A blur of white to his right snagged both of their attention, but Alex reactively snapped his fingers to reclaim Maya’s concentration. “You don’t want that, baby. I’ve got what you need. Right here.”
Maya growled and stepped closer, closing the short distance between them. Alex reached out to her, ran his fingers through her golden fur as soon as she was within range. “That’s a sweet mate. She-cat, you need to let Maya back out to play. Let her claim her mate, and then we can find our fur together.”
The lioness huffed, but then sat back on her haunches and closed her eyes. Thank god.
In moments the distinct sounds of popping bones, as her body reshaped and returned to her human state, filled the room. Alex winced at each and every noise that spoke of her transformation, knowing that her first few shifts would often be painful and tiring. He really was a selfish prick, wasn’t he?
Seconds ticked past as golden fur receded, her face reshaping to its previous form, her body becoming a study in curves that he would forever remember. Alex crouched down, careful not to touch her until the change was complete. The last thing he needed was for her to snap back into her animal state to claw the shit out of him.
Before long she lay naked on the carpet, breathing heavy as she found herself. Inhaling deep she raised her attention to him, and he smiled, preparing for the meeting of their gazes. Sure, he’d gone about things in an ass-backwards kind of a way, but he could only hope that once he had the chance to explain himself, that Maya and her she-cat would reciprocate the feelings that he and his lion had for them. And then, things should fall into place…and it should all go smoothly…
“You ass-sniffing, butt-crack licking, litter box-using fuckhole!”
Or not.
Chapter Five
Maya panted and heaved as she lay sprawled on her best friend’s basement floor, staring at the cause for her personal hell with blood boiling through her veins.
“Now, Maya…” He held out his hands as if to placate her. Fuck that. Fuck him.
She pushed to her knees, and then to her feet, pain slowly receding as the seconds passed. “Do not ‘Now, Maya’ me.”
Feeling more herself again, she stood tall and filtered through the mixed emotions coursing through her body. Of course, the human half of her brain, because there were two sides now—woohoo!—was pissed as all get out, and ready to go crouching lioness on his stupid ass. Regardless of how hot he was. But the feline whore within was all about rubbing her furry body on the gorgeous man.
Traitor.
Even worse, the she-cat ached to sink her teeth into the man’s flesh and claim him as her own.
Slut.
It had to be the whole “make-me-into-a-hairy-lioness” thing that had the two of them on edge. What else could the reason be?
Alex lowered his head and kept his mouth shut, and staring at the man before her only made Maya want to snap at him, rip his head clean off. Where was his fucking groveling, damn it?
When no such words were forthcoming, she figured she might as well let him have it. “Alex, you goddamn—”
“Baby, please…”
She snapped her teeth at him, and her beast inside was in agreement. Just because her lioness wanted to mount the handsome man like a bronco, it didn’t mean that he’d get off easy. Heh-heh. Get off.
“Don’t baby me. Where was I? Ahem… Was there a tiny little detail you failed to mention last night, Alex? Like, maybe the fact that last night wasn’t just some run-of-the-mill sex fest, but more like your semiannual “get-every-fertile-girl-pregnant” party? Or, let me see, the small fact that your little nibble that pierced my skin was a mating mark, and now, because of it, my she-bitch is stuck with your lyin’ ass?” Her tone of voice rose higher and higher with each question, until she started to yell. “Oh, I dunno. That, that I’d grow fucking fur, and have the urge to eat my best friend! Huh? What about that? What do you have to say for yourself?”
The man before her narrowed his eyes and had the balls to growl. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? That’s it? Yes, well, that just makes things so much better.” She bit out the words and planted her hands on her hips.
“Damn it, Maya. I wanted you from the moment you walked through the doors. The very second your scent hit me I was hooked, and the instant I tasted you, I knew you’d be mine forever.”
“You expect me to believe you? How…why?” She blinked back the tears welling up in her eyes, overcome with emotions. So many parts of her warred with one another. Could she trust him? Should she trust him? He hadn’t been honest from the start…
But the lioness within…stupid fucking cat craved him like her next breath.
“He’s telling the truth, My.”
Maya spun and faced the interloper, body instinctively at the ready. She relaxed when she realized it was just Carly.
“But…” Carly quieted her with a glare. Damn her.
“You may not know everything there is to know about furballs, but you, and now your cat, should know that he’s telling the truth. Hell, if you weren’t inside a makeshift butcher shop, with the remnants of raw meat strewn about, you’d be able to smell it on him.”
She quirked a brow. “Really? I’ll be able to tell if he’s lyin’, just by his scent?”
“Yup. And also…if he’s been with another woman.” Carly nodded.
“Ooh…that’s promising.”
A low snarl snagged Maya’s attention. “I’d never cheat on you.”
“Carly?”
“It’s true.” Her friend shook her head. “If he’s really your mate, which I believe he is, then no, he won’t.” Carly turned bright red in the face and gestured at Alex. “His, uh, equipment, would be less than useful.”
Maya snorted, the idea of Alex not being able to perform, whatever the reason, seemed rather hilarious to her. The previous night he’d been insatiable, taking her time and again without much rest in between.
“Fine.” Maya sighed deep. “I suppose I’ll believe him. For now.” She took a few steps toward her friend, careful to dodge the bits of meat her kitty hadn’t gobbled up. “I’m sorry I tried to eat you, and not in very fun way.” Maya opened her arms and hugged her best friend, happy that the cat in her didn’t perk up at the idea of having Carly for dinner. “And thanks for not letting me eat Andrew. Or Ian. Or the people in the parking lot. Or…”
Laughing, Carly pulled back a little, but didn’t release her hold on Maya. “As if I’d let you end up in furball jail. And not when they won’t let you have your boy toy behind bars.”
Maya pulled her friend close once again, stiffening when she heard growls and snarls from behind. Fast as, well, a lioness, she spun and placed her still nude body between Carly and her…mate? “Alex…” Her voice deepened. “Back off.”
Her mate narrowed his eyes. “Quit touching her.”
Maya snorted. “What? You think I’m suddenly lesbian because I hugged my friend? Are you on drugs? Seriously?” She huffed, puffed. “I may be tied to you for my suddenly long life, asshole, but you’re not going to get all pissy whenever I happen to touch someone else.”
“No touching. I can’t take it. The beast…it can’t take it.”
A single finger tapped her shoulder. “Uh, My, you should listen to him. He’s a little too furry for my taste, but I really don’t want to be on the lion’s menu. Remember? Mates and stuff? We’ve talked about this. He’s on edge, and you should, you know, humor him for a smidge.”
Maya crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him when his attention shifted from her face to her breasts. Men! Ugh. “How long is a smidge? And how much humoring are we talking about? I wanted a one-night stand, Carly. Not a fucking Neanderthal who thinks he owns me. And he has his fucking dick hanging out for heaven’s sake!”
The she-cat inside her purred at her last comment. Horny cat.
Maya watched in fascinati
on as fur receded from each of his pores that coated his arms and chest. He then picked up his clothes and slipped them back on, neatly tucking his cock back into his pants and zipping them up. Okay, so maybe he was the tiniest bit pissy. And maybe it was because she’d pushed a little too hard. But damn it, she’d had good reason!
“No, I don’t own you, Maya…”
“Don’t talk to the boobs, buddy.” She clicked her fingers to encourage him to raise his gaze. “Up here. Look at my face.”
He huffed. “I don’t own you, but the cat is…possessive.”
She sniffed, realizing she had the same sort of possessive-y feelings, too. But she sure wasn’t going to admit that out loud. Nope. Not yet, anyway. “Fine.”
“And I’m sorry I didn’t explain things last night.” That was like the third or fourth or fifth apology, she didn’t know which, but perhaps he actually was…sorry.
She edged a little closer. Okay, she could deal with the apologies. Apologies were nice when sincere, and her little cat was rubbing against her mind, telling Maya she’d be more than happy to rub all over Alex. “Thanks. I accept your apology.”
“And I promise to never whip my dick out…unless you ask for it.” His lips twitched and she glared at him.
Maya returned, “And what about the claim-y, bite-y thing?”
“I can’t apologize for the act, but I absolutely should’ve talked to you first.”
She nodded. “Good.” She tried to be mad, tried to show how upset she still was, but her body wouldn’t allow her to—she was drained.
That settled, she invaded his personal space, rested her face against his broad chest.
“Huh? What’re you? I mean…” Alex sputtered.
Aw, poor little confused lion. Her human half was still pretty damn angry, but she’d at least forgive him…just a little.
“Come on cat-boy. I figure we’ve got some talking to do, and I’m starting to get hungry again with all this meat lying around. Speaking of which, Carly…”
Her best friend squeaked and rushed up the stairs, heavy footsteps trailing in her wake. Maya followed, but only made it two steps before a muscular arm wrapped around her waist and tugged her back. “You’re not going up there like that.” Alex’s words were nearly indiscernible, like his lion had wrenched control in that moment.
Maya growled at his firm tone, the she-cat not at all happy with being manhandled, and her annoyance came through, loud and clear, in her voice. “Well, seeing as my clothes got shredded during my first shift, when I didn’t even know I was a shifter, I didn’t have much of a choice this time either, did I?”
Alex released her, spun her around, and replied, “No man but me sees you naked, Maya. No one. I’ll cut out the man’s eyes rather than let him glimpse a single part of your naked body.”
Maya smirked. The lioness reveled in his possessiveness, and she had to admit, the woman did, too. “Fine. But you’re buying me new clothes.”
“Done.”
Huh. Too bad everything else in her life couldn’t be fixed this easily.
* * *
Shit, fuck, damn, and growl.
Okay, at least, Alex had managed to get Maya out of the buck’s house without exposing any more of her lush body than he had to, thanks to Carly and her enormous wardrobe. And hey, they’d even snagged some new clothes for Maya at the mall.
At least, the shopping was done, and his relatively sweet mate was well-clothed. And dare he say, semi-happy. Semi, because he’d brought her back to Genesis, and partially against her will.
“I’m not going in there.” Maya balked at the door and dug her heels in.
Alex clenched his teeth and fisted his hands. “Please, my sweet. The pride would like to meet you, and besides, being around them will calm your lioness.”
She sighed deep. For the umpteenth time. Damn it, she’d been doing that a lot with him, and his cat was pissed that the man couldn’t do a freaking thing right.
“Fine, I’ll go. You know, all you have to do is explain things to me. Preferably before you want me to do something.”
With a nod he pulled open the front door and the comforting scent of his pride surrounded them, soothed his inner cat.
Until Jenner ran to meet them that was, tripping over his lovesick feet with every step he took toward Maya. “Prime! Oh, you found her!”
Good god, man. Alex hoped he wouldn’t have to deal with all the males tripping over themselves to get close to Maya. Then, he’d have to kill them. Not really, but he hoped he didn’t have to make a choice.
The rest of the pride trailed in Jenner’s wake in a swarm, each of them anxious to meet their new prima. They were all cleaned up and ready for her arrival, thank goodness. Though she hadn’t yet claimed him, he’d already bitten her, and that was more than enough to ensure the pride’s initial acceptance of her.
In a flash they were surrounded by their lions and lionesses, males and females alike nuzzling her shoulder and inhaling her scent. Alex’s beast approved. The pride had to learn their prima’s scent and remember it always, let her essence be entwined with their cats’.
Alex stood back and watched as his pride accepted her, welcoming her with open arms. Every so often Maya’s head would raise, turn to look over the crowd to search him out, and then she’d settle, returning her attention to those around her.
Damn, something writhed in his chest, tightened and scratched at the display before him. Twenty, thirty years ago and he woulda laughed if anyone had told him he’d be taking a mate, but now, there was nothing funny about the woman who was being rejoiced by his pride. With her flowing blonde hair and luscious curves, he’d mated to the Venus incarnate.
And he couldn’t wait to bed her again, to have her teeth against his shoulder so that she could claim him. Okay, he’d even beg if it were necessary. Anything to have the tempting goddess reciprocate his feelings, to help calm the damned lion that resided within.
As he watched Gina eased away from the group fawning over Maya and came toward him. Her head bowed the lion was pleased to find that the woman showed some contrition. He’d confined her to her home, but a pride meeting superseded all other orders.
“Prime.” The woman tilted her head to the side to expose her neck, making herself vulnerable to him.
“Gina.” He wouldn’t allow her to know his feelings. True, she’d fucked up royally, and all for spite, but still, he’d gotten his mate because she’d gone against him.
Gina raised her head, her gaze fixated on his chest. “I-I’m sorry for my behavior. I understand that there will be consequences for my actions. All I can do is beg, for you and the pride, to forgive me.”
Alex grunted. The cat within scented the truthfulness of her words, but the man couldn’t help but remember how he’d found his mate in the basement that’d been practically painted with raw meat, with Maya ready to eat her friend for dinner.
“The entire pride will hear your apology this evening. Though, I am hesitant to punish you any further, since your actions resulted in me meeting my mate.”
Gina raised her gaze in a split-second, and jumped into his arms the next, enveloping him in a tight hug as she nuzzled his neck. Alex accepted the woman’s action for what it was—a reaffirmation of their pride bond—and also Gina’s way of assuring herself that all was forgiven.
Maya, unfortunately, did not.
Between one blink and the next the woman was ripped from his body and thrown against the floor. Maya used her newly acquired reflexes, crouching over the fallen woman before Alex had the chance to speak a single word. She caught Gina by the throat and Alex watched, thoroughly rapt, as his sweet mate half shifted. Her face elongated, a snout partially formed, her fingers changed into razor-sharp claws.
The prima, his better half, snarled one word and one word only, “Mine.”
Thank fucking god. About time.
With careful steps Al
ex approached his crouching mate, unwilling to startle his little lioness. He recognized Maya’s behavior for what it was, too—that it was a showing of possession and dominance for all of her pride to see.
It was probably wrong that this made him hard, right?
Now next to Maya he eased down and looked at the two women. His mate was nothing short of beautiful in her half shift, as she was in any other form she chose, looking fierce and deadly and simply stunning.
Damn, this really got him hot.
A glance at Gina revealed that the woman was deathly pale, eyes wide and mouth hanging open, gasping for air. Tiny rivulets of blood slid down the woman’s neck from where his mate had punctured her skin.
“Maya, love. It’s not nice to kill one of your own on the first day.” She snarled at him, gaze never leaving her target. He cleared his throat. “Mate, why don’t we go upstairs and you can claim me. Show the rest of the females that I belong to you. You’d like that, right?” ‘Cause he sure as hell would.
She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head toward him as if weighing his words. He held his breath, waited for her to respond. The cat in her had been riding her hard, no doubt for the last ten hours or so, and he wasn’t sure which way she’d go. Punish, or show mercy.
Then, Maya released her grip on Gina’s throat and pounced on him, clinging to him like a damned spider monkey, shredding his shirt just before a fierce pain gripped his shoulder, yanking a harrowing cry from deep within his chest. Fuck, fire enveloped him, but he didn’t dare move. Shit, shit, shit.
His woman had bitten him, marking him, the thumping of his heart pushing the ache into his limbs. And he just waited, waited for her to regain control, to let her finish what she started. A few beats of his heart passed, and then a few more, before Maya eased her hold, and finally, her thick, sharp fangs slid free of his flesh. His whole body shuddered in response, the pain lessening with each breath as she lapped at his wound.
Celia Kyle Page 6