Page 47 of Purrfectly Mated

“Okay,” Elissa said, laughing now. “I believe you. It’s just new to me.”

“I understand, and I apologize again. You have no idea how relieved we all are that he found you. You see, the whole Pride needs you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, someone’s been starting a rumor that he wasn’t fit to lead because he did not have a mate.”

“What? Is Hunter in danger?”

“Huh? No! He’s the strongest one out of all of us. His leadership wasn’t even challenged or anything, just empty rumors from some faceless guy who cited some old Pride laws about needing a mate to rule,” Jessica said.

She shrugged again, but Elissa’s stomach clenched. Was that why Hunter had contacted Uncle Uzzi? She’d thought he wanted a mate for himself, but if this was true, then it was possible he had ulterior motives.

His position as Neta was being threatened by someone who was too cowardly for an outright challenge. That was truly a terrible thing, but it made her wonder.

Was yesterday real? Was that his actual response toheror to his circumstances? Maybe he faked it to keep her by him, and, therefore, keep his position safe? Last night had been the most poignant night of her life, but what if it was all just a lie?

The sounds of heavy footsteps coming towards her made Elissa jump. She frowned as a group of enormous, slightly sweaty men came trudging through the door. Each was a giant to her, and one stood a full head above the rest. They looked tired and worn, a layer of dust covering most of them. Not that it took away from their attractiveness. She had to admit, they were a great looking group of guys.

“What is that awesome smell?” one asked.

“Don’t tell me Jess learned to cook overnight or something?” added another.

Elissa was standing off to the side, unnoticed so far, but she watched as one young man stepped closer to the pot of sauce. It was the guy from last night, the one who’d handed Hunter the towel. She figured he was Lance.

Waiting for his reaction, she watched him as he sniffed the pot of sauce and moaned, but not before getting a whack to the back of his head from Jessica.

Good for you, thought Elissa.

“Sheesh! Have some manners in front of your Nari,” snarled Jessica.

Elissa was too pleased to see all the men sniffing the air and rubbing their stomachs, to be offended by anyone’s behavior.

“Sorry, Nari,” Lance said, rubbing his head.

The men stilled and turned, staring at her. Gulp. She heard more than one growl and panicked for a moment. Were six pounds of pasta going to be enough? They looked like they could eat twice that.

“Everyone, your Nariis making lunch.”

“She is?”

“Yeah, so you better go wash up, and make sure you leave your work stuff in the mudroom!” Jessica hissed at the men.

She flicked more than one hand that tried to creep towards the rack of cooling yeast rolls with a kitchen towel. The men whined and grunted, but they did as she said, each one bowing slightly to Elissa before running down the hall.

The largest male tipped his head in a polite bow as he walked by, and she gulped and took a step back. He was gigantic, and he moved differently than the rest of the men, who reminded her of a group of alley cats she once saw working together to take down a garbage can.

They mumbled as they walked by her, using the same word Jess had used. It was what Hunter had called her the night before,Nari. She’d thought it meant mate, but that couldn’t be right if they were all saying that to her.

She just had no idea what it really meant, so she simply stood still, smiling, and nodding at them in turn. The tallest one paused for a brief moment and looked at her with intense brown eyes that bled to black before lowering his head in a deep sort of bow. He whispered something that barely made out. It sounded suspiciously like a vow.

“On my honor, I swear my allegiance and vow to protect you,Nari,” the large male nodded once more.

He ignored Jessica when the woman was looking, only to glance behind him the second she turned her attention elsewhere. The tall man stared for a long moment before walking away to the section of the Pride House that held single rooms.

“Lance! You forgot your boots again,” Jessica called, ignoring the big man.

She didn’t seem to even see him as she growled and ran after Lance. If the younger Tiger was what Elissa suspected, then the guy was something of a player.

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