Rebel Lion

by Anna Lowe

  Anjali grinned. She would love to catch Dell off guard for once. She had tried but never succeeded — yet. But, hey. She’d only been a lion shifter for a few weeks. Dell had been one his whole life, plus, he had all that military training to give him an edge.

  This time, we’ll get him, her lion swore, waiting for him to pass directly ahead.

  Her belly brushed the ground, and her muscles were all taut as springs about to release. Counting heartbeats, she waited. One… Two… Three!

  She let out a roar and jumped, flying through the air. That was another perk of being a lion — defying gravity, at least for short periods of time. Plus, she lost all fear of falling when she was in lion form.

  Her lion grinned. Cats always land on their feet.

  Anjali had always thought Dell was being cocky about that, but it was true. It was as if lions had an extra chamber in their inner ear, allowing them to turn every fall into a perfectly executed landing. Or a tackle, in this case, though she kept her claws sheathed.

  Dell roared and spun a tick too late, and she landed on his back. If it had been him tackling her, she’d be a goner, but Dell barely staggered under her weight. She bounded away, only to pounce again, making him roll sideways. A moment later, she came out on top and growled in triumph.

  Whoa, Dell cried. You got me.

  She snarled proudly. I did.

  Oh my God, I had no idea you were coming. Dell stuck up his front paws in defeat.

  For a moment, Anjali grinned, showing off all her teeth. But then she narrowed her eyes. Wait a second. Was that a lie she smelled?

  Dell, she growled.

  He thrust his paws higher, exposing his neck. Call it a fib. I would never lie to my mate. He spoke into her mind while grunting aloud in lion talk, careful not to let the sound carry too far.

  She rolled aside and sat, staring at him. Damn. What had given her away? She’d been so careful to sneak up quietly.

  You were great, Dell assured her. Amazing. I was really scared.

  She made a face. I’m not Joey, you know.

  Dell, she could see, was working hard not to laugh.

  Seriously, you were fantastic, he insisted, coming up to nuzzle her. There was just a little rustle of leaves. The tiniest hint of a footstep. Okay, and maybe your tail hit a bush. But other than that…

  She grimaced. Other than that? I’m a total failure as a lion.

  He laughed. Are you kidding? If I were human — or a measly wolf—

  A canine snarl sounded from the right, and Anjali nearly jumped. Damn. Somehow, she’d missed the fact that Chase was out there.

  I mean, even a mighty wolf would be terrified, Dell said quickly. Just look at you. Look at those teeth.

  He was so sincere, she cracked a smile. It was impossible to feel down around Dell.

  See? You’re ferocious as hell, he said.

  She pulled back her lips for added effect, and he nodded proudly.

  And look at those killer claws, he added.

  She sighed. They’re sheathed, Dell.

  And a damn good thing. I’d be at death’s door if you let them out.

  That was a wild exaggeration, but still. Anjali lifted one paw and looked at her own claws. Death’s door?

  Absolutely. I’d be begging for mercy. Wait a minute. Look. I am begging for mercy, he said, flopping to his back.

  She laughed. Dell could go from king of the jungle to helpless kitty in the blink of an eye, and even if the latter was an act, she felt better.

  Seriously, he went on. You were amazing. You shifted all by yourself?

  She nodded, sticking out her chest just a little bit. She might not have a mane like him, but she did have a pretty fine scruff, if she did say so herself.

  And you found me way out here…

  She fluttered her eyelids a little. Well, yes, she had. That was something to be proud of, right?

  And you practically killed me with that tackle. So, yes. You’re amazing.

  She grinned. Dell would be great with Quinn when she grew up and experienced the kind of self-doubts Anjali remembered having, especially as an adolescent.

  Well, I still have a long way to go, she sighed, nuzzling him back.

  No rush, he shot back.

  Anjali laughed at herself. Maybe she hadn’t shed as much of her drive as she’d thought. Maybe she’d just transferred the need to excel at her job to a need to excel at being a lion. Not to mention how desperately she wanted to be a good mother. She looked around, suddenly morose.

  Maybe I should go…

  Dell stepped in front of her, blocking the way. No way. Quinn is with Cynthia, right?

  Anjali stared. Did you figure out everything about my plan for tonight?

  He laughed. No, but I’ve seen how Cynthia looks at Quinn. She loves babies. I think that’s the only thing she and I have in common. He grinned. Anyway, Quinn will be fine. And this is perfect. You can help me finish my patrol. You know, practice a little.

  She sniffed in the direction of the plantation house, where everything seemed quiet. Maybe Dell was right.

  Of course I’m right. Let’s go. Nice and quietly, Dell said, moving off.

  She fell into step beside him, treading softly, mimicking his moves. The earth was soft and springy under her feet. Light from the quarter moon filtered through the trees, casting shadows. She kept her senses on high alert, picturing Brody and his gang.

  Good, Dell murmured, coaching her. Long steps where the ground is soft, shorter where it’s hard. Quicker over the rocks. And watch your tail.

  She cursed, looking back. How did Dell manage to keep his from swatting bushes all the time?

  Dell prowled on, and she followed, crouching or flicking her whiskers whenever he did. Gradually, her confidence grew. Her shoulders swung with every gliding step, and her footfalls were soft and quick. The world around her was hushed, giving the night a magical feel. She had never spent much time wandering around at night in human form. As a woman in a city, it just wasn’t done. But as a lion… She smiled, flexing her claws into the dirt. As a lion, she got to play by a different rulebook.

  Now, we double back, Dell murmured, doing an abrupt about-face. We don’t want our patrols to get predictable.

  Anjali frowned at that reminder of the stark reality of the shifter world. But it was hard to shake her good mood, especially when a huge shadow swept overhead. Jenna was out patrolling, which cheered her in two ways. First, because Koakea had a big, bad she-dragon protecting its territory. And second, if Jenna could learn to run — or fly — an effective patrol, Anjali could too.

  You bet you will, Dell said, reading her mind. But right now…

  As he spoke, two shadows separated from the trees, and Dell greeted them with a low chuff. Cruz. Jody.

  Anjali nodded at the two tiger shifters, trying not to let her awe show.

  They might be huge, toothy tigers, but we’re powerful lions. Don’t you forget it, her lion growled with a flick of its tail.

  Our turn to patrol, Jody said in her usual peppy way. You two can turn in.

  Cruz flicked his tail to echo her point, and the two of them prowled off on their own rounds.

  Dell grinned. Turn in. I like the sound of that.

  Anjali’s body heated at the playful hint in his voice. Cynthia did say there was no rush…

  They set off, striding along quickly, letting leaves tickle their backs. The wind whispered over the seaside slopes, and the sound of surf murmured in the distance. They crossed the creek in a single, effortless leap, and Anjali sniffed deeply, taking it all in. Maui. Dell. Quinn. Did she really have it this good?

  Dell rubbed along her side. I keep thinking the same thing. But there is one more thing we should practice.

  She turned, wondering what that could be. Shifting more quickly? Using the creek crossing to mask her trail?

  Dell backed up, grinning. You could get attacked, you know, he said. And without further warning, he launched himself at her.

&n
bsp; She twisted quickly, batting him away, and they ended up play-wrestling on the terrace. An uneven match, what with his greater weight. But she did her best, managing to slip away twice. But finally, Dell had her pinned to the ground, his big lion body caging her in.

  Now what will you do? he teased, pushing his muzzle close.

  A few weeks ago, being nose-to-nose with a lion would have terrified her. But all she felt now was arousal. Her tail lashed the air, and she turned her head for a hard nuzzle. Then she closed her eyes, picturing her fingers threading through Dell’s thick hair and her lips meeting his. Within the space of a few heartbeats, she’d shifted smoothly into human form. Dell shifted at exactly the same time, still pinning her down.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Anjali said in a husky voice that carried a hint of her inner lion. She was flat on her back with her arms over Dell’s broad shoulders and her legs…well, not quite wrapped around his waist, but not far off. She lifted one foot and ran her heel along the outside of his leg. “I guess I might have to try a different tactic.”

  Dell’s eyes glowed as he looked down at her naked body. “Not sure that’s fair.”

  She hooked her leg around his, bringing their bodies even closer. “Oh, it’s fair, all right.”

  He ran his fingers through her hair, gazing down at her in love and wonder. “Well, then, I might have to submit to whatever dastardly acts you have planned.”

  She reached up to kiss him, only to find him pressing down with his own kiss. A deep, hungry one that activated every nerve in her body.

  “Mmm,” she mumbled, tilting her head. Technically, she was the one submitting, but, hey. She was all in. Wrapping both legs around his, she pushed her hips upward, hungry for more.

  “God, you’re gorgeous,” Dell whispered, letting his hard shaft prod her sensitive flesh.

  She smiled, then gasped as he slowly slid in. Her body burned in the very best way, and within seconds, she was rocking against him. Pumping. Panting. Howling his name. Dell thrust in and out of her, baring his teeth against the achy pleasure-pain.

  She could already see the rest of the night playing out. How Dell would bring her to a screaming orgasm, right there under the moon. How pink she would be from all the nuzzling he was sure to treat her to afterward. Eventually, they would get dressed, pick up Quinn, and bring their daughter home. They would both stand over her crib for a while, watching the miracle of their sleeping baby before retiring to their own room, where they’d make love again. And again…

  You, my mate, are gorgeous, Dell murmured, this time into her mind.

  Anjali couldn’t express her joy, not in the state she was in. But she did manage to mumble briefly into his mind before succumbing to her ecstasy.

  And you, my mate, are mine.

  * * *

  Thank you for reading Rebel Lion! If you enjoyed the story, please leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews are the best way to thank an independent author for a story you’ve loved.

  Did you know Rebel Lion is also available in audio? Audio brings the story to life in a whole different way and can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime.

  Rebel Lion is Book 3 of 5 in Anna Lowe’s new Aloha Shifters: PEARLS of DESIRE series. The action, emotion, and passion continues in Rebel Wolf, Book 4. Click here for a sneak peek of Chase’s love story, or order it on Amazon today!

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  Sneak Peek: Rebel Wolf

  Rebel Wolf - Aloha Shifters: Pearls of Desire, Book 4

  Chase Hoving is a wolf shifter who’s come in from the wild. Has he learned enough about human ways to win over his destined mate — and protect her from ruthless criminals when she witnesses a crime?

  * * *

  Rebel Wolf is an emotional, fast-paced paranormal romance filled with yearning, sizzling passions, and forbidden love. Ready to be swept off to sunny Maui’s suspense-filled shifter side? Get your copy of Rebel Wolf today!

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  Desert Wolf: Friend or Foe (Book 1.1 in the Twin Moon Ranch series)

  Off the Charts (the prequel to the Serendipity Adventure series)

  Perfection (the prequel to the Blue Moon Saloon series)

  Books by Anna Lowe

  Aloha Shifters - Pearls of Desire

  Rebel Dragon (Book 1)

  Rebel Bear (Book 2)

  Rebel Lion (Book 3)

  Rebel Wolf (Book 4)

  Rebel Alpha (Book 5)

  Aloha Shifters - Jewels of the Heart

  Lure of the Dragon (Book 1)

  Lure of the Wolf (Book 2)

  Lure of the Bear (Book 3)

  Lure of the Tiger (Book 4)

  Love of the Dragon (Book 5)

  Lure of the Fox (Book 6)

  The Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch

  Desert Hunt (the Prequel)

  Desert Moon (Book 1)

  Desert Wolf: Complete Collection (Four short stories)

  Desert Blood (Book 2)

  Desert Fate (Book 3)

  Desert Heart (Book 4)

  Desert Yule (a short story)

  Desert Rose (Book 5)

  Desert Roots (Book 6)

  Sasquatch Surprise (a Twin Moon spin-off story)

  Blue Moon Saloon

  Perfection (a short story prequel)

  Damnation (Book 1)

  Temptation (Book 2)

  Redemption (Book 3)

  Salvation (Book 4)

  Deception (Book 5)

  Celebration (a holiday treat)

  Shifters in Vegas

  Paranormal romance with a zany twist

  Gambling on Trouble

  Gambling on Her Dragon

  Gambling on Her Bear

  Serendipity Adventure Romance

  Off the Charts

  Uncharted

  Entangled

  Windswept

  Adrift

  Travel Romance

  Veiled Fantasies

  Island Fantasies

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  This is as HOT as her shifter series. For those who want spicy without paranormal, this is a perfect start. I can’t wait to read more about these characters.

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  It’s not my normal genre but I do love Anna Lowe’s romance books because of the great way she writes. I am really happy this book was the same great style.

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