by Bianca D’Arc
“Clients? Of what?”
“The business. What? You thought being a panther paid really well all on its own?” Cade chuckled, and she joined in. “How could my mate not know I’m the CEO of one of the most successful publishing companies in this burg?”
“You have an actual job?” She was dumbfounded. Since she’d known him, they’d been in crisis mode and she’d never thought about how he usually spent his days.
“Well, I don’t go in to the office as much as I used to. Things pretty much run themselves at this point, which is good because it’s the only reason I can spend so much time with Ria. But I planned it that way—at least hoped it would work out that way—or I wouldn’t have suggested to my father that they send her here. She wanted to go to school downtown, but I’m not sure it’ll even be possible for her to stay here. Not unless we can make it safe for her.”
“So you live here, then.”
“Outside of town in the burbs. I have a large estate with room to roam the grounds when I feel like it. I wanted Ria to live there with me, but she wanted an apartment downtown near the university. That’s what we were talking to Harris about when you arrived at the dojo. But there’s no way I’m letting her live on her own now. Not until I’m absolutely certain she’ll be safe. For now, everyone’s holed up at my place. It was too far for us to drive after everything we’d been through, and I knew the guest suite was free this week, so I brought us here instead. Plus, I wanted some time alone with you, El.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek.
“So,” Elaine smiled at him when he pulled back. “Panther Publishing. That’s you?”
His grin was downright sinful. “What gave me away?”
“Is everyone who works for you a shifter?”
“Not everyone, but a large percentage are. As a race, we tend to have a creative streak and a lot of us find enjoyment in literature or the arts. Panther Publishing is a subsidiary of Wild Cat Investments. The parent company is a conglomerate that has its paws in all kinds of enterprises. One of their main missions is to provide startup capital and expertise for the rest of us. It’s something the elders put in place about fifty years ago, and it’s been a boon to us. I bet we could even find you a job as a nurse for one of our shifter medical practices, if you wanted to work. Skilled medical help is sometimes hard for us to find since we have to be careful who we let treat us.”
“You’ve got this all figured out, haven’t you?” She climbed over his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Just trying to keep my mate happy. By the way…” He moved the collar of the robe aside to touch the incredibly tender spot on her neck. “My mark looks absolutely stunning on you, baby.”
She shivered as his fingers danced over her skin. Just like that, she was ready for him again. Elaine was coming to find that when it came to Cade, she was downright easy.
“I was thinking.” She tugged at the black silk tie holding his sexy robe closed. He caught on to her game and untied the smaller red robe he’d had delivered for her.
“What were you thinking about, baby?”
“I was wondering.” She pushed the robe off his shoulders as he did the same for her. His hands went to her breasts, touching her in a way guaranteed to send her into orbit. She fought the response, needing to say what was on her mind, but it was hard. And so was he. She stroked him, gaining his attention once more. “I was wondering if I could return the favor of biting you.” He jumped in her hand, and his eyes glowed. She forged ahead, uncertain. “I mean, it probably wouldn’t make the lasting mark since I don’t have those shifter enzymes in me, but I could try. If you want.”
“I want what you want, El. Always.” He leaned forward to place a gentle kiss on her lips, then drew back. “But if you want to try, I’m all for it. You can bite me anytime you like. It makes me want to roar, as you probably have already realized.”
She was relieved by his words and the devilish expression on his handsome face. He was more man that she’d ever expected and everything she’d ever wanted. Although he could get bossy and Alpha on her, he was also considerate, kind and protective. As she was of him. This would work. They’d make it work.
She ran her fingers over him again, lingering longer this time, ready to put her plan into action. She’d thought about nothing else since waking in his arms. She wanted to return the claim that would mean the most to him—the claim his people would recognize. It might not be exactly what a shifter mate would have given him, but she’d try to make it close. She wanted to do this for him—and for herself as well.
Something inside her craved it, though she’d never felt this kind of animalistic urge before. She began to suspect mating with a shifter had changed her on some basic level and so far, she liked the changes.
Cade caressed her, claiming her mouth for a lingering kiss as she touched him, arousing them both. She was so ready for this, so eager to please him. Elaine lifted up and positioned him under her, lowering herself onto him so she could control where they went from here. She’d give him the ride of his life.
She started slow and the pace built rapidly. Cade helped, his strong arms supporting her as she moved on him. He licked at her skin, each touch of his tongue sending her closer to bliss. But this wasn’t about her. She had to focus.
Elaine moved into position, the mere act of kissing his neck driving her higher. When he started to purr, his chest vibrating against hers, she knew this was going to be one of the most amazing experiences of her life. She licked along the tense cords of his neck and searched for just the right spot. It had to be perfect if he was going to wear her mark even for a day or two.
She was desperately in need when she finally bit him, her orgasm crashing through her at the exact moment she tasted the faintest hint of blood. She hadn’t thought she could actually do it, but with the added push of climax, she’d managed to break his skin the tiniest bit.
Cade roared, nearly deafening her with the panther’s voice in his human form, climaxing with her in a maelstrom of pleasure that left them both wrung out and gasping for air.
Elaine relaxed her jaw but kept her mouth over the small wound, licking his salty skin as the vibrations in her body went on and on. At length, she slumped against him and he cradled her against his chest. They didn’t move for a long time, and she could tell he’d been as profoundly affected as she by the fine tremor of his arms around her.
“I love you, Cade,” she whispered, kissing his chest.
“You are my perfect mate, Ellie.”
The touching compliment followed her into sleep as she dozed against him.
Elaine woke a few hours later in the bed. Cade had taken care of her while she slept, cleaning her up and tucking her in and she hadn’t even been aware of it. He really was the most amazing man.
Her mate.
She repeated it a few times, loving the sound of those words.
They’d mated in the eyes of his people, but her family was going to want an old fashioned wedding. She chewed her bottom lip, wondering how to go about this. The direct approach had always been her strong suit, so she got up, threw on the red silk robe and went to find Cade.
“Cade?” she called.
“In here.”
He was at the computer in one corner of the living room, answering what looked like business email. He coaxed her into sitting across his lap as he laid a hot kiss on her in greeting.
When he let her up for air, she pushed against his chest to get his attention.
“Cade, there’s something I need to ask you.”
“Ask me anything. If it’s in my power, it’s yours.”
Elaine took a deep breath. “Cade, will you marry me?”
His eyes widened in surprise. “We’re already mated.” Understanding dawned. “Oh, I see. You want a human wedding for your family and friends, right?”
“Well, we could just go on living in sin, but I think it would be best for the future if we tied the knot officially. Don’t you?”
“Absolutely. And it’s not unprecedented. Some shifter couples have ceremonies. We can do the same.”
“What do shifter couples do otherwise—to make it all legal, I mean, so their children are…um…legitimate, in the eyes of the law?”
“We have officials who can fill out marriage certificates. It’s usually done after a mating to keep us in line with the human legal system. If the shifters are prominent in their communities or have appearances to keep up for human friends or employees, sometimes they’ll do a ceremony with a shaman or priestess presiding.”
“So we could do something like that, right? I don’t have a big family, but I do have some and I’d like them and my friends, to see me get married. We don’t have to do it right away, but maybe in a few months, when things have settled down…”
“I think it’d be perfect.”
“You’re the one who’s perfect.” She kissed him, and it was some time before Cade got to finish his email.
Much later that day, Cade and Elaine drove out of town to the suburbs where he had an estate set back in some woods and walled off to provide both security and privacy for when he wanted to prowl in his fur.
He was somewhat concerned by the attitude Elaine may face from the hardheads like Bonnie and Ray once they got a look at her new mating mark—and his own for that matter. The bite she’d given him so generously that morning was starting to look more and more like the real thing.
He didn’t know how it all worked, but maybe a little of Elaine’s hidden magic had helped her replicate the mark on her own neck. The bite she’d given him was smaller, of course, and the teeth patterns different because she was human, but from all he could see at this early stage, the mark itself was forming just like the one on her neck. He’d have to talk to the doctors who studied this sort of thing to find out why, but he was thrilled beyond belief to have the visible evidence of their bond.
But Cade worried about how news of their mating would be received by certain shifters. There was a lot of snobbery in certain Clans in regard to humans.
“You should be prepared.” He chose his words carefully. “Some of the others may give you a hard time about our mating. If they do, I want you to tell me. I don’t expect you to face a den of obnoxious cats on your own, Ellie.”
“Is that buyer’s remorse I hear in your voice?” She turned to him in the small cabin of the sedan, and he could feel her gaze on him as he drove. He thought he recognized humor in her tone, but it was mixed with a tiny bit of worry as well that made him wince.
He reached for her hand, holding it warm against his thigh. “Never.” He dared a glance at her. “I just don’t want you to be uncomfortable, and I want to nip any bigotry right in the bud. I won’t tolerate anyone in my home who disrespects you or our relationship.”
“You say the sweetest things, sometimes.” She squeezed his hand and smiled as he returned his attention to the road. “So just out of curiosity, what would you do if someone did insult me?”
“I’d throw their sorry asses out of our house!”
Elaine laughed, and he knew things would be all right. She was a strong woman—the strongest he’d ever known—and she’d already done well in feline company. He did worry about how his people would take the news of their mating but ultimately he and Elaine were a team. They would face whatever came their way together.
“I’ve been thinking about retiring from Guard work.”
Her hand tensed under his. “Because of me? Because of us?”
“I always knew I’d have to retire when I settled down.”
“But what about Ria? She needs you, Cade. Until the threat to her is taken care of, she needs everyone to stick by her—especially you.”
He raised her hand to his lips for a quick kiss.
“You’re one hell of a woman, Ellie, and I’m glad you care for Ria and her security. The truth is, I want to make sure she’s safe, but I’m torn. I don’t ever want to put you in danger because of my work as a Royal Guard and if I’m guarding Ria, her watchers may somehow trace me back to you.”
“What if I helped?”
“What? Protect Ria?”
“Sure, why not? I’ve done okay against everything that’s been thrown at me so far and if I can really Shield people from magic, that might be an asset if they send another mage after her.”
Cade had to admit she had a good point.
“I’m sorry, baby. There’s never been a human Royal Guard that I know of.”
“Not even unofficially?”
That gave him pause. Indeed, Elaine had probably been an unofficial Guard her entire life, merely by her association and protective instincts toward her best friend.
“If anyone could fill the bill, it’s you, Ellie. Did it cross your mind that your presence has probably been hiding Gina’s magic all along?”
“Yeah. Actually, I got an inkling about that when Ted explained what a Shield was. Do you think it’s true?”
He squeezed her hand this time. “I think there’s little doubt about it. Your presence probably masked hers this whole time.”
“But then how did you know she was a shifter the moment you met her?”
“The scent I picked up isn’t magical in nature. When she came close enough, I could smell the slight variations in her body that told me she wasn’t human.”
“But then other shifters could smell her too, right? Why hasn’t she ever been discovered that way before?”
“Who’s to say she hasn’t? Maybe she played lone cat on the prowl if anyone was curious enough to ask. It used to be common for cats to want to roam alone before they settled down. She’d fit that stereotype, living alone and exploring the single life. And she works in a human hospital. She’s not likely to run into shifters there. We stay away from human doctors as a general rule.”
“But she treated shifter patients privately. Shihan’s wife was one of her patients.”
“A few here and there who wouldn’t be trained well enough to recognize a royal tigre blanche when they sniffed her, she could get away with. Under normal circumstances, most shifters never get close enough to a royal to learn the subtle differences in their scent. Even I didn’t recognize the blanche distinction right off. It took Mitch to recognize that, if you recall.”
Elaine sighed and sat back, leaning her head against the seat. She moved toward the center on the wide bench seat so she was closer to him. He liked that instinctive move on her part. He needed to be near her, now that they were mated.
He couldn’t believe he really had a mate. He’d never been so happy or felt such satisfaction in his life. Having Elaine in his life had changed him for all time, and he never wanted to return to a time when she wasn’t with him.
“I’m glad Gina was able to go her own way for so long. Now that I’m learning more about your world, I see she could have led a very different life. Knowing her as well as I do, I don’t think she would have been happy growing up with the restrictions your people would have placed on her. She’s a free spirit, Cade. She needs her space. Just like her dad.”
Cade had almost forgotten that Elaine had grown up knowing the former Tig’Ra, the Sun King of the tigers who’d abdicated his throne in a rage years before. Elaine had known him only as her best friend’s father, but in reality he was so much more. There were loads of stories about his exploits as a young man. He’d been a powerful ruler in his time, but personal tragedy had changed him from a daring young man to one that wanted nothing to do with ruling his people. Cade had always thought it a shame.
“What’s he like?”
“Gina’s dad? He’s great. Warm, caring and protective of us when we were little. He was like a second father to me. I spent so much time at Gina’s when we were little, I always felt like part of their family. That’s why it hurt so much when I realized they’d all been keeping such a huge secret from me for so long.”
Cade patted her hand, his fingers stroking along hers in comfort. “They didn’t mean to hurt you.”
&
nbsp; “I know. I still have a lot to learn about your people and the rules of shifter life, but I do understand they were living Underground. They were only protecting themselves. I hope that someday I’ll get to see them again. With all that’s been going on, I’m really worried I’ve lost my best friend.”
Cade hated the tremor in her voice. If he hadn’t been speeding down the highway, he’d have pulled her into his arms to comfort her.
“Have faith, Ellie. She’ll take care of Mitch and if I know that tiger, he’ll take care of her too. It might take some time, but I believe Gina will come back into the fold. Mitch can be very persuasive when he sets his mind to something. I should know. We grew up together much like you and Gina. I’d trust him with my life, and have on several memorable occasions.”
“But if Gina goes back to her Clan they’ll want to make her queen, right? I know Gina. She won’t like that. Not at all.”
“They’ll sort it out. I think your friend Gina is a stronger woman than even she realizes. To have lived in hiding her entire life could not have been easy.”
Elaine sighed and closed her eyes. “I suppose you’re right. I can’t help but worry about her though. It’s a habit of long standing.” A gentle smile graced her luscious lips when Cade glanced over at her. “We used to get into such trouble together as kids and her father would get so mad sometimes, he’d growl.” Elaine’s eyes popped open, and she started to chuckle. “I just realized he really was growling! All this time I never realized the tiger was growling at us when he found us doing something he didn’t like. I guess I just thought it was his way of not yelling. Sometimes my dad would count when we were bad so he wouldn’t yell. All the while Gina’s dad was growling so he wouldn’t roar.”
“I bet he roared plenty when you weren’t around to hear it. I remember my own father’s roars when I got into mischief.” Cade had to smile at the childhood memories.
“I’m glad Gina’s going home. She needs her parents, even if they are hiding out. They’ve always been a very close-knit family. Now I understand a little better why.”