Page 39 of Chasing Savannah
Did she even realize she was falling into the role of Alpha female? “No, but I appreciate the offer.”
She gasped again. “Oh God, my family, was it…”
“They’re fine. Right now, it seems centered on the prowl here in the city.”
She breathed out a sigh of relief. “Okay, then I should still call my grandmother and check on them.”
“Whatever you need, love.”
Her breath hitched and she cleared her throat. Had the pet name caught her off guard? She would soon be used to to it. He was no longer hiding what he wanted from her.
“Ok, I’ll see you soon.” She hung up before he pushed his luck further.
He shot over a text to let Derrick know she was expecting him.
***
Derrick rode the street to Savannah’s house slowly, his window down. He took deep inhales, taking in the early morning smells, sifting through for scents that didn’t belong. He was two houses down from her house when he smelled a foreign shifter. He knew there were lone shifters in and around Tampa, but he knew for a fact that there were none in Savannah’s neighborhood. He had made sure before he allowed Theo and Laura to move in next door.
His lips peeled back as he snarled. Theo had marked the neighborhood thoroughly before he’d moved in with his family. Any lone shifter knew the place was protected. It would be foolish for any to wander through here. A growl rumbled his chest. He was glad he came over instead of waiting. He pulled into her driveway and got out of the truck, turning in a circle. Satisfied that the scent was not stronger in her yard, he went and knocked on the door.
She answered, her hair tied in a scarf, her breasts unbound in a tank top and very short, soft cotton shorts. His reaction was immediate, visceral.
She held up the phone. “I just talked to Felix, give me few more minutes and I’ll be ready.”
He walked her back from the door, his hand spanning her waist. Her body was lush under his hand and he had to push his cat down as it jumped for control. He pulled her into his arms, craving her touch. He took a deep inhale at the crook of her neck. His panther damn near purred, and power danced along his skin. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed, her power rising to meet his. The sleepy sound burrowed into his heart.
She rubbed her cheek along his chin and the submissive gesture rocketed his body temperature. He closed the door behind him with his foot and breathed her in.
“What are you doing answering the door wearing this, kitten?”
She snorted. “I knew it was you.” She stepped back, her gaze roaming his face. “Are you guys okay?”
Her sincerity touched him. “Yeah, we’ll have a meeting, soothe some of the prowl’s fears and try and find out who’s behind the attacks.”
She shivered and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Can you pack for a couple of days at the prowl house?”
Fear filled her eyes, the scent of it rising in the room. “A couple of days? Do you think I’m in danger?”
He thought about the foreign scent in her neighborhood and the possibility of them coming after her. He shrugged, “just in case.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Will I have my own room there?”
“Whatever you’re comfortable with,” he answered quickly, not wanting to give her a reason to change her mind.
If he had his way, she’d be sleep with him, but telling her that didn’t seem prudent.
She studied him a bit longer and then sighed. “Okay. Let me get some stuff together.”
He smiled and watched the pulse speed at her neck. He choked back a growl as his cat tried to force him to claim her. He knew they had to play it carefully with their mate, but he was done playing fair. Stubbornness be damned, he wanted Savannah and he would push past whatever hang-ups she had about dating shifters. She walked away to pack and he watched her ass in the small shorts as she walked down the hallway towards her bedroom. Lord have mercy, that woman was fine as fuck.
He adjusted the bulge in his jeans and walked into her kitchen, pulling out his cellphone. The Felix answered on the first ring.
“There’s an unknown shifter in her neighborhood.”
“I want her here.” Carlos growled.
“Agreed, and I’m done waiting to claim her.” Derrick turned to keep an eye out for her so she wouldn’t overhear.
“Bring our mate home and when the meeting is over, we’ll work on that.” Carlos’ voice was deep, the panther riding him. “I’ll send someone over to check out the neighborhood.”
He hung up as Savannah trod up the hallway towards him. She carried a large duffle bag. “You’re gonna have to carry the eight year old, he’s not budging.”
He smiled. He liked the cub, and looked forward to being there for Jamie and watching him grow into the alpha he knew the kid was. He leaned down and kissed her lightly, pleased with her bemused expression. Every time he kissed her it was just as sweet as the first time. He forced himself back.
“I'll get him now. Don't go outside without me.” He ordered.
He rushed from the kitchen before he took more than the small kiss he did.
