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Words could hardly express what she was feeling, but one did. One word said it all.
“Mate,” she exhaled and pressed her forehead to his, sucking in the fresh pine scent that was all him and cradled him in her arms.
Pure joy and elation filled her and she realized it was coming from him too. Something inside of her recognized the rare beauty and profound power of their special bond. It was humbling and awesome in ways she had never experienced, but looked forward to, with him.
After she scrounged around for some clothes that would fit her, Violet joined Dean in the surprisingly large kitchen.
“You know this cabin is insane,” she said and laughed as she accepted the glass of white wine he held out to her.
“Really? What do you mean?”
He was cutting some lemons and adding them to a beautiful cut of fish, which had her salivating. That was weird she didn’t usually like fish, but she was almost ready to eat the thing raw.
“What is that?”
“Pacific Cod, I had Alex, the ISP Vice President and Beta of my Pride, arrange for the cabin to be stocked when I arrived and I always have fish on Christmas Eve,” he shrugged.
“Yeah? That is an Italian thing, isn’t it?”
“Yes, my mother is Italian. She is going to love you,” he grinned and Violet’s stomach flipped.
It had been a long time since she had any family of her own. The idea warmed her even as it had her nerves standing on edge.
“Hey,” he said and her eyes met his across the marble counter, “I mean it. She and my father retired years ago, but I can call and have the jet fueled up at a moment’s notice. We can visit them in Florida maybe after the holidays. Do you like Florida?”
“Uh, I don’t know. I’ve never been,” she answered and suddenly felt as if the walls were closing in on her.
Here she was in this fancy cabin that to him was nothing more than a blip on his radar. How could she fit into his world? She was just a nail technician.
“Hey, little one. It’s okay, look at me now,” he was suddenly in front of her and his big warm, hands were on her face, tilting it up towards him, “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. If I am moving too fast, it is just because I am so happy. You did that, you know.”
“I did?”
“Yes, you make me happier than I ever thought was possible, but I get it if you don’t want to meet the family right away. My parents can be a bit overbearing,” he frowned.
“No, it’s not that,” she laughed and to her horror a tear rolled down her cheek.
“Hey, no crying, please,” he bent and kissed away all traces of her tears from her cheeks.
“I just, well, it’s been a long time since I belonged to anyone,” she tried explaining and he wrapped his arms around her, tucking her head against his chest.
“I got you now, little one, and you belong right here with me,” he whispered against her hair.
She felt safe and warm, and most of all loved wrapped up in the security of his embrace. Violet released the breath she’d been holding and with it expelled all her frazzled nerves.
“Tell me about the Pride,” she said recalling his mentioning a Beta, which from her writing meant there was probably an Alpha too, “who is in charge?”
“Uh,” he stepped back and wiped his hands on a dishtowel before picking up the broiler pan with the seasoned fish and placing it under the fire to cook, “I am.”
“You’re what?”
“In charge,” he answered and turned to face her, “I am the Neta of the Island Stripe Pride and you, mate, are our Nari, that is what we call our Alpha fem.”
“But I, I don’t know anything about being a Tiger,” she said and he could sense her growing anxiety.
“Let me feed you, little one, then I will teach you everything you need to know.”
Dinner was phenomenal and Violet had to admit she was now a fan of fish. He’d seasoned the flakey perfection lightly with sea salt, crushed red pepper, olive oil, parsley, and lemon slices, and she’d practically purred while digging in.
