AllFreeNovel
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Rhomi opened the door when he’d finished telling her about the ritual. She looked stunning, even though the shirt was a simple black short-sleeved tee. The best part was he could see her sexy legs.
“Oh, leather pants,” she said, wiggling her brow. She gave a little twirl. “How do I look?”
“Delicious.”
She let out a laugh. “You’re insatiable. So I have to eat a bunny? Do I have to watch you prepare it? I’m not sure how I feel about seeing a dead bunny.”
“I’ll dress it away from the firelight so you won’t have to see it, don’t worry.”
“How long will it take?” she asked.
“I’m in my shift for a few hours, but I plan to catch it fast and then hang out with you until it’s time to prep and cook it.”
“I can’t wait to see you shift again. Even if you’re going to kill a bunny.”
He rolled his eyes. “It’s important, love.”
“I know.”
They left the house and headed to the maintenance shed in the lion paddock, where the pride was waiting. It was pitch black and chilly when they opened the shed door. She shivered and he swung her up into his arms.
“I can walk.” She snuggled against him.
“I know, but it’s dark and I don’t want you to trip on anything, and also I like carrying you.”
“I like it too.”
He set her down on a blanket by the roaring bonfire, where his pride was gathered. A small cage held a rabbit, and his lion murmured in interest. Rabbits were fast and hard to catch, but his lion was on a mission to prove he could take care of Rhomi.
“Alpha Caesar,” Mercer said with a loud voice, “I present my soulmate, Rhomi, to you.”
Caesar walked forward and stopped next to the blanket. “Welcome, Rhomi. As pride alpha, it is my honor and duty to watch over you tonight as your mate proves his worth.” He gestured to the pride members around the bonfire. “Our pride isn’t large, but we hold fast to our traditions. Do you come tonight of your own free will, to accept Mercer as your mate?”
“Yes,” she said.
The pride growled in approval.
Jenni picked up the cage and joined them near the blanket. Caesar said, “Release the prey.”
Jenni opened the cage and lifted the rabbit out, stepping away from the bonfire and into the darkness, returning a few moments later with an empty cage.
“Prove yourself worthy of this female, Mercer,” Caesar said, offering his hand to him. They clasped wrists, and the others joined them, wishing him good luck.
“Wait for me on the blanket,” Mercer said as he undid his pants and smiled at Rhomi.
“I will. Good luck.”
He gave her a swift kiss. “I won’t be long, I promise.”
He shifted as quick as possible, pushing his lion to the forefront and transforming into his beast. He purred at Rhomi, then bounded away into the night with a roar of determination, his mind on the rabbit and his beautiful mate back at the bonfire.
* * *
It had taken Mercer a while to catch the rabbit—the quick, furry creature had been adept at avoiding his claws—but in the end he’d caught and killed it. He left it near a tree that had a satchel of tools hanging from it, then spent time with Rhomi at the bonfire. He shifted back to human when he was able and then dressed the kill.
Returning to the bonfire with his prize, he grinned at the cheers from the pride and the pride shining in Rhomi’s eyes. He set the rabbit on the spit and pulled his pants on, then hugged and kissed his mate. “It takes a while to cook,” he said.
“I’ve got some interesting stories about your mate to pass the time,” Caesar said from across the bonfire.
