Page 15 of Hellcat

Ace's eyes remained on the doorway where the brunette had just disappeared. Rye didn't have to ask why.

"Be nice," he told his mate. "I know your cat wants to come out and play, but she's human. And terrified."

Ace returned her attention to him. "I was a bitch, wasn't I?"

Rye laughed, pulling her close. "You can't help it. Another single alpha female in your nest? It's bound to get to you. Just remember, the woman doesn't get it. Plus, sounds like she has her plate full right now."

Tania had zero confidence and no clue what to do with her vibes, but they were clear. The fact that she'd challenged her decision the moment she'd felt qualified to have an opinion, was further proof.

Poor Ian had bitten off a lot more than he could chew, if he was serious about the woman. Two dominants definitely could date, have a relationship, or more; but it either took an alpha or a submissive to match the strong personality of a born alpha.

Ace winced. "Yeah, I smelled her all over the back of the car. She slept in there." Now her eyes flashed with something that would have made a lesser man flinch. "And someone hit her. She reeks of fear, expecting a blow."

Rye held her gaze. They didn't need words anymore to communicate. They'd been as one for years.

The pride was their priority. They had a mountain of underlying threats and plenty of problems. They didn't need another issue. The woman wasn't their responsibility. Both of them acknowledged all of that, before deciding to dismiss the reasoning.

"We need to get to the bottom of her issues. And fix them."

Chapter 11

Damn soufflés. His guest had been in the pride house for over fifteen minutes and he hadn't even said hi yet, but he knew without any doubt that the moment he glanced away from the oven, they'd all deflate. Soufflé was food of the gods, and Ian had reason to suspect that a jealous divinity had cursed the dish to make it near impossible to bake right for mortals.

"Starters in five!" he called out loud.

It needed another ten minutes in the oven, actually, but soufflés needed to be served immediately, and damn if he was letting the pride ruin all his efforts by turning up late.

"Sweet," said Jas, mixing a large jug of virgin apple mojito on the breakfast bar for the kids. "Whatever you're making in that oven smells divine. Christine is going to be pissed she's in Texas when I tell her you went all out."

Ian grimaced. She would be pissed, and she'd also demand a redo. He'd spent the last hour in the kitchen, and it'd take him another half hour to finish all the dishes.

"Any chance you don't tell her?"

Jas snorted. "Yeah, right. You know half the pride will take pictures and post it on social media. Your fans always go crazy when you cook."

He sighed, slicing apples a millimeter thin.

"What's that for?" Jas asked, peeking at his counter.

"You'll see."

He'd said that every time she'd asked over the last hour. Patience wasn't her forte.

He was placing two dozen slices under a heat lamp when he felt her presence right behind them. He smiled, turning around as Tania entered the open space that was divided in three sizable areas; the living room, dining room, and kitchen.

The moment he saw her, his smile disappeared. Not only because she was obviously worried. He noted a shade on her left cheek that hadn't been there the previous morning. A very faint bruise.

Ian strode right to her, lifting his hand to her chin, gently tilting it.

Tania blushed and he sighed. "Your father," he guessed.

She crossed her arms. "That's none of your business."

She was right on that account, and it pissed him off.

"I'm glad you left. Come, take a seat."

He gestured toward the long oval dining table that comfortably sat twenty; they always had room for at least a couple of guests, and if it wasn't enough, there were occasional tables they could add. Fairly typical in a pride house.

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