Page 17 of Pretty Kitten

She wasn’t sure what reaction she’d been hoping for; a laugh, perhaps. But she really, really hadn’t expected Daunte to pull her arm, bend forward to reach her, and nip at her ear, just like Rye had done to Ace a few minutes ago.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Clari was glad her voice came out badass and menacing.

“Making you blend in. You stand out like a sore thumb.”

Protests died on her lip at the annoyingly flawless reply.

“Well, as long as it is understood that I hated every second of it.”

She felt his chest move as he chuckled against her back.

“Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.”

Chapter 12

Prospects

Fuck. Her scent. Her soft, tanned skin. The soft locks he felt against his face.

He shouldn’t have done that. He really shouldn’t have, but he knew there was no going back.

Clari’s heart skipped a beat and she gasped. But she didn’t push him. She didn’t tell him to stop. She didn’t turn around and slap him, asking how he dared touch her without her assent. Which meant she wanted him. He’d known she wasn’t indifferent to him, but he’d never asked himself if she’d welcome his advances, for his own sanity. Now, he knew.

But in four days, they’d be back to square one, and she’d be nothing more than a human woman. Precious and breakable. For both of their sakes, he needed to forget that knowledge. Take a step back. Leave her alone. Learn to ignore her again.

He stayed put, keeping his hand on her arm possessively, a gesture letting every stranger in their garden know she was his.

“I thank you for this display. Your skills allow each and every one of you to pass to the second round.”

And without further ado, Rye shifted.

Daunte was proud when he saw that Clari didn’t move, or shiver.

The outsiders were another story. Ten of them yelled, some stepped back, others stepped forward, ready to attack. To be fair to them, Rye was monstrous. Taller, longer, thicker than any other feline shifter Daunte had ever met, the tiger also sported those huge, curving canines, coming out right under his upper lip. To Daunte’s knowledge, it was a family trait, but not all of them were born with that gene.

Rye shifted back, standing naked and indifferent to it; shifters couldn’t be prudes. But everyone stared at the glowing tattoos on his skin, marking him for what he was: an Alpha mated to his fated mate. Twice as powerful as he had been before Ace.

“Great. Those of you who stepped back can go home; the rest of you, get dressed and come on in. We’ll proceed to the rest of the tests when we get home.”

Daunte waggled a brow, surprised. He was pretty certain most members of their pride had freaked the first time he’d shifted. He wasn’t the only one to find it unfair.

“Wait, so that’s it? We’re rejected, just like that? There’s nothing wrong with being startled,” one of the woman said.

“No, there’s nothing wrong with it. But truth is, I’m a freak. So is my mate. And her brother.”

“I resent that,” Daunte interjected.

“And our son. Not to mention some of our children. There will be things happening in this pride - things you may not see anywhere else.”

Daunte froze. So, that was what it was about. Clari and Zack. Rye wanted to get rid of the faint of heart because they’d be the first to panic in case she changed.

“Trust me: if my tiger freaks you, you can’t deal with us. The rest of you, get dressed and come on in.”

The bulk of the applicants walked towards the entrance of the property, muttering dejectedly. The rest of the pride got inside.

Daunte caught Rye by the arm right before they passed the threshold. He closed the door behind Ian, to get some privacy for a second. Shifter hearing could be a pain.

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