Page 58 of Purrfectly Mated

His Tiger erupted from him, a bright orange and black beast twice the size of a normal Bengal Tiger. He stood in front of his Nari and roared to his entire Pride.

Those in their human forms understood he was in charge here. This was his domain. And Blake was his to kill.

He had no idea the man had gotten so twisted, but as the pieces fell into place, he saw he’d been blind to it the entire time.

It was you undermining me this whole time! He hurled the thought at Blake in his Tiger form.

I was right to do so. You are weak. An abomination. Taking a human as mate is weakness.

Hunter snarled. He had been aware that someone was undermining him, but he would never have looked at Blake as the culprit. Coming to terms with the fact his college friend was his secret enemy was going to be tough. Blake had been close to going rogue when they’d met. Hunter had felt for the lone Tiger. He had allowed his sympathies to bring him into the fold. He’d always assumed giving him a home and Pride would ensure the man’s loyalty.

Hell. How much of their so-called friendship had been faked and forced? How many memories, stories, and jokes told were all but lies? And now, the fucker thought to endanger his Nari?

Hell no.

Fury filled the Neta’s veins. Blake’s smaller Tiger hissed and spat as the rest of the men pushed the furniture out of the way, careful with Elissa. The two big cats circled each other, but his focus was split between the enemy and his mate.

Elissa’s whimpers and moans, not to mention the pain he felt through their bond, were calling his attention away. But even a momentary lapse could cost him his life, And worse, hers.

Hunter would not allow that. He would never let this sonovabitch to put his mate in harm’s way. And no, he didn’t trust the fucker to fight honorably. He snarled and chuffed, calling to the males in his Honor Guard to stand watch.

They would all bear witness to the battle about to enfold. One question plagued him. Why had Hunter ever trusted this male? He could only blame his youthful ideals on the gross misjudgment, but this was not the time to ponder the question.

Blake was fighting dirty. The smaller, yet deadly Tiger Shifter, scratched at him with lethal claws, ripping a long gash open on his back leg. Hunter felt the sting of his wounds and roared in fury.

The bastard was looking to distract Hunter while he tried to lunge forward to sink his teeth into his exposed neck. Hunter anticipated it and drove him back with a hard shove from his Tiger’s immense body.

The male was too close to his mate for Hunter’s comfort. He snarled and growled, grabbing Blake with his claws, he shoved him aside and raked the wicked sharp, six-inch long claws down both sides. Blood poured from the wounds, but Hunter’s animal was not satisfied.

His beast snarled as he scented his enemy’s blood in the air. He’d given Blake two gory gouges, one on each side. Again, he swiped at Blake’s animal, sinking his front claws deeper through the other male’s thick fur. He sliced through skin and muscle, all the way down to the bone. And yet, Hunter’s beast still wanted more.

Fuck that.

He demanded more from the male. Blood and sweat dripped down their furry bodies as they crashed into oner another. Blake’s hateful comments and prejudice against Elissa drove Hunter’s fury to new heights.

His Tiger was enraged by the weaker male’s actions. The attack, too, without the right of challenge, was a coward’s way. How dare the male try to endanger what belonged to Hunter?

His mate.

His Pride.

His business.

For those offenses, the asshole should already be dead. They wrestled and fought until Hunter gained the upper hands. He clamped his teeth around the smaller Tiger’s neck, ready to shake him like a rag doll, when a soft whimper brought his head up.

Elissa,his Tiger chuffed her name.

Hunter’s mate needed him. He couldn’t dally with this filth anymore, so he spat him out, using his enormous paws to swat the male into a nearby wall. Blake lay unconscious and Hunter turned towards Elissa.

His Nari was suffering. The scent of her pain and fear had him racing through his change. Hunter ignored the blood coating his skin and knelt at her side, barking orders for his men to lock the bastard up in the old barn.

The Pride had a cell they used to house rogues or enemies until judgement could be made. Hunter obeyed the laws of their kind, and he would be looking forward to a legal challenge to the death when the time was right. Until then, the piece of shit would answer to the Council of Shifters for his actions.

Hunter would abide by their ruling. But right then, he didn’t give a fuck. It didn’t matter what anyone else said or did.

Only Elissa mattered.

Mine.

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