The Maverick Pride Tales - Chapter 162: Chapter 162

Prologue 1
Dark clouds loomed overhead as Uzzi Stregovich opened the sliding glass doors so he could step out onto the terrace of his condo in Maccon city, New Jersey. He’d decided to spend the summer there, as it was one of his favorite spots on the East Coast.
His cup of coffee was full and hot, and all was right with the world. Well, mostly. He missed his wife like crazy, but she was still with him. Even now, he felt her spirit hovering near.
Uzzi greeted her n his head, then took a sip and almost spit it out. Grimacing, he looked into the mug, lifted it, and sniffed.
Richard! That busybody of a housekeeper was sneaking decaf into his cupboard again. Damn the man!
Uzzi knew he was only trying to look after his health. Still, he should know better than to do that to a Witch. He looked around, making sure no one else was about before he waved his hand over his mug, shooting blue sparks as he magicked some caffeine into the brew.
“There now. This is better,” Uzzi murmured.
He blew on the hot liquid manna from heaven, heaving a happy sigh. Uzzi sat down at a small wrought iron bistro set that graced the semi-private terrace. It was summer, but the weather had been terrible lately.
This was the first break in the thunderstorms menacing the entire eastern seaboard for the past week. It was killing tourism, but Uzzi was an optimist. It couldn’t rain all the time.
The morning air was ripe with ozone from the last shower, but he was grateful it had abated. His ocean view was undisturbed, and even though the sea was rough, it was always something wonderful to behold.
Spotting a few dolphins in the distance, Uzzi smiled. This was exactly what he needed. He wanted to enjoy his coffee and perhaps scroll through his emails. Who knew? Maybe he would have some from one of his many clients.
Catering to supernaturals around the world, and beyond, Uncle Uzzi’s Magical Matchmaking Service was a veritable household name, well, in certain circles, of course. He’d been doing this an incredibly long time, but it never got old.
Like all Witches, male, female, or other, Uzzi’s magic was a craft he practiced daily. And like all crafts, the more time spent on it, the better he got. Even now, he felt that old familiar hum of magic zipping up and down his spine.
The first notice in his email app was from his Eat Well Live Proud account. He would have to tell Richard, since he doubled as housekeeper and personal cook, to expect another delivery sometime that week. It was always a thrill to see what goodies the Lion Shifter corporation had in store for him.
The Blue Valley Lion Pride was one of his favorite Shifter groups in the Garden State. Their King had recently claimed a new queen, and all was right with the group, as far as he could tell. Of course, Uzzi had worked matches for two of the Queen’s young.
To humans, Shifters were the stuff of legends, as were Witches, but for Uzzi, this was very much his reality. Eat Well Live Proud might be just another global conglomerate famous for their farm to table services, but to him, the company and the Lions who ran it were family.
“Now, it has been just a few days since I saw them, so why should I be thinking so much about these pussycats? I do wonder, liebling, if the Fates are not playing their games again,” he murmured, speaking aloud to his dearly departed Betty.
Being a Witch and matchmaker, not to mention a descendant of the goddess of love, Aphrodite herself, meant Uzzi had learned to trust his feelings long ago. Usually, his instincts were spot on.
Therefore, instead of ignoring his thoughts, he allowed them to wander. A small smile played at the corners of his mouth as one Lioness in particular drifted to mind. Antonetta Golden was a favorite of Uzzi’s. Bold, brilliant, beautiful. She was a triple threat, and if memory served, still single.
“Interesting,” he murmured.
Uzzi continued to scroll and sip while thunder boomed, and lightning lit the sky. It was not raining yet. Good. very good. Uzzi still had a few more minutes of fresh air, he mused.
“Spam. Spam. Trash. Oooh, a book sale! Wait. Hold the phone. Wunderbar!” Uzzi enthused as he clicked on the email.
Dear Uncle Uzzi,
It has been a while since you visited Maverick Point, and Hunter and Elissa both agree a visit is long overdue. I am hoping you can spare some time to come see us, well, me in particular. Or I can come to you. Whatever works.
You see, I am having some difficulties with my Tiger, and I need your help. I think the silly cat wants me to find a mate, but Uncle Uzzi, there is no one here who piques my interest.
I have been messing up at work, and Hunter is at his wit’s end. He’s forcing me to take some time off until I get my head on straight, but my Tiger is being surly as heck. Could I be right? Will a mate settle my inner beast?
So, I guess I am writing to ask you for your help. Is there anything you can do for me?
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Pierce McDowd of The Maverick Pride
Little sparks of blue magic danced up and down Uzzi’s fingers while he re-read the email. Pierce McDowd was a handsome young Tiger Shifter with black hair and aquamarine-colored eyes full of promise and virility.
He was an honest male, hardworking, too. The Neta spoke highly of the young male the last time Uzzi was in town. If memory served, he had just been promoted at Maverick Development and was now taking an active role in managing contracts.
“That’s right. He was in law school the last time I was there. Hmmm, looks like he passed the bar,” Uzzi murmured.
So Pierce was a lawyer, working for his Pride’s firm. A good catch, for sure. But for whom?
That was always the kicker. He took another fortifying sip and closed his eyes allowing his thoughts to process. Suddenly, Uzzi’s mind wandered back to a certain dark-haired Lioness just as thunder clapped. He opened his eyes at the same moment the rain started to fall.
“Wunderbar!” Uzzi grinned.
He had a feeling about this one. A good feeling. It just came down to timing.