Hunter smiled at her, and suddenly, her mood lifted. Any doubts caused by the Beta were instantly replaced by the sheer strength of her affection for him. The knowledge that this man,her mate, would protect her was overwhelming.
Good male.
Good mate
Mine.
Mine, repeated that strange growly voice inside of her.
Then Elissa closed her eyes as a wave of pain so powerful, it threatened to topple her crashed over her body like waves against the shore.
Grrrr.
ChapterSixteen
After a grueling day dealing with a bunch of bureaucratic assholes, Hunter could not wait to get home.
All day long, his inner beast had been pacing. Pissed off and missing his mate, his Tiger had threatened to make more than one appearance in the office. Finally, upon arriving home to find his sexy mate in the kitchen, Hunter had felt a pang of need so forceful, he had no choice but to give in.
He'd expected to find her sulking or angry that he’d been gone so long. It hadn’t been his intention to stay away, but the entire Pride depended on his ability to take care of them. They needed these contracts, but the Shifters he usually dealt with, ones who’d inserted themselves among the normals, had heard the rumors. They were reluctant to sign papers when they did not believe he could hold on to his Pride.
When he found the motherfucker responsible, Hunter was going to tear the guy’s head off. But back to Elissa. She hadn’t been pouting or complaining as other past girlfriends had when he needed to work.
In fact, she’d been busy caring for the Pride, and that made his beast want to roar his pleasure. Hell, he’d almost devoured her on the spot. Were it not for Jess and her untimely interruption, he might have done just that.
So sweet and tempting, so sexy and fierce, Elissa was proving herself more than capable to run the Pride right beside him. That was something he never dared even dream. To find a mate who was a true Nari, capable of ruling at his side. And a human to boot! His Tiger chuffed and growled appreciatively.
Grrrrrrr.
When they retreated to the dining room, he found some of his Pride waiting for him.
“Neta,” Brayden spoke in that respectful way the Bear Shifter had about him.
It was one reason Hunter liked the man so much. Brayden was a good man and Bear. He’d survived the unthinkable and had joined them after leaving his Clan.
It was a terrible thing, losing one’s mate. Hunter did not know the details of the Bear’s history, only that he’d almost gone rogue after nearly being driven mad by the loss. Suddenly, he understood and shuddered at the thought. Having just found Elissa, Hunter couldn’t fathom not having her in his life.
Even after only one day, she had managed to change everything. Her natural warmth and energy had him turning to her like a flower searching out the sunlight. She was like that.
His sun. His moon. His entire world.
“Here,” she’d said in her sexy little voice, and he’d obeyed.
Sitting down as she handed him a plate. Hunter took the heavy dish from her hands and began filling it with the wonderful meal she had prepared.
He gave himself a heaping serving of pasta, meatballs, chicken, and veggies and soft, fluffy rolls that appeared freshly baked.
“You made all this?”
“Do you like it?” she countered.
“Like it?” he scoffed, and took her hand, kissing the palm.
He moaned at the heavenly scents that assaulted him. So many delicious flavors to try, but none as sweet as her. He tugged her closer and stole a kiss, just to thank her once more, but dammit, he never wanted to stop.
He loved the way she opened for him, kissing him with intense heat before shyly ending their kiss with a pointed glance at Brayden.
Fucking Bear.