Page 23 of Emberly

Em thought the alpha couple was really sweet. She’d been a little nervous to meet them, because Duke was like the president of the lions, and it was clear that Diesel had a great deal of respect for him. Duke was a big man like her Diesel, and he emanated power in a way that made something ancient within her recognize that he was a predator and she needed to be wary. She was aware that Diesel also was a predator, and she was a puny human without an ounce of fighting skills, but she felt very safe with her mate and didn’t think of him that way. Duke, on the other hand, was kind of scary, even when he smiled.

Ree had long, auburn hair and kind eyes, and gave Em a warm hug when they met. The two couples sat across from each other in a booth and they ordered dinner – Em a BLT and Diesel two double cheeseburgers and an extra plate of fries.

“In case you didn’t notice,” Ree said with a chuckle when their orders were placed, “lions like to eat a lot. Especially the males.”

“I noticed.” Em smiled at Diesel.

Duke settled back in the booth and put his arm around Ree. “First, we wanted to say congratulations on finding your heart-match. I really feel like the bar is the new hot spot for meeting our other halves. You’re the third male to find his mate there in a little over a month.”

“We should make that an advertising campaign,” Ree said. “Come for the drinks, stay for the heart-matches.”

Duke snorted.

Diesel chuckled. “Thanks.”

“So, tell us everything,” Ree said.

Diesel told the story of their meeting, including the loss of her friend.

“Wow, that sucks about your friend,” Ree said. “Some humans can be so narrow-minded.”

“And some lions as well,” Duke said. “Did Diesel tell you about the problems we had in the pride?”

Em nodded.

“The good news is those assholes are gone from the pride,” Ree said. “So no lion has to choose between his or her pride and heart-match, no matter if they can shift or not.”

“That’s wonderful news,” Em said. “I would feel bad if Diesel lost the pride because of me.”

“I felt the same way, trust me,” Ree said. “But lions love fiercely. When they find their heart-match, nothing else matters except being with that person.”

Duke smiled at his mate and then looked at Diesel. “Have you thought about living arrangements?”

“Em’s going to move into my place,” Diesel said. “She was a little concerned about not being welcome, but I explained that with the mating laws changed, that she’s welcome to move in with me.”

“That’s true,” Duke said.

Ree nodded. “My sister Mercy and I kind of paved the way for changes with the pride, so you’re not the only human.”

“You can join the pride,” Duke said, “as a full member. You’ll be under my protection as alpha. If you should have any children, whether they can shift or not, they’ll be welcomed into the pride. If you ever need anything, Ree and I are a phone call away.”

“And I hope you’ll come hang out with me and my sister, too,” Ree said.

“I’d love to,” Em said.

The food arrived and no one spoke for a little while as everyone dug in. Em thought the BLT was the best one she’d ever had, the toast perfectly browned and crispy and the thick-sliced bacon dusted with brown sugar. She ate her sandwich, but gave her fries to Diesel, who had no problem eating every last one.

On their way out, Duke pulled Diesel aside and spoke to him for a moment, and then they all said goodnight.

“Everything okay?” she asked as he pulled out of the parking lot to take her home.

Diesel glanced at her with a smile. “Yeah. A few weeks ago, some pride members attacked my friend Barron at the bar. They attempted to hurt him and threaten his mate so he’d send her and Ree packing. They didn’t want the pride laws to change to include humans. Those people have been exiled and would face a shit-ton of problems with Duke if they showed up in our territory, including the bar, but he suggested that I don’t have you come into the bar while I’m working.”

“Oh,” she said. “That’s a bummer.”

“If you’d like to come into the bar, I can bring you when I’m not working so we can hang out together. Duke doesn’t want Ree or Mercy in the bar, either. He just wants to ensure that things are settled before he encourages that.”

“I understand.”

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