by Misty Malloy
Mia laughed out loud in spite of it all. Rob made a face at her.
“Oh, really? Weren’t you worried about my dad having your nuts for breakfast the other day?”
“Yeah. But don’t worry about me. My man bits are safe for now. And, hey, you’re his favorite daughter. I don’t think anyone in your family has ever stood up to your dad like you have. Maybe try it? Give him a call?”
Mia shook her head. No. Her dad would never understand.
“Heyyyy, Rob!”
She turned around to see a table full of girls waving at her cousin.
Mia grinned and rolled her eyes. “Go ahead. Go over and say hi. I’ll be fine.”
She pulled out her phone while her cousin wandered over to flirt at the neighboring table. No new messages or calls from Tristan. A pang of disappointment spiraled within her, but she pushed it away. What did she expect? She had told him it was over. She didn’t imagine he would continue to pursue her after she’d said she didn’t want him.
Was Rob totally crazy? He had to be. There was no way her father would ever be okay with this situation. If she decided Tristan was important enough, she would have to be prepared for the consequences.
On a whim, she pulled up the number to ROAR from her contacts list.
Hi. It’s Mia again. Are true mates worth losing everything for?
She paused for a minute then finally hit Send. She shoved her phone back into her purse as the first sounds of thunder rumbled in the distance. She peeked out from underneath the restaurant patio table’s umbrella. Dark thunderclouds quickly approached, and the air already felt heavy and thick with the oncoming rain.
Shit. Time to get out of there. She wanted to be safely home before the storm hit. She said a quick goodbye to her cousin as she passed by the girls’ table.
She hurried out to her car in the parking lot. Her phone vibrated with an incoming text message. She fumbled with her phone while she beeped open the door to her car.
Hello, Mia. If you follow your heart, you’ll find that you gain much more than you lose.
Mia frowned. This wasn’t the easy yes or no answer she was searching for. Following her heart would take her straight to Tristan. But she hadn’t told the ROAR hotline anything about the situation with her pride. How were they to know exactly how much was at stake for her?
The first drops of rain spattered across her windshield. She turned on the ignition and peeled out of the parking spot, deciding Hui and Min’s message would have to wait. The first decision she needed to make was how to get out of this fucking monsoon.
***
Mia waited at the red light for what seemed like an eternity. Thunder cracked loudly, and jagged bolts of lightning illuminated the dark sky. Strong winds blew through the branches of the trees along the sidewalk, making them sway wildly in all directions. She’d seen how abrupt and violent these rainstorms could be, and she was still at least fifteen minutes from home.
Please turn green. Please turn green.
In response to her plea, the sky opened up. A torrential rain poured down. It blasted against her windshield, demanding entrance, and her windshield wipers couldn’t do much to help the situation. She could barely see anything in front of her except the vague glow of the red traffic light.
Another loud crack of thunder reverberated in her ears. Her heart pounded, and she gripped the steering wheel. The deluge of rain showed no signs of stopping, and the streets would soon be flooded. There was no way she should be out driving in this.
As soon as the light turned green, she carefully pulled off onto the closest side street and parked in front of a house. She could barely make out the street sign—Oliver Street. A tingling feeling filled her belly. She was in Tristan’s neighborhood. If she drove just a few streets over, she’d be at the house Tristan rented and lived in by himself.
Her lioness purred, unable to resist. Tristan. Without letting herself think about it, she pulled away from the curb and drove down the street. At the end of Oliver Street, she took a left and followed the street, dodging a large tree the wind had uprooted and flung into the middle of the road. A few minutes later, doing the best she could with her limited visibility, she turned onto Tristan’s driveway. Her heart flip-flopped at the sight of his SUV in the carport.
She ran right out into the rain, not caring that it drenched every inch of her body, and rang the doorbell. With her heart still pounding and her breath hitching, she realized she had driven here on autopilot and didn’t give a damn.
Tristan opened the door, surprise clearly written on his face. “Mia, holy shit, it’s pouring—”
“Shut up, Tristan,” Mia said and crushed her mouth to his.
Chapter Eleven
Mia moaned as Tristan’s mouth, hot and hungry, claimed hers. A spark of desire ignited deep within her. She wasn’t sure what was right or wrong anymore, but this felt soooo good. Her wet T-shirt clung to her body, her nipples already taut underneath.
Tristan’s tongue delved into her mouth, exploring and tasting, tempting her tongue to play. She responded with a wild fierceness and slid her tongue alongside his, caressing the sides. She nipped him on his lower lip. He growled and pushed her against the wall before kissing her again.
“You’re all wet,” he managed to say, coming up for air, and peeled her soaked T-shirt off over her head.
“What did you expect?” Mia laughed. Her lioness purred. More, please. Now. “You get my juices flowing.”
Mia worked frantically at his belt while Tristan unclasped her bra, tossing it onto the floor. His large hands reached to cup both breasts. She undid the button to his jeans, and his cock, hard and heavy, popped out the moment she pulled them down. Mmm. Commando. She loved a man who didn’t wear underwear. Tristan kicked his jeans into a corner and simultaneously tugged Mia’s off.
She gripped him in her hand, stroking his impressive length. Tristan groaned. He bit her earlobe, once, and then a second time—sparking another jolt of lust within her. Grabbing a handful of her wet hair, he nipped a trail along her neck and dragged his teeth against her shoulder, sending electric heat racing to her core. Her blood sizzled, and her heart pumped furiously.
“Come on,” Tristan said and pulled her down the hallway. He pushed open the door to his bedroom. Lifting her easily in his arms, he carried her to the bed and let her slide onto the pile of pillows.
He lowered his head to suck on her left nipple, his tongue flicking expertly, while he rolled her right nipple between his fingers. Mia moaned underneath him. Her nipples ached at his touch. He looked down at her, desire and an unspent energy in his smoldering gaze. The jaguar in his eyes was fierce—demanding, powerful, and waiting to be unleashed.
Rain pelted the windows of Tristan’s bedroom. The storm raged outside, but she felt safe here inside his house. Her lioness purred again. He wants you to be his. And you want him. Trust him.
Mia spread her legs wide, only wearing her black lacey thong. She was wet. Oh, so wet. Her juices dripped and soaked into her panties. Tristan glided his skilled fingers over the black fabric to caress her most sensitive spot beneath. Raw heat burned between her legs.
“What do you want, Tristan?”
Tristan purred—a deep, low hum—and with one quick movement, ripped her panties off her. He grabbed her hands and pinned them to her sides. Her belly fluttered as she looked at him.
“Open for me, Mia. I want to taste that beautiful pussy of yours.”
She spread her legs even wider. Tristan leaned down to nip her on her belly. He nibbled small kisses across to the crease between her hip and thigh. Mia gasped in pleasure—it was the spot that drove her absolutely wild. She squirmed beneath him.
He knelt between her legs, locking his gaze on hers. His tongue darted out to lap at the moisture from her dripping pussy. His breath warmed her already charged core. Tristan’s hot kisses moved across the top of her outer lips and trailed toward the crease of her other hip. The s
tubble from his face grazed the inside of her thigh, and she clutched at his hair, desperate for more.
“Please,” she begged. “Don’t stop.”
He slowly licked her slick entrance. His tongue drew small circles around the sensitive flesh then dipped inside her. She lay back, propped up on the pillows, and watched him lap at her, his chin and mouth wet from her juices.
He growled, a low rumbling sound that sent vibrations through her core. Her pussy throbbed with moist heat. He licked his way to her plump outer lips, lightly pulling them apart to move his tongue in long strokes along her inner folds. She cried out and ran her fingers through his hair as he continued to massage her with his mouth.
Tristan flicked her clit with his tongue. She gasped, bucking her hips toward him. He flicked again, taking her sensitive nub into his mouth, sucking gently and then licking the spot underneath her clit. He licked harder, faster, and she burned beneath him. Mia screamed, reaching her climax, and billions of stars exploded before her eyes.
Mia’s pussy throbbed with the need to be filled, to be taken. “Tristan, now,” she begged.
Tristan grabbed her hips and flipped her over onto her belly. Mia raised herself up on all fours and turned to look at him for a moment. Leaning down, he bit her on one ass cheek. Mia squirmed with delight. The sound of a drawer opening and the crinkling of a foil wrapper nearly sent her over the edge.
He brought the tip of his engorged cock to her entrance. In one smooth, penetrating motion, he rammed into her to the hilt. She cried out in pleasure as he filled her, the walls of her pussy stretching to receive his thickness.
He pulled his cock all the way out then slammed into her again. She arched, dizzy with desire. Her cat writhed with pleasure, loving the feeling of being claimed by him. Of submitting to him. Her true mate.
His hands gripped her hips, a reminder of his strength and size. Yet she felt safe with him. She felt complete—like she had found the missing piece she never knew she’d been searching for. How could she have doubted all of this?
Tristan’s cock filled her again and again.
“Yes! Harder,” she demanded.
With each of his thrusts, she pushed her pelvis back against him. Sweet release stirred deep within her belly.
Tristan’s strokes, already steady with intent, picked up the pace. He reached around to cup her pussy, using circular motions to rub her clit. She moaned, his rough strokes pounding into her in a fierce, relentless rhythm. He leaned down and bit her, piercing her skin on the sensitive spot between her neck and her shoulder. Mia gasped—pain and pleasure melded into one. She was his, and he was hers.
Her pussy clenched around his cock, her internal muscles contracting in currents of pure ecstasy. Surges of pleasure, like white-hot lightning, flowed through her entire body. Moments later, he convulsed, gripping her tight as his release overtook him.
She flopped onto her stomach then slowly rolled onto her back. Tristan pulled her toward him. His arms protectively circled her, holding her close, even though sweat drenched both of their bodies.
Outside, the lashing rain had stopped. The storm had passed, and the sounds of thunder were moving off in the distance. A comfortable silence settled over the room.
Tristan traced his fingers gently on the bite mark on her shoulder. She stiffened slightly at first but then relaxed. A flood of sweet soreness filled the spot.
“Does it hurt?” Tristan shrugged sheepishly. “Sorry. I couldn’t help it. But I think—”
“Don’t worry. I know what it means.” Mia smiled at him. “If I were you, I’d be more worried about getting ready for round two. This time, I’m on top.”
***
Tristan awoke with a start. Darkness filled his bedroom, the only light coming from his bedside alarm clock. It was 4:30 a.m.
Mia slept next to him. Her chest rose and fell with her breath. Relief settled in his stomach. He gently draped his arm around her.
She didn’t leave this time. She stayed.
Not that he thought she would, after all that had happened yesterday. Mates. He rolled the word around on his tongue. It felt a little strange, especially since barely a week ago, he was counting down the days to graduation and perpetual bachelorhood.
Mia sighed and snuggled close to him. She purred loudly in her sleep.
Hell no. He didn’t think he would have a hard time getting used to this at all.
Chapter Twelve
Mia lazily opened her eyes. The smell of eggs and bacon and coffee drifted in through the open bedroom door. Her stomach growled.
Good in bed and skills in the kitchen? Wow. She had really lucked out.
The events of yesterday were still vivid in her mind. She rose from the bed and quickly ducked into Tristan’s en suite bathroom. She pushed a lock of blonde hair away from her shoulder to peer at the light-pink mark there. It was still slightly sensitive to the touch, but so faint no one would notice unless they were viewing the area closely.
Mia smiled. She had made her decision, and she wouldn’t regret it one bit. She loved her family and didn’t want to do anything to hurt them. If they loved her, too, then they would understand. Tristan was her true mate.
There was one phone call she needed to make. She dreaded it, but she needed to get it over with now.
She pulled one of Tristan’s T-shirts on over her head and grabbed her phone. She peeked out the door to see him busy in the kitchen.
“Good morning,” he said, grinning. “Hope you’re hungry.”
Mia nodded and returned the grin. “Of course! Hey, I’m going to step outside for a sec. I’ll be back soon.”
She padded out to the patio. Steadying her nerves, she speed dialed a number that was so familiar to her she could have simply punched in the numbers from memory.
Her dad’s deep, gruff voice answered on the first ring. “Hello, Mia.”
“Hi, Dad.”
A heavy silence permeated the air on both ends of the line. Oh shit. How was she supposed to do this?
Yes. Yes, she could. This felt right to her, and that was the only thing that mattered. Her happiness didn’t require her father’s approval, or anyone else’s.
“Dad, I want to talk to you about…well, I met Asher. And Robbie…he told me everything, and—”
Tremaine Carmichael’s robust laugh interrupted her sentence. “Yes, I talked with Rob yesterday. He didn’t want to say anything, but I managed to get it out of him.”
“Oh! What did he say?”
“Enough.”
Mia tried to swallow the huge lump in her throat. “Dad…I’m not going to marry Asher. I’m sorry.”
“Mia, you’ve always been a handful. Always my most headstrong, most willful daughter. Your sisters, they behaved so wonderfully, ever since you all were cubs. But you? You always tested everything. Questioned my authority. It’s one of the things I’ve learned to admire most about you.”
Mia held her breath. Her heart thumped loudly.
“I remember when I was about your age. I knew the role of alpha would come to me soon. Did I want it? No. The mere thought of the responsibility overwhelmed me, burdened me.” Her father paused. “Now, I have a loving wife, three beautiful daughters, and a thriving pride. I would have liked to choose my own destiny, but, instead, I followed my duty. You will do the same, Mia. You will marry Asher.”
Mia’s heart sank. The heaviness in the air constricted, threatening to suffocate her. Yet she lifted her chin high as determination filled her core.
“I’ve met someone, Dad. His name is Tristan.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“He’s my mate. My true mate.”
Tremaine laughed, a low rumble. “Ah. True mates. A very romantic thought but not very practical, hmm?”
“Why do things always have to be practical? I know you and Mom get along well. But haven’t you ever wondered if your true mate was out there somewhere?”
He said no
thing for one long, arduous minute. “Yes. A long time ago, I wondered. But true mates are rare. You cannot possibly think you have found your true mate.”
“Of course they’re rare. And I’ve found mine!” Mia trembled with frustration. She needed to make him understand this meant everything to her. “Can’t you just be happy for me?”
“I am sorry, my daughter. But I will say this…I won’t break my promise. I will allow you to stay at Mountain Ridge until you graduate. Your wedding and acclimation into the Sewell pride will take place the following summer.”
Hot, angry tears welled up in Mia’s eyes. “I’m not going to marry Asher. I want to be with Tristan. I’m sorry, but I have to do what’s right for me.”
“You will say good-bye to Tristan.” Tremaine’s words cut sharp like a knife. “Then you will focus on your studies. You are not required to spend time with Asher now, if you don’t wish to, but the marriage contract is sealed.”
Mia was silent on the line, her heart aching. He didn’t understand. He would never understand.
Her breath hitched in her throat. “Goodbye, Dad.” She ended the call with shaking fingers. He hadn’t banished her from the pride, but she had no doubt he would now that she’d clearly disobeyed him.
She stepped off the patio and onto the grass-covered backyard. Inhaling deeply, she tried to regain her composure. The soft grass massaged her feet, and her toes gripped down into the warmth of the earth.
With each step, she felt more grounded, more stable. She could do this. Although following her heart hurt more than she ever thought it would, an unexpected joy burbled up within her.
She had Tristan. Her true mate. They would be together.
She sat on the grass and took in the smells of the desert. Time passed—twenty minutes? Thirty minutes? She didn’t bother to check. She thought briefly of her breakfast inside the house, most likely growing cold, and considered going in. She smiled at the thought of spending the morning with Tristan. She simply needed a few more minutes.