Page 48 of Purrfectly Mated

Definitely not looking to settle down with a mate forever and ever, which was what she’d picked up from her new sister-in-law. Did the saucy redhead have a thing for the baby-faced Tiger? Elissa hoped not. That kind of unrequited love or lust could be a real bummer.

Hmm.

She just hoped Jessica didn’t get hurt. For the time being, she had her own mating to think about. It almost made her giggle, but she stopped herself once the hair on the back of her neck stood up.

Elissa felt the atmosphere change. In that same instant, she knew she was being watched. Inhaling a calming breath, she startled, almost sure she’d tasted anger and a perverse sort of pleasure in the air. But that wasn’t possible, was it?

Shaking it off, she pressed a hand to her abdomen as a cramp hit her so hard, she almost gasped aloud. Biting her tongue, she turned to find one man standing silently in the kitchen.

A tremor of fear slid down her spine as she recognized the male. He smirked and entered the room slowly. The male stood with his hands on his hips, insolently raking her with his hard gaze, tipping his head as he sucked in a long, deep breath.

It was more than just a look this time. He was positively glowering at her. It was Blake, the Pride Beta. Elissa was not a fan of the creep who’d tried so hard to intimidate Uncle Uzzi and herself just the night before.

She kept her breathing even and turned her back on him. Bullies were only effective when given attention. She’d learned that lesson long ago. Unless ignored, they held all the cards.

So, instead of dwelling on the man who obviously hated her for whatever reason, she chose to tend the food. Cooking was always her safe place. Where she went to escape. She donned a pair of oven mitts and checked on the several baking dishes she’d filled with pasta, ricotta, fresh basil, tomato sauce, and a dash of grated pecorino romano cheese, topped with a drizzle of olive oil.

The meatballs were almost finished, as was the huge tray of chicken thighs and legs topped with panko breadcrumbs and slices of garlic and lemon. She also had a platter of roasted veggies she’d added on a whim.

Thank goodness, too. The guys who’d just run through the kitchen looked huge and hungry.

“You know, I wouldn’t make myself at home if I were you,” Blake said, suddenly right behind her.

The creep had slunk across the kitchen without making a single noise. Elissa gritted her teeth, refusing to retreat. Instead, back straight, she turned her head and met his glowering gaze with a single raised eyebrow.

“Yeah? Why is that?”

“Hunter knows better than to let some human stand in the way of what’s best for the Pride. He might fuck you for a while, but that’s all you’ll be. Just some whore he keeps to swallow his cum,” he spat.

Elissa was proud of herself for not blinking. That was the vilest thing anyone had ever said to her. Blake was a fucking pig, not a Tiger, and she was not going to sink to his level.

“I might be a human, but I believe it is the Neta who decides what is best for the Pride. That’s not you, is it, Blake?”

Elissa tossed that little bit of snark back at the now growling male. She knew she’d hit the nail on the head when his eyes glowed with his Tiger. Did Hunter see what she did when she looked at his so-called Beta?

She needed to tell her mate. Protective feelings rose inside her, and she was practically trembling in outrage. The bastard was after his position, whether or not Hunter realized it.

Blake was staring at her with an angry, crazed expression on his face. With a mockery of a smile plastered to his mug, he took another menacing step towards her. Elissa swallowed hard, wondering if she should call for help.

“Nari?” inquired a rumbling voice from behind her. “You need a hand in here?”

She exhaled, grateful for the interruption and turned with a wide smile on her face. She was determined not to show Blake how afraid she’d been.

“We’re fine---” Blake began, but she cut him off.

Asshole.

“Actually, I need a hand. These trays are heavier than I thought. Would you help me bring them to the table?”

“Of course, Nari. How about you Blake? You gonna help?”

The tall Shifter’s voice dropped to a low growl, and she wondered if this was one of those posturing things she’d seen onAnimal World.

The shorter man growled and walked past them both, slapping his work gloves roughly in his palm as he left the room. With any luck, he’d leave the house too, she thought.

Elissa closed her eyes and swallowed, relief flowing through her. Shit. She had that cramp again and pressed her hand to her stomach until it went away. She almost forgot she wasn’t alone when the large man cleared his throat.

“If I may be so bold,” he said, waiting for her nod to continue. “If anyone bothers you when Hunter isn’t around, Nari, you just let me know. I’m not a Tiger, and maybe I was raised different, but us Bears know better than to growl at a female, and a mated one at that.”

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