Hailey reappeared at her door, took another look at the slow snow removal, shook her head at Lindley, and planted her hands on her hips. “Fine,” she sighed, “you can all come inside. But there will be no brawling, everyone—Lindley, that includes you—must keep their clothes on, and I reserve the right to kick you out if you’re not appropriately thankful. Do you understand?”
Dash’s head jerked up and he flashed a thumbs up to the rest of them before dropping his shovel and hurrying for the door.
Kyla popped up to look at Sage, then extricated herself from Lindley’s lap. Together, they hustled the cooler across the yard and into a den smelling of delicious food. Dash was already at the stove, trying to balance one of the steaks Trent grilled on his full plate.
Once they’d all grabbed food—and clothes, in some specific cases—and found a spot either at the table or crammed together on the couch, Hailey elbowed Trent.
“I hate this,” their alpha muttered. Another elbow had him pushing to his feet. “I don’t know why Hailey insists we can be a proper pride, but it makes me happy to see her happy, so here you all are. In my den.” Trent growled, shooting each of the males a significant look.
Lindley stood. “What Trent is trying to say is you all suck. Except Kyla and Sage. And Hailey on nights she cooks for us.” Hailey’s shoulders shook with her laugh. “We survived some dumb fucks trying to tear us apart. I know I couldn’t have done it without you, as much as it pains me to say. We’re here, we’re breathing. That has to be cause for celebration. Let’s eat.”
Kyla clapped wildly as the pride cheered. Most of the noise was teasing, but she didn’t expect anything else. They were a wild bunch who showed their love by being there when they needed each other the most. Sappy words weren’t needed when their actions did the speaking for them.
Family and pride didn’t need to hurt. They’d shown her that the chosen few that picked each other created stronger bonds than those kept together through force and threats.
There was no trying to be a real pride when they were one already. She was delighted to be among their number.
Later, when they were all full of food and beer and Trent had enough of them inside his and Hailey’s den, Kyla crunched through the snow with Lindley at her side. A purr rattled in her chest when she turned her face to the cloudless sky. She didn’t spy any shooting stars, but she made a wish anyway.
Let us all be happy and safe.
Up ahead, Dash spun around. “Hey! Lin, Kyla, you up for a run?”
“Sure,” she called back without hesitation. Lindley squeezed her hand and pride filled his scent. He liked when she stood up for herself. “But I start at the diner tomorrow morning, so not too late.”
Dash pumped his arm in triumph, then pointed to Sage. “Sage? Rhys? You in? Don’t make me be the third wheel.”
Sage twisted the bottle in her hands as she mounted her steps. “I think I’ll pass.”
Rhys grunted and turned for his den.
“Okay, you two. Don’t be gross,” Dash grinned as he took off, pulling his shirt over his head. He stripped as he ran, then let his lion take his skin.
“Gonna be so gross now,” Lindley snarked under his breath. He tugged her along after the other lion.
“Hm,” Kyla said as she glanced back at the dens.
Lindley turned to her. “What?”
Rhys reached inside his coat and drew out a small block of wood and a knife. He leaned forward and started whittling away, but she had the feeling the carving didn’t hold his entire attention.
Sage didn’t go inside immediately. She leaned against the railing of her porch and stared out over the snowy ranch. For a second, Kyla thought she might give in and join them. Then her friend started to fidget with the label of her bottle. She gulped down the last of her drink and swung her gaze back over the dens.
Sage jumped when she caught sight of Rhys on his porch, still carving away, and casually bolted through her door.
“Oh, nothing,” Kyla answered with a small smile. She pulled Lindley’s arm over her shoulder and tucked herself against his side. “Just happy to be where I belong.”
Hope fluttered to life in her chest.
* * *
Dash elbowed his way to the bar, baring his teeth at the little shrimp who tried to nose in on the seat he intended to take. Shrimpy squirmed, then backed off, allowing Dash to slide onto the empty barstool.
Drink in hand, he spun around and tried to catch the last of the fight. A wolf and a bear slugged each other with powerful blows that made the crowd roar, but Dash just grimaced and turned back to the bar. Nothing interesting to see there.
Fucking Lin and Kyla. They just had to be gross. He shouldn’t have expected anything else, though. Trent and Hailey were the same. Perfect fucking mates, all happy as could be in their special little club.
Assholes.
He wished them all the happiness in the world, but they were still assholes.
His lion batted at his insides, using his damn organs like a speed bag. He could even hear the sound of it whipping back and forth, almost like his heart trying to thump its way out of his chest.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and typed out a quick message. Anybody home?
Silence. Nothing but silence since she’d left town. Those were the rules she played by. They could flirt and drink and fuck when she was in Bearden, but he didn’t exist the moment she scraped the town’s mud off her shoes.
Better to move on. The itch was scratching at him already. His inner beast wanted to get on the road and, well, it wasn’t like he was getting his perfect fucking mate anytime soon.
The seat next to him opened up, but wasn’t empty for long. Dash inhaled, but couldn’t quite place the man’s scent. He shrugged. Probably too many shifters and blood and sweat to pick out anyone for certain.
“Not watching the fight?” the man asked after a moment.
Dash shrugged. “No point. Already know the wolf’s going to win.”
“Bear’s bigger.”
“Bigger ain’t better. Wolfy packs the harder punch.” He sipped at his drink and signaled for a refill. “Faster on his feet, too.”
“Care to bet on it?”
“Next round is yours.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the crowd howled. The referee at the side of the cage banged his fist against the fencing to make the ten count. The crowd groaned louder and louder until the bell sounded for the winner.
He loved that noise.
“Fuck,” the man swore under his breath. He dug into his pocket and placed bills on the bar. “I’m Seth, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you, Seth,” he said over the rim of his drink, not making eye contact. Talking fights was one thing, but he didn’t need a name and phone number for that. Nor did he feel like playing nice.
He rolled his shoulders as his lion slunk through him. Lindley, Trent, and his still dark phone were cattle prods to the beast, shocking him into wanting a fight. Maybe he could get his name on the rolls for the night and drain out a little of the bullshit with a good brawl.
“Yeah,” Seth said. “I’ve been wanting to meet you for a while. Ever since our father told me about you.”
Dash sputtered and turned to him. “The fuck did you just say?”
* * *
Thank you for reading Savage Claim! The Crowley lions will return with with Dash’s story in Savage Chase!
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Next in Series
Savage Chase: Lion Hearts Book Three
He’s determined to tear down the walls around his mate’s heart, before an enemy rips out his soul.
Dash
Ruthless fighter, aimless drifter. Falling in love means getting ripped in pieces when everything goes to hell.
Lion shifter Dash can’t fight the mating fever forever—or deny his insatia
ble need for the only woman who soothes his inner roar and makes him purr like a kitten.
But another male’s sniffing around his woman. It’s time for Dash to prove he’s the deadliest hunter in the pride.
No rival will take what is his.
He’ll prove to Colette that he’s here to claim, here to stay.
Colette
Men are trouble. Mates are worse. Colette avoids anything more serious than a one-night stand like the plague.
But for once in her life she needs help. A vow never to out a shifter to humans is going to cost her everything. Especially when the person she’s protecting is giving off stalker vibes.
The only person in her corner is also the only man who tempts her to break her own rules. The man who wants more than her body.
She’ll have to trust that a mate bond won’t chew her up and spit her out. Dash is the last defense against not just her enemies, but a lifetime of emptiness.
Savage Chase, Lion Hearts Book 3, is a standalone lion shifter steamy romance. This paranormal with bite is for readers who love friends to lovers, women in peril, and growly protective males who purr for only one woman.
Savage Chase is available on Amazon!
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About the Author
Cecilia Lane grew up in a what most call paradise, but she insists is humid hell. She escaped the heat with weekly journeys to the library, where she learned the basics of slaying dragons, magical abilities, and grand adventures.
When it became apparent she wouldn’t be able to travel the high seas with princes or party with rock star vampires, Cecilia hunkered down to create her own worlds filled with sexy people in complicated situations. She now writes with the support of her own sexy man and many interruptions from her goofy dog.
Connect with Cecilia online!
www.cecilialane.com
Also by Cecilia Lane
Lion Hearts
Savage Pride
Savage Claim
Savage Chase
Savage Craving
Savage Exile
Shifters of Bear’s Den
Forbidden Mate
Dangerous Mate
Hunted Mate
Runaway Mate
Stolen Mate
Untamed Mate
Black Claw Ranch
Wrangled Fate
Spurred Fate
Breaking Fate
Wild Fate
Bucking Fate
Shifters and Sins (BAD Alpha Dads)
Whiskey and Wolves
Tequila and Tigers
Bourbon and Bears
Savage Claim: Lion Hearts Book Two Page 19
