Page 8 of All for the Beast

“It’s a wonderful thing,” Vharlk said.

All his life, he had been taught about the joy of bonding with a mate, but to see the repulsion on Katy’s face threw him off balance. How could he be mates with someone who thought it was a burden?

“We will be together until we die. We won’t be lonely anymore.”

Katy scowled. “Who said I’m lonely now?”

“I just thought with Gerri …”

“Excuse me? You thought Gerri set us up?” She crossed her arms and cocked her hip in a display of anger as apparent as any growl a shifter on Nova Aurora could make. “I’m here to be your cruise director. That’s it.”

Vharlk nodded. “I’m sorry if I offended you.”

“Yeah, you should be sorry.”

“You’re very beautiful when you’re angry,” he said, with a hint of laughter in his voice.

She rolled her eyes. “Save it.” He felt a wave of hostility roll off her, which felt like a punch to the solar plexus.

Were all Earth women like this? He had never met anyone like her, and he was already so smitten. He would do anything it took to win her affections … he’d even go so far as to buy her gifts, cook her dinner, and put her up in the finest penthouse his pack had available. He would do anything to show her that he was a good mate.

If he was to win her over, it would take more than brute strength or a show of dominance. She wasn’t as simple as the shifters he encountered in his life. She needed to bewooed.

She was also from Earth. People from there were different. Maybe it was the atmosphere, maybe it was the pollution, or maybe it was the way their societies were run by greedy bureaucrats. Whatever went on there made Katy into the wise, wild woman who Vharlk wanted to bond with.

Being born as a prince meant he was universally loved, so this would be difficult for him. That was part of the charm, though. She was a challenge unlike any other he had faced. He could not flex his muscle to get what he wanted, and he was sure killing a competitor for her affections would also be out of the question.

As he opened his mouth to compliment her again, the door of a shop close to them burst open to reveal Gerri, arms loaded with shopping bags, her usually perfect hair in disarray. Katy broke her stance as soon as she saw Gerri, and Vharlk watched her until he realized just how many bags Gerri was carrying.

“Come on. We’re going to your place, Vharlk.”

Before Katy could protest, he ushered the women into his flying vehicle that took them back to his home. Gerri leapt out, bags still on her arms, and Katy followed after her.

“I should have just sent these to your house,” Gerri grumbled. “I may have gotten carried away.”

Vharlk jumped at the opportunity to help her, freeing her of her bags.

He smiled at her, and she smiled back, throwing him a wink. “I see you’ve met Katy.” She turned to face the female, who still stood with her arms crossed, and Gerri’s smile faltered. “What’s going on here with you two? I’m sensing some negative energy.”

Vharlk was about to answer when Katy beat him to it. “Nothing. We were just going over some ideas for the cruise. He suggested a clown parade. I told him that was ridiculous.”

Gerri let out a bark of laughter. “NowthatI’d like to see.” She pulled a bottle of Sidaii wine out of one of the bags and waved it. “Anyone up for a treat?”

Katy shook her head, but Vharlk put up his hand. “I’ll bite.”

“We should go over the details of the cruise,” Katy said. “Join me in the living room.” She stalked away, her curvy hips swinging with a swagger he enjoyed seeing on a woman. He watched her with interest as Gerri poured him a glass.

“Seems like you two are getting along well.”

Vharlk shook his head and laughed. “Not really. But I enjoy a challenge.”

Gerri smirked at him, eyes shining with delight. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. She’s powerfulandbossy.”

He took the glass she offered, the rich aroma of the wine hitting him before the first sip. Watching humans get drunk on Sidaii wine was always entertaining. The wine itself was delicious, and drinking it with them was something of a pastime of his. He hoped he could share it with Katy eventually.

Vharlk and Gerri took their glasses into the living room, where Katy sat on the sofa with a binder open on her lap.

“So I was thinking it could be like a big party …” he began before she cut him off.

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