Page 3 of Chasing Savannah

Derrick laughed. “Hello to you, Carlos.”

Carlos snarled.

“You’re so easy to rile.”

“Only you push my buttons, Beta. Everyone else knows better.” Carlos sighed and leaned back in his leather desk chair.

Derrick sighed. “Too true.” He paused a moment. “The land welcomed us, Carlos.”

Relief loosened the tension in his shoulders. “Is it ours?”

“It feels like home.” Derrick told him, his tone reverent. “How long should I stay?”

“Theo’s good at what he does. He’s our liaison for a reason. He should be fine alone down there. I say a week to help him and Laura settle, then I need you back here to prep for us to leave. I’d be surprised if the alphas gave me that long.”

Derrick cursed. “How many times do we have to tell them we don’t want their shitty territories?”

“Well, with Theo not here to smooth over ruffled feathers, I want to be out of here sooner rather than later.”

“Your brother-in-law is good at his job. By next week you’ll get your call with the Felix here, and we’ll be moving down in a month, two at the latest.”

“Why are you always so confident?”

“Come on now, it’s me.”

“Cocky bastard.” Carlos muttered.

“Speaking of cocky, your sister has a beautiful neighbor.”

“Focus on the task at hand please.” Carlos shook his head.

Derrick paused a moment. “Normally I wouldn’t ignore an edict by you, but there’s something about her.”

“That’s not what you’re there for.” Carlos growled, irritated.

“Yes, I know, Felix. But she’s calling my cat.”

The use of his title let him know how serious Derrick was. Carlos sucked in a harsh breath. “You’ve met your mate?”

A momentary stab of jealousy, of loss, struck him, but he squelched it. He knew the games he and Derrick played wouldn’t last forever.

“She feels like ours.”

“Yours and your cat’s?” Carlos clarified.

“No, mine… and yours.”

Carlos’ eyes widened, and his heart started a rapid drum beat. Hope and fear churned in his stomach. His panther’s attention was raised, the cat spiking his power. He took a deep breath to push down on the energy. Could it really be true? Besides having a woman to share and protect between them, to have a Tribond was a powerful, but rare thing.

“Are you sure?” He whispered, unable to keep the longing from his voice.

“Remember when we first met and I told you I saw my future with you. I’m that sure.” His Beta’s promise and strength of resolve traveled across the phone line.

Carlos clenched the phone. “Make sure security for Laura, Theo and the kids is in place and then bring your ass back to Jersey to help keep the tristate prowls off our back. The faster we can leave here, the better for all.”

He hung up on his Beta and turned his chair to face the downtown landscape. A mate, not just a mate, but a Tribond. It was almost too much to wish for. He couldn’t be sure until his animal scented the woman. His cat rumbled, pacing under his skin, anxious. It was almost as if the panther knew what was waiting for them in Florida. He really needed those negotiations to work. He would first establish territory for his new prowl, and then he’d see about this mate business.