The Maverick Pride Tales - Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Brayden shook his head as he ambled out of the forest. The females were safe, and it was better for everyone if he got the fuck out of there.
He made his way to the back of the Pride House. He entered his suite of rooms through his private balcony and jumped right in the shower.
The custom-built stall was enormous. Big enough for a Bear to move around in. It was cold as hell outside, and the steaming water felt good over his skin.
The original bathroom had been larger than any typical one, but at six-foot seven-inches tall and two-hundred and eighty pounds, he’d needed more space.
It was a good thing he was in the construction business.
Even the specially built facilities of the Pride House were a little bit tight for Brayden. Typically, Tiger Shifters had leaner builds than Bears, though the Neta was wider than the rest of them.
Brayden still towered over everyone in the Pride. Something that used to get his hackles up. He supposed it wasn’t anyone’s fault. Shifters were physical creatures and shows of dominance were the norm.
But it got old fast. Always wondering if some idiot would throw a challenge his way. Now that he was the Pride Beta, it was only a matter of time before some young Tiger thought he could take on the huge Black Bear Shifter.
Grrr.
Brayden hoped to discourage that by his consistent display of loyalty and strength within the Pride itself. He was now foreman of his own construction crew for Maverick Development, and they were a strong group of males, trustworthy too.
The work was hard but satisfying. Their government contracts meant the crew did a lot of highway work. Recently they’d been taking down old overpasses on the highway and replacing them with new, sturdier constructs.
There was an old joke about New Jersey being nice once they finished building it. Now he understood what they meant.
Fact was, the Garden State was busy as fuck. So much traffic went up and down the highways they were constantly in need of repair and renovation. But out of everywhere he’d travelled, Jersey still had the sleekest highways.
Maverick Development was top notch too. Hunter made sure all his crews used the most environmentally conscious methods and supplies to complete all construction work.
The fact that Shifters got the work done at twice the speed of normals just meant the company usually won the contracts. Brayden was damn good at his job.
He liked working with his hands. It provided an excellent outlet for the Bear. It was no fun squashing young cubs who thought he was getting too old to throw down.
Nah.
They were too easily defeated, cowering under his Bear’s might. But tearing down walls and building bridges?
Fuck yeah.
That was much more his speed. He had no interest in fighting, even if Shifters were a bloodthirsty bunch. Sometimes, it was necessary to prove a point or to stop someone from getting seriously injured.
At those times, he had no issue showing his strength. Even now, his Black Bear rippled and rumbled inside him. Fucking animal wouldn’t be so anxious to knock some heads together if he would just settle the fuck down already.
Mate, the Bear grumbled.
Brayden closed his eyes, pushing the beast back with a firm no.
His cell phone beeped as he tugged on a pair of jeans and black long-sleeved shirt.
Fuck.
Hunter was back and he’d brought a guest. Nerves tightened his belly. Brayden sat down hard on the bed and tugged on his socks before stuffing his large feet into a pair of black leather work boots.
Uzzi Stregovich, famous amongst supernaturals for Uncle Uzzi’s Magical Matchmaking Service was at the Pride House.
And what’s more, Brayden was to attend a meeting with the old white haired Witch, as were all the eligible members of the Pride, at the Neta’s behest.
Brayden groaned and rubbed his temples. As Beta, he was granted the honor of seeing the old Witch first. When he’d tried to refuse, Hunter had put his foot down.
The Neta, in his own happiness, wanted everyone to be afforded the same opportunity. Because Uzzi had brought him his mate, Hunter was sure the old magical matchmaker could do the same for everyone in the Pride.
Brayden tried to refuse one more time, but Hunter was not hearing that. he’d told the Bear to get his furry ass in gear. And it was too late to run now. Not that he would. The Maverick Pride was his home.
Fuck.
Maybe he could skirt the honor of being the first new client to someone else? Brayden didn’t need Uzzi Stregovich and his hoo-doo-voo-doo-super-matchmaking-senses fucking with his life.
He was destined to be alone.
Period.
End of story.
Then why can’t you stop thinking about a certain sexy redhead, his Bear growled inside his mind’s eye.
Fuck. Off.
He told his Bear. Fucking bastard looked downright smug as he sat chilling in the metaphysical plane where he rested till called.
Want mate, the animal insisted.
No. Never. Not happening.
Grrrrrrrrrr.
Brayden rolled his shoulders, quieting his Bear with a firm command. He’d go see Uncle Uzzi because he was told to by his Neta.
Not for any other reason.
Brayden did not want a mate.
That’s what you think.
Fucking stubborn ass Bear.
Brayden shook his head and walked to the main living room area, stopping in his tracks at the sight that greeted him.
Double fuck.
Jessica Maverick was bent over at the waist trying to tug a pair of leggings over her rounded hips and failing miserably.
Holy Shit.
Why wasn’t she using the changing room round the back? He wondered and tried to stop his cock from hardening perceptively in his jeans as he stared at the woman’s perfect heart-shaped ass in the barely-there pink panties she wore.
Her firm cheeks peeked out of the Brazilian cut bottoms, giving him an unhindered view of her supple flesh. How he wanted to nibble that pert little bottom of hers.
Grrrr.
No. Fuck.
He closed his eyes tight and moved. He was at mid-turn with the intention of giving her some privacy when she caught sight of him.
“Brayden! Oops, uh look I am so sorry. And please don’t tell my brother I was getting dressed in here, but the door to the changing room outside is frozen shut, and I didn’t want to track mud all the way to the guest room,” she explained.
She wiggled her ass, getting the tights over her gorgeous curves, then pulled an oversized sweater over her head. The flash of dusky nipples behind the lacey pink bra she wore made his mouth go dry. She was completely covered now.
That was good, right? No more heart shaped ass in the peek-a-boo briefs. No smooth ivory skin with its smattering of freckles. And no more luscious mounds covered in barely-there lace.
This was much better. Right?
Sad growl.
“Uh, yeah, sure. No worries,” he grunted, finally responding.
“Thank you,” she said.
Brayden looked up in time to see her cheeks redden with embarrassment. Biting her bottom lip, she waited, her hair curling around her shoulders, still damp from the snow outside.
Shit.
She was uncomfortable. What was he supposed to do now?
Say something, his Bear urged.
His inner beast was always angry with him lately but even more now for causing her any kind of disturbance.
“Uh, cute sweater.”
“Thanks?”
For some reason that sounded like a question, but what did she want from him? He didn’t do small talk. Jessica looked down at the green and red elf that seemed to be dancing across her breasts and shrugged.
He almost groaned aloud. The ugly Christmas sweater was anything but cute. Whatever. She always looked fucking great to him.
The material was loose over tight leggings, simple and comfy. But Brayden was treated to a peek of the tops of those luscious mounds when she tugged on her fuzzy, red-knit boots.
Not a particularly sexy ensemble, but after he’d briefly seen what lay hidden beneath, the outfit was hot as fuck.
The way that sweater hid what he now knew were larger than average breasts with pert nipples and supple skin made him want to take it right off her. And forget about those pants. Was it possible to be jealous of clothing?
The thin black material hugged her thighs and ass, leaving him with little to imagine except how sweet her hidden curves would feel beneath his hard body.
He loved a woman with a little extra something, and sweet Jessica had that for sure. She was shapely as a woman should be.
Neither man nor beast was attracted to a woman who looked more like a stick figure than full of flesh and blood. Brayden was a Bear who liked curves. And Jess had those in spades. Curves he’d love to get his paws on.
Fuck. No curves. Jess is off limits.
Yes. Curves. Mate, his Bear insisted.
“So,” Jessica said, eyebrows raised.
“So,” Brayden responded not so cleverly.
Dammit. Why the hell did she short-circuit his brain now of all times? Brayden wished he could leave the room and come back in again. But then he’d have missed seeing her sweet body.
And boom.
There went his cock again. Instant hard on.
“Uh…”
He knew he needed to say something, anything to keep things from getting any more awkward.
Thankfully, before things could get weirder between the two of them, he heard the sound of someone coming.
Great. More people to witness his idiocy. Maybe he could excuse himself now without looking like a coward for running away from the sweet she-Cat. Turning to see who approached with a smile, Brayden froze in place.
Shit.
He was stuck in the room for certain now. In walked the person he wanted to see least of all.
Uncle Uzzi Stregovich.
The magical matchmaking motherfucker who was there to ruin Brayden’s damn life. Jess’s face lit up, and Brayden frowned. Why was she so happy to see the old Witch?
“Uncle Uzzi! You’re back! I am so glad to see you,” she gushed, running forward to embrace the bearded Witch.
“Hello again, my dear. You look lovely, yes,” he replied, kissing her cheek.
And it was not until that moment that Brayden realized he’d been holding his breath. When he released it, the growl that expelled from his lips was intense, causing both Uzzi and Jess to back away from each other. Both Witch and Tiger stared at him for a moment before the old man clapped his hands.
“Well, this is going to be fun!” Uncle Uzzi announced.
His blue eyes were twinkling with glee and no small hint of magic. Jessica tucked her hair behind her ears, and Brayden just stood there.