“Yes, Brea, but that’s life. It was expected. Our business is booming. Fate has a way of providing what we need at the exact right time. Though I was stunned when I saw you for the first time, I wasn’t really surprised. The timing feels right. I’m surenow that I’ve claimed you, the others will begin to feel restless and seek out mates in the coming months.”
“I’ve never met a shifter before,” she tells me.
“Or perhaps you have, but you didn’t know it.”
She cocks her head to one side as she ponders my suggestion. “I guess that could be true. But are all shifters as large as you?”
I chuckle. “Some are. Not all. A few years ago I met some wolf and bear shifters. Though they were large, most of them were not as big as my brothers.”
“Wow. Wolves and bears… That must have been strange.”
“We wandered through their territory by accident. They were scared out of their minds that we meant them harm. Eventually I reassured them they were safe from us, and we moved on from their territory.”
“What if one of you mates with another species?”
“It would never happen. We’re not wired to be drawn to them. Lion shifters need human mates.”
Her eyes narrow again. She’s so cute when she’s thinking hard. I know she has questions, and I’ll answer all of them.
“Why don’t you marry lion shifters?”
“There aren’t any. There haven’t been female lion shifters for over a century. Male lion shifters mate with human females.” I remain squatted in front of her. With my hands on her knees, I can feel her pulse and ensure that she’s not stressed. It helps that I’m letting her look down at me.
“And…” She licks her lips. I know what she’s going to ask, but I wait for her to voice her thoughts. “Do you have babies?” she whispers.
“Yes, Little love.” I give her knees a squeeze. “You and I will have offspring. The females will be human. The males will be lion cub shifters.”
Her breath hitches as she lifts a hand to her throat. Her pulse finally picks up. It’s expected. “I’m not ready to have babies. I’venever even considered having kids. I never even thought I would meet a man I could rely on enough to date him let alone get married.”
I smile warmly at her. “You can rely on me, Little love,” I say gently. “Always. And I promise I won’t get you pregnant before you’re ready. We’ll make that sort of decision together. As for marriage, it’s not something lion shifters are concerned about. The fact that I claimed you by biting you binds us together for life. No certificate is needed. Sometimes we marry our mates simply because the surrounding human society finds it more acceptable. If marriage is something that will make you feel better, we’ll do it.”
“We met this morning…”
I chuckle. “True. Do you not feel more connected to me than anyone you’ve ever met in your life, though?”
She swallows and nods slowly.
“You’re mine, Little love. I know it’s difficult to grasp, and you’ll doubt it many times in the coming days. But eventually, you’ll stop questioning our bond. I promise it’s permanent and irrevocable.”
“I’m not on birth control,” she blurts out.
I offer her another smile. “You don’t need birth control, Little love. I will be able to scent when you’re in heat. When you’re fertile.”
Her eyes widen. “You can smell that?”
“Yes, Brea. Lion shifters have enhanced senses. The most important one is the sense of smell. I can tell you exactly where all of my pride members who are in the area are located. I can also easily scent your fertility, your anxiety, and…” I slide a hand up her uninjured thigh to cup her pussy. “…your lust.”
She gasps and grips my hand with her thighs. A second later, she shoves at my hand and scoots back on the mattress. “You make my head spin when you touch me there.”
I chuckle. “I know, Little love.” I reach for the brush and rise to standing before sitting next to her. Bending one knee, I face her. “Turn to the side, Brea. I’ll brush out your hair.”
“I can do it,” she says, reaching for the brush.
I hold it away from her. “I know you can, Little love. I’m certain you’re capable of doing just about anything. You’ve been on your own for a long time. But it’s customary for lion shifters to take care of their mates in many ways. It will please me to brush your hair and braid it for you.”
She stares at me. “Is it your custom to cook for your mates, too?”
“Yes, Little love.”
