Page 50 of Pleasure and Mane
The pride meeting room buzzed with quiet energy as they entered. Five elderly lion shifters sat at the carved wooden table that had been used for such ceremonies for over three centuries. Their weathered faces held the wisdom of decades, and their eyes assessed Quinn with careful scrutiny.
Elder Morris, the eldest at ninety, stood first. His silver hair gleamed in the lamplight as he nodded respectfully toward Caius. "Alpha. We gather tonight to formally welcome your mate into our pride and to outline her duties as our Lioness."
This is it.Caius felt his lion practically vibrating with satisfaction.My mate, officially recognized. My family's legacy secured.
"Quinn Marrow," Elder Morris continued, his voice carrying the authority of tradition, "you have proven yourself not only as a healer but as a protector of our people. Your actions in uncovering the threat to our pregnant females demonstrate the fierce loyalty we require in our Alpha's mate."
Quinn stepped forward, her posture confident but respectful. "Elder Morris, I'm honored to stand before you tonight. This pride has become my family, and I'm ready to commit myself fully to their protection and prosperity."
Elder Richardson, a stern woman with sharp gray eyes, leaned forward. "The role of Lioness is not merely ceremonial. You will share in the Alpha's responsibilities, offer counsel in matters of pride law, and serve as advocate for the females and cubs. Do you understand the weight of this commitment?"
"I do," Quinn replied without hesitation. "I've spent my career putting others' needs before my own. This feels like the natural extension of that calling, but on a much deeper level. These people aren't just patients for me—they're my family."
Look at her.Caius felt his heart practically burst with pride.Standing there like she was born to rule beside me. The elders can see it too—she's not merely accepting this role, she's embodying it completely.
Elder Thompson, his voice gravelly with age, addressed Caius directly. "Alpha, your father led with strength and wisdom. Your mother ruled with compassion and fierceprotection for her people. Do you believe your mate possesses these same qualities?"
Caius stepped closer to Quinn, his hand settling possessively on her back. "Elders, in the two weeks since Quinn arrived, she's solved a mystery that plagued us for months, put herself at risk to protect our pregnant females, and earned the respect of every pride member she's met. She doesn't just possess those qualities—she exemplifies them."
The elders exchanged meaningful glances, and Elder Morris smiled for the first time that evening. "Then we are ready for the formal commitment ceremony."
This is really happening.Caius felt fifteen years of loneliness and burden lifting from his shoulders completely.I'm not going to lead alone anymore. She's going to be right beside me, my equal in every way.
Elder Richardson produced a golden necklace adorned with the pride's symbol—a roaring lion surrounded by protective flames. "Quinn Marrow, do you vow to protect this pride with your life, to counsel your Alpha with wisdom and honesty, and to uphold the traditions and values that have guided us for centuries?"
Quinn's voice rang clear and strong through the room. "I vow to protect, counsel, and uphold. This pride is my pride now. These people are my people now. And I will serve them with everything I have."
The necklace settled around her neck with ceremonial weight, and Caius felt their mate bond pulse with new intensity.She's not just my mate anymore. She's our Lioness. Our leader. My equal.
Caius felt so proud of Quinn as they stepped out of the pride meeting room and into the cool night air. Quinn,his Lioness, walked beside him, her hand warm in his. The golden necklace around her neck gleamed under the moonlight, a symbol of hercommitment to the pride—and to him. He couldn't hold back any longer. With a grin spreading across his face, he scooped her up off the ground, spinning her in a wide, jubilant circle.
"Caius!" she laughed, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck. Her green eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and delight. "What are you doing?"
"Celebrating," he growled, his deep voice thick with emotion. "You're officially my Lioness, Quinn. Do you have any idea how perfect this moment is? How perfect you are?"
She flushed, her cheeks turning a delicious shade of pink. "You're being ridiculous."
"No, I'm being an Alpha who just got everything he ever wanted," he corrected, setting her down gently but keeping her close. His hands slid to her waist, his fingers digging into the soft fabric of her dress. "And I'm not done celebrating yet."
Before she could protest, he swept her into his arms again and carried her to his truck. She laughed, the sound echoing through the quiet night, and he felt his lion rumble with deep satisfaction. He'd waited his entire life for this—for her. And tonight, he was going to show her exactly what that meant.
"Where are we going?" she asked as he set her gently into the passenger side of his truck. Her voice was teasing, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.
"Somewhere we can be totally alone," he replied, his tone low and promising. He shut the door and jogged around to the driver's side, his heart pounding with anticipation. He couldn't wait to get her out there, under the stars, where he could claim her thoroughly.
The drive was short, but it felt like an eternity. Every glance at Quinn only fueled his hunger. She was radiant, her hair cascading over her shoulders, and her dress hugging her curves so perfectly. He wanted to rip it off her, to feel her skin against his, and to show her just how much she meant to him. Buttonight was about more than just passion—it was about marking this moment. This new chapter in their lives.
When they reached the lookout spot, he backed the truck into place, the bed already prepped with a soft blanket and a few pillows. He turned to Quinn, his eyes dark with desire. "Let's get in the back."
Her breath hitched, but she didn't hesitate. She climbed out of the cab and into the truck bed, her movements graceful and purposeful. Caius followed, his gaze never leaving her. He pulled her down onto the blanket, their bodies pressed together as he leaned in to kiss her.
The kiss started soft, a slow exploration of her lips, but it quickly turned hungry. His hands roamed her body, skimming over her hips, her waist, and her chest. She moaned into his mouth, her fingers tangling in his hair, and he felt his control slipping. He wanted her—needed her—and he wasn't going to wait any longer.
"Quinn," he growled, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. "Tell me what you want tonight. Do you want me to take control, or do you want to take the lead?"
She smiled, her lips swollen from his kisses, and there was a spark of mischief in her gaze. "I want you to show me how much of an Alpha you really are, Caius. Don't hold back tonight."
His lion roared in approval, and he didn't need to be told twice. He kissed her again, hard and possessive, as his hands tore at the fabric of her dress. It ripped easily, falling away to reveal her soft, smooth skin. He unclasped her bra and yanked her panties down with an urgency that made her gasp. But there was no hesitation in her eyes as she reached for his suit jacket and button-down shirt, pulling at the buttons and ripping the fabric down his arms with desperate hands.
