The Maverick Pride Tales - Chapter 163: Chapter 163

Prologue 2
“What the fuck? Pierce! Get your striped ass in here!” Hunter Maverick, Neta of the Maverick Pride, shouted from his office.
Pierce winced. Fuck. Hunter must have gotten the same notice he did about the supplies they needed to finish a job they’d been contracted to complete on some government buildings in downtown Jersey City.
Instead of having the items delivered from their usual supplier, he’d gone with a less known, and apparently less reliable overseas supplier who had royally fucked up. The shipment was lost at sea, tying up tens of thousands of dollars the company could ill afford to waste.
He was hoping to use his own funds to replace the order, in fact, he had already started that process, but it seemed his mistake would not go unnoticed after all. Well, there was no use in delaying the inevitable.
“Here, son,” Brayden, the Pride Beta, and a Bear Shifter, handed him an ice pack.
“What’s this for?” he asked, walking past a group of the guys who were all getting coffee before heading out.
It wasn’t even dawn yet, but they started early at Maverick Development. Hunter liked to see his foremen before they headed out each day. Brayden was their top guy. Pierce should know, he used to work under him.
But after he passed the bar and was now, technically, a lawyer, Hunter had put him to work indoors. He wasn’t supposed to handle orders, mostly contracts, and permits and stuff like that.
Reg, the Tiger who usually handled orders, was out with his mate on maternity leave, and Pierce had filled in. Well, he’d tried to fill in, but it was more like he’d fucked up.
Grrr.
“That’s to put on your ass, son, after Hunter gets done chewing you up and spitting you back out,” the male replied and grinned.
The rest of the guys laughed, a couple of them giving him slaps on the back as he walked by. Shit. Pierce was in hell. Pure fucking hell.
He shook his head and walked to the Neta’s office, knocking first, and waiting for permission before heading in. He was not about to give the male any other reason to give him shit. Lord knew he deserved everything he was going to get.
He rubbed the area in the middle of his chest to ease the dull ache that always seemed to plague him. More and more, Pierce felt as though something was missing from his life. His animal was restless, the seven hundred and fifty pound Bengal Tiger he shared his soul with was a massive beast whose primal urges lately seemed to include daydreaming and fucking up at work.
Fuuucccccck.
“Look, Hunter, let me start by apologizing for my lack of focus,” he began, but the Neta gave him one look through his glowing teal eyes and Pierce shut his mouth.
The male was clearly in no mood. He lowered his gaze, baring his throat to show his respect for the male, and his loyalty to his position as Neta of their Pride. Tiger Shifters were not like Wolves or Lions, their numbers were miniscule in comparison.
Fealty was everything, and after the recent betrayal of one of their own, it was only natural for Hunter’s Tiger to flex his Neta power now and again. Understandable even more, considering the good news. Hunter was going to be a father—again. Elissa, their Nari, was expecting another set of cubs. After the birth of their magnificent twins Melly and Celia, the entire Pride was near to bursting with happiness.
Pierce, too. Only with that happiness came a side dish of greenery he was not expecting. Envy was a bitch, and his Tiger chuffed unhappily at the thought he might never experience the same joy that Hunter had.
Not that he wasn’t happy for the Neta. The male deserved his happiness. He had certainly earned it. There was no better man for the job of leading their Pride, as he had proven repeatedly. Defeating Blake, that rogue bastard who had tried to hurt them. Securing his line by finding his true love and gifting his mate a Tiger of her own when she underwent the Puspa—a mystical and magical occurrence that only happens when mates are blessed by the Fates themselves.
The Maverick Pride had a lot to be grateful for, and anger surged within him for threatening that which they had worked so hard to gain.
“Sit down, Pierce,” Hunter said, his Tiger apparent in the growl of his voice.
He rubbed a hand over his bald head and cocked his head to the side. Pierce’s Tiger felt better in his presence, though the need to submit had him bowing his head lower than normal.
Shit. Hunter must be really pissed, he thought.
“What happened? You are one of the smartest males in the Pride, Pierce. It is not usual for you to make mistakes like this,” Hunter began diplomatically.
“Apologies, Neta. I have fixed the mistake, on my own dime, as I should.”
“That is not necessary—” Hunter began, but Pierce shook his head.
“It is. It was my error, Neta. Please allow me to correct it,” he said, and waited.
“You know, I was surprised after you passed the bar that you wanted to stay working for the Pride. I thought maybe you wanted to open a small firm or go to the city. You know, some males as they get older find they can’t settle within a Pride⁠—”
“No! I don’t want to go rogue. Never that, Neta,” Pierce interrupted, eyes wide with shock. “I have only ever wanted to be a better Tiger for this Pride. I know I have not been myself, but I think I know why.”
“Really? So, what is going on?”
Pierce’s Tiger scratched and snarled. Ironic that a man who was the epitome of eloquence in law school was shit at talking to the one male he trusted more than anyone else on the planet. He enjoyed his time at Seton Hall. Didn’t even mind the long drive back and forth every day.
But Pierce didn’t take the bar to become Matlock or anything. He didn’t want to go rogue. Fuck that. His whole life was the Pride.
It was just. Well. Shit.
How the fuck was he supposed to say this? He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck, daring to meet Hunter’s stare for a single moment before averting his gaze. The man’s power was awesome in every sense of the word, and Pierce was in no way challenging him. He just needed him to know he was baring his fucking soul here.
“It’s everyone finding their mates,” he confessed. “I mean, my Tiger is restless. He wants a family, but none of our females are right for me. I, uh, I don’t know what to do.”
“Pierce, my man,” Hunter shouted with a laugh. “That is wonderful news! Fuck, bro, here I thought you were planning on a challenge or some shit. I am fucking relieved, brother,” the older man growled and rapped on the desk with his hands.
“What? No way, Hunter. You and Elissa, you are the only two who could possibly lead this Pride. I want a place here, and I assure you I am quite happy with my rank. Well, when I’m not distracted,” he grumbled.
His cheeks burned with embarrassment as Hunter started asking him a whole slew of questions. It was pure fact that sex was natural, and some Shifters required a lot of it to steady the beast.
“When was the last time you you know?”
“Huh?”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Sex, Pierce. I am asking when the last time was you had sex,” Hunter growled, rubbing a hand over his ruddy face.
“Oh. Um. I don’t know, a few months,” he muttered, but Hunter just glared at him.
Fuck. Of course, the male could spot a lie. Duh.
“Fine. A Year.”
“A year? You haven’t had sex in a year?” the man gasped.
“Yeah. I haven’t had sex in a year. So, what? I was busy with school. It’s not a big deal. Besides, I don’t think my problem is sex, well, not just sex,” he mumbled, a little embarrassed. “I am sorry I have been messing up. I swear, I will get my shit together.”
A wide smile split Hunter’s face, and the man nodded. Pierce felt relief wash through him. At least he wasn’t getting kicked out. That was good. Of course, his situation hadn’t changed. But yeah, he was still in the Pride.
“Don’t worry about that, bro. We are gonna see you through this. So, your Tiger wants to settle down. How do you know?” he asked.
“Um, yeah. I mean, he’s growly anxious, forlorn whenever we see mated couples. Fucker is keeping me up nights. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. I can’t focus for shit,” he muttered.
“Okay. Yep. You need a mate, bro. So, have you called Uncle Uzzi?”
“Huh?”
Pierce’s jaw dropped open. How the fuck had he completely forgotten about the pride’s matchmaking guru? The man was practically on speed dial.
“Would that be okay? I mean, can I just email him or something?”
“Yes. Yes! Come on, you can do it right now,” Hunter said, jumping up and allowing Pierce to sit in his chair.
The Tiger in him chuffed at the honor, but the human side of him was shitting bricks. Pierce sat down heavily, very much aware of the Neta watching him enthusiastically.
“Go on,” he instructed.
Clicking the email app open, Pierce typed in Uzzi’s name in the address line and the older Witch’s contact info filled in.
Dear Uncle Uzzi,
He started the missive using the man’s preferred moniker. He enjoyed being called uncle, and it was true he made everyone feel like family. Okay, this was good, Pierce decided and moved on.
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.
Pierce paused, looking at Hunter for affirmation. The male nodded, and he continued. Going for broke, he decided on nothing but the truth. After all, engaging a matchmaker was no minor feat. He needed to start this with an open heart and mind.
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
“Click send, Pierce,” Hunter said when his finger hovered over the enter key.
He hesitated, wondering if this was the right call for the briefest of moments. Then, he went for broke, tapping the button with determined force.
“Sent.”
Now, it was just a waiting game to see when the old Witch got back to him. If he got back to him.
Oh fuck, please get back to me.