The Maverick Pride Tales - Chapter 151: Chapter 151

“Heads!” a small voice yelled, but before he could even move, Annabeth jogged forward.
Even on heels she was nimble, fielding the ball and sending it back to the little boy with a smile and wave. But what did he expect? She was graceful as a cat should be.
Lovely.
“Nice moves,” one bold father said, but he gulped and turned around when Hank lifted his lip and growled.
“Thanks,” Annabeth waved and kept walking, ignoring Hank completely.
“Isn’t it late? Shouldn’t those kids be in bed?” he grunted as he stepped forward to open the door for Annabeth.
“Thank you,” she murmured and shrugged past him.
Her sweet strawberry flavored fragrance invaded his nostrils once more. His beast growled and the human side of him wanted to bask in the warm, inviting scent. Why did it have to be strawberries? The small red fruit was his favorite, of course. Even more so when used in pies and goodies.
Her particular scent reminded him of hot-from-the-oven turnovers drizzled in icing and sweet enough to send him into ecstasy once the flavor hit his tastebuds.
Finger. Licking. Good.
Bet she’s sweeter, his bird insisted.
Let’s find out.
“Hi, table for two?” a young waiter asked.
He blushed furiously as he tried, and failed, not to stare at Annabeth’s magnificent bosoms outlined in her high-necked top.
“Yes, please,” she replied and smiled kindly, but Hank growled at the young man, sniff, make that Buck.
There were plenty of Deer Shifters in that particular neck of the woods so near the pine barrens. Bob’s was known in the supernatural world as a Shifter friendly establishment. He hired plenty of supes and rented rooms without too many questions.
It was also rumored the Moose knew the names of some handy cleaners nearby. Not the usual dry cleaners a businessperson on the road might need. But something more suited to supernaturals who were doing their best to live and hide among the world’s normals.
It was why this inn was one of Hank’s favorite places to crash. In fact, Bob had already called someone to fix the scratch on Hank’s limo without raising even one of his bushy eyebrows.
“Hank!” the screech that sounded from Rosa had Hank smiling at the short, round woman who was warm and friendly to all and sundry.
“Hello Rosa,” he said and offered her a smile and returned the friendly hug.
His smile widened when the woman embraced Annabeth as well. The Lioness grinned and laughed at the friendly gesture.
“What’s your name, bonita?” Rosa asked.
“Hi, I’m Annabeth Golden.”
“Well, my Bob was not lying when he said you were just the prettiest little thing. Come on, let me feed you, then you can tell me about your proposal,” she said and winked.
A few minutes, and many platters later, Hank and Annabeth sat quietly as they digested. It was a companionable silence. The kind he’d often imagined sharing with someone he was in a relationship with. Odd that he’d pictured her as the type to feel it necessary to fill the air with silly nonsense.
But she’d proved him wrong. It seemed the little Lioness was full of surprises and secrets. Like the fact she loved salsa, but it had to go on the bottom of her fajitas with the sour cream and guacamole on top.
Cute. Very cute.
But so was everything else she did. Like the careful way she added lime juice to her hot sauce or the way she’d used a napkin to wipe her fingertips and lips after every bite.
He wondered what other little interesting facts he’d discover about her on this short trip. Hank frowned. It was too short now that he thought about it.
Doesn’t have to be, his bird butted in.
“Oh my,” Annabeth sighed and patted her stomach in satisfaction. “Rosa, those were the best fajitas I have ever tasted. Your salsa verde is da bomb!”
“I told you,” Rosa said proudly and sat down to join them for dessert and coffee, along with Bob.
Hank had enjoyed the dinner almost as much as simply eating it with Annabeth. He was happy to see she was not going to try to hide her healthy appetite. He hated the habit most female Bird Shifters had of ordering small salads when dining out.
Hank was a predator, and he had a healthy appetite. Gyrfalcons were hunters, like Lionesses, he mused. He appreciated meat in all forms, as well as fruits and berries. Annabeth’s reaction when he’d asked for the same order as her had amused him greatly.
“I ordered a double portion steak fajita combo with all the trimmings and sides,” she’d said, as if he didn’t hear her correctly when she spoke to the young Buck.
“I know,” he’d replied.
“You eat meat?” she’d asked.
“I’m a Gyrfalcon, love, of course I eat meat,” he’d returned.
The endearment that had slipped out of his mouth went thankfully, unnoticed by the gorgeous female. And they spent the rest of the meal in almost silence, though she had remarked on the proposed length of their trip.
“So, no more than like an hour tomorrow, right?”
“Yes, if the parkway is clear. I can try to speed if you like⁠—”
“No, that’s okay. I mean, I am fine with the pace.”
Hank sensed some tension on her side. Wondered if it was because they were stuck at a rather unfortunate impasse.
Uncle Uzzi had really done it this time. He made a mental note to send his well-meaning uncle an email once they got back to the hotel room. He hated the idea that Annabeth, though she showed no signs of being upset, should suffer because of Uzzi’s stubborn insistence he knew best who Hank should mate.
“Just imagine what your recipes would taste like if you were using superior ingredients. Like the organically raised, grass fed, non-GMO beef, as well as other proteins, we offer at Eat Well Live Proud,” Annabeth began.
Hank turned his head to listen as she began to expel endorsements from other chefs about EWLP products for Rosa’s benefit. Bob already looked besotted with Annabeth’s wit, and to be honest, she was too adorable for words. Rosa narrowed her eyes and leaned back against her man.
“We get wholesale prices?”
“You get fair prices for far better ingredients than what you have now. As an added bonus, it should be noted that once these restaurants and hotel chains,” she started and turned the tablet she seemed to carry everywhere around to show Rosa and Bob some of her client list, “started using our products, they saw a fifteen percent increase in orders, and a surge in higher ratings and reviews everywhere online. Great food and more ratings mean more customers. For hotel owners, it means more people reserving rooms and even more return customers.”
“I’m impressed,” Rosa said, then turned to confer with Bob.
“You are good at this,” Hank whispered, noting the faint blush that crept along her neck and spread to her cheeks at his praise.
He wondered just how far the blush would travel. It would coat her plump breasts, and soft belly, down to her thighs, and the treasure between them. Wouldn’t he love to find out?
Yes. Let’s.
For fuck’s sake. Why couldn’t his raptor shut the hell up and forget the female?
Cause she is our mate.
No. Impossible. She was not a Gyrfalconess, therefore, not his mate.
Doesn’t matter.
He’d made a promise. A sacred vow.
You owe it to yourself to follow your heart.
She was a Lioness. A fluffy, foolish feline who loved pranks and chaos. Not something Hank relished.
She is lively, voracious, and fun. We would do well with her. She will bring us joy.
On and on the arguments went. Back and forth inside his head with his raptor until he was getting looks from the other three adults at the table.
“I think we have a deal,” Rosa was saying, lips pursed as she noted the untouched slice of flan on his plate.
Not wanting to cause an incident, he picked up his spoon and took a healthy bite. That at least earned him a smile from one of the females at the table. Annabeth, however, kept her eyes firmly away from his. To his unexpected dismay.
Once he’d paid for the meal, insisting despite her arguments they should split it, they returned to the room.
“Look,” she turned to him, “I don’t want to make this awkward. So, I have a solution for our sleeping arrangements.”
“What’s that?”
Hank stood and swallowed while she walked to the bathroom. She didn’t bring any clothes with her, and the idea she intended to sleep in the nude had his cock standing up in an awkwardly inappropriate salute.
“When I tell you, I want you to count to thirty, then open the door.”
“Uh—” He had no idea what to say.
Nerves assailed him. Did she want sex? Could he do that and remain whole? Doubts and fears, and most of all, unmitigated lust, surged through his body. The female was close to her heat cycle.
She’d said as much. Perhaps he could do her a service and take the edge off himself as well. No strings, he thought, frowning hard at the insinuation. Still, Hank nodded. Even felt a modicum of relief when she visibly relaxed.
He’d never hurt or injure a female knowingly. Not physically, mentally, or emotionally. No real man would, in his honest opinion. But how was he to remain sane if he slept with this vivacious woman?
Fated mates. We’re fated mates.
Her voice rang through his head, and he tried sitting on the bed while he listened to the water running in the bathroom. Hank could not sit still. Pacing back and forth, he wiped sweaty hands on his pants.
Shit.
He’d never felt like this. Like a teenager about to see his first boob. His dick throbbed, heart wrenched, and stomach twisted. He was going crazy. That was the only logical explanation.
The sudden knock on the bathroom door had his head turning to the wood portal.
“Hank?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, count to thirty,” she said softly.
Hank closed his eyes, counting to ten. He could almost see her. All soft skin and ample curves. Would her large breasts be tip-tilted? Would her nipple be pink or dusky? Would she taste like the strawberries her scent seemed to always carry?
He could hardly wait to discover the answers for himself. Walking forward on shaky legs, Hank’s right hand reached out to turn the cool brass knob. This was it. His cock pulsed, pushing against the fabric of his pants. His brain kept playing erotic little snippets of all the dirty things he wanted to do to and with the supple feline.
Get a grip, he told himself, and turned the handle.
Shock had his eyes opening wide as he took in the sheer beauty that greeted him. Fuck. He was a total moron.
“Annabeth,” he whispered, falling to his knees to take in the golden Lioness in all her furry glory.
The enormous she-Cat moved forward, butting her head against his shoulder. She was so sleek and stunning. Muscular and powerful with enormous claw-tipped paws that retracted as she moved, and huge fangs she flashed at him briefly when she growled. They were currently concealed, but he was very aware of their presence.
Powerful. Stunning. Hunter. Predator. Warrior woman.
Hank had never seen anything as beautiful as Annabeth in her Lioness form, unless you counted Annabeth on her human legs.
“Can I?” he asked permission, raising a hand to touch her.
He waited until she pushed her head into his palm. A smile broke out across his face as he petted and tested the soft, thick fur on the ruff around her neck. It got thinner but no less lovely on her back and chest. Her beast purred, playfully knocking him to the ground before leaping over his body and settling on the bed.
Now he knew why Bob reinforced them. Her Lioness was at least seven or eight hundred pounds of pure muscle. She chuffed quietly. Her amber gold eyes glowed in the dim light of the room, and Hank knew what she waited for.
“Alright, smart lady,” he said, and began stripping away his clothes.
Nudity was natural for Shifters, and he did not shy away from her golden star. Within seconds, the familiar hum of magic washed over his skin and before he took his next breath, he was in his feathers.
Gyrfalcons in the wild were about half the size of Hank’s Shifter form. His raptor was stocky and large, muscular, with lethal talons on his feet. He had an almost ten-foot wingspan, and his feathers were various hues of brown, white, and gray, with spots on his chest.
He whistled low and clear, directing her attention to him. He needed to fly, wanted to fly, and preen for her enjoyment. But he knew it was too risky there.
Maybe someday we can run and fly together.
But his thoughts turned sad when he recalled his determination to mate with another of his kind. Sorrow swept through him, but the sound of her chuffing brought his head up.
At least they would have this, he thought. Amazed by her foresight, he hopped onto the bed, settling next to the beautiful Lioness. They could have this night together, sleeping side by side in their animal forms. He wouldn’t be breaking his vow that way, and that thing inside of him that had been raging against his reserve ever since he laid eyes on her finally quieted.
For now, at least.
For now.