Page 29 of Pleasure and Mane
Quinn felt something shift inside her chest, like a door she'd kept locked for years finally creaking open. The professional boundaries she'd clung to seemed less like protection and more like prison bars keeping her from something extraordinary.
"I don't know the first thing about being anyone's mate," she admitted quietly.
Lavinia laughed, the sound bright and reassuring. "Neither does he. You'll figure it out together—if you're brave enough to try."
Lavinia soon left Quinn's suite to go take a nap, and Quinn stood motionless, her mind reeling from Lavinia's revelations. The other half of his soul. Fated mates. The words echoed through her thoughts like a mantra she couldn't escape.
She needed to think and to process what this meant for her ordered life. The hot shower called to her like a sanctuary.
Steam soon filled the marble bathroom as she turned the shower handle onto hot. She quickly slipped off her white sundress and undergarments and stepped into the massive shower underneath the rainfall showerheads. The scalding water cascaded over her shoulders, washing away the day's tension but doing nothing to quiet the storm in her head. Quinn pressed her palms against the cool tile wall, letting the heat penetrate her muscles as she finally allowed herself to confront the truth.
I'm his fated mate.
The concept should have concerned her. Two days ago, she would have packed her bags and fled back to Denver without a backward glance. But standing here now, water streaming through her hair, she felt something entirely different blooming in her chest—anticipation. Excitement. A certainty that this was exactly where she belonged.
She'd spent her entire adult life avoiding emotional complications. In college, whenever a guy started looking at her with that particular intensity that suggested he wanted more than casual dates, she'd shut things down immediately. Work became her shield, her patients her excuse, and her independence her armor against getting too close to anyone.
But I don't want to shut this down,she realized, surprise filtering through her system.I want to see where this goes.
Caius was everything she'd never allowed herself to want—devoted, fiercely protective, brilliant, and devastating to look at. The perfect Alpha. The perfect mate. And according to Lavinia,he was just as inexperienced as she was when it came to relationships.
The thought made her smile despite her nerves. This powerful, commanding man who could make grown lions obey with a single look had probably never even held a woman's hand with romantic intent. There was something endearing about imagining him as nervous and uncertain as she felt.
He's been waiting his whole life for me,she thought, the realization making her heart clench.And I've been waiting for him without even knowing it.
Quinn finished her shower with newfound determination. Whatever this fated mate business entailed, they'd figure it out together. She wasn't running. Not from this. Not from him.
She selected a tailored sleeveless navy dress from her wardrobe, something professional yet flattering for her first pride meeting. The mirror reflected a woman she barely recognized—confident, glowing, and ready to face whatever came next.
A firm knock echoed through her suite. Quinn opened the door to find Caius waiting in the hallway, and her breath caught.
He'd traded his casual attire for a navy suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and trim waist. The white button-down underneath was open at the collar, revealing a glimpse of tanned skin. His brown hair was styled perfectly, and those blue eyes held a heat that made her pulse quicken.
"Ready?" His voice held that commanding edge that marked him as Alpha, but she caught the slight nervous energy beneath the surface.
"Ready," she confirmed, stepping into the hallway beside him.
The drive to the town hall passed quickly, their conversation focused on strategy for the delicate situation ahead. But Quinn kept stealing glances at his profile as he navigated the mountainroads, admiring the strong line of his jaw and the way his hands gripped the wheel with confident control.
Before long, they arrived at the town hall, which was already buzzing with nervous energy when they walked in. Pride members filled every seat, their faces reflecting worry and fear for their families. Quinn's heart ached seeing the pregnant women huddled together, their hands protectively curved over their growing bellies.
Caius took command of the room with natural authority, his presence immediately calming the crowd. "Thank you all for coming tonight. I know this is concerning, but Quinn and I have some important information to share."
Quinn stepped forward, her professional training kicking in. "We need to discuss Vincent Keale and his recent visits to your homes."
She watched faces carefully as recognition dawned. Several couples exchanged worried glances.
"We have reason to believe Mr. Keale may pose a threat to the pregnant women in our community," Caius continued, his voice steady but firm. "We're still gathering evidence, but until we know more, we need everyone to be extremely cautious."
"If Vincent Keale comes to your door, do not let him inside," Quinn added. "Do not accept any food or drinks from him. Contact Caius or myself immediately."
The room erupted in worried murmurs, but Caius raised his hand for silence. "I know this is frightening, but we're taking every precaution to keep you safe. That's a promise."
The meeting concluded with detailed safety protocols and emergency contact information. As the crowd dispersed, several pregnant women approached Quinn with grateful tears in their eyes, thanking her for potentially saving their babies.
The short drive back to the estate felt charged with unspoken tension. Quinn's nerves thrummed with anticipation as Caius navigated the winding roads in silence.
"Thank you," he said finally, his voice rough with emotion. "For everything. I don't know how we would have figured this out without you."
