The Maverick Pride Tales - Chapter 51: Chapter 51

“Uncle Uzzi! I am so glad you dropped by,” Elissa squeaked as her favorite person in the whole world, aside from her husband came strolling in.
Uncle Uzzi, matchmaker extraordinaire, walked across the threshold and opened his arms out to the pRegnant Tiger Shifter. Elissa was so happy she returned the warm embrace as she would her own father’s if he were still alive. Uncle Uzzi was a perfect surrogate.
“Look at you, darling. You are glowing,” he said, and her smile grew even brighter.
There was something so warm and open about the amazing Witch that left the Nari feeling both relaxed and energized the second she was with him. Maybe that was part of his magic, she mused, as he gazed at her with sparkling blue eyes.
“How is that mate of yours? Treating you well, yes?” he asked, with his trademark white hair and beard resting in place as if he’d just trimmed it.
The older man sat down at the table with Elissa right beside him. She noticed him looking around and laughed as she pulled out a dish of fresh-baked cookies, she’d been hiding on the chair next to her. He had a sweet tooth no one could deny.
“Ah! You were tricking an old man, shame on you,” he teased.
“Was not! You’re just in time,” Elissa said, and pointed to a warm pot of herbal tea she’d just steeped. Paired with the cookies, the two of them were in for quite the treat.
“I was just about to have a snack. Won’t you join me?” the Nari asked and giggled a little.
“Of course, and you need it, after all you’re eating for two, or maybe three,” Uncle Uzzi smirked.
“Oh my, I hadn’t considered that,” Elissa replied and swallowed hard.
“Yes, well, it is always a possibility with Shifters my dear,” Uncle Uzzi said. “I was on my way out of town for an important emergency job, but I decided to swing over here to check on some things first.”
“Really? Well, I’m glad you did.”
“Yes. Also, I wanted to tell you in person that I got an email from your old roommate.”
“Oh, you mean Gretchen? Yes, I told her about you, is that okay? I mean I should have probably asked⁠—”
“Nonsense! Of course it is alright. But I wanted to ask you first, does Gretchen know anything about us?”
“What do you mean?”
“Does she know about magic, the paranormal world, Shifters in particular, dear Elissa?”
“Oh,” Elissa murmured and flushed guiltily. “Not exactly, but neither did I when I met you, Uncle Uzzi.”
“True, but you were a special case. Hmm, I may have to rethink my original plans then.”
“So, you can’t help her?” Elissa asked, sadness filling her eyes with tears.
She’d been so happy ever since she’d run into him that rainy night down the shore. Ever since he’d brought her to the Pride House where she first met and fell in love with Hunter. Elissa did not expect everyone to have the same luck she had been blessed with, but she really hoped Uncle Uzzi could help her friend.
“Now, now, I didn’t say that,” he hinted. “How about we catch up a bit first? Yes?” he asked and the two of them sat back and nibbled on their cookies, sipping tea, while they chatted.
Elissa absolutely adored Uncle Uzzi and loved his surprise visits. Especially since it usually meant someone was about to be mated. The Pride could use more mated pairs, she thought as she rubbed a hand over her belly.
The sound of someone approaching brought her head up. Uncle Uzzi’s electric blue eyes sparkled, and Elissa swore she felt something electrify the air as they turned and watched one of Elissa’s own security team enter the kitchen.
It was Reginald Cray. As usual, he was sporting a pair of disreputable jeans, even worse sneakers, and a tight black t-shirt with two holes in the hem. The clothes were worn, but they weren’t that bad. Neither was the man inside of them for that matter.
If only he believed that too, she thought.
Like most Shifters, Reg had rippling muscles corded around his six-and-a-half-foot frame and his looks were beyond the average normal. He had a good face with a straight nose, stubborn chin, and midnight blue eyes.
Not many people noted the unique dark blue of his gaze or the adorable way his bottom lip jutted out, slightly larger than the top lip. They couldn’t get past the wildly uneven chop job of his thick brown hair and matching beard.
An idea began to take shape, Uncle Uzzi met her gaze, his own eyes twinkling with merriment. The notion now fully formed hopped around the Nari’s head, desperate to get out, as she looked him over.
“Oh my gah!” Elissa spit out the bite of cookie she’d been nibbling.
The Tiger Shifter was one of the Nari’s most trusted and elite guards, despite the rumors about his worth. Hunter trusted him, and so did she, and that was good enough for her.
She knew several members of the Pride still doubted his loyalties, but she did not share those concerns. Maybe it was time Reg found a little happiness. After all that business with Blake and that rogue streak that came through town a few months ago, he deserved it.
Elissa had sort of taken the Tiger under her wing. She’d asked her husband specifically for Reg to be her guard. Yes, he had unknowingly let the traitor who had tried to kill both her and her mate loose, but he honestly had no idea what the man was going to do.
Reg had known Blake for years, had worked under him and lived with him. That sort of bond did not just go away. Besides, he’d been young and impressionable, and that smooth talking ex-Beta had been a trusted friend once upon a time.
Blake had hidden his evil side for so long, and Reg was simply too trusting. Blake had first come to the Maverick Pride under the Neta’s own recommendation. What else did a man need to gain the support of a young Shifter?
Reg had no experience with that kind of subterfuge. He’d been unaware of the ex-Beta’s motives and thought he was simply doing his old friend a solid by releasing him. But like all of them, he had been betrayed by Blake. After the attack on Elissa, Hunter, the Neta of the Pride, had killed him in battle.
When it came time to decide Reg’s punishment, Elissa had surprised everyone by speaking up for him. She’d forgiven him and voted he be placed as one of her own guards. Reg was a solid member of the Pride, and ever since then, he had worked desperately to make it up to both the Nari and the Neta.
“What is it? Is something wrong,” Reg said, dropping into a fighting stance and looking around the otherwise empty room.
“When was the last time you cut your hair?” Elissa wondered aloud.
“Uh, what, Nari?” the man dropped his hands and cocked his head.
“Yes, I was wondering that myself,” Uncle Uzzi piped in.
“I am sorry, I don’t understand what my hair has to do with⁠—”
“I mean really, I know you guys are a bunch of pussies when it comes to water, but is it the same with scissors and razors?” Uncle Uzzi asked, eyebrows raised as if in shock.
“I’m not a pussy. I mean, I’m not afraid of water or anythin—wait, what are you two talking about?”
“What I mean is no guard of the Nari’s should walk around looking like that,” Uncle Uzzi waved his hand at him, sparks of magic shooting from the tips.
“Ow!” Reg squeaked when one landed on his face. The young Tiger smacked himself, putting out the fire the old Witch’s magic had accidentally started on his facial hair.
“Oops. Sorry, that happens occasionally,” the Witch replied, and smiled a little.
“It’s fine,” growled Reg, staring back at them with part of his beard missing.
“Oh, come on, it’s not that bad,” Elissa tried.
She failed miserably when it came to finding a reasonable defense for the Witch’s magic zapping him. Shrugging it off, she focused on her obviously uncomfortable guard.
“You need a haircut, period,” she stated.
“What’s going on in here?” Hunter Maverick sauntered into the room, making a beeline for his wife and the cub she was carrying.
He dropped a quick, deep kiss on her mouth and cradled her face in his hands before greeting Uncle Uzzi with a handshake and pat on the back. Finally, he turned and looked at his Pride mate.
“Damn, Reg,” he looked the man up and down. “You look like hell.”
“Yeah, well, my beard was just set on fire,” he muttered.
“What? No, I mean the whole look. What happened, we run out of razors?” Hunter asked.
“Look, I tried to go by Lou’s Barbershop the other day, but he’s out of town.”
“If you want, I can do you like me,” Hunter grinned, and rubbed his smooth head.
The Neta of the Maverick Pride had plenty of hair, but he preferred to shave his dome. To be honest, Elissa loved the sexy bald look on her hot as hell mate.
She pressed closer to him, and without hesitation, his strong arms wrapped around her, enveloping her in his love. She was a lucky woman to have found her fated mate, and she owed her thanks to Uncle Uzzi. Stealing a glance at the white-haired Witch, Elissa watched as his blue gaze seemed glued to Reg.
Hmm.
“No way- uh, I mean, no, thank you, Neta,” Reg replied, averting his gaze, and baring his throat as a sign of respect to the leader of the Pride.
One more point in his loyalty basket, Elissa thought, thoroughly approving of him. Only the most self-assured and loyal Tigers could so willingly submit to another Shifter Regarding of his or her dominance.
These manners or acts of respect were not weakness. In fact, quite the opposite. And Reg, of all the Tiger Guard in the Maverick Pride was the first who came to mind when she thought of quiet strength and unwavering loyalty.
“You know,” Uncle Uzzi began, and Elissa could not stop a smile from breaking out across her face.
He was gonna do it, wasn’t he? Eeeeek! How exciting!
“The Nari’s best friend just opened a salon in town. Isn’t that right, Elissa?”
“Why, yes, Uncle Uzzi, that is correct,” she replied, already knowing where this was headed.
Hells to the yeah. Elissa was completely on board.
“Uh, isn’t that for women?” Reg asked.
“Nonsense. It’s a unisex salon. Besides, your Nari would want the Pride to make her friend feel welcomed, wouldn’t she?” Uncle Uzzi pressed.
Reg’s dark blue eyes glittered for a moment. He was far from stupid and could probably smell their set up. But too bad. Elissa was moody and pRegnant, and she was in charge, dammit.
“Uncle Uzzi, you are a genius! I should have thought of this already. Reg, I would like you to go get a haircut.”
“What? I mean, why?”
“Well, you’re my best guard, and I can’t have you looking like that,” she gestured, and almost felt bad when the man blushed.
“Sh—I mean, sorry. Yes, Nari,” he said, “but who will go with you to the market? It’s on your schedule⁠—”
“I think I can handle anything my mate wants to do today, Reg. You go on.”
“Yes, Reg, go on. A haircut is exactly what you need.”
“Okay,” he answered.
Elissa exchanged a secret look with Uncle Uzzi and crossed her fingers. With any luck, Uncle Uzzi had found Gretchen the perfect man, er, mate.
Squeee!
She sure hoped her bestie was as openminded as she was about the whole turning into something furry and purry thing these Maverick Pride fellas did.
Biting her lip, Elissa wondered if there was some way she could have maybe prepared her bestie for this first. Oh well. It was too late now. She said a silent prayer for both her friend and her Pride mate.
“Reginald?” Uncle Uzzi stopped him.
“Yes, Uncle Uzzi?”
“Be sure to tell Gretchen that I said hello,” Uncle Uzzi said with a twinkle in his eye, and a smile on his face.
Oh yes, Elissa sighed. She was so full of love and happiness. Content, safe, and sound in her mate’s strong arms, she leaned back, letting him bear her weight.
The Nari had a feeling that everything was going to be purrfectly fine.