Page 47 of I Married A Catman

Her amusement helped dampen my embarrassment, which in turn allowed my brain to start functioning normally again.

“That’s the only one you shall get for now,” I deadpanned. “A purr must be earned. Not provided on demand. You’ll need to figure out how to draw one out of me.”

Ophelia’s eyes widened for a split second before her gaze darkened. Although my comment held no lurid undertone, the lascivious expression that descended over my mate’s face clearly indicated she interpreted it that way. It instantly sent my blood rushing to my groin.

“Challenge accepted,” she whispered in a voice full of promise.

I shifted, my breeches suddenly feeling a little tight. Clearing my throat, I got up to release some of the pressure.

“I will go cook more meat for you and bring some of the sides while I fetch a plate for myself,” I said.

She nodded with a mischievous smile, visibly aware of how her comment affected me. It broadened when I scrunched my face, and she resumed eating as I headed back to the spits. By the time I returned, at least seven more cubs—mostly males—were piled up against my woman. Many eyes were stealing approving glances her way, including Rozel. Being accepted by the cubs was primordial. They were the heart and future of any Pride. Their strong survival instincts naturally drove them away from threats while drawing them towards those who were safe.

A wave of affection swelled within me as I settled back down next to my woman, careful not to inadvertently squish one of the countless little tails.

But the sound of a shuttle overhead broke the magic of the moment. Seeing Moriak perk up before hastily rushing towards the landing pad had my insides immediately twisting with apprehension. Anything that made him happy was a bad sign.

Minutes later, my fears were confirmed when he returned with Ranor, the recruiter.

Chapter 11

Ophelia

The moment Moriak returned with a fancy-looking older male, my husband immediately tensed. I studied Gaelec’s face for a few moments, as if it would reveal the source of what almost looked like anger before shifting my gaze back to the newcomer.

I didn’t know Nazhrals enough to be able to evaluate their ages for certain, but I estimated that male to be in his mid-fifties. Aside from his age, he seemed much too rich to possibly be a candidate. Unlike the other males who wore skin-tight shorts to the middle of their thighs with a loincloth over it, usually adorned with some kind of pattern or symbol, Moriak’s companion had donned a much looser set of trousers with a silky dark fabric that fell right to his knees. The silver embroidery on both the hem of the pants and on the even fancier loincloth with a gem encrusted belt screamed excess and a propensity to show off his wealth.

His tri-colored fur made him look like a calico cat with the patches of white, orange, and black. His yellow eyes peeredwith an excited and almost calculating glimmer at the people in attendance. Something about him immediately felt slimy. The first thought that popped to mind was con artist. For some reason, the fact that he appeared to be on such great terms with the Pride’s Alpha reinforced the distrust he inspired.

What can he possibly want with us?

Whatever it was, Gaelec appeared to know, and it pissed him off to no end. He seemed even angrier than when Oluina pushed his buttons yesterday after I first arrived.

“Dear members of the Pride and guests, for those of you who haven’t met my esteemed friend before, please allow me to introduce you to Ranor Dolmen,” Moriak said with the excessive enthusiasm of the host of some major event as he introduced the special guests to the crowd. “He is one of the highest-ranking recruiters in all of Melelyn. Because of the deep friendship he and I have developed over the years, he has agreed to come give you an exclusive first notice of a few highly lucrative missions that will take place in the next few days.”

My stomach dropped as I finally understood the reason for my mate’s simmering anger. A wave of panic swelled within me. What did that mean for him? As a member of the Pride, was participation in these missions compulsory if the Alpha demanded it? There was no doubt in my mind that Moriak would attempt to send Gaelec on the next one, likely hoping he would get caught or killed in the process.

I wanted to believe my man’s palpable fury was a sign that he had absolutely no intention of allowing himself to be lured back into this mess, whatever punishment or threat they might levy against him.

To my dismay, Kazaer perked up, and leaned forward with an air of excitement.

“This could be good,” he whispered to himself.

Gaelec gasped and jerked his head towards his brother with an air of complete outrage and disbelief.

“Absolutely not!” Gaelec snapped at his brother. “Are you insane?!”

Sandwiched between the two males, I felt myself wither as the cubs still snuggling against me began to stir. Kazaer recoiled, stunned by his older brother’s strong reaction. Next to him, Ylis looked extremely troubled. But I couldn’t say whether it was my husband’s outburst that unsettled her, the news of the imminent mission, or a mix of both.

“What’s wrong, Gaelec?” Moriak called out in a mocking tone. “Is that panic I hear in your voice? Would you happen to be suffering from PTSD from your failed mission?”

To my relief, instead of going completely berserk on that taunting idiot—as I personally wanted to—Gaelec reined himself in and simply leveled the most contemptuous stare at the Alpha.

“It’s not panic but complete stupor that you would be so gullible or careless as to once again jeopardize the welfare and future of the Pride by taking the first bait of your so-calledrecruiter,” my mate retorted, gesturing with disdain at the fancy male as he pronounced that last word. “Tell us, Recruiter Ranor, would that excessively lucrative mission involve the Levendoc Corp?”

The extreme shock on the older male’s face—too slowly hidden—and the way his body stiffened confirmed Gaelec had hit a nerve.

“You’ve already heard?” the recruiter asked in a tone that he tried hard to keep nonchalant, even though it was more of a statement.

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