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Three
“Lance Jacosa! Well, it doesn’t look like you changed at all since I was last here,” Gerri Wilder’s magnetic pull was damn near impossible to resist, “Still have that handsome face the ladies can’t resist.”
Lance froze in place and turned to greet the woman he’d been equally dreading and anticipating over the last week. Clad in a brilliant red coat, her white hair glistening with fresh snowflakes, Gerri Wilder gazed at him for a good. long minute. The older woman’s blue eyes flashed with her inner Wolf, sizing him up.
She was more magician than matchmaker. At least that was what the rest of the Maverick Pride said about her. Truly, she had the entire lot of them in awe of her incredible skills.
“Mrs. Wilder, don’t you look stunning,” Lance grinned, hoping he could charm his way out of this whole thing.
He made a mistake. He was too young to get mated. When Elissa and Jessica had cornered him the other day, he never expected them to actually call her.
But there she was. Gerri Wilder in the flesh. What did a guy have to do to keep his bachelorhood safe around here? He was known as a fun guy. Someone to enjoy a casual affair with. He was not a happy-ever-after kinda Cat.
Grrrr.Speaking of which, his inner animal growled and scratched at his skin. The beast was beyond grouchy, and no wonder. He hadn’t had sex in months!
Fuck our reputation, the Tiger snarled. Lance grimaced and cleared his throat. It was no use. The animal wanted a mate.
“No use trying to sweet-talk me, pussy cat,” she tsked, and pointed to an empty chair at the kitchen table.
“Sit. Please.”
Of course, he obliged. What else could he do? He’d already rented out his cabin to the woman. Lance had been sleeping in the Pride House the last few weeks anyway. His Tiger needed the company.
Though solitary animals in the wild, Shifters were different. Communal groups helped them control their natural inclinations to animalistic behavior. The fact his Tiger was becoming increasingly aggressive and unruly was worrisome.
But it happened sometimes when Shifters were unmated. As a member of the Neta’s Guard, he needed to regain control. And sooner than later.
“Mrs. Wilder, I know you are here to help, but I am doing just fine-”
“Fine is it,” the older woman removed her coat and took the seat across from him, “Word is you’ve lost a step.”
Grrrr.
“Easy,” she said, raising one eyebrow at him before continuing, “the factis I can help you. Lance, your Tiger is trying to tell you something,” she said.
“Like what?”
“Like those other women you’ve been spending time with aren’t for you,” Gerri insisted.
He placed his hands palms down on the table and closed his eyes. The Tiger inside him chuffed, nudging him, encouraging him to listen.
“I know, but Mrs. Wilder, where am I going to find her?”
“Leave that to me, but first,” she nodded, “do you have a suit?”
Hours later…
“I feel like an asshole,” grumbled Lance.
“Well, you look like a prince. Stop that,” Elissa stomped over and took the tie from his hands, “here now. Hunter!”
“What? Elissa?” the Neta came running into the room, skidding to a stop in front of his mate, “Are you hurt?”
His hands ran over her shoulders and waist, but the Nari growled and slapped at him.
“Stop it, honey. Look at Lance,” she instructed, and the man looked confused, “doesn’t he look nice?”
“What?!” he growled.
