by Celia Kyle
But I’m not mating a tiger. I’m mating a wolf.
And when he questioned his tiger, the animal told him to get the fuck over it. This shit was happening tonight.
Which meant he dug deep and sought more speed from his inner cat. The feline was happy to supply what he needed. He darted around trees in their path, leaping over larger boulders and digging his claws into the earth when he slipped on leaves. The moon’s light was obscured by the forest canopy, making it difficult to see even with his enhanced vision. It didn’t matter. He had her scent. He could follow…
Braden slid to a stop beside the creek that ran through pack lands. Had they traveled that far already? Fuck. He was staring at the slowly flowing water, so they obviously had.
He backed away from the shore and narrowed his eyes, searching the bank for proof of her next steps. The tracks ended abruptly at the water’s edge, which meant she’d entered, but where did she exit? He looked at the opposite side, hunting for paw marks and saw… none.
What the hell? Dammit, she was making him work for this.
He tilted his head back, scenting the air, but the wind was at his back, pushing her aroma farther away instead of bringing it close. Fuck. He wasn’t sure if he should go right or left, and his tiger snarled at him. The human mind had one job.
One. Job.
He growled low, frustrated and furious he’d lost her. How could he claim her if—
A massive body slammed into him, sending him rolling to the left. He allowed the momentum to carry him until he popped to his feet. He crouched low and faced his attacker, a snarl on his lips. He met his opponent’s amber-eyed gaze as she matched his rumbling growl.
Veronica had got the drop on him, but now the tiger was engaged, the animal wavering between the desire to have its tail pulled and the need for his mate to prove herself strong and quick enough to claim him.
He narrowed his eyes, scanning her and hunting for any vulnerabilities, and he saw her do the same. They both tensed, bodies ready to collide.
Braden circled left, and Veronica countered the move so they remained opposite each other. The cat already saw her as a cunning foe, but now she had to prove herself to be physically strong as well. It wouldn’t mate a weakling.
But she’s already endured so much, he whispered to the animal.
She needs to prove herself a little more.
Sometimes he hated the beast.
It assured him the feeling was mutual.
And as he had this conversation with his animal, Veronica made the first move. She took advantage of his distraction and darted forward, teeth nipping his forearm before dancing out of reach once more. He snarled at the sting, shaking his paw as he glared harder. She just gave him a wolfen smile, her tongue lolling. She wasn’t upset by his anger in the least.
Braden ignored the cat’s instructions and rumblings now, focused entirely on testing his mate. She’d dance forward, and he would jerk out of the way. He would dart into her space, and she would bat him with her massive paw. But she didn’t go for the prize.
Didn’t she want to mate him? Veronica didn’t attempt to capture his tail with her teeth, even when she’d had the opportunity.
Frustration consumed him, anger adding to the mix. If she wasn’t going to even try…
The tiger took over, snatching control. It was frustrated as well and not just angry but furious. She’d claimed him like a wolf but wasn’t willing to mate the tiger in the way of the pride?
When she leaped at him, he batted her aside. When she nipped at him, he dashed out of reach. When she snarled her anger, he merely glared at her. Yeah, well, the cat was pissed too, dammit.
They went on like that, her fighting him while he merely danced out of the way. Time passed, the moon rising higher in the sky and still they were unmated. He could see her growing angrier by the second, but he saw something else as the night brightened. Her fur was damp, strands clumping together with the wetness. Was exhaustion setting in? His cat whimpered. They didn’t want her collapsing from fatigue. They were so much larger than her, so much stronger. They didn’t want their little wolf to pass out from the strain. It was ingrained in him to care for her. Even as she annoyed them. Even if she wasn’t strong enough to tug his tail.
He paused in their fight and released a questioning trill, quietly asking her if she was okay as he took a cautious step forward. He’d roar for help if she was too winded. He’d—
Braden saw nothing but a blur of gray race past him before a fierce jolt of pain raced down his spine. He snarled with the sudden ache and snapped his jaws at his attacker—at his mate. Who had her jaw clamped around his tail and laughter in her eyes. He glared harder, and she released him, giving the abused flesh a soft lick and gentle nudge.
His tiger roared with joy as the last of their mating bond snapped into place. The final bindings spun between them, and he felt the first moment when their thoughts collided and their minds connected. Emotions flowed steadily between them, ebbing and flowing, twisting, and turning as their connection solidified.
He sensed her joy, her overwhelming happiness at finally catching him. And smug. She was damned smug.
He twitched his tail away from her. “That hurt.”
“And I’m tired, but I still got you. You’re mine now.”
“It took you long enough,” he grumbled.
“When you can’t win through strength, win through cunning.”
“You’re saying you’re smarter than me.” He curled his lip and bared a single fang.
“I’m not saying I’m smarter than you, baby. I’m simply saying one of us failed here, and it wasn’t me.”
Braden turned and padded closer, nuzzling her scruff. “Pain in the ass.”
“Good thing I love you, then. And you love me.”
Yeah, he did. More than she could ever imagine. “Yes, and I can’t wait to show you I love you again and again.”
“Race you back to the house?”
Braden didn’t spare a moment to respond. Instead, he spun and delved back into the forest. He had a mate to fuck and babies to create.
“Babies?” Veronica screeched within his mind.
“Babies. Lots of babies.”
“But what about all the drama with…”
Braden slid to a stop and spun to face her. “There will always be drama, there will always be threats to the pride, and there will always be things that try and stand in our way, but baby… I’ll always love you, I’ll always protect you, and I’ll always kick anyone’s ass who tries to stand between us and what we want.” He strode toward her and licked her muzzle. “Always.”
When she didn’t say a word, he stepped back and was gratified when she moved toward him and stopped at his side.
Of course, that’s when Violet came storming through the brush, tongue lolling out and eyes dancing. She barked and lowered her front, ass sticking up and tail wagging.
“Are you kidding? Am I about to get cock-blocked by your sister?”
“You did say you wouldn’t let anyone stand in our way…”
He looked at her from the corner of his eye. “Can you jump over her? Outrun her?”
Veronica snorted. “Try and keep up.”
By the tone of her voice, he had a feeling he’d spend his life trying to keep up with her and he… looked forward to it.
The End
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The Tiger Tails series:
Fast and the Furriest – http://bookbit.ly/fastfurare
You’re Kitten Me – http://bookbit.ly/kittenare
About the Author
Ex-dance teacher, former accountant and erstwhile collectible doll salesperson, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Celia Kyle now writes paranormal romances for readers who:
&n
bsp; 1) Like super hunky heroes (they generally get furry)
2) Dig beautiful women (who have a few more curves than the average lady)
3) Love laughing in (and out of) bed.
It goes without saying that there's always a happily-ever-after for her characters, even if there are a few road bumps along the way.
Today she lives in Central Florida and writes full-time with the support of her loving husband and two finicky cats.
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Copyright Page
Published by Summerhouse Publishing. Tiger Tails: You’re Kitten Me. Copyright © 2015, Celia Kyle. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the authors.
This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues in this book are of the authors’ imaginations and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of these authors.
