The Maverick Pride Tales - Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Of all the ridiculous shit he’d ever heard.
Get a haircut, Reg.
Like, seriously? What the actual fuck? It wasn’t like Reg worked as a fashion model. Was it his fault his hair grew like nobody’s business? Or that the only barber in town left unexpectedly?
He wasn’t some dandy-Lion Shifter going to pieces over his hair, like those ridiculous males did all the freaking time. Lion males were such babies about their manes.
Not Reg. He was a Tiger Shifter and held a coveted position in the Nari’s private guard. He didn’t have time for this crap. And yet, there he was. Outside of some loud orange and pink salon called Cut It Out.
At least the name was cute, he thought. Reg growled, annoyed that he was even there. He hopped out of his blood red Jeep Wrangler XE Rubicon, with special modifications he’d ordered that were put in at a specialty Shifter-run auto shop.
Those additions were typically necessary for Shifters. His Jeep needed to carry not just a man of his height and bulk, but several at a time while also maintaining a modicum of comfort should he have the Nari, or other females in his presence. The bullet proof body and glass were just bonuses.
Reg loved that vehicle. It was his first major adult purchase. He especially loved it when he could take the top off and let the wind fly all around him.
Spring was crisp and cold in this part of the Garden State, but nothing his thick hide couldn’t handle. It was the rain that kept him from taking the top off just then.
Maverick Point tended to get a little wet weather every day around this time of year, and soggy seats were no fun for anyone. Maybe he’d take the top off on the upcoming weekend if it was sunny enough.
Fuck. He could not believe he had to have some human female friend of his Nari cut his hair. Shrugging off his misgivings, Reg stomped down the sidewalk to where the new salon was located. Well, technically, it was in the same spot as the old salon, but he’d never stepped foot in Mrs. Bower’s place before.
Thank fuck his brother, Rob, was overseas and couldn’t see him now. His big bro was a Navy Seal and spent most of his time away from Maverick Point. Occasionally, he’d email Reg or send him some wild or exotic thing he’d found when he wasn’t out on some mission or other.
Damn.
Reg missed his big bro. He wouldn’t have gotten mixed up in Blake’s shitstorm if Robbie was home. But that was no one’s fault but his own, and he knew it. He only meant Rob would have seen through that faithless prick. Reg had been trying to make up for his mistake ever since. Thank the gods for the Nari. Her quiet belief in him had been the only thing that had kept Reg going for a while there.
Yes, he’d royally fucked up by even doubting his Neta when Blake had been whispering poison in his ear. That Shifter had been pure evil.
Reg was ashamed by how easily he’d been manipulated by that dickless motherfucker. Blake had told Reg that he had to help him protect the Neta, even if from himself.
He claimed Elissa was going to harm Hunter’s rule, that a human female would be his downfall. Blake claimed Shifters had to mate other Shifters. He did not believe she was strong enough to take a seat beside Hunter, and that she would out them all.
The Shifter secret was one they could not survive without keeping. Everyone knew that. But Blake hadn’t counted on the Puspa, which had changed Elissa from a normal human woman to a rare and powerful White Tiger Shifter.
Unfortunately, Reg had trusted Blake, giving him what he needed to escape. He didn’t know the man had become unstable and his views fanatical. That whole keeping the blood pure was ridiculous in Reg’s opinion.
He'd expected Blake to flee, not try to kill the Nari. He would never have aided him in doing that. It had taken too long for Reg to see that all Blake’s supposed good intentions were really just a completely psychotic jealousy that had eaten away his reason. Reg’s mistake had almost cost the lives of his Neta and Nari.
The Alpha couple had been in harm’s way because of him, and he’d never felt worse about anything in his life.
Luckily, his Neta was strong. He’d put an end to the threat himself, and Reg had been in awe of the man ever since. Hunter Maverick was a fierce leader and a good man.
His mate had not sapped his strength like Blake had said she would. In fact, Elissa only made him stronger, better, and most wondrous of all, she had made the man happy. Truly happy.
Hell, Reg had never seen the Neta smile so much. If that’s what a human mate did for a Shifter, well then, they could sign Reg up. He was completely ready to meet his one and only be she human, Shifter, Witch, or whatever.
He was ready for a sweet female of his own.
Grrr, his inner beast grumbled approvingly, and Reg knew the beast was feeling the need for a mate as much as his human side.
Maybe he’d have a chat with Uncle Uzzi if the old Witch was still at the house when he returned. After this disaster. What kind of haircut would he even get?
Reg pondered that while he walked past Jessica’s Closet. Looking inside the newly replaced glass window, he shook his head remembering what went down.
A streak of rogue Tiger Shifters influenced by that unhappy fucker Blake had decided to come to Maverick Point to try to wreak havoc on the Pride.
Those assholes hadn’t counted on the amazing females the Maverick Pride was blessed with. Ferocious and deadly, the she-Cats had beaten the fuck out of that scum, but Brayden had nearly ripped the one who’d threatened his mate in two.
Lost in the memory, Reg’s eyes were unseeing until they met the unique teal stare of a certain tall redhead who happened to be the Neta’s sister. Jessica Maverick waved, and Reg returned the gesture, smiling his hello.
Of course, he was also quick to acknowledge her big as fuck mate who happened to be standing beside the lovely she-Cat. Brayden bared his teeth and nodded, causing Reg to smirk.
The Beta was a bit growly and possessive when it came to his woman. Not that Reg blamed him. Shifters and possessiveness went hand in hand, or was that claw in claw, he wondered.
Either way. They were another happy pair. He nodded wistfully.
There was a time he’d found the Neta’s sister a little more than cute, but the Fates had other ideas for Jessica Maverick. She’d found her mate in the new Pride Beta, Brayden Smith.
The Black Bear was formerly of the Barvale Clan, which was located one town over, but a series of events had led him to the Tiger Pride, and he’d never looked back.
Reg was glad for that. The man made one hell of an addition to the Pride. Even if he wasn’t a sleek, gorgeous Tiger like some people. Reg grinned.
His animal’s thoughts and feelings had a way of being a little bit outspoken at times. It was another reason he didn’t resist the suggestion to go and get his hair cut. Whenever he neglected his grooming, his Tiger’s fur tended to mimic his human self.
Unkempt locks were not a great look on him as a man, and as a beast they were downright ridiculous. His Tiger’s fur tended to get long and scruffy, hardly presentable for the Nari’s guard.
Even worse, he looked a bit like a young Lion cub than the awesome striped beast that he was. That was unfuckingacceptable.
He rubbed his hands over his face and paused. Fucking hell. He forgot all about the patch on his beard where Uncle Uzzi had set the hair on fire. Reg wondered if that was why Jessica had giggled when she saw him.
Whatever.
Growl.
Easy buddy, he told his beast.
He stopped and read the sign over the door, smirking before heading inside.
Cut It Out.
Great name. He especially liked the bold orange on black letters even if they were outlined in pink. His Tiger did too, approving the color scheme as if he had had any say in it.
The front of the salon had six stations with Regular looking barber chairs, only these were covered in deep orange vinyl. The back of the long room held a few manicurist tables and four pedicure chairs along the wall.
The inside smelled new and fresh. Everything was crisp and clean and done in black, orange, and white. Again his Tiger chuffed happily. Maybe having his hair cut by a woman wouldn’t be so bad.
He walked over to the reception desk and rang the little bell. Breathing deeply he was caught unawares as the scent of flowers filled his nostrils. Reg’s Tiger seemed to go completely still at the strangely familiar and tantalizing fragrance.
Easy, Reg rolled his shoulders attempting to play off the fact that his heart was pounding and his pulse racing.
There was also some action going on right below his belt. What the fuck? His cock was rocking a semi, and he had to adjust himself, pulling his holey t-shirt out of his waistband so as to cover the bastard up.
Reg checked his phone. It was 9:45. The sign on the door said open at 10. So, he was a little early. Still, where was everyone?
“Hello?” he called out.
Following his nose, he tracked the delicious fragrance to the back of the salon. The scent grew stronger as he neared a door with a sign that read “storage” on the outside. Using his supernatural hearing abilities, Reg stilled as the person inside grunted and grumbled.
“Frigging box. Had to put it on the top shelf. Short girl problems,” the voice muttered.
It wasn’t the words that had him stopped in his tracks, but the feeling of awareness that roared through his veins as the woman, yes woman, talked to herself.
Hand on the doorknob, Reg yanked it open, startling the creature inside into screaming, and nearly toppling off the small ladder she’d been standing precariously on.
Oops.
Lucky for her, Reg was a Tiger with faster than human reflexes and strength.
“Whoa!” she yelled.
“Gotcha,” Reg replied, and thanked heaven for his speed as he scooped the lush female into his embrace with one arm, while catching the box she’d been wrestling with in the other.
“Wow, uh, thanks,” the stranger whispered, her baby blue eyes sparkling up at him with surprise shining brightly in them.
Holy hot mama.
Whoever this delectable little female was, it was like she was calling out to his very soul with those beautiful eyes of hers. That sexy scent, and her sinfully gorgeous body were just bonuses.
“Beautiful,” he whispered.
“Excuse me?” she replied, her voice a husky little sound that lit fires along his skin.
She licked her bottom lip and swallowed nervously, but all he could do was stare. Did she have any idea how scrumptious she was, clinging to his neck like that?
She had glossy brown hair pulled up in a loose, flattering ponytail with streaks of blue and purple showing in the back. Bright blue eyes, like robin’s eggs, sparkled up at him, and her pale pink lips were moist and plump. She had skin like smooth cream with a pale smattering of freckles over the bridge of her small nose.
Reg wanted to lean in and catch those lips with his, see if they tasted as good as she smelled. Warm and fresh, like new spring flowers kissed by the sun. Exactly the kind his Tiger loved to roll around in on the base of Mount Maverick.
In fact, the beast seemed to like the idea of rolling around in her. She was the culmination of all his horny teenaged fantasies, but better. That fucking scent was making him braindead. His beast was riding him hard to take her, right then and there. Press her against the wall, tear the clothes from her flesh, and fuck her until neither one of them recalled their names.
Shit.