The Maverick Pride Tales - Chapter 97: Chapter 97

Kylie’s she-Tiger ran in front of Michael’s as they circled the woods behind Jessica’s Closet. They had an hour before their first meeting of the Maverick Pride Support Group, led by Gretchen and Reg Cray and Pamela Brown.
Their three Pride mates had taken a lot of their own personal time to make this thing happen, and the least Michael and Kylie could do was to attend and support them. But first, she’d needed to stretch her legs and run in her fur.
Being mated certainly agreed with her, she thought with a pleasant chuff as she outran her mate. While she couldn’t tell if he let her get away with it or not, one thing she knew was he was no slouch.
Not in any department.
After moving in with him, she soon realized Pride Healers had the worst working hours ever. As a designer, she pretty much set her own schedule, but no one could tell someone else when to be sick.
Thankfully, Kylie was largely able to adjust to his schedule so the pair could have the maximum time together. And when she needed to work, when her creative muses started bugging her to sit down and make something new, he was more than supportive and understanding.
Hell, he’d even encouraged her to take the business courses she’d been thinking about after he saw her browsing through a course pamphlet from the local Community College. As a successful entrepreneur, she really wanted to know more about business, and as a good mate, Michael was only ever helpful.
That didn’t stop her from being ridiculously proud of her doctor mate. He took care of the entire Pride practically single handedly. Marina, their local RN, was a wonder, but she couldn’t do everything he could.
From treating a usual case of the sniffles, to a cub who’d gotten his tail caught in a door, to delivering a set of twins and another single cub this month alone. No matter what was up, the Pride laid it at their front door, and her mate did his best to tend all their needs, which actually made her love him all the more.
Michael nudged her side with his forehead and looked at her inquisitively. She realized she’d been stopped for some time. Chuffing in response, she padded over to a nearby stream and lapped at the cool water before heading back to the store and her old apartment to change.
Thankfully, Jessica had let her convert it to a workspace which the redhead had been happy to rent out to Kylie with the understanding that if Kylie made something, Jessica had first dibs at selling it. The she-Tiger was more than happy with the arrangement.
After changing back to their human skins, and the following smexy time shenanigans, the two got dressed. Michael turned and tugged Kylie closer until she was cradled in the safety of his arms. She couldn’t get enough of that splendid feeling she got whenever he touched her, Sighing, she snuggled into his muscled chest.
It was the feeling of finally coming home.
“Did I ever say thank you?” he asked.
“For what?”
“For saving my life. For saving us,” he answered.
She leaned back while still in his arms and held his sinfully sexy dark eyes in her gaze. How could she tell him everything she’d felt that day? Should she explain? In the end, she decided she wanted him to know.
“You don’t have to thank me,” she started. “Truth is, I was so angry at you for trying to be honorable, and setting me free, I think my she-Tiger burned through the toxins just so she could kick your ass,” Kylie explained, and snorted at his raised eyebrows.
She was so incensed, Kylie didn’t even bother trying to stop her Southern drawl from creeping in.
“I couldn’t believe you said all that. I was furious, and I knew you were too good to go against a creep like Waylon. That man was a skunk, and he smelled like one too! I knew he’d cheat, and you would have never expected it because you were too good, too kind, and you value life in a way that wretched man could never have understood. I had to do something.”
“So, you stepped up to save me, huh?”
He looked down at her, eyes glowing amber with his beast, and Kylie felt her pulse speed up. The handsome Tiger got her every time with his ridiculously sexy good looks.
“That’s right, and I would do it again. Every single time,” she leaned up on her tiptoes, but he held his head out of reach.
“Kylie, I love you like crazy, but let’s agree that if there is a next time, it’ll be my turn to do the saving. I could not bear to see you in danger, ma petite chaton,” he growled and caught her mouth with his.
Warmth filled her and Kylie poured everything she had into that kiss. The fact he wanted to protect her was thrilling, but she was careful not to make any such promise. Honesty was the core of any relationship, but this was not something that was up for argument.
She would do everything she’d done a million times over. She would do anything for him, and she tried to let him know with her kiss.
All her love, her desire, her hopes and dreams, and every single ounce of trust and faith she had left was for Michael. She’d never have believed that a girl like the one she’d been could ever grow up to have a man like him.
“I love you, mon petit chaton,” he whispered, and she savored the words from his lips.
His little kitten, her Tiger wanted to be insulted, but she secretly liked the nickname.
She didn’t mind being called that, as long as Michael was the one saying it. He was everything she needed and more. Looked like the doctor had finally caught her, and even more shocking, it was exactly where Kylie wanted to be. She wanted to be his mate.
She had expected conceit and arrogance from so handsome and educated a man, but what she got was patience and unwavering devotion. She’d expected him to shrink away from her strength and, okay, her beast’s violent streak when it came to protecting him, and her new life, but he didn’t.
In fact, no one had teased or sought to humiliate the Pride Healer for having a tougher than nails mate. She was pretty sure he’d gotten a few high fives after the whole thing had gone down. Kylie had to admit, it felt pretty darn good breaking that bastard Waylon’s neck.
“When did they pick up that cub who was working with Waylon?” she asked her mate, knowing the young male had been gone that very morning.
“Ah, I see you’ve heard,” he said. “Dakota Miles, the representative sent by the Council of Shifters, came at dawn to take him away. He led the envoy that liberated the Sharp Claw Pride from under the streak’s rule.”
“Good,” she replied and sighed, glad to be done with it all.
“Actually, kitten, he had a question for you, and I’ve been waiting to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Well,” he said, and she ran a finger over the fine worry line between his thick dark brows. “He wanted to know if you were interested in ruling as Nari of the Sharp Claw Pride.”
“What?” Kylie swallowed, having never really considered the possibility.
“Well, it wasn’t just luck that had you fighting off the powerful concoction he’d poisoned you with or an accident that your she-Tiger was able to break his neck. You come from a long line of Alpha fems, Kylie McNaughton. Your Tiger is fierce and dominant.”
She turned away from him and walked the length of the room. All her life she was made to feel small, told she was worthless and only meant to serve at her mother’s feet. The only time she had ever felt like anything was here, in Maverick Point.
She didn’t need time to think. It was a no brainer.
“Well?” he asked, and she could feel his anxiety lacing the air with a lemony tartness that made her she-Tiger’ nose itch.
Kylie sneezed.
“Bless you,” he said, and walked over, handing her a tissue.
“I’m fine,” she replied, laughing, tucking her loose hair behind her ear.
“Michael, I don’t want to be Nari. I don’t want to return to the Sharp Claw Pride, or to rule over anybody. I just want to stay here with you.”
“I would go with you, if that is what you wanted,” he said, and she knew he meant it.
He would leave his home, career, family, and Pride for her. The sacrifice would be extreme, but he’d do it. She didn’t doubt that for a second.
“I know, but I mean it. I don’t want to leave Maverick Point. I love it here, and I love you.”
“Okay then.” Michael smiled, and it was like the sun coming out. He tucked her unruly locks back behind her ear and kissed her lips, pressing his forehead to hers.
“Mate.”
“Mmm. Thank you, Michael, for everything. We should go,” she murmured and took his hand and they walked to the meeting.
“Yep,” he agreed.
“Well, looks like you caught me after all.”
“Who me? In case you haven’t noticed, kitten, I’m the one who’s caught. Hook, line, and sinker.”
“Good, I wouldn’t have you any other way, Doc.”
Kylie purred, pinching his ass, and laughing at his high-pitched yelp before walking into the room and taking a seat in the circle of chairs Reg had set up.
Looking around the room, she felt the pain and confusion of the Shifters who’d gathered. Shifters, mostly female, who’d been hurt by Blake and his men and their false ideology.
But there was one more thing she felt, something small and elusive, and it warmed her to the core, and that was hope.
Maverick Pride was truly a remarkable community, and Kylie knew she’d made the right choice to be a part of it and to stay with her mate. Michael sat close to her, his thigh brushed hers and he took her hand as the meeting started.
Yes, this was right where she belonged.