Page 41 of Purrfectly Kissed

Reg had gained even more respect after taking every shit job the Pride could throw at him as his penance. He was then given the position as one of the Nari’s personal guards, doing a hell of a job at it too.

The now deceased Blake had caused a lot of issues with his perversion of Pride laws. He’d tried to cause dissension amongst the ranks by claiming an unmated Neta was not in control of either his Tiger or the Pride. His plan backfired when Hunter found his mate.

Of course, as Brayden looked at the slimmer man with his tawny hair carelessly pulled back in a low ponytail and his lowrider jeans clinging to his hips, he felt his Bear rise up. This was the fucker who had thought to compliment Brayden’s mate, to seek out her company.

The Bear didn’t like that. Not one bit. In his defense, Brayden had not even been aware of his own intentions to claim the sweet Jessica as his own.

But now that he was aware, his Bear was ready to end the first person who even thought about looking at her with anything other than distant respect.

Okay. So he was a jealous fuck. What could he say? He swung his head back towards Hunter, who looked at him with one black eyebrow raised.

Fuck.

He’d have some explaining to do after this meeting, he just knew it.

We will make a good mate for her, his Bear said.

The Neta will be proud to have us for his sister. We are strong, loyal, and trustworthy. We can protect, honor, and love-

Love?

No.

He stopped that thought dead in its tracks. He wanted Jessica more than anything in the whole world, but he wasn’t ready to admit any more than that.

Not yet.

He’d only just come around to facing the fact that they were meant for one another. All those years he’d spent mourning John and condemning himself for his role in Valerie’s suicide.

Shit.

That was a situation he did not want to be thinking about right now. Even though he felt better after discussing it with his mate. He knew now that there was nothing he could have done for Valerie. Her heart had died the moment John’s baby’s heart had stopped beating.

He tried to refocus on the present. The deep tones of his Neta’s voice both soothed and interested his animal. Possession and protective instincts raced through him at the mention of danger. No one would hurt his mate. If they tried, it would be the last thing they ever did.

Grrr, his Bear agreed.

“We will not allow anyone to harm the Pride, much less a bunch of misled cubs. This streak will be stopped. Reg and Pierce, I want you two in charge of upping our security measures. Lance, I want you to talk to the Pride. Go house to house if you must, but make sure everyone knows we are here, and we are watching. Mikey, I want you to make sure we have plenty of medical supplies should there be a fight,” he said, issuing commands like the born leader he was.

Hunter’s anger rose and the Shifters in the room could not help but react to it. Heads bowed, and jaws clenched. Brayden’s body tensed, his animal on edge with the need to shift under his Neta’s rage.

“Brayden, you are my Beta and head of my security team, you will set up sentries around town. I want Maverick Point protected.”

“Yes, Neta,” Brayden answered.

He noted more shuffling of feet, the baring of necks, and the low rumble of growls filling the air. But he remained still. There was something Hunter wasn’t saying.

“Neta? Excuse me, but what else did the Council say?”

His Neta exhaled deeply. Whatever it was, the news was troubling his leader and Brayden braced himself. He was the Beta of the Pride. It was his job to support his leader in every way he could.

“Everyone is dismissed except for you, Brayden,” Hunter said.

His face was impassive. His expression that of a leader and Brayden had nothing but respect for the man.

“What happened outside? I thought you were not taking a mate.”

“Neta?”

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