Page 22 of Mike's Assistant

“I’d be happy to take you out and show you around,” I said, cutting him off.

Jake focused on me, and his eyes widened. “Uh, no, that’s okay. You don’t have to—”

“I want to. You’re new in town. I can show you all the best places if you’re up for it.” I stepped closer to him.

Jake swallowed hard, and I could feel his nervous energy fill the space. “Look, Mr. Doy—Mike,” he corrected, exhaling slowly, “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think it’s a good idea. We work together and—”

“Jake, it’s just a tour of the city. No strings,” I said, softening my tone. I took another step closer. I wanted to be next to him. I wanted to hold him. My lion roared within me, urging me on. He wanted his mate as much as I did.

Jake stared at me, and his breath quickened. Looking into his eyes, I could see the cracks in the walls, the vulnerability of trust. His eyes said he wanted to trust me, but he was scared. It was that fear that gave me pause. Perhaps I was coming on too strong, but I couldn’t stop myself. I leaned in and pressed my lips gently against Jake’s.

The world seemed to pause for that heartbeat, the weight of everything I’d left unsaid displayed in the kiss. It was magical, and I never wanted it to end. I was kissing my mate. The one who was made just for me, and I was kissing him.

Jake’s breath hitched, and he didn’t move, but soon his lips moved and pressed back on mine. It was perfect. Jake pushed back, breaking the spell we were under. His eyes were wide, and panic etched his expression.

“What… what was that?” Jake stammered, his face a deep shade of crimson.

My heart raced. Feeling his panic replace the nervousness made me realize I may have fucked up. “Jake, I’m sorry, I just…. I”

Jake shook his head. “I can’t …. You’re with Vanessa. Oh shit, I’m gonna lose my job. I’m going…” Jake shook his head and ran out of the room.

“Jake, wait!” I called out, but Jake was already gone, leaving the room in silence. I stumbled back, and my lion roared within me. What had I done?

I shook my head and ran from the office. My lion wanted to break free, and I couldn’t let him do that here. He was angry at me. He wanted to chase after our mate, and I wouldn’t let him. I was holding him back.

I didn’t bother with the elevator and headed for the stairs. In no time at all, I was in my car and driving. Tears burned in my eyes as I swerved in and out of traffic. Why had I kissed him? I knew he was standoffish. He wasn’t ready. I was just impatient.

My phone buzzed, and the screen showed Vanessa’s name. I pressed ignore and sent the call to voicemail. I didn’t want to talk. I couldn’t talk right now. My lion was too angry. I whipped into the entrance of our pride’s lands.

The pride lands were a patch of wooded land to the east of the city and extended all the way to the Myakka River. Members diligently monitored the boundaries, ensuring it was a safe place for the pride to run and shift without care. It was what I needed now. It was what my lion craved.

Throwing the car in park and turning off the ignition, I jumped out and sprinted towards the trees. I yelled as my lion took over, and my body shifted into my massive beast, shredding my clothes.

As my human mind fled away, I allowed my beast full control. I roared loudly, warning anyone or anything not to come near. I was in no mood for it. My powerful legs propelled me forward, and the wind blew through my brownish-black mane.

A raw power surged within me as I plowed through the trees. The dirt beneath my paws sprayed behind me. I ran fast and hard. The loss, anger, and sadness of Jake running away filled me, and I had to run to get away from it. Why did our mate have to run? He was ours. My lion thought in simple terms. He didn’t understand the human side of things.

A roar sounded behind me, and I skidded to a stop, twirling around. I snarled at the lion confronting me, and he growled back. That alone was enough to set me off. Roaring, I launched through the air and extended my claws, ready for the impending clash.

The other lion didn't hesitate; he roared back and leaped. We collided mid-air before we fell hard to the ground. I batted at him with a powerful swipe of my claw, but he countered, biting deep into my flank with his razor-sharp teeth. Normally, I wouldn't challenge this lion; after all, he was my father. But now, my emotions were running wild, my lion's primal instincts taking over, demanding a battle.

The surrounding forest became a blur of motion, our snarls and roars echoing as we circled one another. Each of us tried to find an advantage, an opening. I lunged again, aiming for his throat. But my father, being an experienced fighter only second to the king, easily dodged the attack. At the same time, he countered with a swift bite to my leg.

His teeth grazed my skin, and it reminded me that my father, although he loved me, would take no crap. We were both powerhouses, and our massive frames collided with a thud. The fight kicked up clouds of dust and debris. Trees shuddered as we crashed into them, their branches breaking under the force.

With a powerful leap, I jumped again, trying to get the upper hand. I pressed down on him with all my weight. But he anticipated my move and rolled to the side to use his powerful hind legs and push me off balance. Before I could recover, he was on top of me, his massive paws pressed down on my shoulders, and he snarled inches from my face.

His golden eyes stared down at me. I growled but also knew this wasn’t a fight to the death. It was my need to let loose, and my father allowing me to.

I tried to shake him off one last time with a final burst of resistance, but his grip was unyielding. I recognized his dominance and exhaled deeply, forcing my lion to submit. I tilted my head to break eye contact, displaying my defeat. A low rumble came from my father's chest, not of anger but of acknowledgment. Slowly, he bent down and nipped my chin before releasing me from his grasp.

Breathing heavily, I lay there, the weight of everything pressing down on me. The fight with my father was a temporary distraction, but it couldn't erase the pain, confusion, and regret that swirled inside. A large tear dropped from my round eyes before I allowed my human to take over and shift back.

“Are you okay, son? You haven’t fought me like that since you were a rebellious teen. What’s got into you?” My father’s voice filled the now silent woods.

I sat up and pulled my knees to my chest. “I didn’t think anyone would be here this late. What brings you here?” I asked, deflecting. I wasn’t ready to admit I’d fucked up.

My father sat beside me and didn’t speak right away. I looked over at him. Walter Doy was one of the strongest men I’d ever met. He was a larger, older version of me. I scanned his profile. Heck, even our body types were the same. I had him beat, just barely, in the cock department.

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