Page 60 of Purrfectly Mated

Finally, she found Hunter still kneeling beside her. A wide grin spread across his gorgeous face, and she padded over to him. Sitting on her hindquarters, Elissa bumped him gently with her head.

“Nari, my sweet Elissa, you are so gorgeous in your fur,” his chest rumbled with his beast, and this version of her found she liked that idea very much.

She bumped him in the shoulder and stood up, hoping he would catch on. Elissa turned her back on her mate, swatting her tail at him. Her animal would not have done so with anyone else. She trusted him though.

Always.

Elissa chuffed again and moved towards the large sliding door in the back of the destroyed living room. She growled at the two men, who stood like dummies just staring at her. She had to admit she enjoyed their reaction once they caught on. They bowed their heads, dropping their gazes immediately, and opened the doors.

It was only right they do so, her animal reminded her. Pride members should never look at her directly. She was their Nari. The strongest female in the Pride. They would do well to remember that. The males stepped aside, allowing her to pass through the door unobstructed.

Good, she thought,he can live.

Her human side frowned at her cat.

Tiger! Not a cat, hissed the animal in her brain.

Whatever, her human half said.No killing any of the Pride.

Hmpff,said her beast.

Her tail swayed from side to side, and furry Elissa turned around to catch her mate still staring. She opened her mouth wide, showing him the glint of her teeth.

The urge to run, to be chased by him, was overpowering everything else. She growled once, catching his stare.

Now.

After giving Hunter one long, hard look before vaulting outside, Elissa took off into the wet stretch of forest behind the Pride House. A loud roar sounded from behind her, and she knew it was him.

Hunter.

Her beast practically purred in excitement. She pushed harder, running faster, using her newfound senses to take her through what looked like a well-trodden path.

Her nose told her Hunter stalked this trail often. She chuffed again happily. She wanted to be close to him in every way and leading him on a chase that would most assuredly end with them, mating under the setting sun seemed fine to her.

It had only been twenty-four hours, and Elissa had been through and seen more changes than she’d ever thought possible. And yet, all she felt was happiness radiating through her. After all, what wasn’t there to like?

She’d found out Shifters were real. Had mated one. And now she was one.

Holy crap!

If that wasn’t a happily ever after, she didn’t know what was. The sound of wet leaves scrunching behind her told her she wasn’t alone any longer.

Looking to her left, she saw the regal beast of her mate gazing at her. His gold-rimmed teal colored gaze glowed as he stared at her. Hunter licked his long fangs, and she shivered in anticipation.

Wanting to touch him, she stepped forward, human feet replacing her paws in an instant. It was cold outside, but she didn’t seem to feel it.

“Hunter,” she said and released a heavy sigh.

“You are so beautiful.”

Elissa reached forward and brushed her hands over the thick fur of his neck and head. His Tiger rumbled approvingly. She continued with her tactile perusal of him, loving the warmth and his rumbling sounds.

Soon though, his fur receded, and she was touching hot skin. Hunter’s arms wrapped tightly around her, and Elissa smiled at the feel of him.

“Mate,” he growled against her neck, his voice thick with his beast.

“Lemme take you home, Nari, get you warm,” he said.

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