The Maverick Pride Tales - Chapter 35: Chapter 35

“Brayden?”
Hunter’s voice seemed far away as Brayden mulled over his lunch date with Jessica. He thought it went well, except for the nearly mauling her in her seat part. Damn female was so tempting, but she deserved better than to be jumped in a parked car like some horny teenager.
Then there was his other problem. Idiot that he was, he’d forgotten to ask her out on a second date. And no, he did not get her number either.
Fucking moron.
“Brayden!”
The snapping of the Neta’s fingers in his face soon brought him back to the present.
“Are you with us here, man?”
“Yeah. Sorry, Neta.”
“Alright, as Lance here is the newest member of your crew, I’d like to see you give him more responsibility than he’s been getting. Do you think you can handle that, Lance?”
The murmured ‘yes sir’ had Brayden’s eyes snapping up. He liked Lance, but he was aware that Jessica had had a crush on the Tiger only weeks ago.
Was that resolved? Did she still feel an attraction to the man who was not only her own species, but closer to her age?
Brayden was fifteen years her senior. He might not look like it, but that didn’t lessen the age difference. She’d seemed unaffected by the news at lunch.
It wasn’t odd for Shifters' lifespans to be supernaturally long. They maintained youthful appearances for many more years than the average normal, and it was typical to have couples a decade or two, or three apart. His own father was twenty-five years older than his mother.
“We won the bids on several more projects in the surrounding areas. One is the construction of a new shopping center,” Hunter began, using his computer to send updated schedules to everyone present.
The crews used tablets and laptops to communicate and evaluate projects and goings ons. Everything was computer based these days, and lucky for Brayden, he was fairly tech savvy.
Sure, he’d rather be tearing up some concrete than typing on a delicate piece of machinery, but that was just him. Bear Shifter, go figure.
“Alright, that about sums it up. You guys can go. Except you, Brayden,” Hunter said.
Shit.
He’d been so distracted with thoughts of Jessica, he hadn’t been paying attention.
Should have kissed her, his Bear growled the words at him.
He’d wanted to. When he placed her in her seat after they’d eaten that delectable Sushi, he’d been so close to claiming her rosy lips. Then he’d remembered what she’d said about kissing.
“I want deep, long kisses that last for days. Kisses that touch me inside and leave my toes permanently curled. I want to feel special. To be loved in every way.”
Now, Brayden had no doubt in his mind that once he started kissing Jessica, they’d both go up in flames. It was the way of fated mates. And she was his. A fact that only grew clearer with every passing second. Despite his past, Brayden was more than certain Jessica Maverick was his fated mate.
She was the only woman the universe had created specifically for him. In turn, he was the only male for her. Shifters who claimed their fated mates were blessed by the universe in a way others could only dream about. And now that he recognized the truth, he could not justify squandering this chance at happiness for them both.
Brayden wanted her so badly, he was resigned to spending the next few weeks bent over trying to hide the constant erection he seemed to have developed. At least, until he felt she was ready to move forward. He wanted Jessica completely in control. Needed her to be okay with this mating before he claimed her.
Fuck.
His Bear was being a total dick about it. The beast was threatening to go on a rampage if he couldn’t have her soon. Still, he had a shadow of a doubt, and that was all he needed to stop him in his tracks.
Pain from his beast had his Bear whimpering inside his mind’s eyes. The idea of mating went against the vow he’d made after the tragedy of John and Valerie.
The deaths of both his childhood friends still tore a hole through him whenever he thought of their tragedy. But Jessica was not Valerie. And he was not John. Their story could be different.
Shit.
He was being a coward. Poor Jess. She was probably feeling all kinds of rejected right now. And it was his fault. He really needed to get his head out of his ass.
Grrrrr.
His Bear scratched against his skin, and he closed his eyes to calm the beast while Hunter shuffled some papers around and returned to the seat behind his desk. A Bear on a rampage was not a good thing.
“Brayden? You seem distracted. What’s going on, man?”
“Yeah, sorry. Nothing, bro. I’m good.”
“You sure? Cause I’m here if you need to talk,” Hunter replied.
The Tiger was a great leader. Caring and wise, he was also loyal and honest. There was no other man Brayden could ever imagine filling his role as Neta. If there was ever an issue with one of his Pride, Hunter would be there in a flash. It was one reason he respected the man so greatly.
“Look, I have some things to discuss about Uzzi and what he will be doing here,” Hunter began, and Brayden waited for it.
“I know you aren’t a Tiger, but you have a coveted rank in this Pride. One you earned, and I would like to see you keep it,” Hunter began.
Brayden respected the Neta so damn much, and he was proud of the position he held within the Maverick Pride. But that was only guaranteed until the next challenge or until his Bear went crazy. Unmated Shifters had that tendency. Not that it was a choice or anything. Shifters were simply not meant to be alone.
It was the reason people like Uzzi Stregovich and his Magical Matchmaking Service fared so well amongst their kind. Sometimes Shifters needed help to find their mates. And discovering one’s fated mate was best. Uncle Uzzi’s reputation for helping Shifters was unmatched.
They were lucky he wanted to help the Pride. A fated mate was like nothing else in the universe. It was the other half to a Shifter’s soul. The one person in all the universe perfectly created to soothe the beast, calm the animal, and complete the human half as well.
“I asked Uncle Uzzi to help the Pride for many reasons. One is that numbers are low. Our Pride has not been particularly fruitful as of late, and that does not bode well.”
“Yes, Neta,” he answered.
“Uncle Uzzi is gifted, my friend. He helped me find my fated mate, and I really am hoping you will listen to his advice. I noticed your unease as of late. Allowing Uncle Uzzi to help you will ease your Bear. You know, fated mates give Shifters an anchor to their human side, as well as undeniable strength through their common matebond. It’s not a bad deal,” Hunter replied casually.
Brayden could not agree more. It was a myth to some. A dream for most. And a reality to precious few.
Was Jessica his fated mate and was he throwing away the only opportunity he would ever have at happiness?
“So, what did Uzzi say to you today? Did he set you up with someone?” Hunter asked.
“Um, sort of,” Brayden replied.
Fuck. He forgot about this part of it for a moment. Jessica was Hunter’s sister, and as the Pride Neta, he deserved to hear it from Brayden’s lips. His Bear demanded it. Brayden could not pretend with his animal, or this man.
Only the truth would suffice.
“Well, did he set you up? Did you go out with her? Who is it, dude?”
“Um, yes, I went on a lunch date.”
“That’s great, bro. Who’s the lucky girl?”
Hunter was grinning at him, but Brayden did not let his guard down. The man was the only Tiger in the Pack who could give Brayden’s Bear a run for his money, and though he had no wish to grapple with the beast. He was about to drop a pretty big fucking bomb on the guy’s head. Best to be prepared.
Standing up, Brayden braced himself as he leveled a stare at his Neta before promptly baring his throat and averting his gaze.
“The truth, Neta, is this,” Brayden began, clearing his throat.
“Jessica is my fated mate.”