Page 9 of Purrfectly Trapped

“What do you mean?”

“Does she know about magic, the paranormal world, Shifters in particular, dear Elissa?”

“Oh,” Elissa murmured and flushed guiltily. “Not exactly, but neither did I when I met you, Uncle Uzzi.”

“True, but you were a special case. Hmm, I may have to rethink my original plans then.”

“So, you can’t help her?” Elissa asked, sadness filling her eyes with tears.

She’d been so happy ever since she’d run into him that rainy night down the shore. Ever since he’d brought her to the Pride House where she first met and fell in love with Hunter. Elissa did not expect everyone to have the same luck she had been blessed with, but she really hoped Uncle Uzzi could help her friend.

“Now, now, I didn’t say that,” he hinted. “How about we catch up a bit first? Yes?” he asked and the two of them sat back and nibbled on their cookies, sipping tea, while they chatted.

Elissa absolutely adored Uncle Uzzi and loved his surprise visits. Especially since it usually meant someone was about to be mated. The Pride could use more mated pairs, she thought as she rubbed a hand over her belly.

The sound of someone approaching brought her head up. Uncle Uzzi’s electric blue eyes sparkled, and Elissa swore she felt something electrify the air as they turned and watched one of Elissa’s own security team enter the kitchen.

It was Reginald Cray. As usual, he was sporting a pair of disreputable jeans, even worse sneakers, and a tight black t-shirt with two holes in the hem. The clothes were worn, but they weren’t that bad. Neither was the man inside of them for that matter.

If only he believed that too, she thought.

Like most Shifters, Reg had rippling muscles corded around his six-and-a-half-foot frame and his looks were beyond the average normal. He had a good face with a straight nose, stubborn chin, and midnight blue eyes.

Not many people noted the unique dark blue of his gaze or the adorable way his bottom lip jutted out, slightly larger than the top lip. They couldn’t get past the wildly uneven chop job of his thick brown hair and matching beard.

An idea began to take shape, Uncle Uzzi met her gaze, his own eyes twinkling with merriment. The notion now fully formed hopped around the Nari’s head, desperate to get out, as she looked him over.

“Oh my gah!” Elissa spit out the bite of cookie she’d been nibbling.

The Tiger Shifter was one of the Nari’s most trusted and elite guards, despite the rumors about his worth. Hunter trusted him, and so did she, and that was good enough for her.

She knew several members of the Pride still doubted his loyalties, but she did not share those concerns. Maybe it was time Reg found a little happiness. After all that business with Blake and that rogue streak that came through town a few months ago, he deserved it.

Elissa had sort of taken the Tiger under her wing. She’d asked her husband specifically for Reg to be her guard. Yes, he had unknowingly let the traitor who had tried to kill both her and her mate loose, but he honestly had no idea what the man was going to do.

Reg had known Blake for years, had worked under him and lived with him. That sort of bond did not just go away. Besides, he’d been young and impressionable, and that smooth talking ex-Beta had been a trusted friend once upon a time.

Blake had hidden his evil side for so long, and Reg was simply too trusting. Blake had first come to the Maverick Pride under the Neta’s own recommendation. What else did a man need to gain the support of a young Shifter?

Reg had no experience with that kind of subterfuge. He’d been unaware of the ex-Beta’s motives and thought he was simply doing his old friend a solid by releasing him. But like all of them, he had been betrayed by Blake. After the attack on Elissa, Hunter, the Neta of the Pride, had killed him in battle.

When it came time to decide Reg’s punishment, Elissa had surprised everyone by speaking up for him. She’d forgiven him and voted he be placed as one of her own guards. Reg was a solid member of the Pride, and ever since then, he had worked desperately to make it up to both the Nari and the Neta.

“What is it? Is something wrong,” Reg said, dropping into a fighting stance and looking around the otherwise empty room.

“When was the last time you cut your hair?” Elissa wondered aloud.

“Uh, what, Nari?” the man dropped his hands and cocked his head.

“Yes, I was wondering that myself,” Uncle Uzzi piped in.

“I am sorry, I don’t understand what my hair has to do with---”

“I mean really, I know you guys are a bunch of pussies when it comes to water, but is it the same with scissors and razors?” Uncle Uzzi asked, eyebrows raised as if in shock.

“I’m not a pussy. I mean, I’m not afraid of water or anyt--- wait, what are you two talking about?”

“What I mean is no guard of the Nari’s should walk around looking like that,” Uncle Uzzi waved his hand at him, sparks of magic shooting from the tips.

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