Island Stripe Pride - Chapter 67: Chapter 67

A few things happened in those few seconds, where Mara had to think fast to save her life as fur, fangs, and claws came straight for her. The kitchen doors slammed open, and the two Lion males suddenly jumped to defend either themselves or Lorraine, she couldn’t be sure. It was difficult to tell, since she was ducking and running for her life.
True, Mara was infuriated by the way the woman talked about her man, er, Bruno, but she didn’t have the same weapons as Lorraine. The enormous Lioness slammed into one of the stainless steel worktables as Mara ducked behind it, looking for a weapon. She grabbed the first thing she saw while whatever fight raged on by the front door. She heard roaring and snarls, the sounds of teeth gnashing and claws ripping into flesh.
Bunnies fought, yes, but this kind of violence was unique to predators. Still, she had to do something. Lorraine’s beast was coming for her. Mara had crawled back and was now stuck in a corner with nowhere else to go. The Lioness stalked forward, dripping saliva, her eyes full of hate.
“You really want him? Well, you’re gonna have to kill me first,” Mara tossed out the challenge and reached to the side as Lorraine roared.
The huge she-Cat charged her. Mara didn’t scream, she just moved, grabbing an enormous wrought iron frying pan from a nearby hook. The thing was heavy, and huge, and she lifted it like an ax over her head before bringing it down swiftly, clonking the Lioness over the head the second she was within range.
The she-beast backed off, shaking her giant feline head and landing on her kitty ass. Mara didn’t trust her to be down for the count, though. This was a temporary thing, and it was going to take more than that to stop her. She only hoped the frying pan would last for another blow. The thing was already cracked down the middle.
Fuck.
Just how hard was a Lioness’ head, anyway? Good thing Mara didn’t have to find out. The sound of a victorious snarl ripped through the air, and she saw the two Lion guards down on the floor. A monstrous roar followed, stopping the female Lion in her tracks. Eyes wide, Mara turned and saw him, or rather, the Tiger that was Bruno.
Holy fuck. He’s beautiful.
Lorraine was right about one thing. Bruno was a White Tiger. His animal was enormous and covered in pristine snow white fur with pale gray stripes, so light they were more like silver, cutting across his fantastic hide.
He was majestic, gorgeous even, and so damn stunning. But that was not all he was. Bruno was a monster. Bigger than any of the Cat Shifters she had ever seen. He stalked across the tight space, made even smaller now that he filled it, and he stood in front of Mara protectively. Dominance rolled off him in waves, even Mara’s Bunny could feel it.
He snarled his displeasure, and the she-Cat hissed, lowering herself to her belly—a sign of submission. Her idiot guards were already back in their torn up skin, kneeling, throats bared, and gazes downcast.
Bruno growled again. His six-inch long canines dripping saliva as he paced in front of her menacingly. Mara was still trying to catch her breath, but she dropped the frying pan with a clang. He was here. She was safe. And she had done most of the work herself. Pride filled her and pleasure too. He’d come for her.
Whatever confusion she’d felt over Bruno’s past evaporated just like that. There was so much more to him than what Lorraine had said, and what Mara had originally thought of the big tough Tiger. If she was lucky, she was going to get the chance to find it all out on her own.
“What the fuck is going on?” Carter came running inside, followed by a very pregnant Toni, and Rami and Noemi, the bride and groom-to-be.
“Um, well,” Mara tried to explain, but before she could get a word out, the Lioness changed back to her skin.
“This Bunny Shifter tried to attack me,” Lorraine shouted, but every Shifter in the room could hear her lie clear as a bell.
The perks of being a supe.
“Lorraine, I told your father bringing you would be a mistake. You’re already on thin ice with Council,” Rami hissed angrily.
“And here we thought outsiders would be the problem,” Carter growled roughly.
“I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am, Carter,” Rami began. “You two assholes have some explaining to do,” the man snarled at the two guards.
“Carter,” Bruno growled. “Get her gone, fast.”
Mara backed up, pressing herself against Bruno. He was all tense energy and dominance. His anger was like a tangible thing inside the kitchen.
“Bruno, man, I am sorry about this,” Rami said, meeting the big Tiger’s gaze for a beat before turning to take care of the matter.
Smart move.
Mara could feel Bruno’s displeasure, and it was no small thing. She had met the visiting Luani Pride Lion earlier with his mate. He worked for the 135th Precinct in New York City and was trying to change how Shifter groups operated with each other in that concrete jungle. Dean Romero, Neta of the and acting head of the Shifter Council of New York City, was working with the secret group of Shifters who ran that police precinct.
Inviting them to have their wedding here, at the Island Stripe Mountain Resort, was an olive branch of sorts. A way to show other big Shifter groups what working together could accomplish. Of course, there were going to be hitches. Like psychotic she-Cats trying to claim mates who didn’t want them, all for some barbaric breeding customs that had no place in modern society.
“Are you okay?” Bruno asked, running his hands over her body, looking for injury.
She hadn’t even seen him Change back, but when she turned, she saw only worry and concern in his steady gold gaze. The Tiger was still there, and he wanted to protect her. Warmth filled Mara as she turned in his arms and wrapped hers around his waist. Bruno heaved a sigh and nuzzled her slowly.
“I am now. Thank you for coming for me,” she murmured.
“Always, kit. I will always come for you. About earlier, I want to explain why I didn’t bite you⁠—”
“We can talk about it later,” she whispered, wanting to just lose herself for a moment in his touch.
“Okay. Whatever you want,” he whispered, squeezing her tighter.
She felt his heart pounding against her own and sighed. Mara didn’t have all the answers. She probably never would. But there was no more denying the way she felt about him. Bruno felt big to her. Important. He rubbed her arms with his hands, the purr inside his chest rumbling through her body, and she smiled against his warm, smooth skin.
Strong man. Sweet man. Good mate.
Shifters relied on touch, and her Bunny was no different. As she rubbed her cheek against him, her beast was staking a claim. She practically squealed her delight when he acknowledged it and wrapped her in his powerful arms. Mara looked at him, really looked at him, and she couldn’t stop her grin.
“What’s making you so happy, kit?”
“You are,” she replied.
Mara realized, as other voices filtered in, they were not alone. This was not the time for the reunion she had in mind. Not the proper place to tell him all the feelings she was having, and there were so many of them. All new and exciting. Also—there was the fact he was naked. Butt-ass naked. And on full display.
“Eeeek!” she squeaked and turned around to block his nudity from Noemi and Toni, who were both bearing down on her.
“Easy, kit,” he whispered against her neck, rubbing her shoulders, and nuzzling her cheek with his.
She really liked that he did that, like he was marking her with his scent or just reassuring them both that she was okay. Cats did stuff like that, whether or not they were Shifters. Gods knew she’d seen Carter mauling her sister like that a million times or more.
“There are some clean pants in that closest,” she murmured, pushing him towards them with her body, her cheeks burning.
“You want me to put on pants? Why?” he asked, confusion on his face.
“Ohmygawd, Bruno! You are naked and my Bunny is feeling possessive as fuck right now. Please, cover up before they get here and I turn psycho,” she whisper-screamed.
Shit. Did she just explain she was a jealous lunatic to the man even after he’d refused to claim her? Sure, she knew now she was not just a one-night, or even a two-night stand. But still. She wanted to kind of ease him into it. Get him addicted so he wouldn’t want to run away screaming. But her Bunny was just too damn possessive and loyal for her own good.
She wanted Bruno to be hers forever. Starting right now. And that meant no one else was going to be ogling her man, especially when he didn’t have a claiming mark on him.
Crap. Was she any better than that crazy Lioness? Fuck yes. Mara pushed away all those pesky doubts. She was better than Lorraine for one simple reason. Mara did not want Bruno for his white Tiger traits, she wanted him because she loved him. She was his, and in her heart, he was hers.
Mine. Mine. MINE.
“I get it, kit. I don’t want anyone looking at you either,” Bruno growled and winked.
Tummy-flies. So many tummy-flies.
Bruno moved away to grab some pants, giving her a helluva view of his fine, firm ass. She moaned a little, bit her lip and turned around to see Toni running towards her while Carter and Rami questioned the two male Lions with Lorraine, who was now openly sobbing.
Grrrr.
“Are you okay? What the hell happened?” Toni gasped.
“I’m fine. Nothing, me and that she-demon had a difference of opinion is all,” Mara muttered, but Toni and Noemi were both looking at her with narrowed eyes.
“Um, I believe we met this morning, but it’s been a kind of whirlwind of events. So, at the risk of repeating myself, I’m Noemi Donato, the bride, and I have to tell you, you make some fabulously delicious food. I am especially fond of your turkey and roast beef. It’s the reason I had Rami approach Dean about having the ceremony here,” she said, offering her hand.
“Oh, um, thank you. But when did you try my roasts? I didn’t cook tonight⁠—”
“No, but I’ve been receiving samples of your food for the past two months from Mr. D’Italia here in return for sending a few dozen of my cornetti to his grandmother’s retirement home. I own a bakery in the city,” Noemi explained, grinning from ear to ear.
“Damn, Noemi, that was a secret,” Bruno grumbled, coming back to stand beside Mara. “Nonna really loved the lemon custard ones, by the way.”
“Noted,” the charming Druid replied, and winked at Mara. “He is a charmer, for sure.”
“That he is,” Mara said, beaming at him.
“Well, I want to offer my sincerest apologies for all this. Rami’s boss and Primus had us invite some of the Pride down, and well, as you can see, the Luani Pride has some work to do,” Noemi explained with a frown.
“I understand. We all have work to do at some time or other,” Mara replied.
“Are you sure you are okay?” Toni asked, worry in her familiar blue gaze.
“Yes, I’m sure. If you don’t mind, I’d like to go. I have to be here early for the wedding breakfast.”
“Of course, honey. Bruno? Will you take my sister home?” Toni asked with feigned innocence.
“Real subtle, sis,” Mara whispered. “But I can do this part. Bruno?”
“Yeah, kit?”
“Take me home?”
“My pleasure,” he rumbled and without another word, scooped her up and carried her right out the door.
Mara felt like a fairytale princess in his arms, and she giggled when he got outside and spun her around till she was laughing like a crazy person.
“Fuck, woman, you scared the shit out of me. Taunting that Lioness in there. I heard you from the hall and tried to get there faster, but those two assholes put up a fight, and the space was so close, and I didn’t want to risk hurting you⁠—”
“Hey, hey, hey. I’m okay. You got to me in time,” she murmured, pressing her forehead against his while he placed her inside his car and snapped the seatbelt in place.
“Can’t lose you, kit,” he rumbled.
“You won’t. Come on. Take me home. We have a lot to talk about.”
Bruno leaned back and nodded once. He’d shut down, and Mara worried her lower lip. Talking wasn’t easy for her man, but that was okay. She had other ideas on how to show him what he meant to her.
The only real question was, did Mara have enough gumption to stake her claim on the sexy Tiger even after he rejected her?
Yes, her Bunny answered.