an intelligent and sometimes kind girl.

  * * *

  With a bit of manipulation from Kat, the two of them escape and get in touch with Lily, who directs them to a village where they might get to meet Kat’s mates. Before they manage to get there, however, they are ambushed by servants of Lord Delaney, Sophie’s adoptive father. Kat shifts and goes feral for quite a bit, until Ryker and Lennox find her. In the process of getting her to shift back, they all end up naked and have some reunion fun.

  * * *

  When they’re all finally reunited, everything seems purrfect – until Kat realises she’s pregnant with four babies. Her pregnancy proceeds rapidly and they never make it back to Attenburgh.

  * * *

  Claw ends with our heroes surrounded by Lord Delaney and his men, Kat’s waters broken and well, everything looks very bad…

  Prologue

  Lady Lara

  I stare at the coin on my desk. Bronze, with a square in the centre that's cut through in the middle with a sharp vertical dash. It's not the first Fang coin reaching me and it won't be the last. They're more active again. As soon as I discover one and put them to justice, yet more appear.

  The Fangs are everywhere. Kat told me once how they'd been involved in killing shifter children in her hometown. It's only one of many examples of their twisted, cruel ideology. Most of them are sirens - and everyone in charge most definitely is one of those creatures - but they also have some humans in their employ. I don't know why a human would want to work for an organisation that wants to rule over us, but the temptation of power can make people do horrible things.

  I pick up the coin and turn it in my hands. It's heavier than it looks. It was found on the body of a young woman. I've been shown a picture of her bloodied corpse. She looked human, but that doesn't mean anything. Unless shifters are killed in their animal form, their bodies look just as human as you and me. Kat's Ryker is the only exception. His golden eyes give him away as a non-human, but after hearing how he grew up as a cat and didn't even know he was a shifter, I can understand that he's a little different.

  The dead woman is special not just because of the coin, but because she was found in an alley behind the town hall. Unlike other parts of Attenburgh, this is a safe area, well-guarded and policed. Murders don't happen here. Until now. This is the second death in the vicinity of my office this week.

  It's a message, I'm sure of it. The Fangs are challenging me. The previous mayor was happy to turn a blind eye and I have my suspicions that he accepted bribes, but I'm not him. I follow the rules, even if that means going against some of the most powerful people in the country.

  With a sigh, I dial the M.E.O.W. headquarters’ number. It's rare that one of them is home, not with Kat missing, but I may be lucky for once. I could sure use some luck just now.

  "Yes?" a tired male voice asks. Benjamin, if I'm correct. I've got to know all the M.E.O.W. members rather well during Kat's absence. I've been trying to help find her, but until a few days ago, she'd seemed to have vanished off the face of the Earth. Now she's finally been found, but I don't know when she'll get back to Attenburgh.

  "It's the mayor. Is Lily around?"

  "Nope, I'm the only one. How can I help?"

  He yawns, not even trying to hide his exhaustion. I think they're all at the brink of collapse. Kat disappeared months ago, and they've not only been trying to find her ever since, but have also worked hard to keep the business afloat. I've given them as many paid contracts as I could, but I need to be careful not to look like I have favourites. In theory, I should put out everything to tender, but I don't usually bother for the small stuff. Or anything to do with my personal security. I should probably up my protection after the woman was found dead.

  "Are you aware of any increased Fang activity?" I ask Benjamin.

  He gulps audibly. "No. Why?"

  "There's been two murders. Definitely the work of the Fangs, they left their bronze coins. Let me know if you hear anything. I don't want them getting a hold again in my town."

  "Of course, Lady Lara. Do you think they're connected to the siren who kidnapped Kat?"

  "I'm starting to believe that everything is connected in one way or another. Any news of Kat?"

 
; "No, they must still be on the way here. It shouldn't be much longer though. Last I heard they were in some backwater village waiting for the weather to get better. I'll get in touch as soon as she's back."

  I flip the coin to distract myself from my worry. "Do that. And keep an eye out for anything that could be the Fangs' doing."

  I end the call and lean back, tightening my fingers around the heavy coin. I feel like something is about to happen; an eery premonition that causes shivers to run down my back. With the exception of Kat's disappearance, the past few months have been quiet. Maybe too quiet. I hope this isn't the calm before the storm, but something tells me that this hope is in vain.

  I need to be vigilant and ready for whatever is to come.

  Chapter One

  Blood runs down my legs. Blood pools on the ground. And blood is splattered all over my face.

  I don't care. The only thing that matters is the pain. I'm being torn apart from the inside. I'm on all fours, panting, trying to stay conscious. Around me, the battle rages. I wish I could help, but I'm incapacitated. I just have to hope the guys can prevail despite us being outnumbered.

  I cry out when another wave of red-hot pain tears through my abdomen. I wouldn't be surprised if my babies are trying to claw their way outside, ignoring the usual birthing process. Was this Delaney's plan? Me dying in childbirth? I bet he wouldn't mourn me even if it hadn't been his intention.

  My cat is close to the surface, urging me to shift. But I can't. I don't know what that would mean for the kittens inside of me. They could get hurt, and even though they're giving me more pain than I've ever felt before, I don't want them harmed. I'll put them in the naughty corner once they're born. That's the deal.

  Gryphon shouts something in the distance. I look up, but he's hidden behind the wall of twitching limbs and splattering blood. Around me is chaos, no, carnage. It's a fight to the death and all participants are willing to kill their enemies. I can't spot Delaney either. I imagine he's somewhere removed from the battle, watching, letting his mutants do the dirty work for him. He doesn't look like a fighter. He's a politician, a manipulating slimy siren.

  The next wave of agony makes me collapse to the ground. I want to curl up, but my giant belly is in the way. Why do women do this voluntarily? This will be the first and last time I ever give birth. I'll neuter my males as soon as this is over.

  Back at the Pack, I once watched a woman give birth. She was one of the shifters who had more freedom than us collared children. They'd organised a midwife for her and I was tasked to help with whatever was needed. I still don't know why; there were much more compliant kids than me. The midwife's voice rang in my head. Breathe through the pain. You're stronger than you think.

  I'd stab her memory if I could. She's likely never had four clawed beings in her uterus. I imagine them ripping apart my insides and shudder. But I don't have time to linger on the image. Pain crashes over me. The contractions are getting faster. I must be close. The sooner this is over, the better.

  "Kat!" Sophie shouts from somewhere behind me. "Watch out!"

  I turn, far slower than I usually would, just in time to see a giant launch himself at me. He's wielding an axe that's longer than me. I roll to my side, try to jump to my feet, but my balance is off and my massive bump makes me far heavier than I'm used to. I trip and land back on all four, but luckily, that means I just about evade the swipe of his axe. I throw myself forward, grab his ankles and pull with all my strength. He doesn't even sway. Fuck.

  My uterus chooses that moment to give me another contraction and I howl in pain. The mutant doesn't care. He hauls out again, sending the axe whirling at me-

  Something small hits him from the side and he stumbles, out of balance. The axe's blade slices into my shoulder, but it's only a graze. I'll take that over a beheading any day.

  He growls as a small knife glints in the sunlight before it embeds itself in his neck. Correction: Sophie embeds it in his neck. She's clinging to him like a monkey and he stares at her in surprise before falling backwards. She jumps off him just before he hits the ground and lazily retrieves her knife. It's one the cook gave us. If I ever see that woman again, I'll hug her. And give her a large bag of money.

  I want to thank Sophie, but another contraction tears through me and blurs my vision. I can't do this for much longer. When the pain fades a little, I look down at my legs. My thighs are covered in blood. Something's wrong.

  "We're winning!" Sophie calls out. "What shall I do?"

  "Where's Delaney?" I grunt just when the next wave of pain hits me. I squeeze my eyes shut and the memory of that midwife appears. When you feel the need to push, push. And pant.

  No, I don't feel the need to push. I feel the need to kill everyone around me just to make me forget this pain.

  "Cut them out of me," I groan.

  "I don't think that's right," Sophie replies, not getting that I'm exaggerating. Or am I? By now, I don't care what way these creatures leave my body, as long as they're gone.

  She lifts her knife. "It's not sharp enough anyway. Do you need me to find my father? Can he help you?"

  I glare at her. "No, I don't want him to help me. I want him dead."

  She blinks. She shouldn't be surprised at that. "Okay. I'll do it."

  She runs off before I can stop her. I groan, unable to even get to my feet. I need to get to her before she makes a mistake. She's not strong enough to face him. Nor do I want her to become a killer.

  Something sharp pushes against my cervix. Please, not claws. I have no idea how my babies will look, if they'll be born as humans or shifted, but I really hope no claws will be involved. I know that kittens can't sheathe their claws when they're born, so if I'm unlucky - and I've been unlucky a lot recently - I might end up with a torn vagina.

  I'm going to kill Delaney as soon as my uterus is empty again. I wish I could give him the pain I'm going through, but sadly, men just aren't made for this. No surprise. They'd probably be dead by now.

  I wish I was, too. I scream as I'm torn into pieces.

  "Breathe, Kat, breathe."

  Gryphon is suddenly by my side. The pain has dulled my senses and I never even heard him approach. Him being here rather than fighting is a good sign.

  "I'll breathe when they're out," I groan. "Just pull them out for me."

  "That's now how it works. Lie on your back, I'll check how far you are."

  "Not happening. I'm more comfortable on all fours."

  "That's fine. I dimly remember from my training that the pregnant woman is in charge."

  "You bet. Not just when she's pregnant."

  He chuckles just when another wave of agony threatens to drown me.

  "Is everyone alright?" I pant once I surface. The pain is still there, still burning through me, but it's a tiny bit less than during the contraction.

  "Ryker and Lennox are dealing with the last of the mutants. I've not seen Sophie anywhere."

  "She went after Delaney. Go stop her. I-"

  My sentence ends in a scream.

  "Breathe."

  I’m ready to knife him if he says that word one more time.

  "Make sure Sophie's alright. Please."

  He strokes my hair back, mixing blood with sweat, then nods and runs off. I'm glad he's listening to me. Now that he's gone, I can let go of all control again and cry out the pain as much as I want. I don't have to pretend it's not as awful as it is.

  With every contraction, I grow weaker. My body still hasn't recovered from my imprisonment and it shows. I want to shift so bad, but I know that's a bad idea. All I can hope for is that it will be over soon.

  I can barely hold myself up on all fours. Maybe I should roll on my back after all, but even the thought of that makes me break out in sweat.

  Another contraction and the world swirls around me. Bile rises in my throat as vertigo takes a hold of my body. I no longer know what's up and what's down. I turn, trying to follow gravity, but I end up on my side, I think. It's confusing
.

  I spread my legs wide when something pushes from inside and suddenly, it all goes very fast. With more pain than I thought possible, a slimy, heavy object slips out of me, right into Lennox's waiting hands. I no longer scream. I'm drifting, barely registering what's happening. It's like I'm a passerby, watching the scene from afar. The second baby is caught by Ryker. They came back to me just in time. And then there's Gryphon, telling me stuff I can't hear, expertly cutting the umbilical cords.

  Pressure builds up in me again. Two more to go. I think they're fighting for who gets to leave my uterus first, judging from the searing pain.

  Sophie comes running with towels; they must be from the pub we stayed in. Gryphon helps the third baby into the world. I watch impassively at the bloody little being. I should probably feel something for the three tiny parasites being held by my men, but I don't. I'm numb, ready to go to sleep.

  The last one almost slips out too fast, taking the slide its siblings have created. I think my insides are a mess and let's not even think about my vagina. A pussy with a broken pussy.

  Now that they're all out, the pain gets less, enough for me to close my eyes and let myself fall into blissful, warm unconsciousness.