Page 26 of Kitten Kisses

“In order for me to heal, I have to let my tiger out.”

“What…” Fear filled Alex’s eyes. “You told Kijani you were having trouble controlling your tiger around me. That it wanted to get to me.” His voice faltered. “Is that why I can feel it pulling at me? Is that normal?”

“Yes.” Slater grimaced. “It’s called the pull for a reason. But with us, it seems to be even stronger.”

Alex chewed on his bottom lip, his gaze steady on Slater’s stomach. “I can’t let you suffer like this. I’ll leave so you can heal. How long will it take?”

“It all depends on the severity of the injury.” Slater didn’t want Alex to go, especially while he was in pain. He wanted to find comfort in his mate, but his tiger was too unpredictable, and that wasn’t a chance he was willing to take.

“I’ll come back tonight.” Alex hesitated. “I feel terrible leaving while you’re hurt.”

“I don’t want you to meet my tiger until after…” Until after he’d claimed his mate. Once their bond was sealed, it would be safe to let it out.

“Until after our souls are bound together.” Alex’s eyes held a hint of caution as he looked at Slater. “I heard what Kijani said. Until then, your animal will become more dominant.” He started to get up but stopped. “I remember you mentioning something about being mates when we were arguing, but I was too angry to fully understand it.”

“We’ll talk when you come back.” Slater wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold back his tiger. His grip on it was slipping as the pain intensified.

“I’ll come back,” Alex promised before standing up.

His tiger was rising to the surface too quickly. “Go, Alex!” he urged with alarm. “I can’t hold it back any longer!”

Slater slipped into unconsciousness as his tiger finally broke free from its restraints.

* * * *

Alex hit the floor as the huge tiger emerged. He crawled backward, trying to put as much distance between himself and the mammoth cat bearing down on him.

It was like facing a force of nature—four hundred pounds of pure muscle and fur, eight feet long and bristling with power. Its coat was a shining orange hue, almost luminous in the dim light of the room.

“Slater said you didn’t want to hurt me,” Alex said, barely managing to choke out the words. He was surprised he could even talk with so much fear coursing through him. “Please don’t prove him wrong.”

But as much as he wanted to believe Slater’s reassurance, the strength rippling through the tiger was impossible to ignore.

This was undoubtedly the most insane and terrifying situation he had ever found himself in—faced with a beast that was both deadly and beautiful in equal measure.

Every fiber of Alex’s being screamed at him to run, to save himself from whatever fate awaited him at the hands of this predator.

As the cat stalked closer with slow, calculated steps, its muscles rippling and fur bristling against its skin, Alex’s breath hitched in his throat. The air was thick with the musky scent of the tiger’s fur, a mix of earth, sweat, and adrenaline.

This was not a creature that could be controlled or reasoned with. It was pure instinct and power.

As Alex stared at it, those eyes glowed like amber jewels, fixated on him and pulling at him with an irresistible force, despite his fear.

“Please,” he gasped out, his heart pounding in his chest as the tiger drew even closer, now only a foot away. “Don’t...don’t make me regret trusting you.”

A deep, rumbling purr vibrated through the tiger.

“I keep telling myself that this situation is crazy, insane, unreal, and I’m scared out of my mind that it isn’t,” Alex said to himself.

He froze, barely able to breathe when the tiger rubbed its head over his chest. Its rough tongue grazed against Alex’s skin, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake.

Alex couldn’t believe what was happening. He had been so sure the tiger would attack him, but instead, it seemed to be trying to comfort him.

Alex watched in amazement as it closed its eyes and let out another deep purr.

“You just wanted to meet me,” Alex guessed, but in his gut, he knew he was right. “That’s what all the fuss was about.” Still extremely wary, Alex ran his hand over the soft and thick fur of the tiger, feeling the warmth of its body against his fingertips. He could feel the tense muscles under the fur and the faint vibrations of the tiger’s purring.

“This is what you’ve been after.” The tiger rubbed against Alex’s hand, purring even louder in response.

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