Page 58 of Pleasure and Mane
Kate unfolded herself from the leather armchair with theatrical slowness, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, well. The famous Alpha who swept my best friend off her feet." She pointed a perfectly manicured finger at Caius's chest. "I'm keeping an eye on you, lion boy. You hurt her, and I'll find creative ways to make your life miserable."
Quinn started to protest, but Caius's low chuckle stopped her.
"Kate, I can already tell you're exactly the kind of friend Quinn deserves—fierce, loyal, and protective." His blue eyes held Kate's gaze steadily. "I'll treat her like the Lioness she is every day and treasure her like the gift she is to me. You have my word."
Lioness.Even after all these weeks, hearing him call her that sent heat rushing through her body. The way he said it—with such pride and possession—made her feel powerful and cherished simultaneously.
"Damn," Kate muttered, dropping back into her chair. "No wonder you fell so hard. He's good."
Quinn's mother clasped her hands together. "Oh, this is wonderful! We were so worried when you called and said you were staying permanently with people you'd just met, but seeing you together..." She trailed off, dabbing at her eyes.
"Mom, don't cry," Quinn said, though her own emotions were threatening to spill over.
"These are happy tears, sweetheart. You just look so radiant."
Caius's hand found Quinn's lower back, his touch both possessive and comforting. "Why don't we head outside? The party's in full swing, and I'd love for you to meet the rest of our family."
Our family.The casual way he included her parents in that statement made Quinn's heart swell. This man who'd lived his entire adult life shouldering massive responsibilities alone was effortlessly weaving her loved ones into his world.
As Caius guided them through the mansion's corridors toward the south gardens, Quinn caught her father studying the ancestral portraits lining the walls.
"Impressive place," he said quietly. "Old money?"
"Generational," Caius confirmed. "My great-great-grandfather built the original structure in 1847. We've added to it over the decades."
"And you maintain all this yourself?"
Quinn heard the contractor in her father's voice—the appreciation for quality craftsmanship and the subtle question about Caius's work ethic.
"I have an excellent team, but yes. This land has been in my family for over three centuries. It's my responsibility to preserve it for future generations."
Future generations.Quinn's cheeks warmed as she imagined little dark-haired children racing through these same hallways, their father's blue eyes bright with mischief.
The moment they stepped onto the stone patio, the sounds of laughter and music enveloped them. The south gardens had been transformed into a magical evening gathering, with string lights twinkling overhead and the massive fire pit already crackling with warmth. Pride members lounged on quilts spread across the grass while children splashed in the pool, their delighted shrieks echoing off the nearby mountains.
"Quinn!" Lavinia waved from near the barbecue station, her pregnancy glow more radiant than ever. "Bring your family over here!"
As they made their way through the crowd, Quinn watched her parents take in the scene with wonder. Her mother's face lit up when she spotted the children playing, while her father nodded approvingly at the obvious craftsmanship of the outdoor kitchen and stonework.
They love it here already.The realization filled Quinn with a contentment so deep it almost made her dizzy. Her old life and her new one were merging seamlessly, like puzzle pieces that had always been meant to fit together.
Bertram appeared beside them, balancing a tray of drinks with easy grace. "You must be Quinn's parents. I'm Bertram, Lavinia's husband and Caius's second-in-command."
"Second-in-command?" Quinn's father raised an eyebrow. "Military?"
"Something like that," Caius said smoothly. "We have a very close-knit community here. Everyone looks out for everyone else."
Quinn caught the subtle way Caius deflected the deeper truth about pride hierarchy. Her parents weren't ready for the full supernatural revelation—that would come later, when they'd had time to process that their daughter had found her soulmate among lion shifters.
The evening soon flowed like honey—warm, sweet, and golden. Henry regaled her mother with stories about maintaining the estate's gardens while secretly teaching her his recipe for herb-crusted salmon. Kate, predictably, had half the eligible bachelor lions wrapped around her finger within an hour, her laughter ringing across the gardens like wind chimes.
But it was watching her father with Caius that made Quinn's chest tight with happiness. The two men had gravitated toward the fire pit, where several other pride males were discussing everything from investment strategies to the best techniques for smoking brisket. Her father's initial wariness had completely dissolved as he recognized a kindred spirit—another man who took his responsibilities seriously but knew how to enjoy life's simple pleasures.
"He fits," her mother said quietly, appearing beside Quinn as they watched the two men bond over bourbon and terrible jokes.
"Who fits?"
"Both of them, but especially Caius. He fits you like he was custom-made." Her mother's knowing smile held thirty-six years of marriage wisdom. "That's how I knew your father was the one—not because everything was easy, but because everything felt right. Even the hard parts."
