Pride Before the Fall

by JoAnna Grace

  "Her name is Vivian Blake and she's a cat. A tigress, to be specific." The room exploded with questions.

  "How did cats get into the territory?"

  "How did he meet her?"

  "Was he sure?"

  "Why didn't the council know about her?"

  Lifting a hand, Kasey quieted the four other people besides Sampson, who had been privy to the cat's arrival and Kasey's mating. He relayed the whole story to his council, leaving out the intimate details. Again, when he finished, his council stared at him like he was mad.

  Finally, Ian, a polar bear who had been friends with Kasey's father long before his Clan merged with the wolves, broke the silence. "Well, I think congratulations are in order." His effort to be happy for Kasey was not unnoticed. Ian was uncomfortable, as were they all, but he knew once a shifter's animal claimed a mate, there was no negating the claim. "When can we meet her, my boy?"

  "Uh, that's the complicated part."

  "What's complicated about it?" Nina shot out, her voice full of contempt towards a woman she'd never met. Clayton, a grizzly, tried to quiet her down.

  "I'm sure all of you are aware of the feline Pride located in Nevada." Kasey looked to each of them for confirmation.

  "A powerful Pride," Clayton confirmed. "That's the alpha that was nearly murdered by..." he paused, his expression morphing into deep concern. "You don't mean to tell us that Vivian is part of the rebel group that fled, do you?"

  "I wouldn't call them rebels. Refugees perhaps. Vivian did what she had to do to get herself and her family out alive. It's too bad she didn't finish off that sonofabitch when she had the chance."

  "Vivian is an alpha killer!" Nina came out of her chair. "Kasey, you must be out of your mind! How do you know she's not planning to do the same to you? She could be tricking you, seducing you into a trap!"

  Laughter rang out in the room and Kasey looked over to his right.

  Leave it to Sampson to put that insulted rage on Nina's face. "You think this is funny? This is your brother and your alpha that's in danger!"

  Sampson wiped his eyes and slowly stopped laughing. "If you only knew what you were talking about, you would know that Vivian has not seduced anyone. She can hardly stand to be around him," he chuckled. "Why don't you settle your fur and let the man continue?"

  Nina gave an indignant huff and sat back down, turning her nose up at Sampson.

  Kasey tried not to be annoyed that Sampson pointed out the fact his mate had rejected him, even if she had his best interest at heart. "Vivian and her family left Nevada because their alpha was not the saint he appears to be. In fact, he is a depraved, sick monster who likes to rape and torture women."

  A gasp came from Helena, a submissive wolf and Kasey's aunt. "That's terrible! Did he hurt Vivian?"

  "Out of respect for my mate, I won't betray what was told to me in confidence. The fact is, Trace betrayed the oath every alpha makes to protect his people. Vivian did what she had to. The only mistake she made was not making sure he was dead before she took off. She has been on the run with her Pride for years and I mean to see that end."

  Alias came to the edge of his seat. "Do I understand that you would bring on the wrath of a powerful feline Pride and possibly war to our doorstep all for a woman?" He had been against the Pride settling in the territory to start with.

  "For his mate," Clayton corrected before Kasey could speak. "And what man wouldn't go to war for the woman he is destined to be with? Of all people, Alias, I would expect you to understand the deep connection of mates and how devastating it is to be separated from them."

  "Brave words for a lifelong bachelor," Alias glowered at the bear. "Your alpha asks you to accept this woman as his mate. Don't you see what that means for the Pack? It means that we shall have a feline for a leader. Alpha's mate has alpha's rank. It is much different than any of us taking on an outsider as a mate. This woman will have power and privilege handed to her on a silver platter."

  "What's really bothering you, Alias?" Kasey leaned back in his chair, his chin resting in his fist. The look on his face was less than inviting.

  "I simply seek what is best for the Pack, Kasey. I've looked after your interests for many decades and your father's before you."

  "And you have been paid well to do so." The growl in Kasey's tone had Alias bowing his head.

  "Yes, I have. And I am thankful."

  Kasey stood up, Sampson with him. "I did not come here to ask permission. I came here to inform or warn, whichever way you choose to see it. Vivian has not warmed up to the idea either. She fears the same thing you do: bringing trouble to our Pack. It worries her so much that she denies the wishes of her animal. I don't know about you, but to me that says she is already looking out for us. I expect my council to greet my mate with open arms. Vivian and her family will be welcomed here. They have been on the run for a long time and I plan to give them a home, a place to plant roots and raise families. If that means I have to cut a few of the strings attached, fine. She is my mate. I will have her. End of story."

  Kasey made to leave the room when Helena stopped him. She put her hand on his face. "Don't be upset, nephew mine. Everything will work out. I look forward to meeting the woman who has stolen your heart."

  Kasey kissed her temple and then the back of her hand. "Thank you. I'm sorry if I seem on edge."

  Helena smiled lovingly. "It's understandable. Mating can be tough, even on an alpha."

  If Helena only knew the half of it, Kasey thought as he paced his room that night. Word had been received that the cabin in the mountains was being used and none of his guards recognized the scent. Sampson gave express orders for all sentinels to give that cabin a wide berth. The last thing they needed was their alpha attacking a soldier because he got too close to Vivian while she was in heat.

  * * * * *

  Kasey thought he was going to lose his mind three days in. He was in a pendulum of moods, back and forth between raging hostility and wanting to mate anything female. By day four, he'd locked himself in his apartment in the alpha house and told everyone to leave him the fuck alone except for Sampson, who was keeping an eye out on that cabin. He virtually lived under the cold spray of the shower. And his wolf: goddamn! That bastard was making his life difficult. He wanted his mate and didn't understand why Kasey was being a puss and not charging into that cabin and screwing Vivian's brains out.

  And if he was this miserable, he couldn't even imagine what fresh slice of hell Vivian must be going through. Her cat must be just as insane as his wolf.

  Hungry since he hadn't eaten all day, Kasey snuck to the kitchen in the middle of the night to find Sampson eating cereal and reading a Southern Living magazine. "Getting in touch with your feminine side?"

  Sampson snorted. "This coming from the man in heat. That's rich."

  "Fuck you. This is for the birds." Kasey grabbed a bowl and the cereal box.

  "Oh, I know."

  "No, you don't. You get to be with your mate when she comes into heat."

  Sampson pointed his spoon at Kasey. "Hey, I wasn't always married to your sister, you know. Your parents made us wait a full year to be married and wolves come into heat four times a year as opposed to a feline's two. So imagine going through this four times before you find relief."

  Kasey shook his head as he poured out some milk into his bowel. "No, thank you. How did you stand it?"

  "Two letters: K Y."

  Kasey nearly spit out the spoonful of cereal he had in his mouth.

  "Look buddy," Sampson continued. "I know you promised her you'd stay away, but Bianca did some research and she said that feline heats get worse as the days go on. And if the female is mated but unable to be serviced by said mate, her heat can last longer than a week. By staying away, you're prolonging and intensifying her agony. Just letting you know."

  Kasey put down his spoon and wiped his face with his hands. "What do I do? I promised I'd stay away because I don't want her to feel threatened but, shit, I don't want he
r to suffer."

  "Take meat and keep your eyes averted. That's what Bianca's friend from Montana said. She's part of a small multi-racial Pack: felines, canines, deer, birds, everything. She said felines can be dangerous during estrus and you have to tread lightly. I'd bet since Vivian is already weary, you're going to have a hard time. Then again, she might be extremely happy to see you."

  "I doubt it. She'll never—" Kasey halted mid sentence at the sound of his cell phone ringing. "Fuck me." He read the caller ID. "It's her." He pushed a button to connect the call. "This is Kasey."

  Sampson observed as his brother-in-law's face went from healthy tan to sickly green in five seconds. Kasey took his phone from his ear and stared at in silently.

  "Well?" Sampson prodded.

  Kasey looked up at him and for the first time in their long history as friends, Kasey looked terrified. "I might not live through this woman."

  * * * * *

  Vivian had been circling her cell phone for four days, debating. She'd never been in such pain in her life. It was by far the worst heat she'd ever experienced. Lava ran through her veins and battery acid filled her gut. She'd thrown up her entire first day and couldn't make herself eat anything. Even ice water went down like shards of broken glass.

  Day two she had spent under a cooling blanket. Someway, somehow, she was buying one of those. The fever was stronger, but that blanket helped her fight a bit harder. Her skin was so sensitive and itchy, she ditched her clothes. Even cotton rubbing against her breast sent her cat into frenzy. Day three she'd shifted into her tiger to keep from calling Kasey. She used a tree right outside the cabin as a scratching post to keep from shredding all the furnishings.

  Day four, when she was over halfway done and should have been feeling slightly better, she spent the hours alternating between the cooling blanket and hot tub. Her fever would spike and the pain would hit levels she didn't think possible, and when it receded, it left her shivering, frozen to the bone. The highs and lows wreaked havoc on her body. Her muscles ached and her head felt disconnected from her shoulders.

  The thing that hurt the most was the unfulfilled need from the cat to be mated. Vivian knew the difference between what the human side of her was experiencing and what the cat experienced. Her tiger was in dire need of sexual release. The fever and body aches were mere side effects. Under her itching skin was a female who knew her male was nearby and she was foaming at the mouth to get to him.

  Late in the night, after days with little or no sleep, Vivian had just drifted off when she swore she'd been injected with kerosene and lit on fire. The cat scratched at her insides trying to get through her skin.

  She picked up her phone and called Melissa. "Why am I worse?" she cried out in agony. "It's my fourth day. It shouldn't be this bad."

  "Oh, Vivian! I'm sorry, I know you don't want to hear this, but it's because your cat wants its mate. She hangs on longer, waiting. Just call him, V. Please. I can't stand for you to go through this alone. Please, please, just let him ease you."

  "Damnittohell! Fine!" Vivian hung up on Melissa and dialed another number.

  "This is Kasey," he answered.

  "This is your fault, you prick! You made me like this, now you fucking fix it!"

  Vivian hung up and threw the phone down, hating that she'd given in. Her tiger was pleased and eased up on her fractionally. Vivian wiped the tears trailing down her face. She never cried. It had been beaten into her in a literal way. But tonight she cracked. Forcing herself to move, she made her way to the shower. It was a quick shower. The water spray was like needles piercing her skin, but at least she was clean and her tiger contained.

  As soon as her cat picked up Kasey's scent, her eyes changed. The cat practically sighed with relief. Finally, thought the animal within. Take him hard and fast. Forget the formalities. I need him. Any other time, Vivian might have called her cat a slut. But at that time, she was inclined to agree. She and Kasey could talk later.

  As soon as he came through the door, she pounced, slamming him up against the wall, mouth-to-mouth, tongue tangling with tongue. He dropped the bags in his hands and latched on to her hips. Fresh from the shower, she was naked and her hair still wet. It didn't matter. The instant his body pressed against her, Vivian lost all rational thought.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Kasey didn't know what to do. Here was Vivian, naked, wet, and smelling like strawberries attacking him—not exactly the woman he was accustomed to. One look at those yellow eyes and he knew what was happening. Vivian wasn't home. He was dealing with the cat. And this kitty wanted sex. By the time she had sliced though his sweatpants, Kasey was calling on his wolf. There was no way he could handle her like this trying to be completely human. It was the reason female shifters were taught from a young age not to turn to human partners when in heat. They could kill them.

  Kasey picked her up by her hips, her legs clamping down around his waist, and took her to the bedroom. If Vivian wanted rough, she was going to get it. Finesse and seduction weren't in the cards this time. Kasey threw her on the bed, spread her legs and plunged two fingers into her sex. She was beyond ready. Lowering his body over hers, he slammed into her. Vivian screamed and her hands went to grip the sheets. He spared her a moment to adjust, then gave his kitty cat what she needed. And it was bloody fantastic.

  Over and over, orgasm after orgasm until he thought he would die from the pleasure. He didn't hold anything back; he explored every inch of her succulent skin, bit and tasted until he was sure he'd partaken in every one of her exotic delicacies. And when she literally collapsed on top of him, reaching another pinnacle—so many that he'd lost track—he rolled her over, tucked her close to his side under a half-shredded blanket and let her sleep. It was obviously the first time she'd rested in days.

  The fever came back once, but she barely stirred. She was so exhausted she never gained consciousness. Kasey retrieved the cooling blanket and gently tucked her in. When she did wake up, she was going to be hungry. He'd brought two backpacks full of meat. Bianca was going to be surprised when she went to the kitchen the next morning and found the refrigerator empty. But Kasey didn't care. This was for his woman, his mate, and nothing was too good for her.

  As much as he'd worn her down, she would sleep for a while so he put the food away and went back into the bedroom. Vivian was so incredibly beautiful as she slept. A sheet of auburn hair spread out over the pillow. Lightly bronzed skin stood out against the white of the sheets. She had lovely lips and dark lashes that fanned out over her cheek. Never had he seen anything more enticing in his life.

  He was going to have to replace a few blankets... and pillows... and perhaps that lamp... the headboard didn't fare too well, either. Kasey smiled as he thought about how his kitty's claws had kept her body anchored as he'd taken her as high as she could go. Even then his body tightened in anticipation of making love to her again. He crawled back into bed and caught some sleep before she woke. His kitty cat would need him at full strength.

  * * * * *

  Vivian slowly blinked open her eyes. Her fever made it too hot for sleep. The tiger within was coming out of her lazy stupor and was seeking the rugged and vigorous man who had sated her last night.

  Kasey was sprawled out and sleeping next to her. He hadn't bothered to put on clothes and he was looking rather delicious. Even though Vivian was less enamored than her cat, she could still appreciate the fine specimen. Kasey was muscle from head to toe. Ribbed abs, bulging arms, thick thighs and thick... everything. No wonder she was sore.

  She only remembered some of what happened last night. Her memories were foggy because the tiger had taken over. It had been furious and primitive. Her tiger had been desperate for rough sex. Kasey had the marks to prove it. All over his body were bites and scratches. What the hell had she done?

  "You, my sweet kitten, screwed me into oblivion." He answered her question, picked it right from her head. Kasey tilted his face to her as he opened his eyes. He smiled and Vivian lo
athed the butterflies that lit in her stomach. That smile was perfect and bright and warm.

  Then she realized how he knew what she was thinking. It made her head spin. Mates can read each other's thoughts. She cringed and sat up, turning her back to him. Vivian rubbed the heel of her hand over her forehead. This couldn't be happening. It wasn't. She couldn't hear his thoughts so maybe she could block him out?

  "You're not trying," Kasey said just before he moved on the bed. He put his legs on either side of her and pulled her back against his chest. "I can hear your thoughts because I want to." Warm lips brushed across her bare shoulder as he pushed her hair aside. "I want to know everything about you, kitten. So your cat lets my wolf have access to your thoughts. It's to strengthen the bond."

  As good as his body felt cocooned around her, Vivian knew the inevitable truth. "You know this will never work."

  "Says who?" He kept kissing up her neck until his lips turned her resolve to mush.

  "I, uh, um, if we stay here we will..." No coherent thought came to her mind. She needed to tell him, warn him of what would happen if Trace found them. Instead, her cat told her to shut the hell up and make love to Kasey. She lifted her arm to touch his face, run her fingers through that black hair. Warm, rough hands cupped her breasts and her eyes rolled back in her head.

  "I've claimed you as mine, kitten. Your family is under my protection now," he whispered as he continued to taunt her with his touch.

  Everything stopped for Vivian. This was exactly what she wanted to avoid. If Kasey took her as a mate, she would have his power among his Pack. And if people ever found out what she was, what she had done and the ineffable things done to her, she would be cast out as the reject she was.

  Vivian turned her head and looked up into his eyes. "Don't mistake lust for love, Kasey. You might want to have sex with me, but you don't want me. I might be qualified to be the alpha of my band of misfits, but I'm not the kind of woman your Pack wants to see on your arm." She untangled herself from him and walked away.