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“I know Larisa most likely undid all the good your run last night might have provided. We’ve got this covered and I can monitor everything here. Why not go for another run? Before last night, when was the last time you shifted and ran?”
“Longer than I’d care to admit. Once we get rid of Gutierrez and I claim my mate—”
“No doubt in your mind you will find her?”
Bodie shook his head. “None whatsoever. As I was saying, once I’ve claimed my mate and things settle back down to a dull roar, I’d like to see us go back to having scheduled clan runs. I think when we did that, we were tighter, and keeping the beast caged up too long is not good for man or beast.”
“Agreed. We could run in groups, and you could switch off, leading different groups.”
“I’d also want to see if we can’t find a way to set up some kind of protected playground obstacle course for everyone to enjoy, but especially for our younger tigers and children to perfect their skills and abilities.”
“Larisa will apologize to you before the day is through.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Maybe not for you, but it is most definitely necessary for her. Her father’s inability to control or guide her has not served her well. She needs love and discipline. He’s a cold sonofabitch.”
“What do you expect?” laughed Bodie. “He’s a Siberian Tiger. Siberia is not exactly known for its sunny climate. I think with you to provide both to her, Larisa will really begin to flourish.”
Navarro nodded. “I think you’re right. For a tigress with her ferocity, she often strikes me as very lost and lonely. I have some phone calls to make and want to check on my mate. I’ll see you at supper. And again, my deepest thanks for allowing me to take Larisa to mate.”
“I’m sure the two of you will be very happy together and will only strengthen our clan.”
Navarro left, and Bodie swiveled his chair to look out the French doors and onto the finely manicured lawns that surrounded the compound. On three sides, the extensive, cultivated land was surrounded by the swamps for which the area was so famous. On the fourth side, the magnificent Gulf of Mexico beckoned.
Bodie picked up the landline and called Larisa’s father, Vladimir. After the usual customary greetings and inquires into each other’s health, Bodie broke the news to Vlad that his daughter had been claimed by Navarro.
“This is an insult,” roared Vladimir. “If you were not going to take her to mate yourself, you should have sent her home. I could have used her in other ways.”
“And therein lies the seeds of Larisa’s unhappiness with her origin clan and you. She was nothing but a pawn to be used or sacrificed as you saw fit.”
“She is my daughter! I will do with her as suits me best. If this beta of yours has yet to mark her with his claiming bite, you may allow him to live, but if not…” Vlad let the threat hang.
“Watch yourself, Vlad. You sent the girl to me. The first night she was here, she begged me to never send her back to you. If you wanted to use her to further an alliance with me, then shut up and listen to me. She is not my fated mate.”
“The stuff of myth and legend.”
“Maybe, but my parents were fated mates, and I have known all my life mine was out there, and I will not settle for less. Having Larisa mated to Navarro is the same as if she was mated to me. You and your clan taught her some nasty habits that will not serve her well here, but Navarro is confident he can make her see the light and walk the line.”
“I will not agree to this. Either you send her home, or I will send my men to get her.”
Vlad didn’t have the manpower in terms of skills or numbers to go up against Bodie, and they both knew it.
“Larisa has been mine to protect and care for since your men dumped her on my doorstep. Send your men, and I will send them home in body bags. If you violate my territory with anything other than the most benign of intentions, I will rain a firestorm on you and yours the likes of which you’ll never recover from.”
Bodie ended the call and walked over to Navarro’s office. Navarro looked up from his desk. “Let me guess, the phone call to Vladimir did not go well.”
Bodie shrugged. “It went about as well as it could, considering he didn’t get what he wanted, but you need to get her claimed. That’ll go a long way to having this settled for both of them. Make sure Larisa knows she is a member of this clan. No one harms anyone under my protection. To do so is to invite retribution and death.”
Navarro cocked an eyebrow. “You really need to go for a run before you give yourself testosterone poisoning.”
“You’re probably right. Let our people know Vlad may be stupid enough to try something. I don’t want to be caught with our guard down.”
“I strengthened our patrols immediately after I left your office. But I’ll spread the word. Go take a run. When you get back, I’ll see to claiming my mate.”
Bodie grinned. “Much as I like to run, I think you’re going to have a much better time than me. Wait, that didn’t come out the way I meant it.”
Navarro returned the grin. “I know, but I may take you up on that offer to punch you in the nose.”
