Page 34 of Chasing Savannah

That was the understatement of the year. If she left the clearing at anything but a sedate walk his cat would chase her down and Lord help them all. He leaned down and kissed her softly.

“We would enjoy the chase, nevertheless.” Carlos’ voice was barely human behind her.

Derrick glanced at his co-mate, the Felix’s eyes were glowing, the panther staring back at him. Savannah’s eyes widened and she walked from them, keeping her steps slow. Carlos growled, the sound carrying despite the music, speeding their mate’s steps. He stepped up to Carlos as he spun to go after their mate and put a calming hand on his chest.

“She’s scared about something.” Derrick could barely get the words out, his panther was near feral with need.

Carlos was no better. The Alpha was agitated, pacing in front of him as they watched their mate disappear into the darkness.

Derrick’s panther rose in response. “Reign in it, Felix. With a bit of patience she’ll be ours.” Carlos had given him the same speech the night before, and Derrick didn’t miss the irony of that. “The prowl is settled, the hierarchy laid out. There’s nothing stopping us from going after our mate tomorrow.”

Carlos nodded, and walked in the opposite direction of Savannah. Derrick wiped a hand down his face and battled to subdue his panther. He wasn’t worried.

Horny?

Yes. Anxious, absolutely, but worried? Not in the least. He would have his mate.

***

Carlos’ head was full of thoughts of his mate the next morning. His Beta had been the only thing between his cat and Savannah. He’d never had an issue with patience. His time in the Special Forces had honed it even. But, waiting for Savannah, was fast becoming unbearable.

“Papa, just so you know, I met my new mother yesterday.” His daughter interrupted his thoughts.

Carlos choked on the cereal he was eating, spilling milk from the bowl onto the small table in his kitchen. His daughter’s small hands slapped at his back and he grabbed napkins to pick up the mess.

“Excuse me?” He managed the strangled question.

“Jamie’s mom is gonna be my mom.” Ella’s tone was so matter of fact he could only stare.

Thick lashes surrounded her serious brown eyes. She blinked at him, nonplussed by his reaction.

“What makes you say that?” He asked cautiously.

She shrugged, her dark eyes watching his for a reaction. She tilted her head and he noticed that one of the two ponytails he’d wrestled into her head this morning was crooked. The curly puffs were neat, though, and that was all that mattered.

“I just know it.” She lifted her arm and shoveled cereal into her mouth as though she hadn’t just dropped a bomb.

He stared at his daughter unable to even formulate anything to say to that. His phone rang, saving him from having to comment.

“Yeah.”

“Felix, there was a breach last night.” A female voice reported.

He didn’t know who was on duty, he hadn’t yet learned everyone’s name. “What happened?”

“So far we only have an unrecognizable scent on the border of our prowl land.”

“Anywhere near the prowl?”

“No, Felix, but I’ll keep you posted.” She promised.

“Thank you.” He hung up to find his daughter staring at him. He sighed. Perhaps he’d brought her down too soon. She would’ve been happy at her grandmother’s, but he selfishly would’ve missed her.

“What’s wrong, Papa?” She asked.

“Nothing, bunny. Wanna go see TiTi Yasmeen?” He texted his sister and let her know what was happening.

“Yes!” She jumped up and headed to her room.