Hunter knew he’d made the right choice when Sally had opened the door. Their poor little human was a mess. She still wore her outfit from the night before, her eyes were red, puffy and drooping with fatigue. Her hair was mostly out and fell about her in a messy tangle.
He hated the look plastered on her face, that vapid, hollow smile. Like she felt she couldn’t be sad in front of someone, that she had to protect their feelings over her own. As soon as she realised it was him, the fake smile dissolved, leaving her sadness in it’s wake. Hunter didn’t want to admit how happy he was that she felt safe enough with him to be true to herself.
“Well, don’t you look fetching all bed rumpled, my love?” Her eyes widened and he could almost feel her happiness that he was here. “Would you invite me in? There are things we need to discuss before we go.”
“Go?” She asked, even as she moved back to let him in. Aga
At heart, Sally Smith knew she was a city girl. She’d grown up in suburbs and cities her whole life. Camping was something she’d done in high school, when forced by teachers. Even then she kept it as ‘city’ as she could, bringing along as many home comforts as she could get away with and complaining bitterly at the idea of mud.She was under no delusions that when she eventually fell in love, she’d be a high maintenance girlfriend. She was going to loath family get togethers that would take place outside. Her favourite pet growing up had been an oddly shaped rock that she’d covered in glitter.To be walking through a tightly packed oval with larger then human wild beasts was so far out of her comfort zone she had no idea what to do. This was some high level David Attenborough shit and she could only cling to Hunter’s side as he walked easily amongst them. The fucker even nodded to some of the Hyena’s and she almost expect
Celeste had felt Sally step into the clearing. Actually she had known the moment her mates had stepped onto Clan land. She knew she shouldn’t be, but even after all these years Hunter continued to surprise her. He hadn’t mentioned at any point that he was going to get Sally and bring her here.But she’d had to take a deep breath and let it go. The Clan needed her right now, and whilst this happened to directly involve her mate, she had to focus here first.Celeste didn’t need another reason to cause unrest and have the Elders fight her again.Isabella and Conner were upset, realising belatedly the stupidity they’d been talked into. They needed to know not to be stupid again and if hyenas did anything well, it was to settle things with a fight.Shifting in front of Sally was something else. She could feel the thrum of Hunter’s approval through their mate bond, it settled warmly in her stomach. He had always been pr
Hunter wasn’t sure how Sally would take this. Humans were notoriously funny when it came to gender, sex and sexuality. Shifters could be, but it was hard to be when the mate bond came into play. Unless your family was incredibly traditional, or you grew up among ultra conservative humans, chances were another shifter wouldn’t care what was in your pants, or who you stuck it to.But finding out your partner didn’t necessarily look the same as others of their presenting gender in the human world? People died for that everyday.Whilst he was certain Sally wouldn’t be violent or anything even remotely similar, no one could know how they’d react. It hurt to think that Sally might reject Celeste due to this.Sally’s head cocked to the side as she watched Celeste.“This is important, isn’t it?”Celeste nodded. “This is who I am, being my mate means accepting that. I know for many huma
Sally nodded, unable to take her eyes off Celeste’s sultry smile. They were both made of sin, she was sure. Celeste sunk back into the couch, shifting Sally so she sat fully astride her lap, and tilted her head to the side. She pulled the collar of her shirt to the side, exposing a pale scar against her dark skin.This close Sally could see how it circled around where her neck and shoulder met. It was obviously a animal bite, the mark was too precise to be anything but. Celeste watched her with hooded eyes and she could hear Hunter’s purr from across the room.“Can I touch it?” She asked softly and Celeste smiled more, her body arching a little beneath her.Sally brought her hand up to cup her cheek, her fingers running over her lips before skimming down her neck to brush against the scar tissue. Both Celeste and Hunter groaned in unison, making her core throb. Here, a top of Celeste, Sally felt powerful. In control in a way she hadn&rsqu
:I don’t think you have to worry, my mate: Hunter’s voice was gentle, calm in her mind. :I know your nervous, but Sally is mostly infatuated with you. Please trust her:And her husband disappeared into the bedroom where the ensuite was.Celeste nuzzled against Sally’s neck, breathing in her scent of burning bushland, even heavier with the arousal pulsing through her.“There’s more?” Sally breathed, sounding a little overwhelmed.Celeste chuckled, lifting herself head a little to kiss her lips languishely. “Let’s take this to the bedroom, my poor little human.”Sally managed a pout, but allowed Celeste to lead her by the hand from the couch. Celeste knew she shouldn’t be nervous, nothing in Sally’s manner said she’d worry at all how Celeste looked between her legs. It didn’t appease the worry though.She’d been so happy when Hunte
The ladies showered, but one after another. Hunter was sure they were exhausted after the late night and then the excitement of the day. The Clan didn’t do things in halves, that was for sure.Hunter snuck down stairs to get them some sandwiches, they had all missed lunch. He was lucky, he passed very few Clan members on his journey. He shouldn’t have been surprised his luck didn’t last as he got ready to leave the kitchen with the food and some bottles of water.“So what’s up with you two and your PA?” Tyler stood in the doorway. He’d obviously been out with the rest of the Clan, just left in his pants and his tattoos. His arms were crossed over his chest. Hunter was happy to note it didn’t appear to be angry, just curious.“How about a big lot of ‘Noneya’? As in ‘None ya business’?”Tyler’s eyes rolled, “I get it’s none of my business. Just
Yuki looked at her in something akin to disbelief. “I thought you were on death’s bed yesterday, but not only are you ‘well’ enough to head out today but you were gone most of yesterday to. Spill wench! What’s going on?”Sally cringed. Her best friend was too perceptive. She stood before her, ready to head off to her classes with her backpack slung over her shoulder. Yuki huffed a piece of her white and black hair out of her face, glaring at her.Sally decided mostly truth was the safe way to go.“Hunter took me out, we met up with Celeste. There were sandwiches,” Sally didn’t get any further before Yuki gave an exited chirp and jumped at her.“I thought it must’ve gone junk the other night when you didn’t tell me all about it yesterday, but look at you, stud! Two lovers? I’d be super jealous if it didn’t sound like a tonne of work,” Yuki gushed exc
For Celeste, Saturday took too long to arrive. In the end she knew it was only two days, but it was two days full of appointments and meetings that meant she couldn't spend the time she wanted to with Sally. Not that she didn't sneak dalliances here and there. She'd noticed Hunter had to. She could smell the Lion on her when she'd found Sally in the break room Thursday afternoon. His scent hung around her and there was no way Celeste could help herself from pushing Sally up against the table and lifting her face up to sample those sweet lips.Sally, to her credit had clung to her jacket's lapels and molded her small form to Celeste's curves.The whole two days was a battle between the three of them, dancing around each other but never actually meeting all together. Celeste made sure of it. She wanted to give Sally the time she needed to come to terms with everything without having to worry about being influenced by the mate bond any more then necessar