The Maverick Pride Tales - Chapter 183: Chapter 183
You are reading The Maverick Pride Tales, Chapter 183: Chapter 183. Read more chapters of The Maverick Pride Tales.
Prologue 2
“What the shit is going on here? No, seriously, what are you all doing?”
Elissa Maverick, Nari of the Maverick Pride, gasped as she came across the group of Tigers, placing bets on what appeared to be a young female arm wrestling two of the males at once. She had little Melly on her hip and was running after Celia, who’d scurried off with her Daddy’s remote control.
“Oh, um, Megan’s arm wrestling two of the boys at once,” Pamela, one of her besties, whispered and plucked Celia from the floor, careful of her own growing baby bump.
The toddler giggled and grinned as she hid the remote under her cute little pink tiger striped sweater. Pam gave her kisses and pets, distracting the toddler while Elissa got the remote back.
“Elissa! Where is the remote contr—oh, there it is,” Hunter, Neta of the Maverick pride, and Elissa’s mate said as he joined her and their twin cubs.
“Let’s hear it for my little sis, Megan! She is the undefeated winner! Pay up, losers,” Matthew, one of the young Tigers to join the Alpha’s Honor Guard, announced.
He lifted Megan’s hand in the air, and the she-Tiger nodded, still trying to catch her breath. The two males she had just beaten stood up and cast angry glares at her as they walked away, nursing their bruised hands.
But that was their problem. Far as she could tell, Megan hadn’t cheated. She didn’t look too thrilled in her all black ensemble, but still, Elissa thought it was pretty awesome. New to the Shifter world herself, it never failed to surprise her how strong they were, females and males alike.
But the same basic truths stood for the Shifter world as the normal one. Males were typically larger and stronger than the females. But for all her curves, Megan was undoubtedly strong if she could take on two adult male Tigers in an arm wrestling contest, both at the same time, and win.
“Are you betting inside the Pride House?” Hunter asked Matthew, and the younger male squirmed.
“Um, er, that is, well.”
“Just a friendly bet, Neta,” Megan, the winner, offered.
“Friendly or not, you don’t seem pleased,” Elissa said, glancing at her husband.
As always, her sexy as hell mate seemed to know exactly what she was thinking. Elissa strived to be the best she could be in all things, and that included her duties as Nari. She wanted everyone in the pride, but most especially the females, some of whom had suffered under the hands of their former Beta, to feel safe and comfortable.
Megan looked decidedly uncomfortable. Elissa recognized the way she folded her arms over her stomach, keeping her gaze downward, and trying to look invisible. That was something she used to do herself. But that was long before Elissa became Nari, and slightly before she had decided to own the fact she was fluffy and fabulous.
“Matthew, Megan. I would like to see you in my office,” Hunter said, and led the way.
Elissa handed Melly off to Braydon, Jessica’s mate, kissed baby Celia, and walked behind her husband. Hunter opened the door, and she went in, followed by Megan and Matthew. Something about the younger male had her own she-Tiger anxious, but Elissa trusted Hunter’s instincts. She would wait to tell him her feelings before forming her opinion of Matthew Sudak.
“Neta, my sister and I were just having a bit of fun, but we apologize if we offended either you or the Nari,” Matthew began, a look of pure sincerity on his face.
Elissa frowned. He seemed like he was telling the truth, but there was something she simply did not trust. She flicked her gaze to Megan. The woman was a total badass, wearing ripped up, baggy jeans, biker boots, and an oversized sweatshirt. Her blond hair was pulled back in a braid, and she didn’t have one speck of makeup on.
“Apology or not, that doesn’t make what you did right, Matthew. You made your sister the center of attention, and I have a feeling she doesn’t like that one bit,” Hunter began.
“Megan doesn’t mind the spectacle. She is used to it.”
Elissa walked over to Megan, smiling at her as the men continued to talk. She held out her hand and shook the younger woman’s, nodding to where a couple of lounge chairs sat on the other side of the large office.
“Let’s have a seat while Hunter and Matthew talk,” she invited the younger female.
“Thank you, Nari,” Megan whispered, all the while averting her gaze.
“You don’t have to do that. We both know you’re stronger than I am,” Elissa began.
“Oh, that doesn’t matter. I mean, I’m like a freak, but you’re the Nari,” she sputtered, clearly uncomfortable.
“I didn’t say that to make you uncomfortable. But you are right, I am the Nari, and you look upset, Megan. I would like to help you,” Elissa began. She noticed the way Megan’s gaze flickered over to where Matthew was watching her, eyes narrowed.
“Hunter?”
“Yes, mate?”
“Would you please give the room to me and Megan for a while?”
“Certainly. Matthew, come with me. I have just the job for you.”
“Yes, Neta,” the man grumbled, casting one last glare at his sister.
“Okay, they’re gone,” Elissa said. “Now, tell me what is going on with you and your brother.”
“Oh, well, you see, I, uh, I told my brother I am leaving home. He got super pissed or he would never have done the arm wrestling thing here at the Pride House.”
“So, he does this all the time?”
“Well, I mean. Kinda,” she muttered.
“Do you like arm wrestling?” Elissa asked.
“Not really. It makes me feel like a freak. I mean, I know Shifters are strong. But you see, I want to find a mate. That’s kind of hard to do when everyone you know thinks you are a freak.”
“Sounds like your brother has been using you. But why not come to us, Megan?”
“I’m sure he doesn’t mean it—”
“Far as I see, Matthew has been using you to line his pockets with cash, and you don’t seem like you like it at all.”
“He’s not a bad brother. I remember when he was a baby. Oh, he was special. But lately, well, things have been a bit strained,” Megan replied half-heartedly.
“I’m not saying he is bad, Megan. But I think the more important thing here is to ask what you want out of life. Do you want to stay here? Under his thumb?”
“Actually, I filled out an application for an apartment in Blue Valley, and I just found out I got it.”
“What about work?” Elissa asked.
“Oh, my work travels with me. Got some prospective clients lined up, but I am also going to interview for jobs in between those. I am no slouch, Nari. I can work hard. I have a strong back and good ethics. Thing is, I sort of didn’t tell my brother about it. He found the apartment letter, though, and he’s angry.”
“Why should he be angry? You are an adult.”
“I know, but you see, Nari, it’s like this. I’ve always been expected to take care of him. I tried, but it’s not how I want to spend all my life,” she explained, trying like hell not to feel guilty.
“Matthew has his own demons to work out. He likes to party. Enjoys playing with women. And he likes to gamble. Sometimes he loses. Sometimes the only way he can make enough to pay the money he owes is to have these little contests where folks bet against me.”
“But he knows you’ll win,” Elissa said, horrified. “That little shit plays the odds and uses you to pay his debts!”
“I don’t always win,” Megan murmured, rubbing her wrist.
“That’s even worse, Megan. And no. You can't allow this to go on,” Elissa growled.
The Nari’s she-Tiger was angry at the little pissant who’d been using his sister so abhorrently. Megan Sudak deserved an opportunity to chase after her own happiness. And if it was a mate she wanted, then Elissa knew just the man for the job!
“Look, I know he’s your brother, and you don’t want to speak against him. That’s totally fine. I don’t want you to feel like I am using my position as Nari to make you tell me things you don’t want to. So, let’s forget that I think Matthew is a turd,” Elissa said, grinning when Megan snorted a laugh at that word.
The female covered her mouth and nose with her hand, her eyes bugging out, but Elissa just giggled with her and shook her head. She thought it was funny, too. Besides, Elissa had a soft spot for sweet, curvy she-Tigers just trying to find their place in the world.
“Seriously, listen, I know someone who can help you settle down, find a mate. Are you interested?”
“Do you mean Uncle Uzzi?” Megan asked, eyes sparkling with hope.
“Yes. Have you heard of him?”
“I have to confess, Nari. I partially agreed to meet Matthew here on the off chance I got to see you so I could ask about the matchmaking Witch. Also, I kind of told my brother you and the Neta wouldn’t be here today.”
“Ha! You tricked him? Really? That’s awesome! I think it’s kismet you came here today. Well, I mean, other than Matthew choosing the Pride House as his own den of ill repute—”
“I think that’s what they called brothels—”
“Really?” Elissa asked. “That wasn’t a name for gambling halls? Oh well, anyway, lemme grab my cell and shoot off an email to Uncle Uzzi for you.”
“You would do that?”
“Of course, I would. He’s the reason I met Hunter. Besides, everyone should have the opportunity to find their fated mates.”
“Thank you, Nari—”
“Call me Elissa.”
“Okay,” she said, looking down. “Um, thanks, Elissa. I really appreciate it, and look, I know a man doesn’t just fix everything. And I’m not the damsel in distress type. I just feel, well, my Tiger, she feels like it might be time.”
“Hey, I get it. Sometimes biology kicks our butts and makes us go for things when we’d rather sit on the sidelines, right?”
“Um, I guess? I just don’t want to be my brother’s maid. It’s just us living in our parents’ house now that they moved to Florida, but he acts like I’m supposed to just take care of him now.”
“Ugh, that is the worst. I mean, I have two girls, but when I have more cubs, if they are boys, you can damn well be sure they’ll clean up after their own sorry butts!”
“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but living with my brother and being his nursemaid is not exactly what I want to do with my life.”
“Ohmygawd, girl! On what planet does that make you ungrateful?” Elizza asked.
“Our parents are pretty old-fashioned,” Megan explained with a shrug.
“Well, we live in the real world, and your brother is old enough to figure out his own messes. Don’t worry. I will have a talk with Hunter—”
“Oh, please don’t do that. I’m just going to move out, start my job, and try to find my way.”
“But you still want to meet a guy, right?”
Megan’s cheeks burned a bright pink, and Elissa released a knowing chuckle. She understood completely. Good thing Uncle Uzzi was on her speed dial. Her phone buzzed and. Elissa grinned as she read Uzzi’s reply before showing it to the pretty, curvy she-Tiger.
Tell Miss Megan I am on the job, and I will do everything to find her the purrfect mate.
All my best,
Uncle Uzzi
“What the shit is going on here? No, seriously, what are you all doing?”
Elissa Maverick, Nari of the Maverick Pride, gasped as she came across the group of Tigers, placing bets on what appeared to be a young female arm wrestling two of the males at once. She had little Melly on her hip and was running after Celia, who’d scurried off with her Daddy’s remote control.
“Oh, um, Megan’s arm wrestling two of the boys at once,” Pamela, one of her besties, whispered and plucked Celia from the floor, careful of her own growing baby bump.
The toddler giggled and grinned as she hid the remote under her cute little pink tiger striped sweater. Pam gave her kisses and pets, distracting the toddler while Elissa got the remote back.
“Elissa! Where is the remote contr—oh, there it is,” Hunter, Neta of the Maverick pride, and Elissa’s mate said as he joined her and their twin cubs.
“Let’s hear it for my little sis, Megan! She is the undefeated winner! Pay up, losers,” Matthew, one of the young Tigers to join the Alpha’s Honor Guard, announced.
He lifted Megan’s hand in the air, and the she-Tiger nodded, still trying to catch her breath. The two males she had just beaten stood up and cast angry glares at her as they walked away, nursing their bruised hands.
But that was their problem. Far as she could tell, Megan hadn’t cheated. She didn’t look too thrilled in her all black ensemble, but still, Elissa thought it was pretty awesome. New to the Shifter world herself, it never failed to surprise her how strong they were, females and males alike.
But the same basic truths stood for the Shifter world as the normal one. Males were typically larger and stronger than the females. But for all her curves, Megan was undoubtedly strong if she could take on two adult male Tigers in an arm wrestling contest, both at the same time, and win.
“Are you betting inside the Pride House?” Hunter asked Matthew, and the younger male squirmed.
“Um, er, that is, well.”
“Just a friendly bet, Neta,” Megan, the winner, offered.
“Friendly or not, you don’t seem pleased,” Elissa said, glancing at her husband.
As always, her sexy as hell mate seemed to know exactly what she was thinking. Elissa strived to be the best she could be in all things, and that included her duties as Nari. She wanted everyone in the pride, but most especially the females, some of whom had suffered under the hands of their former Beta, to feel safe and comfortable.
Megan looked decidedly uncomfortable. Elissa recognized the way she folded her arms over her stomach, keeping her gaze downward, and trying to look invisible. That was something she used to do herself. But that was long before Elissa became Nari, and slightly before she had decided to own the fact she was fluffy and fabulous.
“Matthew, Megan. I would like to see you in my office,” Hunter said, and led the way.
Elissa handed Melly off to Braydon, Jessica’s mate, kissed baby Celia, and walked behind her husband. Hunter opened the door, and she went in, followed by Megan and Matthew. Something about the younger male had her own she-Tiger anxious, but Elissa trusted Hunter’s instincts. She would wait to tell him her feelings before forming her opinion of Matthew Sudak.
“Neta, my sister and I were just having a bit of fun, but we apologize if we offended either you or the Nari,” Matthew began, a look of pure sincerity on his face.
Elissa frowned. He seemed like he was telling the truth, but there was something she simply did not trust. She flicked her gaze to Megan. The woman was a total badass, wearing ripped up, baggy jeans, biker boots, and an oversized sweatshirt. Her blond hair was pulled back in a braid, and she didn’t have one speck of makeup on.
“Apology or not, that doesn’t make what you did right, Matthew. You made your sister the center of attention, and I have a feeling she doesn’t like that one bit,” Hunter began.
“Megan doesn’t mind the spectacle. She is used to it.”
Elissa walked over to Megan, smiling at her as the men continued to talk. She held out her hand and shook the younger woman’s, nodding to where a couple of lounge chairs sat on the other side of the large office.
“Let’s have a seat while Hunter and Matthew talk,” she invited the younger female.
“Thank you, Nari,” Megan whispered, all the while averting her gaze.
“You don’t have to do that. We both know you’re stronger than I am,” Elissa began.
“Oh, that doesn’t matter. I mean, I’m like a freak, but you’re the Nari,” she sputtered, clearly uncomfortable.
“I didn’t say that to make you uncomfortable. But you are right, I am the Nari, and you look upset, Megan. I would like to help you,” Elissa began. She noticed the way Megan’s gaze flickered over to where Matthew was watching her, eyes narrowed.
“Hunter?”
“Yes, mate?”
“Would you please give the room to me and Megan for a while?”
“Certainly. Matthew, come with me. I have just the job for you.”
“Yes, Neta,” the man grumbled, casting one last glare at his sister.
“Okay, they’re gone,” Elissa said. “Now, tell me what is going on with you and your brother.”
“Oh, well, you see, I, uh, I told my brother I am leaving home. He got super pissed or he would never have done the arm wrestling thing here at the Pride House.”
“So, he does this all the time?”
“Well, I mean. Kinda,” she muttered.
“Do you like arm wrestling?” Elissa asked.
“Not really. It makes me feel like a freak. I mean, I know Shifters are strong. But you see, I want to find a mate. That’s kind of hard to do when everyone you know thinks you are a freak.”
“Sounds like your brother has been using you. But why not come to us, Megan?”
“I’m sure he doesn’t mean it—”
“Far as I see, Matthew has been using you to line his pockets with cash, and you don’t seem like you like it at all.”
“He’s not a bad brother. I remember when he was a baby. Oh, he was special. But lately, well, things have been a bit strained,” Megan replied half-heartedly.
“I’m not saying he is bad, Megan. But I think the more important thing here is to ask what you want out of life. Do you want to stay here? Under his thumb?”
“Actually, I filled out an application for an apartment in Blue Valley, and I just found out I got it.”
“What about work?” Elissa asked.
“Oh, my work travels with me. Got some prospective clients lined up, but I am also going to interview for jobs in between those. I am no slouch, Nari. I can work hard. I have a strong back and good ethics. Thing is, I sort of didn’t tell my brother about it. He found the apartment letter, though, and he’s angry.”
“Why should he be angry? You are an adult.”
“I know, but you see, Nari, it’s like this. I’ve always been expected to take care of him. I tried, but it’s not how I want to spend all my life,” she explained, trying like hell not to feel guilty.
“Matthew has his own demons to work out. He likes to party. Enjoys playing with women. And he likes to gamble. Sometimes he loses. Sometimes the only way he can make enough to pay the money he owes is to have these little contests where folks bet against me.”
“But he knows you’ll win,” Elissa said, horrified. “That little shit plays the odds and uses you to pay his debts!”
“I don’t always win,” Megan murmured, rubbing her wrist.
“That’s even worse, Megan. And no. You can't allow this to go on,” Elissa growled.
The Nari’s she-Tiger was angry at the little pissant who’d been using his sister so abhorrently. Megan Sudak deserved an opportunity to chase after her own happiness. And if it was a mate she wanted, then Elissa knew just the man for the job!
“Look, I know he’s your brother, and you don’t want to speak against him. That’s totally fine. I don’t want you to feel like I am using my position as Nari to make you tell me things you don’t want to. So, let’s forget that I think Matthew is a turd,” Elissa said, grinning when Megan snorted a laugh at that word.
The female covered her mouth and nose with her hand, her eyes bugging out, but Elissa just giggled with her and shook her head. She thought it was funny, too. Besides, Elissa had a soft spot for sweet, curvy she-Tigers just trying to find their place in the world.
“Seriously, listen, I know someone who can help you settle down, find a mate. Are you interested?”
“Do you mean Uncle Uzzi?” Megan asked, eyes sparkling with hope.
“Yes. Have you heard of him?”
“I have to confess, Nari. I partially agreed to meet Matthew here on the off chance I got to see you so I could ask about the matchmaking Witch. Also, I kind of told my brother you and the Neta wouldn’t be here today.”
“Ha! You tricked him? Really? That’s awesome! I think it’s kismet you came here today. Well, I mean, other than Matthew choosing the Pride House as his own den of ill repute—”
“I think that’s what they called brothels—”
“Really?” Elissa asked. “That wasn’t a name for gambling halls? Oh well, anyway, lemme grab my cell and shoot off an email to Uncle Uzzi for you.”
“You would do that?”
“Of course, I would. He’s the reason I met Hunter. Besides, everyone should have the opportunity to find their fated mates.”
“Thank you, Nari—”
“Call me Elissa.”
“Okay,” she said, looking down. “Um, thanks, Elissa. I really appreciate it, and look, I know a man doesn’t just fix everything. And I’m not the damsel in distress type. I just feel, well, my Tiger, she feels like it might be time.”
“Hey, I get it. Sometimes biology kicks our butts and makes us go for things when we’d rather sit on the sidelines, right?”
“Um, I guess? I just don’t want to be my brother’s maid. It’s just us living in our parents’ house now that they moved to Florida, but he acts like I’m supposed to just take care of him now.”
“Ugh, that is the worst. I mean, I have two girls, but when I have more cubs, if they are boys, you can damn well be sure they’ll clean up after their own sorry butts!”
“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but living with my brother and being his nursemaid is not exactly what I want to do with my life.”
“Ohmygawd, girl! On what planet does that make you ungrateful?” Elizza asked.
“Our parents are pretty old-fashioned,” Megan explained with a shrug.
“Well, we live in the real world, and your brother is old enough to figure out his own messes. Don’t worry. I will have a talk with Hunter—”
“Oh, please don’t do that. I’m just going to move out, start my job, and try to find my way.”
“But you still want to meet a guy, right?”
Megan’s cheeks burned a bright pink, and Elissa released a knowing chuckle. She understood completely. Good thing Uncle Uzzi was on her speed dial. Her phone buzzed and. Elissa grinned as she read Uzzi’s reply before showing it to the pretty, curvy she-Tiger.
Tell Miss Megan I am on the job, and I will do everything to find her the purrfect mate.
All my best,
Uncle Uzzi
End of The Maverick Pride Tales Chapter 183. Continue reading Chapter 184 or return to The Maverick Pride Tales book page.