The Purrfect Predicament (Australian Shifters) by Angela Castle

a threat, from the intensity of their stares—she had no doubt they would follow through.
    "Juniper, let me explain something about mates, and I speak from personal experience," River interrupted as Andy pushed her down onto the couch, before the twins took a seat on either side of her, hemming her in.
    Despite Andy's words, she didn't feel trapped or threatened, but oddly safe and warm. Andy kept his arm around her waist. Hamish took her hand and held it in both of his, as if they needed to touch her in some way.
    "Because of our genetic makeup and how the Goddess put shifters together, if a fated mate, once found, left, it drives them mad. They turn feral. I've seen cases where we've had to help a shifter by putting them down, to end their suffering, because they reached a point of no return."
    She stared at River. It seemed ridiculous that someone could go mad from not being around another person and that it could kill them because of it. Then again, they weren't fully human.
    "So you're telling me, it's my fault if they go mad, if I decide to leave?" Not that she really wanted to, but she also wouldn't be emotionally blackmailed either. "I can believe you turn into cats, but that sounds a bit too far-fetched and barbaric." She met River's blue gaze.
    Hamish sighed heavily against her. "If you really can't stand to be with us, then we will still do everything in our power to protect you, give you anything you need. We can't and won't force you to accept us."
    "Give us a chance, sweetheart. It's all we ask. Let us prove we can protect and care for you."
    Despite his caveman threat to spank her, she didn't miss his pleading tone. They'd done nothing but care for her since they kidnapped her from her rundown place in the suburbs.
    "I know we didn't give you a choice before, but we're giving it to you now. What is it you want? To leave us?"
    Her heart clenched at the utter vulnerability in both Andy and Hamish's eyes. Yes, it was an unorthodox, bizarre situation. supernatural men wanting to protect her from dangerous killers, and having wild passionate sex—it was a heck of a predicament to be in.
    All the men in the room seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for her answer.
    "Alright, a chance, but don't go blaming me if you get your asses shot."
    The tension in the room deflated. "No one's getting shot. We've been around a long time, sweetheart, and know how to handle ourselves."
    She found herself pinned between the sexy twins like meat in a manwhich cuddle. Safe, protected, loved?
    She mentally gave her head a shake at the silly thought. It's way too early to be thinking things like that.
    River cleared his throat. "Now that's settled can we get back to the matter at hand?"
    Heat flooded her face, realizing the spectacle they were making in front of the other men, but they appeared more amused than embarrassed.
    "We have a different set of laws than humans, Juniper. Mates are mates even if you get one or two. We treasure and protect what is ours. You are now a part of this community, and family, so it is my duty, working with your mates, to see to your safety. Family protects family."
    Not where she was concerned. What remained of her blood family wanted her dead and had almost succeeded. But having cat shifters for a family, somehow, deep down it felt right.
    River sat down in the armchair and nodded at Forrester who rubbed the back of his neck in a nervous gesture. All the men frowned at him.
    "I understand she's your mate, but there's more to this than I realized. She may be right about the town being at risk. I'm positive that my search for her name in the national police data base has sent up red flags to the people handling this case. I did a little bit extra digging and discovered that Bloody Bill was released from prison a few days ago. Without your mate's testimony, they couldn't pin any of the charges of first degree murder. I think we'll have the federal police poking their nose in here any day now,