The Maverick Pride Tales - Chapter 180: Chapter 180

The sound of impact nearly shattered her eardrums, but it was odd. Toni felt nothing. She opened her eyes and gasped as two snarling Cats savaged each other. Oh, it was brutal. The Tiger male was fueled by fury and vengeance, his hits just kept on coming and the crazed Lion did not stand a chance.
“Pierce,” she gasped as he delivered the killing blow.
Tears of relief and joy spilled down her cheeks as she waited for him to turn to face her. His beast’s growl reverberated through the woods as blood dripped from his fur. He bumped her with his head, sniffing and checking her for injury. The animal lapped at the gash on her leg, using his healing properties to help speed the repairs her Lioness was only now able to begin.
The Tiger paid the same attention to the scratches on her face. His sandpapery tongue felt good against her skin, and she moaned, running her hands over his fur, whispering words of thanks, love, and who knew what as she sagged against him.
The sound of others joining them reached her ears, but she didn’t turn around. Pierce’s fur receded and soon she was swept up in his steel arms. His breath mixed with hers as he kissed her, tears running unashamedly down his face.
“Fuck. I’m sorry. I am so sorry. I should have never let them take you⁠—”
“Shh. It’s okay. You came for me,” she responded, kissing him back.
“I will always come for you,” he swore. “Love you so much. Fuck, Toni, I would die without you. Can’t live in this world if you aren’t in it, pretty girl,” he whispered, kissing her again.
The others stayed back, giving them space. She heard them moving, likely checking on that dead bastard. But she could not give a rat’s ass about Stefan. She only wanted Pierce. Her mate.
Mine, the Lioness purred and Toni grinned, trusting her animal’s choice now completely.
She clung tightly to Pierce, giving him everything she had with her kiss. She knew he’d been telling her the truth about his feelings. She could hear it in his words, just as she felt it in her heart.
“I love you,” he said, and she nodded, repeating the words. “Gods, I was so scared when I heard his kill roar. I did not think I would get to you in time, Toni.”
“I know. I am sorry⁠—”
“No! You have nothing to be sorry for, you brave, beautiful badass. Damn woman, I never been so proud of anyone. You stood up to him.”
“I did,” she whispered, shivering at that fact.
“Yes, you did. You were still in your human skin, facing off with that insane fuck. Brave, brave mate,” he said, and his eyes went wide.
“Why do you have that look on your face?” she asked, confused.
“Well, I called you mate, Toni, and I know how you feel about that. Shit. I’m sorry, it was insensitive, but don’t be pissed, okay?”
“I couldn’t be pissed at you if I tried,” she replied, laughter and tears making her voice thick.
“Thank the gods,” he murmured, kissing her forehead, then meeting her eyes again.
“What is it, Pierce? Tell me.”
“Toni, I want to claim you. I know, I said I would wait for you, and I will, I swear I’ll never break my promise or forget my vow to you. But I need you to know you are it for me. My Tiger picks you. I pick you. I’ll wait, but you need to know how I feel. You are the love of my life. My mate,” he growled, his voice thick with his Tiger, aqua eyes blazing with his beast.
She had never seen him more fierce or beautiful, covered in the remnants of his battle to rescue and avenge her. Yeah, she had tried to save herself. She would have failed, but he still acknowledged it as a triumph. He even praised the gods for getting him there in time.
Humble, humble man, taking no credit for his role in saving her life. He just held her, kissing her, praising her, loving her. And giving it all with no expectations of a return on his investments.
After a few more minutes of their sweet and poignant reunion, Pierce accepted a blanket from someone and wrapped it around Toni. Shifters were used to nudity, but after she explained everything that went down, she felt better having something to cover her. Pierce looked so angry when she told him about Stefan’s plans, she would not have put it past the male to try to kill him all over again.
“It’s okay. I’m okay,” she told him, nodding at him to take the first pair of sweats one of their crew had brought.
“You should take them—” he tried, but she shook her head. She had already taken the sweatshirt and with the blanket tied around her waist, she was more than okay.
“I am so sorry, Toni,” Pierce whispered, tucking her into his side after he slid the pants on.
Oh, she went willingly. The big, protective male could not seem to stop touching her, and she was fine with it. Truth was, Toni couldn’t get enough of his touch either.
Leo had called the DPCA, the acronym stood for Department of Paranormal Creatures and Activity. It was a secret human and Shifter government agency that dealt with supernatural crimes and events like this one.
They cleaned the mess, got rid of Stefan’s body, the tent, everything the maniac had brought with him. She’d had to go over it again, and that was fine. She was fine as long as she had Pierce to stand beside her.
“We found Officer Duluth’s body, dead in the stolen Sheriff’s Department car. It seems the suspect, Stefan Perry, killed her after she delivered you to him,” Agent Margo Wells told her, and there was something familiar about the woman.
“I’m sorry. Do I know you?” Toni asked.
“Actually, yes, Miss Golden. I met you at my brother’s clinic. You know him as Dr. Logan Wells,” she replied with a grin. “I am mated to Egros Pyke, he developed the heat suppressant with Logan.”
“Oh, I see. Well, tell them both thank you for me. Having control over my heat cycle means everything to me. Their work has been a real game changer for female Shifters,” Toni said.
“I will tell them, Miss Golden, thanks.”
“What about the man pretending to be the lieutenant?” Pierce asked.
“Yes, I am sorry, but he is still at large. We will keep you updated,” Agent Wells said before leaving.
Pierce thanked the agent, speaking to some of his Pride before taking a cell phone. He said the name Mikey, but she had yet to meet all his Pride. She waited for him to finish the call, then waited as a look of relief crossed his face before he spoke.
“I did not mention this yet, but you should know, I found you because of Yogi,” he began.
“Yogi found you! Oh gods, is he okay? I didn’t even think about him yet. I’m completely ashamed of myself,” she said, new tears forming in her eyes.
“Hey now, easy. You went through a lot, and you are still in shock. Give yourself a break,” he said, wrapping her in his arms.
“But is he okay? Yogi was hurt, bleeding everywhere. He bit Stefan’s hand right off, but Stefan clawed him⁠—”
“Shhh. Yes, the big bear made it all the way to the Pride house, and he found me. I didn’t realize he was hurt at first, but we got Mikey, the Pride healer, on it right away. He just called, and Yogi is going to make it. He’ll have some new scars, but chicks dig scars, right?” he said, lightening the mood as she wiped her tears away and chuckled.
“Yo Pierce, got a second?” Hunter called, and she told him to go.
She needed a minute anyway.
“There you are, child.”
“Uncle Uzzi!” she gasped, covering her heart with her hand.
“Sorry to startle you, dear,” he replied.
His blue eyes were sparkling, and his white beard and hair looked bright in the still dark skies. Toni exhaled a breath, willing herself to calm down. He looked at her patiently and kindly, and she warmed inside. He really was a wonder, this magical matchmaking Witch.
“No, no, I am fine,” she said.
“Good. Now, I know your siblings and mother and stepfather all saw you already, but they wanted to give you some space. Especially Adrianna. She feels particularly guilty, but I told your family I would see you and report back to them. So, are you okay?” Uncle Uzzi asked, concern marring his face.
“Well, Uncle Uzzi, really, I shouldn’t be okay. I mean, I was setup at work, kidnapped, and almost forced to become some baby making factory for a madman who wanted to sell our cubs to a bunch of Shifter-hunting bastards. That’s a lot for anyone,” she said with a sigh.
“It certainly is. I am so sorry about the timing of all this. Here, I thought I had found the perfect mate for you and for Pierce. But if you need time, Antonetta, let me know and I will help break the news to him. He has already said he would wait⁠—”
“Oh no! I mean, Uncle Uzzi, what happened tonight was crazy and scary and I hate that it happened. But I’m fine. Everyone I care about is okay. If there is one thing I am sure of, it’s Pierce McDowd. He absolutely is my fated mate, and meeting him when I did was just as it was meant to be. I love him, Uncle Uzzi. Thank you so much for bringing us together,” she said, and kissed the older man on the cheek.
“Ah! Hear that, liebling?” he asked aloud to the ghost of his dearly departed wife. “I guess timing really is everything.”
Uncle Uzzi said his goodbyes and left for his next assignment, she imagined. Toni and Pierce were allowed to leave, with assurances he would not be charged with any crimes. Maggie Pierce had even called, concerned for Toni’s well-being.
“Toni, I understand you might need a few days, but know we want you back at EWLP as soon as you can. Your job with us is always secure. I have personally comprised a team of auditors going through all our employee records to ensure a slip up like Bixby or Perry or whatever his name is, never happens again!”
“Thank you, Ms. Pierce, but my campaign will still need to be investigated if the things Bixby said were true⁠—”
“Oh, they weren’t. he got someone to pose as the real photographer, claiming those images were not his to use, but that was all fake. Just another charge pending against that bastard! The campaign is back up and running, and it is a smashing success. So, when can we expect you back?”
“Thank you so much for sharing that information with me,” Toni replied, swallowing her relief. “But you know what? I think I will be using some of those vacation days I had saved and take some time off to be with my mate,” she told the older woman, now CEO of Eat Well Live Proud.
Toni said her goodbyes after Ms. Pierce reassured her that she would let HR know. She stood leaning against a black walnut tree, just staring at her mate, who was talking to his Neta. As if he sensed her eyes on him, the big sexy Tiger turned his head.
His gaze found hers with that crooked smile she loved spread across his face. He ambled over, cupping her cheeks and nuzzling her nose in that show of affection all Big Cats loved.
“You ready to go, love?”
“Yes. Take me home, Pierce. I’m ready. I want you to claim me tonight.”
Toni really was ready. It was time to claim her life and her future.