Prowling for His Mate_A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance_Leo Read online

  Jaison locked eyes with Damen and took a knee. The only other time he took a knee was for the yearly reaffirmation of his vow of loyalty to his prime.

  “Do you yield, Jaison?” Gio asked.

  “I yield for the safety of our queen.”

  “Unless there are any objections, I proclaim Damen the queen’s guardian.” Gio turned to those around and thanked them before saying to Damen and Jaison. “Gentlemen, our prime is waiting for us for the handing over of protections.”

  They made their way quickly and silently to the main house where Kalista and Leonidas waited. The prime being the last to enter the banquet tonight worked in their favor. No one would find it suspect that Leonidas, his second, Kalista, and her protector weren’t there yet. They walked into Leonidas’ office. Kalista jumped up from the sofa. Her eyes were full of worry.

  “It’s done.”

  “Kalista felt the break of the guardian bond,” Leonidas said, still holding her hand. “I shall leave you to it.”

  Leonidas kissed his mate and left, closing the door silently behind him. Kalista looked to Jaison, kissed his cheek then turned to Damen. Damen removed his shirt, and she placed her hand on the Leo constellation tattoo on his pectoral muscle above his heart.

  “I swear by the goddess Soteria,” he said. “I swear to protect you with my life. I place you under my guardianship and thus within my protection.”

  “I accept your guardianship.” Around the fading tattoo, two dark circles formed. Those were then surrounded by two circles opened at the top. Nestled in the opening were two dots. The ancient symbol of protection. Kalista straightened her shoulders and looked to all those in the room. “We are expected at the banquet.”

  Jaison walked Paighton as far as the steps. “I’ll see you later this evening.”

  “Take your time. I’ve a book to read.”

  He had two more things to do before he could call it a night. He was ready to get it over with. Leonidas and Kalista walked ahead with Gio in the far distance, making sure the path was clear. Damen and Jaison followed in silence. The prime and his queen were introduced and made their way to the elders.

  “I challenge Jaison.” The voice of Ricardo’s eldest boy Salvatore rang through the building. “I challenge him for—”

  Before the man could finish his statement, Jaison in a loud voice answered, “I accept.”

  A look of success crossed the young man’s face before he nudged another man who challenged Gio, followed by another until all but Damen, the prime’s second, had been challenged. Because the rules of challenge clearly stated that the prime’s second could not be challenged. The second could challenge, but not be challenged. The rules stated that because the prime would be challenged a great deal, there needed to be someone ready to stand in at any time to keep the pride safe in the interim.

  Once the challenges were out of the way, Leo demanded all his betas join him on the patio. Kalista followed close on Jaison’s heel. The cool night air kissed his skin as the men stripped their shirts and repeated the vows of allegiance to their alpha and prime. Only when their tattoos glowed bright again did they stand up. Leo thanked everyone individually.

  “You may go be with your mate, if you wish.”

  How he wanted to do just that. “No. You have challenges, and it would look suspect if I’m not at Kalista’s side for them.”

  “We could ask Paighton to come sit next me as a guest,” Kalista suggested, joining them to make their way down to the fighting ring.

  “Once we are bonded, perhaps. Right now, she is more comfortable with some distance,” he admitted, though he would much rather be anywhere else. Since the connection as her guardian had been dissolved, the need to hover around Kalista had also left. He still felt protective as any member of the pride did—he would still lay his life down for her. And he believed their close friendship would remain. But now he could allow his desire to put his mate first happen without guilt or conflict. When they reached the outer ring of the challenge fields, he asked, “Are you heading back to the party after this?”

  “No. You need to be with your mate, and Leonidas doesn’t want to dance all night. So, to appease all the men in my life, including tall, dark and silent…” She indicated Damen with a flick of her thumb. “I’ll retire for the evening.”

  “But you don’t want to.” He knew her, knew she would want to socialize to win over those who were still on the fence about her.

  “It’s not about what I want. There is a great deal I don’t want but still deal with. It goes with the territory. I knew this when I made the decision to come back and mate. I don’t regret my decision.” She turned to her mate who waited patiently for them to finish their conversation. “Go kick some ass.”

  “Will try.” He smirked.

  “I’ll make sure to kiss all your boo-boos better.” She teased.

  “Not much incentive to win.”

  “Shut up and let’s get this over with.” Kalista took her seat with Jaison behind her. Damen stood at the ring’s edge, close enough to be there if Kalista needed him without being conspicuous. Unlike the previous year, Kalista would be expected to be at her mate’s challenges. “These are all token challenges tonight. No one really wants to beat him.”

  “Oh, the younger ones have something to prove, but these are traditional first night celebratory fights. There will be some more through the month, but it’s a quiet year.” Jaison looked around the ring. No one stood out as a true challenge.

  “Last year was because of me, wasn’t it?” Krista asked.

  “It was.”

  She didn’t say anything as the fight began, just sat straight-backed, her face displaying nothing but mild interest. She wasn’t to cheer as it was considered ill form. Over the last year, she’d sat through training session after session. In some, Leonidas would allow Damen to beat him to a bloody pulp, all so that she could handle this month of fights.

  Seven challenges later, Kalista stood and greeted the mates of three of the challengers who had bonded this year before making a beeline for her mate who was currently putting his shirt back on. “Congratulations, darling. I know it’s the first night of Leo but I’m feeling a bit light-headed.”

  “Of course.” He kissed her temple.

  He had to give her credit. She was a hell of an actress.

  Three nights later, Paighton sat down next to Kalista to watch her mate fight. No matter how much she read, how much others told her, she still fisted her hands in her pockets to hide the shaking. Kalista put out her hand and asked, “Will you hold my hand, please?”

  Paighton cocked her head but didn’t hesitate. Before the hand was fully out of the pocket, Kali grabbed it and squeezed tight. No one who saw the scene would know who shook. And as she was just one of the few humans on the island unfamiliar with these fights and Kalista had a reasonable fear of losing a guardian she trusted, the fear could be chalked up as normal.

  “It’ll be fine,” she said to Kali, but they both knew it was more for her than the other woman.

  Leonidas’ voiced echoed through the air. “Salvatore has challenged Jaison. Salvatore, your challenge has been accepted. Please air your grievance.”

  “I say Jaison is not the right beta to be guarding our queen. Only the strongest should watch over her.”

  A hush ran over the ring. Jaison stood, legs apart, and roared. “I agree. I am no longer her guardian.”

  “What?” Salvatore stood shocked, which gave her mate the second of surprise and the first chance to strike a blow. Jaison took the man to the ground with a smack. But in a second, the other man was up and landed a blow to Jaison’s jaw.

  She yearned to look away; she didn’t want to see this. Every time a fist, foot, or the ground made contact with his body, she wanted to vomit. “How do you stand this?”

  Kali whispered so low that over the cheers of the crowd, she had to strain to hear. “Do you see the triage tent in the distance? On either side are torches. If you watch long e
nough, the torches start to dance. Sing a song in your head and see how long it takes them to pick up the beat.”

  And that explained it. Kalista didn’t actually watch the fights. She pretended to. And somehow knowing this made her like the other woman more. She stood strong for her man, remained regal for her pride and in the end she found ways to make this life livable. She adapted.

  “Jaison. Jaison.” The chant echoed around them, and she focused on the fight. Jaison stood on unsteady legs, swaying a bit as the other man struggled to get up. A second later, Salvatore shifted, followed by Jaison, and the fight continued on in lion form before one lion had the other by the jugular. And she hated she couldn’t tell the difference.

  “Jaison is on top,” Kalista said and stood up.

  Leonidas’ voice rang through the arena, declaring Jaison the winner. She turned to Kalista to see the woman recoil. Renaldo, whom she had heard so much about, stood inches from Kalista, his hand on her wrist. “I didn’t realize Leonidas the Honest had it in him for such deceptions.”

  Damen stepped in with a growl. “Back off.”

  “You? You’re the guardian?”

  “You forget your prime is also a brilliant tactician.” Damen stared down the other man.

  “Take. Your. Hand. Off. My. Mate.” Paighton had never heard Leonidas sound so menacing. A chill ran down her spine, as the other man released his grip. Kalista, and to her surprise, herself were pushed behind Leonidas.

  “No offense intended, prime.”

  “You touch her again, and not one lion here would argue my right to kill you. And we both know I can,” Leonidas growled. “Your son is banished and is to be off the island in an hour. Be grateful I’ll allow him to convalesce on the other island. I suggest you rethink your strategy. So far, five of the ten betas you have pitted against us have lost. Keep this up, and you’ll have no one from your pride welcome.”

  “Get out of his sight,” Damen said before he turned his attention back to Kalista. “He shan’t touch you again.”

  Kalista offered a smile and leaned into her mate. “I trust you, Damen.”

  Leo got Paighton’s attention. “Go to your mate. He needs you.”

  She looked up, confused. “But I thought…”

  “Keeping your relationship a secret is no longer an issue. He needs you. That is all that matters.”

  She climbed through the rails and ran to where Jaison was being helped off the field. She placed his dangling arm over her shoulder and smiled up at him. “You’re a mess.”

  “What are you, a doctor, now?” He bumped the gate.

  “No, but I read a medical book last night.” She hoped her voice didn’t sound as dreadful to his ears as it did to hers.

  He smiled down at her. “Then you’re certainly up for the task of mending me.”

  She highly doubted it. “They weren’t kidding when they said it was a bloody event.”

  He paused. “Baby, I’ll chat to the moon with you as soon as we are in bed but, right now, I need to focus on walking.”

  “If you are in that much pain, let’s get you a cart.”

  “Not on your life.”

  “Stubborn, egotistical, stupid man.”

  “Yep, that about sums it up.” He grunted.

  She turned at a sound behind her and found three other badly bruised betas following them. Gio, who licked at his busted lip, spoke for the others. “Only here if he needs us.”

  “You look almost as bad as he does.”

  “Nah. Our challengers weren’t even worth the time. He, on the other hand, had the only real challenge of the night.”

  “Maybe the week.” Nikolas wiped away the blood flowing from his nose.

  “Nah, the twins fight tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow? What time?” Jaison stopped mid-step and turned.

  “Noon, I think. But I’m sure if we ask them, they’ll delay to give you more time to heal,” Gio said as he then rattled off something about whose year it was to win.

  Paighton looked between the men, astonished. “You can’t be serious.”

  “Oh, very serious. It’s a tradition for these two. They’ve been challenging each other since they were five,” Nikolas added.

  “Five?”

  “I kid you not.” Gio indicated they keep walking. “Liam walked into the ring, yanked on Leo’s shirt, and spoke his challenge. Leo allowed it to happen with strict rules.”

  “So, how many years has this been going on?”

  “Sixty-three, I think.”

  She shook her head and walked ahead of the group. It would take a bit longer for her to come to terms with their long, slow lives. She paused inside at the bottom of the stairs, and although he declared he could take the stairs on his own, two of the men helped him negotiate the large staircase.

  Two trays had been left in their room. One for her because the kitchen staff had known she hadn’t been able to eat before the match. She wasn’t sure she could even now. Plus, a protein tray for Jaison to increase healing. She helped him remove his pants, the only clothing he had on, and when she moved to help him into bed, he shook his head. “I need to be in lion form to heal.”

  “Oh?”

  He didn’t say anything else as he shifted, using what seemed to be the last of his energy. Jaison collapsed where he had stood. Unsure what to do, she placed the plate before him, he took a bite of food before closing his eyes to the world.

  Jaison went through his list. Had she eaten a large protein-filled dinner? Check. Was a protein shake on order for one hour after sundown? Check. Had he made sure she completely understood what was about to happen? Check.

  She came up beside him as he looked over the island from his balcony. She kissed his bare shoulder. Her arms wrapped around his waist as she placed her cheek on his back. “How much longer?”

  “Minutes, my love.” He didn’t turn to her as this had helped in the past. They had to wait until sundown. He gripped her hands. “Soon.”

  His room didn’t overlook the sea, so he couldn’t see the sunset, but he would know. And then the moment it passed the horizon, Paighton cried out in pain. He turned in her arms and kissed her hard. She scratched at his shoulder, trying to get him closer. She wrapped her bare legs around his waist and growled. He knew, had asked anyone who could tell him, that the heat would overcome her until she was crazy with need.

  He gave her everything she asked. Carrying her to the bed, he spoke words of love and need. She pushed him on his back, climbing up his body until she could take him within her. Throwing her head back, she hissed. Placing his hands on her bare breasts, he watched for the signs she was close to orgasm. Staying his need because this was too important. They might have weeks to complete it, but she needed to be bonded, she needed the heat to diminish. As her body clenched around him, he edged her back. Once under control, he allowed her to ride him again. On the next impending orgasm, he lifted her off him, flipping her onto her stomach and raising her ass in the air before impaling her. His fingers gripped her hips, pulling her to him as he rammed into her.

  Paighton cried out, so very close. At that moment he hauled her upper body against his chest and bit into her shoulder. She screamed out in pain as the bonding began. Their heart rhythms merged, and he could feel her needs as if they were his own. He slowed his tempo and, as they went over the edge, he released his bite. Together, they fell back to earth on the bed, and he held her tight, making sure she could feel his heart beating. His entire world became the woman next to him and he would spend the rest of his life making sure she knew it.

  An hour and a half after they had bonded, the world as she knew it had changed. Weak from blood loss, she stumbled to her feet. The shakes had helped. Though she would rather stay in bed, her mate had asked if she minded going for a short walk. He wanted to show her something and said under the full moon it would be perfect.

  Twice he had said they could do it another night, but she didn’t want that. She wanted him to have this night. He had wait
ed so long for a mate. If this was something he wanted, she could do it. As she pulled her blouse on, she paused, touching the raw and sore bite mark. Red angry lines radiated out from the two punctures.

  “I hate that I had to do that.” He laid a gentle kiss on both marks.

  “The heat hurt far more than these,” she assured him, taking the shake he held out to her.

  The cool air did her some good once they were outside. To her surprise, the villa lay empty. They didn’t see a soul on their way. But she assumed, like them, many others would be bonding tonight. And most, unlike her, would be none the worse for wear.

  As they came through the tree line, they entered a large open field with a mound in the center. “This is the highest natural point on the island.” He pointed into the sky at a series of stars. “That is Leo.”

  “It’s brighter tonight.”

  “And it will continue to grow in light until our month is over.” He directed her to where Leonidas and Kalista stood. They greeted them with kisses to both cheeks.

  “Paighton and Jaison,” Leo said. “One of the greatest honors I have as prime is the right to bless births and bonding. I would be pleased if you would let us bless your union.”

  “I don’t understand. I thought that was what we did?” Paighton asked her mate.

  Jaison cupped her cheek. “This is more an acceptance of the prime and his queen.”

  “Oh then, yes, please.”

  “Though this is usually a private affair between the couple and the prime and his queen, for tonight we would like to alter tradition.” Leo lifted a hand and gestured for someone to come to him. When she looked over her shoulder, all those who lived on the island came out and surrounded them. “Jaison, take both of Paighton’s hands in yours.”

  He did and his face blurred through the tears pooling within them. “Did you plan this?”

  “I thought you deserved a wedding with a family who loves you.”