Page 4 of Pleasure and Mane
A soft knock interrupted his concentration, followed by the unmistakable sound of his sister's laughter echoing through the mansion's corridors. Caius frowned, setting down his pen. Lavinia rarely ventured from the guest house during her difficult first trimester, preferring the quiet sanctuary of her own space when the morning sickness struck.
"Caius?" Lavinia's voice carried the brightness she reserved for surprising him. "I brought someone to see you."
The office door swung open to reveal his sister's glowing face, though exhaustion shadowed her blue eyes. Pregnancy suited her despite the challenges—there was a radiance about her that made Caius's protective instincts hum with contentment. Behind her stepped in a petite woman in an impeccable white pantsuit, her white bob perfectly styled, and her smile carrying the confidence of someone accustomed to getting exactly what she wanted.
"Gerri Wilder." Caius rose from his chair, his imposing frame casting a shadow across the desk. "I wasn't expecting you."
"The best visits are always unexpected, dear." Gerri's eyes sparkled with mischief as she surveyed his office with obvious approval. "Look at all this! Lavinia told me about the progress you've made but seeing it firsthand is truly impressive."
Lavinia settled into one of the leather chairs facing his desk, one hand resting protectively over her still-flat stomach. "I wanted Gerri to see what you've accomplished since you took over rebuilding the town. She's been curious about Leon's development."
"Your leadership has been extraordinary, Caius." Gerri's praise carried genuine warmth as she claimed the other chair. "Building a thriving community while keeping it completely off the radar? That takes remarkable vision and dedication. Your pride is incredibly fortunate to have you as their Alpha."
The compliments settled into the spaces between Caius's ribs, filling him with the satisfaction that came from recognition of his work. "Leon is home. Protecting it comes naturally."
"Of course it does. You've always been thorough in everything you tackle." Gerri's tone shifted subtly, acquiring an edge that made Caius's lion instincts sharpen. "Which makes it all the more puzzling that you've completely neglected your personal life."
The conversational whiplash left Caius momentarily speechless. "I'm sorry?"
"Your love life, dear. Or rather, your complete lack of one." Gerri's directness landed like a physical blow. "For someone so methodical about everything else, you've been remarkably careless about finding your fated mate."
Lavinia bit her lip, clearly fighting back amusement at her brother's stunned expression. Heat crept up Caius's neck as he processed Gerri's casual dismantling of his personal boundaries.
"I'm perfectly fine as I am," he managed, his voice carrying more defensive edge than intended. "My routine works. It's predictable, efficient, and exactly how I like it. Adding fate or romance to my already full plate sounds like a recipe for chaos."
The two women exchanged a look loaded with implications Caius couldn't quite decipher. Lavinia's smile widened while Gerri's expression shifted into what could only be described as predatory satisfaction.
"Henry always said you'd be the stubborn one." Gerri's casual mention of his uncle made Caius's chest tighten with familiar affection. "He was the one who convinced me to help Lavinia,you know. Insisted that if anyone deserved some happiness, it was his family."
"Uncle Henry has always been a romantic." Caius shot his sister a pointed look. "Clearly, it's a family weakness."
Gerri leaned forward, her golden-flecked eyes catching the afternoon light. "Not a weakness—a gift. So, I made a vow at Lavinia and Bertram's wedding two years ago. I wasn't going to rest until you found your mate too." She paused and winked at Lavinia. "Caius dear, you deserve happiness more than any other Alpha lion I've ever met."
Before Caius could formulate a response to Gerri's pointed remarks about his love life, Lavinia shifted in her chair with the grace of someone delivering news she'd been rehearsing all morning.
"Actually, big brother, we only stopped by your office because we have some important news to share with you. Gerri has recommended the most wonderful private midwife practice." Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. "The owner has agreed to move in with us for the remainder of my pregnancy—all six months."
Caius blinked, his mind immediately shifting into protective Alpha mode. The logistics made perfect sense—Lavinia had endured a brutal first trimester, and with the pride's concerning miscarriage rates, extra care seemed prudent. Plus, his wealth afforded them every luxury, from their housekeeper Mrs. Chavez to their chef Roger, so adding medical support to their estate staff was logical.
"That's actually sensible," he admitted, though his instincts prickled with suspicion. "But I'll need to meet this person first. Our security protocols exist for good reasons, and I won't compromise Leon's secrecy for anyone. This midwife needs to understand not only the delicate nature of lion shifter pregnancies but also the absolute necessity of discretion."
The protective authority in his voice carried the weight of Alpha leadership, but Lavinia's smile only widened.
"Of course you'd want to approve her first. That's why I thought now would be perfect timing." Her tone held the casual innocence of someone dropping a bombshell. "She's already here."
"She's what?" The words cracked out sharper than intended, his lion instincts flaring with territorial alarm.Already here?The implications crashed over him like cold water—Gerri's perfectly timed visit, her pointed comments about fate and mates, and now a mysterious midwife materializing on his property without his knowledge or consent.
His sharp gaze swung to Gerri, whose expression radiated the satisfied smugness of a chess player announcing checkmate. The matchmaker's golden eyes danced with barely contained glee.
"Bertram dear, would you please bring Quinn in now?" Gerri called over her shoulder toward the office door, her voice holding the authority of someone accustomed to orchestrating precisely these kinds of moments.
Within seconds, Bertram's imposing frame filled the doorway, his dirty blonde hair catching the sunlight as he stepped in with the courteous deference he reserved for family matters. Behind him appeared a woman who obliterated every preconceived notion Caius had harbored about midwives.
Holy hell.
His breath caught somewhere between his throat and his chest as she entered his sanctuary. Her long dark brown hair was windblown from her travels, but she appeared composed as she moved with a quiet confidence that spoke of competence and strength. And when her bright green eyes met his blue ones, Caius felt something fundamental shift inside him.
This wasn't the dowdy medical professional he'd envisioned. This beautiful woman wore a sleeveless charcoal dress that hugged curves designed to drive men to distraction, and her dark-painted nails added an unexpected edge to her professional appearance. She looked flustered—exactly as surprised by this orchestrated meeting as he was—but beneath the confusion, intelligence sparkled in those remarkable green eyes.
