The Maverick Pride Tales - Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Elissa sat straight, her intense brown eyes seriously considering the possibility. Uzzi chuckled. Yes. This woman was perfect for what he had in mind.
“Yes, I am,” Uzzi replied. “Shifters, Witches, and more than you can imagine are out there, living and breathing, sharing this world with humans like you. The real question, Elissa, is do you think you are ready to live in that world?”
Uzzi allowed some of his Magic out. The sparks pulsed with warmth and circled the pair of them. Power would be glowing in his eyes right about then, and he waited until Elissa registered that she was seeing something very real, and very different from her norm.
Elissa was witnessing his powers, and he, in turn, was introducing her to the supernatural world. A punishable crime for his kind, but it was a chance he was willing to take.
“Wow,” she whispered, reaching out to touch a spark.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Well, the fact you aren’t screaming tells me you might be just what I am looking for,” Uzzi sat back in the cushioned leather seats and began to explain a little bit about the matchmaking service and what he did for a living.
“So, you find people their mates? That’s like a husband or wife?” Elissa asked, catching on right away.
“Yes, I do. Now, how would you like your own muscle bound Shifter who would worship and love you no matter what? Not to mention pleasure you sexually in ways you can’t even imagine,” he smiled again, liking Elissa’s reaction.
The young woman’s eyes bulged, and she swallowed hard.
“Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack.”
“Mr. Stregovich, er, Uncle Uzzi,” she said, when he mock frowned.
“If you could find me a match like that, I wouldn’t kick him out of my bed. Seriously though, I would certainly be indebted to you. But do you think you can find someone for me? I mean, what Shifter would want me as a mate?”
“Oh Elissa, you make me smile, you do. And I am happy to do this thing for you. Look, I promise you I can find a mate for you. It is what I do.”
“Okay, then. I am game.”
“Excellent. You won’t be sorry. All of my couples wind up purrfectly mated.”
Elissa blinked at the elfish man sitting across from her. She looked down at the business card she still held in her hand.
Uncle Uzzi’s Magical Matchmaking Service.
Disbelief warred with hope inside her chest. All her life, she loved myths, legends, fairytales, and folklore. She’d waited and hoped and dreamed with all her heart, wanting to believe her prince was out there somewhere searching for her.
Fuck being politically correct.
Elissa Phoenix was a dreamer. Always had been. She might be short, curvy and she damn well could out cuss a sailor, but dammit, she was worthy of love.
Was it wrong of her to want someone who made her feel feminine and cherished? Someone who wanted her body, heart, soul, and mind. A man who cared about her happiness and was thoughtful enough to ask after her feelings at the end of the day.
Maybe dreams really can come true, Elissa thought, staring at the cheerful older man.
She didn’t normally go with her gut, but something about Uncle Uzzi simply radiated honesty, charm, and trustworthiness. If he was a Witch, like he said, then he was a good one. She felt no ill will or bad vibes from the white bearded fellow.
Maybe tonight was a turning point for her. It sure as hell beat most of the nights she’d endured the past few years.
True, Little Gianni had ditched her on the side of the road when she refused to play footsies with the smelly creep. Almost immediately after jumping out of his car, rain had started pouring down from the skies in buckets.
Thunder had roared, and lightning struck overhead, making her heart race and her pulse speed. Elissa had been cold, wet, angry, and terrified all at the same time.
But then, just as suddenly, her luck had changed. Uzzi Stregovich and his straight-faced driver had found her on the side of the road. He’d offered a friendly smile, shelter from the rain, and a blanket to dry herself.
The stretched limo was warm and toasty, the peppermint tea perfectly hit the spot. Elissa looked at the grandfatherly man who’d just claimed Shifters actually existed and thought about her options.
So, not only were fairy tale creatures real, but Uzzi Stregovich ran some sort of matchmaking service for them. Elissa had been on bad dates, but she’d never considered a service before. Maybe it was time.
“Uncle Uzzi's Magical Matchmaking Service,” she said aloud.
“That’s right,” he agreed, his slight accent making her grin.
Elissa could not have made this up if she’d tried. Magic was real. Holy fuck! She’d felt the little shocks of electricity racing up her arm when the elderly man had handed the rectangular bit of better than average card stock to her.
Maybe it was the fact she was still wet from the rain. But she knew better than to try to make sense of it.
Magic was real, she thought again.
Anyone else and Elissa might have thought they were crazy or high on something illegal. But not him. Uncle Uzzi was simply too honest, too amiable, and too darn adorable. He really was like a tiny Santa, or a fairy godfather like he’d said!
So, she thought, Shifters. Yeah. Reality. Gulp.
Elissa had always been a woman of faith, and something was telling her to trust her instincts. An avid reader, she cut her teeth on romance novels growing up. Sure, she loved the big wigs like Steele and Roberts, but it was the indies who held her heart.
Her absolute, most secret, favorite stash of books included stories about Werewolves and other Shifter heroes who found their happily-ever-afters with regular, and often curvy, women. Women who looked just like Elissa.
Society’s representation of women had somewhat changed in the past decade, but curvy was often accompanied by hurtful and judgy comments that she was unhealthy or would look better after losing a few pounds. The world was crazy for thin people. And she just wasn’t thin.
She was a chef, so she knew healthy food. Her cooking was full of fresh veggies, lean meats, and whole grains. It didn’t matter. Her body just loved her chub.
Maybe Uncle Uzzi could help her find a man who would love it as well…
Life was too short for her to not love herself. Why shouldn’t she have a piece of pie, or a bear claw, once in a while? Elissa worked hard, and she appreciated good food. Nothing wrong with that in her book.
“Thanks,” she said, taking the proffered treat.
“You know, you are taking this all with an even keel,” Uncle Uzzi spoke up, interrupting her reverie.
“I know,” Elissa smiled around a mouthful of the best bear claw she had ever eaten.
Who knew they made these things with cocoa powder in the crust? That wasn’t all, the pastry had the best cherry filling she had ever tasted. It was her favorite flavor. She made a mental note to get the address of the baker who made the amazing pastry from Uncle Uzzi. It wasn’t often she was impressed by someone else’s cooking, but this was phenomenal.
“I guess I’ve always wondered about stuff like that. You know, the unknown. Anyway, I like to read in between cooking jobs,” she replied and shrugged.
“I see,” Uzzi said, offering her a napkin.
She felt her cheeks heat as she took one and wiped some cherry filling from her lips.
“It just makes sense to me that there is more in this world than we could ever know.”
“Well, I’m glad you feel that way. We should be there any minute,” Uncle Uzzi smiled.
“Who are we meeting and where exactly?”
“Maverick Point is in Burlington County. It is a mostly Shifter town with some normals. Mount Maverick looms beautifully in the background and there is a lovely creek that cuts through it. In the winter, it looks like something out of a Rockwell painting.”
“Sounds amazing, But how is it mostly Shifters live there? Don’t regular people find out?”
“Well, the secret is safe since nearly everyone who lives there is either mated to a Shifter or has one somewhere in the family tree.”
“I had no idea something like that could even happen.”
“It is a small town. We’re headed to see the Neta, that’s another word for Alpha or leader of the Pride. His name is Hunter Maverick.”
“Maverick? I see, so he’s like the big man about town,” she said, feeling her stomach clench at the mere mention of the man’s name.
“Hunter is a good man. He is the man I was hired to help with my special services, and the man I want you to meet.”
“Really? But I thought I was here for a job?” She swallowed again.
“You are, but hopefully you will find more than a job here. Elissa Phoenix, I believe you will find your destiny.”
Elissa sat there and let his words sink in. Her destiny? Holy cow.
“Now, listen to me, if you feel uncomfortable in any way, you say the word, and we will leave. You are under no obligation to stay there. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand. But why would you do that for me?” she said.
“Elissa, I might work for the Neta, but my first duty is to keep you safe. Besides, we are friends now, aren’t we?”
“I think we are,” Elissa replied after a moment of consideration.
“Uncle Uzzi?”
“What is it dear?”
“You said he’s a Tiger Shifter? Like, as in a real tiger?”
“Shifters can be much larger than their wild cousins, Elissa. He is probably twice the size of a normal tiger when he is in his fur, but don’t worry, trust your destiny. Hunter Maverick will not harm you. He couldn’t.”
“I don’t understand.”
“When a Shifter finds his mate, his entire world revolves around her. Keeping her with him safe, happy, protected, and satisfied sexually, of course, is all his beast will tolerate. His mate becomes his primary focus,” Uzzi winked, and Elissa felt herself blush.
It all sounded good to her. But what were the odds some sexy as sin Pride leader was going to want a very curvy, potty mouth, curly blonde-haired Italian girl with no family, from Hoboken, New Jersey as his mate?
She swallowed hard as the limo slowed down in front of one of the largest homes she’d ever seen. New Jersey had more than its share of uncommonly large estates, but this was stunning.
It was a sprawling three story manse with a huge, two-level wraparound porch and floor to ceiling windows on every floor. The whole thing seemed to be made of glass and wood and stone. It was structurally amazing, and so very unique, she hardly knew where to look. Even with the rain falling, it was beautiful.
Huge oaks and beeches lined the front of the enormous lawn, and she was pleased to see a full dozen dwarf maples as well. Their leaves were a mix of bright red to deep purple, all beautiful and lush, proclaiming Fall in the Garden State like nothing else could.
Oh shit.
Was that a tiger lying across what looked like an extra wide gliding bench up on the porch? The enormous beast was staring lazily at the rain from his perch.
Why shouldn’t he, she thought wryly. He was dry and comfy, content to just stay where he was. He was huge, with thick red fur lined with black stripes and a lighter underbelly. Elissa had seen tigers during trips to the zoo, but nothing like this.
“Oh my,” Elissa whispered.
She noted the gorgeous beast lazing about under the protective cover of the porch, watching them with a steady gaze that belied his demeanor. The creature was taking them in carefully, weighing the threat even as the storm began to build. Rain and lightning lashed out all around them.
“What are you looking at, dear?” Uncle Uzzi asked as Hank came around with an umbrella to help them out of the car.
“That sure is a pretty boy,” Elissa said, nodding towards the beast.
“Yes, most pussies are,” Uncle Uzzi agreed with a sly grin.
She giggled and tsked at the older man. He was so bad! And completely endearing, like a sweet, funny, and extra sassy godfather. Uncle Uzzi wiggled his nose and a few blue sparks seemed to appear out of nowhere, zapping the big cat on the butt.
Elissa choked on the piece of gum she’d been chewing, and he patted her gently on the back.
“Uncle Uzzi, I think you’re more troublemaker than matchmaker, for sure!”
“My dear Betty thought so,” he agreed, and laughed aloud.
“I think I’d like to be you when I grow up,” Elissa said, smiling as she took his proffered arm.
“Oh no, my dear, a beard would not look right on that pretty face,” Uncle Uzzi teased.
Uzzi winked at Elissa, and together they walked in step with Hank as he held the large umbrella overhead, shielding them as they walked towards the front door. Moving past the large wild cat without so much as a blink, Uncle Uzzi ushered Elissa into the unlocked entryway and through a large anteroom.
“Wow,” Elissa gasped as she took in the enormous open floor plan of the space.
“This place is gigantic.”
“Yes, well, it needs to be, you see, this is the Pride House. A meeting place of sorts, for the entire Maverick Pride. The Neta lives here with some of his closest Pride members, though I assume he has his own section,” Uncle Uzzi explained as they walked down the hall and into a very large living room.
“Have you been here before?”
“Not in a very long time,” Uncle Uzzi said and looked around the almost empty room.
A huge man with short reddish-brown hair sprung up from the couch and walked towards them with his brows furrowed.
“You can’t just walk in here,” the stranger began.
“Hello, Blake,” Uncle Uzzi said, one eyebrow raised at the man’s snarky tone.
“It is Blake, isn’t it? Pride Beta and Tiger Shifter originally from Washington, D.C.?”
“How do you know that?” he asked.
The stranger’s mud brown eyes went wide with shock and annoyance. He barely gave her a passing glance, but he was rude and snarly as he squared off against sweet Uncle Uzzi.
Elissa hoped this wasn’t the man Uzzi had in mind. She already didn’t think much of his attitude or bad manners.
“You met Hunter at college as I understand it, but you have no other connections, no family or old Pride, yes?” Uncle Uzzi continued, unbothered by the growling.
He spoke as if completely unaffected by the massive man, whereas Elissa wanted to hide behind something. The stranger’s entire vibe was hostile and unwelcoming.
“I don’t know who the hell you two think you are spouting whatever mumbo jumbo you feel like, but you can’t just walk in here like you own the place!”
Hank moved forward, but Uncle Uzzi raised one wrinkled hand to stop him. In awe of the small, elderly man’s courage, Elissa remained still.
“Who I am, is Uzzi Stregovich. Now listen, you unlicked cub, go tell Hunter Maverick I am here.” Uncle Uzzi’s firm voice brooked no interruption.
Elissa decided then and there to take a page from Uncle Uzzi’s book. She stood her ground next to the shorter man, remaining still as the stranger’s golden gaze landed right on her. She might not be a Shifter, but that didn’t mean she was a pushover.
Hell no.