by R. E. Butler
“I’m sure.” He chuckled. “You gotta understand for people like your mom and me, it can be hard to get with the times. We’re so steeped in the traditions of our people that when a new way is brought about, it’s easier to rail against it than to change. I’m sorry for whatever grief your mom and I have caused you over the years about being mate-matched. Annie is wonderful. She was willing to go with him to save our lives, and that means something. You don’t need it, but you have our blessing.”
Hemi’s heart swelled and he hugged his dad. “Thank you.”
They watched as the ambulance unloaded a stretcher and two EMTs worked to save the coyote who had crashed into their lives. A police car appeared behind them, and Hemi shook the officer’s hand and then he and his dad gave statements.
“We’ll keep you posted on what happens to him,” the officer said. “I’m going to follow them to the hospital.”
“Thanks,” Hemi’s dad said. Then he turned to Hemi. “Ready to go back to your mate?”
“Absolutely.”
He and his dad walked back to the house. If he’d been alone, he would’ve run as fast as possible, but he wasn’t about to leave his dad, especially after the change in their relationship. They were on new ground, and he was thankful for it.
“So, about Demi,” Hemi said.
“No need to petition us about her,” Quentin said. “We wouldn’t accept your heart-match but tell Demi she can’t make her own choices. We’ll tell her that she can mate who she wants, and we’ll support her, and I will personally speak to Benecio and tell him to leave her alone.”
“I can back you up if you need it.”
“Actually, I was thinking I’d have your mom handle my battles from now on.”
Laughing, Hemi clapped his dad on his shoulder. “Did you know she had it in her to do something like that?”
“Of course. You forget that she’s a lioness. They’re fiercely protective of their young. Not only was I threatened, but so were you and Annie.”
Hemi was humbled by his parents’ behavior. His dad had gone charging into the woods by his side to hunt Roy down. His mother had saved all their lives. And to top it all off, they accepted Annie.
Annie raced from the house the moment he stepped into the backyard. She jumped into his arms and he hugged her tightly. “I’m okay, love. I promise.”
“They just let us know that he died en route to the hospital. The knife nicked an artery.”
Relief filled him. Now they wouldn’t have to deal with him anymore, and they could put this nastiness behind them. He cupped her face and kissed her. “Are you okay?”
“I am. We’re free.”
“It’s a great way to start off our mated life.”
“Your mom likes me!” she whispered with a smile.
“And so does my dad. You impressed them when you offered to take their place. Even though I’m pissed as hell that you tried to do that.”
“Sorry! I was being all noble. It’s what you do for family.”
With a laugh, he put his arm around her and said, “How about we go inside so you can meet my parents officially?”
“I’d love that.”
“And then we can go to our home. I need to hold you.”
“I need more than that,” she said with a wink.
“You’ve got amazing ideas.”
Chapter Sixteen
Annie sat at the desk in her classroom and looked at the kindergartners, heads bent as they practiced tracing letters on large pieces of lined paper. She’d been teaching the small class of five for the last month, and she loved every second of her day. The kids were awesome and so much fun as they practiced their growls and purrs, sounding like kittens.
While she’d been on the fence about switching to the pride school at first, after a few weeks she’d decided it was worth checking out. The school’s director, Reuben, said he’d been waiting for her to reach out. Demi took over the newly created first and second grade class, which freed up another teacher to take over a higher grade. Annie enjoyed the school she’d worked at before, and she missed Miranda, but when she left, Miranda was promoted to lead teacher and she was really happy.
An alarm went off on Annie’s desk and she stood. “All right, friends, that’s the five-minute warning for the end of the day. Let’s put our things away and make our desks nice and tidy. When you’ve got everything, line up at the door.”
A chorus of, “Yes, Miss Annie,” came from the kids and she smiled. She put her own things away and tidied up her desk and then shouldered her backpack and checked the kids’ bags to make sure they hadn’t forgotten anything.
“What’s your homework for the weekend?” she asked as they smiled up at her at the door.
“To play outside!” Evan said.
“That’s right! Be sure to tell me all about it on Monday.”
The bell rang promptly at three. Annie turned off the classroom light and shut the door, then walked with the kids down to the main office, where parents would pick them up. She greeted each parent, said goodbye to the kids, and then leaned on the secretary’s desk.
“How’s your day been?” she asked Larisa.
“Long. We’re going to digital files, so I had to spend the whole day scanning papers and then putting them in the appropriate online folders.”
“Yikes.”
“How about you?”
“We’re going to Tails. Titus has an audition set up for one of the bands, and they’re going to play tonight. He asked us to come and hang out so we could tell him what we think.”
“It’ll be nice to have live music again.”
“Definitely.” She rummaged in her bag for her keys and said goodnight to Larisa.
“See you Monday!” Larisa said.
Annie texted Hemi that she was on the way home, and he replied that they had dinner reservations and afterward they could head over to the bar to watch the band. She was excited for a night out, and looked forward to Fridays, when Hemi would plan their dates. She liked that he took the reins, and while sometimes they just had dinner and came home to watch a movie, she cherished that he cared enough to make plans for them.
When she arrived home, she parked next to Hemi’s truck in the driveway and got out. She saw Demi walking up to her front door.
“Hey, Demi.”
“Hi. How were the munchkins?”
“Great. Do you miss them?”
“Sometimes. But I love my new kids.”
“I’m glad. We’re going to Tails tonight to hear a band audition. Wanna join us?”
“When?”
“We’re eating first, so maybe eight?”
“I can do that. I didn’t have plans tonight, anyway. Text me when you get there, and I’ll meet ya.”
“We’ll save you a seat.”
When Annie walked into the house, she immediately kicked off her shoes. “This is my favorite part of the day.”
“Seeing me, right?” Hemi asked as he strode into the room and caught her in a hug.
“Definitely. I was not at all talking about taking off my shoes.”
He laughed and lifted her into his arms. “I missed you, sweetheart.”
“I missed you too.”
She kissed him and he purred, making her body light up. He carried her back to the bedroom, and she giggled at his eagerness. Nothing was better than her mate and the life they were building together. She couldn’t wait to see what the future would bring.
Coming November 30, 2020 from R. E. Butler
The Leopards Twins’ Christmas Mate (Uncontrollable Shift Book Four)
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Coming Next in the Tails Series: Pandemonium (Book Five)
Pandemonium has two problems—an alpha lion from another pride is convinced she’s his mate, and her favorite curling iron is on the fritz. Granted, the first problem is more serious, but a girl can't tell a guy to go to hell with messy hair. If only she could find her heart-match and send the alpha packing.
Grizzly brothers Rhaider and Rhage Fox are looking for a place to settle down with their band. They’re not just hoping to find a place to call home, but also their heart-match. She'd have to be very special, because Rhaider and Rhage have known for years that they were destined to share a mate. And a heart-match for two males is unheard of.
Rhaider and Rhage's band arrives in Kedrick to audition for a house band job at Tails, and to their surprise, their heart-match is in the audience. But Demi’s got an alpha lion intent on making her his, and they’re not about to let anyone—alpha or not—take her away from them. When a war between prides is imminent, Demi has to decide if she's willing to let people get hurt for her love life, or if walking away from her heart-matches is the best choice. When lives are on the line, will she choose them or the safety of her people?
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