Page 120 of Savage Mates

“What makes you think your father can arrange to bring so many dangerous predators into a different country?”

Now I laughed, patting him on the chest. “You don’t know my father.”

He took my hand, dropping his gaze to the scar left by Jonas. “Whatever happened to your lion?”

Just thinking about him brought another wave of sadness. “He died last year. I wasn’t there for his last day on Earth and I’ll never forgive myself. I never told you there’s also a lion back in New York. Simba. She’s beautiful and damaged, broken by beingtormented in a circus. Her presence kept me sane and I think was the reason I’m here today. Well, because of her and Jonas. The two of them would have made incredible partners.”

“Now who’s doing the matchmaking?” Even as he asked the question, he arched an eyebrow, staring outside the cave. Alexander was pacing. As if he had something or someone on his mind.

“What if…”

Thor swatted me on the bottom. “He’s too dangerous for Carrie.”

“You don’t know the power of women. But you will learn. Yes, indeed. You will learn.”

Ten minutes later we headed for the military compound. Parts of the island had been decimated by the storm yet one day, it would recover. Perhaps one day I’d return.

But this time, with my three mates and on my terms. Correction. Our terms.

We were barely inside the encampment when Carrie rushed from inside. “We were so worried.” She embraced me as her friend and not as the woman she’d once called a mentor. We’d seen too much together to return to who we’d once been.

We were better people.

Stronger and more resilient.

“We’re fine. I had my protectors with me.” I couldn’t help but notice her gaze shifted to Alexander. The adorable blush on her cheeks would never get old. Leaning closer, I tried not to laugh. “Maybe you should go talk to him.”

Her huff forced me to bite my lower lip. “He’s an arrogant ass. I don’t care if he has a body built for sin and one long, thick… Anyway, he’s an ass.”

“Just so you can remember for the future. All their abilities are enhanced.”

“Fascinating. Why?”

“Their hearing is particularly sensitive. I think he heard you.” We both darted a look in Alexander’s direction and seeing the heavy look of lust in his eyes was almost enough to push me into doubling over in laughter.

“Oh, men.” She turned away on purpose. “I’m such an idiot. I’ll never live this down.” She grumbled for a few seconds and I threw Alexander a look. He was still staring at her. Huffing, she threw her head back as if regaining control. “You need to see something, Doctor.”

“I do, huh?”

“Yes. It’s pretty much a miracle.” She backed away toward the building, encouraging me to follow.

Was she…

A rush of excitement surged through me.

“What is it?” Zeus asked as the three lions flanked my sides.

“I think the lioness is alive.” I didn’t wait for them, half skipping inside and toward the medical facility. The moment I walked in, a thousand different emotions rolled through me.

Two beautiful little cubs were running around the room, playing. The adorable sounds they were making as they swatted at each other brought tears to my eyes.

Peter walked closer, exhaustion written all over his face. “They’re perfect. I checked them out.”

“The two of you did this?” I sobbed, barely able to hold it together.

“Well, not as in biologically,” Carrie said, laughing. “She let us know when it was time.”

“Besides, we kind of had no choice. The cubs were coming whether the world was ready or not.” Peter laughed and glanced around the room. It would seem we’d garnered almost everyone’s attention. “That’s not all.”