Page 3 of Purrfectly Trapped

“Yes, Neta,” the males responded.

“Alright. You are all dismissed, but not you Reg. I need a word.”

The others filed out of the office and Reg stood in the room, waiting while the other men departed. His heart thudded at being singled out, but he understood.

A heavy weight settled on his chest. But he deserved any and all discomfort it afforded. After all, Reg had disgraced himself, threatening his standing within the Pride. He had betrayed Hunter once.

Perhaps his leader believed him capable of doing so again. Shame filled him at the thought, but he held his head high. Reg was not the traitor. Not this time. He had proved himself, and would continue to do so, with unending loyalty to his Neta and the Nari, and to the Pride as a whole.

That was the vow he’d made to the ruling couple, to his Pride mates, and to himself.

“Reg,” Hunter said, cocking his head and looking at the younger Tiger.

What did he see when he looked at him? Reg wondered.

A betrayer? Just another muscled up meathead? Or a loyal Guard?

“I need to ask something of you.”

“Yes, Neta? I will do anything to prove myself worthy of my position here---”

“You have done that, son,” Hunter said, gently grasping Reg’s shoulder and giving him a small squeeze. Physical contact was a part of life amongst Pride mates, and to be handled thus by his Neta was both reassuring and an honor.

“What I need,” the Neta continued, “is for you to make sure the Nari is protected at all times, especially when she leaves the Pride House.”

Hunter’s Tiger was riding him hard, giving a bite and urgency to his tone that had Reg’s knees buckling. The Neta’s authority shone in the power of his Alpha voice, and it pressed down on the younger male until he could hardly stand.

It was a struggle, for sure. But Reg understood. A mated Tiger was a protective beast unlike any other. Now that he’d had a good wake up call, he was thrilled the leader of the Maverick Pride had found his fated mate.

It gave him hope. Maybe someday, if the gods were kind, Reg would find his own true and fated someone. That person who the universe had created just for him. The other half to his soul.

Please gods.

But he was not all that optimistic he deserved one. After all, he was partially responsible for the damage that asshole Blake had tried to inflict on Hunter and Elissa.

“Yes, Neta,” he grunted under the pressure, vowing again and always to protect the Nari, and their Pride with his very life.

“Sorry about that,” Hunter said, backing off his Alpha voice as he wiped a hand over his face. “My Tiger is a bit testy these days.”

“I understand, Neta. I would be too if I were expecting a cub.”

“Yes,” the man replied, grinning widely. “What Tiger wouldn’t be? I want to feel joyful, to share in the bliss my mate should be basking in at this blessed time, but this whole thing is a mess. It has me wanting to interrogate every single one of our Pride members.”

“I understand,” Reg replied. Hell. He would be that way too.

“But I don’t want to act the tyrant, Reg. While we are still investigating, there is still reason to believe danger is lurking out there. I need to know Elissa is safe when she is not with me.”

“I swear it, Neta, I will protect her with my life-”

“Good. By trusting you with my mate and heir, I am trusting you with my life, Reg. Keep her safe. Keep her home if you can. That way we can all protect her.”

“I will try, but you know how the Nari is. She does not want to stay still. The young one has her restless,” Reg replied, a knowing grin on his face.

Elissa was a tough one. The perfect match for the Neta in every way. She’d come to him a full human, but after their mating had been blessed by the Fates with thePuspa. She was now a fierce Tiger, beautiful and powerful in her own right.

“I know, that is why I am counting on you to watch her when I am not there. I am sending you a copy of her schedule for the week. It should help with arranging security and guards,” Hunter said.

“Yes, Neta,” Reg returned.

---