The Maverick Pride Tales - Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Elissa stirred the large pot of chicken soup and smiled to herself. It was still raining out, and she figured soup would do everyone some good.
The weather at Maverick Point was a lot harsher than her hometown. Must have something to do with the altitude. The mountain loomed beyond the picture window, and she smiled. Autumn was notoriously unpredictable in the Garden State, but the leaves were gorgeous this time of year.
Late November could see days in the low seventies and nights in the teens. It was totally crazy. Of course, now that she was a Shifter, she ran a little hotter. But still, all the rain and wind made for chilly weather fur or not.
Elissa sighed, taking in the small changes she’d already made to the Pride House. She’d officially moved all her things in from her Hoboken apartment.
Her chubby Italian chef statue with the “specials” chalkboard sat on a place of esteem on the marble counter. Hunter said she could do anything she wanted in the kitchen, it was hers now, so she’d decided on transforming it a bit.
Yellow and white checked curtains matched the potholders and dish towels she’d had tucked away from her grandmother. They made the clinically clean kitchen appear homey in her eyes, and the others seemed pleased too. Of course, she always had fresh baked goods and something savory cooking on the stove or in one of the ovens. For the record, Tigers ate a shit ton.
It was the type of space she’d always dreamed of having. Of course, seeing Gretchen and explaining her whirlwind romance without really explaining it had been difficult.
With Hunter’s insistence, she’d paid the next month’s rent directly to the building superintendent since she knew her friend would not appreciate the handout. That should give the woman time to find a new roommate or a better, less costly place to move. Maverick Point was certainly nice, Elissa thought with a grin.
Before she’d left, Elissa had bullied Gretchen into promising to come by for Thanksgiving. Her Tiger purred at the thought. It would be good to see her friend again in Elissa’s new home.
She’d been worried about her place in the Pride, but they’d settled into a nice routine. Her love of cooking had been readily welcomed by the lot of them. The inner circle who lived in the Pride House especially appreciated her abilities.
One thing she’d learned quickly was that Shifters sure could eat! Their appetites were enormous. Keeping up with just those who lived there was like running a restaurant.
She hadn’t wanted to find a job outside the Pride, but Elissa was not someone who could handle being idle. It was kind of awesome, being able to cook and create menus for people who enjoyed home cooked meals. Besides, Hunter had frowned hard when she mentioned working and he explained the thought of her being away from him for any serious length of time sent his Tiger down a possessive spiral.
Seeing as how she felt the same, she was fine with that. Elissa craved the man all the time. At first, it shocked her he seemed to want her back just as much. His wildly possessive streak was also surprising and flattering. Some might say unhealthy, but they weren’t Shifters.
Hunter hated it when other people got too close to her. Something she found endearing, which surprised the shit out of her. She’d never been much for the jealous type, but now that she had her own possessive as hell, she-cat lurking inside, she understood his position.
Her silly kitty liked her mate possessive. In fact, it was one hell of a turn on. The Tiger even agreed that she should not leave their den to work. Especially, since her mate had even gone so far as to ground himself.
Instead of overseeing the many jobs Maverick Development had going on, Hunter had worked out of his home office as often as he could. Today, he had urgent business that took him out of the house, but she understood. Besides, she had Tigers to feed. It pleased her inner beast to know there would be a terrific meal waiting when he got back.
“It’s because you’re newly mated. His Tiger needs the contact, yours too. It’s cute, and yet completely creepy.”
Jessica had explained it after that first few days when they hardly left their room. The younger Tiger was constantly reminding everyone she was creeped out by her brother getting it on with anyone.
Still, even then Elissa didn’t quite understand, she appreciated it. It was a level of devotion and affection she had not expected. How could she when she’d never experienced or witnessed anything like it?
As far as Elissa was concerned, she was the luckiest damn woman alive. So, what if her new furry self came with extra hairy legs? She simply adjusted from shaving every third day to every other day.
Easy as pie.
A smile haunted her lips as she remembered the way her mate had kissed her that morning from her toe to her, well, to her lips when she’d complained about it.
Sigh.
Moan.
Sigh again.
“Baby, you can shave, don’t shave, whatever you want. I don’t care, as long as you know this here, and all that luscious cream you got inside, is all mine. My pretty pussy.”
Prrrrrrrr.
Hunter had growled and licked her until she begged him to make her come. After that, she totally believed him when he said he didn’t give a fuck about when she wanted to shave.
Her big kitty didn’t care about his mate’s hairy legs as long as he got his cream.
Check.
Elissa was one lucky beyotch. She hummed as she chopped up some flat parsley and tossed it into the steaming pot. Today was the first day Hunter had left her alone to check out a new crew. She’d humored him while he’d hemmed and hawed over leaving her until, finally, she’d pushed his ass out the front door.
“I could stay and have Brayden do it,” he’d growled.
“Hunter, stop being a pussy. I’ll be fine, go on,” she’d insisted.
Elissa couldn’t blame him, really. He was upset that the Council hadn’t come by yet to pick up Blake for his trial. Elissa frowned about that, too. She was sure he’d told Reg to find out what the delay was the day before yesterday. But then they got distracted playing a game of hide the Tiger tail and she forgot to follow up.
Oh well.
She was sure Reg followed his Neta’s word without question. Forty-eight hours to get a handle on the elusive Council was probably normal. Right?
She checked the clock just as thunder erupted outside. Shit. More rain. Jessica was due to arrive any minute for their lunch date. Well, at least she’d picked a good menu.
Chicken soup coupled with thick sopressata and tomato sandwiches on fresh baked Italian bread. Oh, and caramel fudge brownies for dessert.
Yum.
Elissa didn’t know why, but she’d woken up ravenous that morning. More than usual. She heard the front door open and waited for her friend as she pulled down two large soup bowls.
Hmm. She supposed Jess was her sister-in-law and her friend, right? Whatever. It didn’t matter. She was just so happy today.
“Jess, is that you? I’m just finishing up the soup,” she turned with the ladle in her hand.
Shock made her drop the utensil, but she didn’t scream.
“What are you doing in here?” Elissa asked in a calm voice which surprised the shit out of her given the man who’d tried to kill her mate, and her, was standing in front of her.
Blake was dripping from the sudden rain. His clothes dripped all over the polished floors, and that angered Elissa.
“What am I doing here? You stupid slut. I belong here! It’s you who has no place here,” Blake snarled, swiping his hand across the distance between them.
She jumped back, knocking the bowls onto the floor with a loud crash. Elissa gasped as his claws made contact despite her efforts, scratching her wrist. Blake laughed crazily and pulled her to him. His rancid breath in her face made her want to hurl.