When An Alpha Purrs (A Lion's Pride, #1)

by Eve Langlais

“But what about my hair?” That might have emerged more plaintively than he’d like. However, who could blame him? They were talking about his precious luxurious mane that required a regular trim lest the ends grow ragged, or, worse, a split end dared to make an appearance. Vanity, one of his faults, along with arrogance and an unwillingness to budge.

He was all male, all the time, and dammit, a man used a barber, not a hairdresser. Even if she was cute. “Suit yourself. I’ve got more than enough men to take care of—” Was that his cat growling? “—without adding a pompous one to the list.” “Pompous?” Even if she’d pegged him right, it didn’t stop his indignant glare.

“How much are we taking off?” As little as possible, given he still didn’t trust her. “About a half inch or so. Just even up the ends.” That should tide him over until Dominic returned. “Are you sure?” She frowned at his crown, as she held long strands up. “You look like you could use at least two inches off, if not more.” How did she know? Arik usually kept his mane to a civilized length that just touched the top of his collar. “I’m sure.” “You know, a man your age really should have a more mature cut. The shaggy surfer style is more suited to young guys.” He dug his fingers into the armrest and fought not to growl. “I like my hair like this.” “Suit yourself. I was just saying you’d look better with a shorter cut.” Shave his precious mane? Never! “Do you always argue with your clients?” Her eyes met his in the mirror, and he wasn’t surprised to see a smile lurking at the corners of her lips. “Only when they’re wrong.”

“Running somewhere?” She squeaked and stumbled but didn’t fall, as he shot out a hand to grab her. She whirled to face him. “What the hell are you doing?” “I could ask the same of you. I thought the plan was to meet at the shop. Yet here you are picking up fish? Got a date with a cat?” He loved the irony of his words but hated her reply. “I’m actually more of a dog lover.” “Cats are nicer.” “They’re snotty creatures who think they own you.”

“Are you ready to order?” Ready to order a can of whoop ass.

Keep her. Totally crazy and against everything he knew, everything he was taught. Arik knew what his pride would ask him to do, the women at least. They’d tell him to end it. Now. Just get up and walk away. Reinforce her belief he was an arrogant jerk. He was, and with any other woman, he might have done it. But this was Kira. And, for some reason, Kira was different. The various layers to her intrigued him.

Someone had threatened Kira. She could tell him it was none of his business until the cows came to the kitchen door and offered themselves for dinner. Right now, she was upstairs. Crying. His feisty, outspoken mouse crying. Like. Hell.

He’d respect her wishes to be alone tonight because he had work to do, such as making sure he didn’t go on a beastly rampage—and peeing on every goddamn wall he could find so that if the wolf returned he’d know he’d incurred this alpha’s displeasure. However, this was the last night they’d spend apart. I’ve found my mate. And from here on out, she would never be alone again.

I tell you I need to go to work to grab my paycheck so I can leave, and you decide, without asking, to hit your bachelor pad. I fail to see your humor.” “For one, while we will most likely have sex, and more than once, the reason I’m taking you there is first and foremost for your safety. My building has excellent security, round the clock.” “And what’s the other reason?” “Isn’t your protection enough?” She shook her head. “How about, I’ve decided to not let you out of my sight.” She couldn’t help but ask, “Why?” “Because you’re mine.” Possessive. Stated matter-of-fact. And utterly unexpected. She blinked and tried to process it. She failed. “Excuse me? Did you just say I was yours?” “Yes.”

“So I’m to be your sex slave? How is that any better?” “Mouse, you have some very messed-up ideas when it comes to men. When I say mine, I mean you’re my woman. My mate.” “Um, that sounds kind of permanent. Not to mention a little fast. I mean, just yesterday, weren’t you telling me how you wanted me as your mistress and weren’t looking for a relationship?” “I changed my mind.” “Only women get that prerogative.” “I’m the boss, some even call me king.” He winked. “I can do whatever I like.”

“I don’t think this is a good idea.” She didn’t look at him as she said it, but at the staring eyes of his cousins. “I don’t belong here.” She did. She just didn’t know it yet. “We can talk about it upstairs.” “Or I can just leave right now.” She spun on one heel, determined to leave. As if he’d let that happen. He sidestepped and blocked her. She moved the other way, only to have him block her again. “Get out of my way. I’m leaving, and you can’t stop me.”

How cute she looked with her arms crossed under her breasts. He wondered what she’d do if he told her it just tempted him to rile her even more. She’d probably take the scissors to me again. Problem was, while hair grew back, other parts of his anatomy wouldn’t, so perhaps he shouldn’t push his luck.

“What is wrong with you? I insult you, and you think that makes us perfect?” “But that’s just it. You are not cowed by my evident awesomeness. Your fearsome nature makes you a perfect partner for me.”

“You wouldn’t call me fearsome if you’d seen me last night,” she blurted out. As if ashamed of her admission, she ducked her head, but he wouldn’t let her hide from him. He angled her chin and forced her gaze back to his. “There are times when fear is appropriate. When threatened, anything less would be foolish. But you aren’t afraid of me.” “Because I know you won’t hurt me.” The admission warmed him, made his chest swell in pride. Odd, because, with anyone else, he would have shown them why fear of the lion king was appropriate, but with Kira, he wanted her trust. “You’re right. I wouldn’t hurt you. Because you are mine.”

“I don’t understand what’s happening to me. Why I feel so strongly about you. It’s not natural.” “That’s often the way it happens when true mates meet.”

“There you go with that mate thing again. You can’t just up and claim me, big guy. That requires something like permission.” “Or fate. And that is what we are, mouse. Fated. True mates, destined to belong together until the end of our time. We are the human equivalent of soul mates.”

“If you’re a lion, then prove it. Let’s go. Show me.” “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Not right now.” “Why not? You keep saying you’re some great, big, furry beast, so let’s see it. You want me to believe, and I’m willing to, with some proof.” “You don’t know what you ask, mouse, but since you insist.”

She backed away, one slow sliding step at a time. “I won’t hurt you.” “Says the man who turns into a freaking lion.” “Hey, don’t act like you’re so surprised. I told you I did.” “But I didn’t think you meant it,” she said with a fling of her hands. “Well, now you know. So what?” “What do you mean, ‘so what’? You turn into a lion. You know, big carnivore with giant teeth.” Arik’s lips twisted in a wry grin. “Stop complimenting him. He’ll get an even fatter head.” That caused her to stumble in her retreat. “You mean that lion you turn into…it’s like a separate entity? It hears me?” “He”—his emphasis not hers—“hears and understands just fine. And he’s being a furry pain in my ass right now.” “Why?” “Because he doesn’t like that you’re scared.”