Page 25 of Purrfectly Trapped

“That’s right,” Elissa added, frowning. “I can tell you from experience, it is a lot to take in.”

“I’m not sure how to do that,” Reg confessed. “And no I did not get a chance, you see, the salon was crowded. It was full of a lot of different scents, and I know I should have figured it out, but am I right in thinking she’s afull human?”

“Yes,” Elissa said, and bit her lip nervously.

Her hands were on her swollen belly with Hunter’s protectively covering them. Their love was already legend, and Reg knew in his heart that if given the opportunity, his and Gretchen’s could rival it. Fuck, he was already halfway head over heels for her.

So, what if she didn’t know a thing about Shifters? That wasn’t a big deal, right? The Nari had been human too until she’d been bitten by her true mate in a claiming ritual as old as time.

Afterwards, she’d experienced the very rarePuspa. The changing bite only occurred if the Fates permitted. Not every mate was destined for that kind of transformation.

ThePuspaallowed a normal human to turn into a Shifter. No one knew how or why, but it was considered a very rare and special blessing. A symbol that the two mates were more than just fated, they were written in the stars. The universe had selected them to become stronger and their bonds proved unbreakable.

Reg had been there to witness the Nari’sPuspa, It was an exceedingly painful process to observe, and his esteem for the petite blonde had risen to new heights.

Elissa was now a Shifter like the rest of them, only she was a rare and unique White Tiger. She’d made the adjustments to Shifter life quite easily, as far as Reg could tell and Hunter was a very lucky man.

“Listen, I’m not really sure how she will take it, Reg, Gretchen doesn’t exactly believe in fairy tales,” Elissa continued, gnawing at her lip until Hunter stopped it with a short, hard kiss.

“She might not believe at first, Reg. But sometimes in life, there are challenges to be met. Not every mating is easily won, but if you are sure about this and you want her, you have to tell her,” Hunter said.

“I want her. There is no one else,” Reg confirmed.

“Good! It is important that you explain everything to her before you take any steps towards claiming her. Do you understand?”

Uncle Uzzi narrowed his eyes, and for a moment, Reg felt very much like a cub getting a scolding. His Tiger wasn’t at all happy with waiting to claim his mate, but his human side understood the need for it.

After their brief discussion, Reg headed back to his room to devise his plan. He would take her out for a good meal.Cliff’s Steakhouseserved divine meals with prime organically raised beef and amazing side dishes all locally sourced. It was expensive and exclusive.

Purrfectfor his one of a kind mate. Afterwards, he’d take her for a drive or a walk in the park. They could talk, maybe hold hands, and if he was really fucking lucky, he’d get to kiss her sweet, pouty lips.

His cock stiffened, and he growled deep in his throat. What was the female doing to him? Just thinking about the possibility of touching her had his Tiger scratching at his skin and his cock ready to hammer nails through wood.

He could not go to her like this, he’d attack her before she could even say hello. The thought of her calling the cops on his ass was not appealing. Reg needed to blow off some steam. Jerking off held no appeal, but a run might do it.

Excellent idea! He could take to his fur and race through the woods. That should wear off some of his excess energy before seeing her. It was a great way to calm the beast inside him.

Reg left his clothes in the open shed behind the Pride House and shifted into his animal. A familiar magical hum washed over him, and he felt bones break, muscles bend, and fur sprout along his sensitized skin. The process was painful, but tolerable with practice. It only took about forty-five seconds all in all.

His Tiger was a deep orange with thick black markings on his shoulders and back. He stood still, growling as he wrestled control from the animal. Reg did not expect his Tiger’s need for his mate would be so powerful. It was almost too strong, but he managed to rein him in with promises of what was to come later.

As he stalked through the budding Springtime forest, Reg felt another presence. As if someone were watching him. He sniffed and panted, tasting the air. A female had travelled through the woods not long before him. He ignored the scent after cataloging it.

Pride members were allowed to roam the acres of forest surrounding the Pride House. The land was legally owned by Hunter’s corporation, Maverick Development. Typically, he would go and search out the visiting Pride mate, but he had no desire for company.

Especially not female company. He picked up his pace, running over roots and rocks until he was sweating and out of breath. Eventually, he scaled a tall oak tree just to lie out on one of its sturdier branches. There, Reg basked in the sun and pictured the upcoming night.

Dinner with his mate. Nerves rose while he imagined picking her up and taking her to the ritzy little restaurant. He wanted to feed her, to please her, to show her he would be a good mate.

After a good long while, Reg headed back and switched his fur for skin in the grass behind the shed where he’d left his clothes.

“Oh, my, my, how we have grown.”

“Well, well. Hello there, Reg.”

Two Pride females were lounging against the shed, spying it would seem, and perusing Reg as he shifted back to human like they were starving, and he was a full course meal.

Bad etiquette, to say the least. Shifters knew better than to stare uninvited. His Tiger snarled and Reg tugged on his pants. It was not good form to stare at the naked body of someone who’d just shifted.

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