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With a tremendous roar and a bone-breaking crunch, Anna let it happen. Lance threw the SUV in park and jumped out of the car to open her door. Not a second too soon, either. Tigers were big as fuck. And heavy, too.
“Come on, baby,” he stood back, crooning to her in his deep, sexy baritone.
Annalia leapt from the ruined vehicle. She sniffed and chuffed at the falling snow. A million different stimuli invaded her heightened senses, but Lance was there to walk her through it. He whispered encouragingly, praising her beauty and strength. Anna had to admit her feline side was so on board with that. Everyone liked to be complimented now and then.
Rrrroooaaaaarrr!
“Damn, you are so beautiful,” he grinned widely and sank to the floor despite the gathering snow.
Annalia chuffed again. Growling, she bumped his chest with her large, feline head. She could hardly believe it. Anna was a Tiger! As in a striped-fur having, tail swaying, fangs dripping, huge snarly ass Tiger!
“Tigress, love,” her mate was still grinning at her and she wanted to shake him.
Panic flared to life. How could he do this to her? Why didn’t he tell her? But just as quickly, she let all that go. Besides, he was too cute to ruin with her new claws. Still, he deserved a little displeasure, so she hissed and snarled, snapping her jaws as close to his face as she dared get. Then she pushed him with her massive head once again, and he rolled over laughing.
The jerk.
“Let me Shift, love. Then we can run together,” his invitation was made with a low rumble that made even her furry bits quake with need.
Fuck. In her fur, she recognized him as her fated mate down to her soul. All the doubts her human side had with trying to reconcile her fantasy of love at first sight, was nothing compared to the reality that was her feelings for Lance.
The wintergreen scent she’d thought was simply a breath mint he’d eaten last night invaded her nostrils, and she knew it was all him. And he was all hers. His scent, his unique flavor, called to her like no other.
Absolute certainty that he was her mate filled her, and Anna understood his rush to claim her the night before. It humbled her and thrilled her at the same time. She shivered in response to the emotions washing over her in great tsunamic waves. Lance swapped skin for fur, his Shift much swifter and easier than hers.
It will get better, love, he whispered into her mind. Her mate was large and strong, as handsome on four legs as he was on two.
Want. Need. Mine.
Yours, he snarled, let’s explore together. Then I will claim you again.
Her stomach quivered at the suggestion. His voice was clear inside her head, where hers was mostly single words, but she knew that would change too over time.
Sounded like a plan. Anna wanted him as badly as he did her. Yes. Definitely.
Grrr.
Before the moment grew too intense, Lance swatted her butt with the tip of his thick tail and took off. Her she-Cat yowled indignantly, giving chase. The snow was thick, covering the woods in a blanket of white, but her Tigress went wild for it. She ran after snowflakes and caught them on her long, sand-papery tongue. All her senses had increased. The world was new and exciting like this, but she was still getting the hang of things on four legs.
She stopped at a stream to drink, and her overzealous mate tackled her from behind. Annalia managed to stay on the shore, rolling on the bank. She stopped in prone position. Waiting.
Lance grunted and leapt to her side. She felt his fear, worry, and anxiety as if they were her own. The joke she’d planned forgotten, she sprung up rushing to reassure him. The big Tiger heaved a breath and licked her face with the flat side of his rough tongue.
It was unlike anything she’d ever felt, but it was honest and good. For the first time in her life, Annalia understood what it was to be loved.
She knew about Shifters, but she didn’t know mating one was a possibility until she met Gerri. The matchmaker had a knack for finding mates. But even when she’d arranged a date for Anna, she never expected this. How did one prepare for such a thing? How did one adjust?
Together, Lance answered her unspoken questions. We do it together, love.
Anna calmed immediately. He was a gift, she realized. As was turning into a Shifter. The best gifts she’d ever received in her whole life.
His wintergreen scent wrapped around her like a warm, familiar blanket and she shivered and rubbed along his side.
It was time for them to go home.
