Page 12 of Purrfectly Kissed

“Yeah, yeah. Got it. So, you won’t mind if I-”

Reg didn’t even get to finish his sentence before Brayden had the man by his throat. Fury and rage spread through him like wildfire. His animal outraged at the mere suggestion.

No one would be doing anythingto, orfor, orwithJessica.

No one but him.

“Uh, Brayden?”

When had Hunter walked to his side? The Bear could not be sure. He was too busy watching the color drain from Reg’s face as the Tiger struggled to break free from his hold.

“Brayden?”

A little more force that time, but his Neta hadn’t resorted to using his Alpha voice. Not yet. That meant Brayden didn’t have to let go of his new favorite squeeze toy, right?

“Yes, Neta?”

He always was a polite cub. His mother said so. No reason to misplace his manners now.

“Put Reg down. Uh, please,” Hunter said.

He’d added the last word after his mate elbowed him in the side. Elissa’s scent was soothing to his Bear. The animal recognized the Nari. He wanted to protect and please her, as was his duty. But his inner Bear also wanted to punish this man who thought to covet what the animal now considered his.

“Hey Brayden.”

“Nari,” he replied calmly, ducking Reg’s wild kicks easily.

“Why don’t you put Reg down? Come on. Then we can go over here and chat with Uncle Uzzi? I, uh, made a fresh batch of honey oatmeal cookies,” Elissa ventured in that smooth, yet commanding way she had.

Honey oatmeal cookies?

“Come now, everyone else is gone. It’s just us. The rest of the Pride have been given their appointment cards and are waiting to be called,” she said softly, lowering his arm with a gentle nudge that he would never oppose.

“Fuck, Brayden. What the hell?” gasped Reg from his new position lying flat on the floor.

Brayden did not care for his tone. He growled at the man who squeaked then ran out of the room.

“Ha ha ha.You made Reg squeak,” Elissa said.

She giggled, and snorted, slapping a hand over her mouth. Her eyes were still alight with mischief, and Brayden figured he was not in all that much trouble.

“My love,” Hunter said to his mate.

“You’ll destroy the man’s pride if you keep laughing at him.”

“I’m sorry, Reg!” she called out, still chuckling.

This was the reason Brayden liked her so much. There was nothing fake about Elissa.

“So, Brayden, do you want to tell me what that was about?” Hunter asked him.

“Uh, no. Not really, Neta.”

“Fine. You’re up first, man. Uncle Uzzi is in the conference room waiting for you.”

“Neta, with all due respect, I don’t need help finding a ma---”

“Brayden, I know things were rough for you when you first joined our Pride. I know you have history, but I believe Uncle Uzzi can help ease your past hurts. He has done wonders for me and Elissa. We both want all of the Pride to be as happy as we are. The more happily mated couples we have, the stronger the Maverick Pride will be,” Hunter said with a brisk nod.

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