Page 15 of Purrfectly Mated

She swallowed hard as the limo slowed down in front of one of the largest homes she’d ever seen. New Jersey had more than its share of uncommonly large estates, but this was stunning.

It was a sprawling three story manse with a huge, two-level wraparound porch and floor to ceiling windows on every floor. The whole thing seemed to be made of glass and wood and stone. It was structurally amazing, and so very unique, she hardly knew where to look. Even with the rain falling, it was beautiful.

Huge oaks and beeches lined the front of the enormous lawn, and she was pleased to see a full dozen dwarf maples as well. Their leaves were a mix of bright red to deep purple, all beautiful and lush, proclaiming Fall in the Garden State like nothing else could.

Oh shit.

Was that a tiger lying across what looked like an extra wide gliding bench up on the porch? The enormous beast was staring lazily at the rain from his perch.

Why shouldn’t he, she thought wryly. He was dry and comfy, content to just stay where he was. He was huge, with thick red fur lined with black stripes and a lighter underbelly. Elissa had seen tigers during trips to the zoo, but nothing like this.

“Oh my,” Elissa whispered.

She noted the gorgeous beast lazing about under the protective cover of the porch, watching them with a steady gaze that belied his demeanor. The creature was taking them in carefully, weighing the threat even as the storm began to build. Rain and lightning lashed out all around them.

“What are you looking at, dear?” Uncle Uzzi asked as Hank came around with an umbrella to help them out of the car.

“That sure is a pretty boy,” Elissa said, nodding towards the beast.

“Yes, most pussies are,” Uncle Uzzi agreed with a sly grin.

She giggled and tsked at the older man. He was so bad! And completely endearing, like a sweet, funny, and extra sassy godfather. Uncle Uzzi wiggled his nose and a few blue sparks seemed to appear out of nowhere, zapping the big cat on the butt.

Elissa choked on the piece of gum she’d been chewing, and he patted her gently on the back.

“Uncle Uzzi, I think you’re more troublemaker than matchmaker, for sure!”

“My dear Betty thought so,” he agreed, and laughed aloud.

“I think I’d like to be you when I grow up,” Elissa said, smiling as she took his proffered arm.

“Oh no, my dear, a beard would not look right on that pretty face,” Uncle Uzzi teased.

Uzzi winked at Elissa, and together they walked in step with Hank as he held the large umbrella overhead, shielding them as they walked towards the front door. Moving past the large wild cat without so much as a blink, Uncle Uzzi ushered Elissa into the unlocked entryway and through a large anteroom.

“Wow,” Elissa gasped as she took in the enormous open floor plan of the space.

“This place is gigantic.”

“Yes, well, it needs to be, you see, this is the Pride House. A meeting place of sorts, for the entire Maverick Pride. The Neta lives here with some of his closest Pride members, though I assume he has his own section,” Uncle Uzzi explained as they walked down the hall and into a very large living room.

“Have you been here before?”

“Not in a very long time,” Uncle Uzzi said and looked around the almost empty room.

A huge man with short reddish-brown hair sprung up from the couch and walked towards them with his brows furrowed.

“You can’t just walk in here,” the stranger began.

“Hello, Blake,” Uncle Uzzi said, one eyebrow raised at the man’s snarky tone.

“It is Blake, isn’t it? Pride Beta and Tiger Shifter originally from Washington, D.C.?”

“How do you know that?” he asked.

The stranger’s mud brown eyes went wide with shock and annoyance. He barely gave her a passing glance, but he was rude and snarly as he squared off against sweet Uncle Uzzi.

Elissa hoped this wasn’t the man Uzzi had in mind. She already didn’t think much of his attitude or bad manners.

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