Page 14 of Purrfectly Mated

“You know, you are taking this all with an even keel,” Uncle Uzzi spoke up, interrupting her reverie.

“I know,” Elissa smiled around a mouthful of the best bear claw she had ever eaten.

Who knew they made these things with cocoa powder in the crust? That wasn’t all, the pastry had the best cherry filling she had ever tasted. It was her favorite flavor. She made a mental note to get the address of the baker who made the amazing pastry from Uncle Uzzi. It wasn’t often she was impressed by someone else’s cooking, but this was phenomenal.

“I guess I’ve always wondered about stuff like that. You know, theunknown. Anyway, I like to read in between cooking jobs,” she replied and shrugged.

“I see,” Uzzi said, offering her a napkin.

She felt her cheeks heat as she took one and wiped some cherry filling from her lips.

“It just makes sense to me that there is more in this world than we could ever know.”

“Well, I’m glad you feel that way. We should be there any minute,” Uncle Uzzi smiled.

“Who are we meeting and where exactly?”

“Maverick Point is in Burlington County. It is a mostly Shifter town with some normals. Mount Maverick looms beautifully in the background and there is a lovely creek that cuts through it. In the winter, it looks like something out of a Rockwell painting.”

“Sounds amazing, But how is it mostly Shifters live there? Don’t regular people find out?”

“Well, the secret is safe since nearly everyone who lives there is either mated to a Shifter or has one somewhere in the family tree.”

“I had no idea something like that could even happen.”

“It is a small town. We’re headed to see the Neta, that’s another word for Alpha or leader of the Pride. His name is Hunter Maverick.”

“Maverick? I see, so he’s like the big man about town,” she said, feeling her stomach clench at the mere mention of the man’s name.

“Hunter is a good man. He is the man I was hired to help with my special services, and the man I want you to meet.”

“Really? But I thought I was here for a job?” She swallowed again.

“You are, but hopefully you will find more than a job here. Elissa Phoenix, I believe you will find your destiny.”

Elissa sat there and let his words sink in. Her destiny? Holy cow.

“Now, listen to me, if you feel uncomfortable in any way, you say the word, and we will leave. You are under no obligation to stay there. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand. But why would you do that for me?” she said.

“Elissa, I might work for the Neta, but my first duty is to keep you safe. Besides, we are friends now, aren’t we?”

“I think we are,” Elissa replied after a moment of consideration.

“Uncle Uzzi?”

“What is it dear?”

“You said he’s a Tiger Shifter? Like, as in a realtiger?”

“Shifters can be much larger than their wild cousins, Elissa. He is probably twice the size of a normal tiger when he is in his fur, but don’t worry, trust your destiny. Hunter Maverick will not harm you. He couldn’t.”

“I don’t understand.”

“When a Shifter finds his mate, his entire world revolves around her. Keeping her with him safe, happy, protected, and satisfied sexually, of course, is all his beast will tolerate. His mate becomes his primary focus,” Uzzi winked, and Elissa felt herself blush.

It all sounded good to her. But what were the odds some sexy as sin Pride leader was going to want a very curvy, potty mouth, curly blonde-haired Italian girl with no family, from Hoboken, New Jersey as his mate?

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