Page 48 of Savage Mates (Ruthless Instinct #2)

Lauren

There was almost nothing more powerful than a tropical storm.

Perhaps with the exception of lions turned into shifters. I sucked on my swollen bottom lip, still able to taste their heated kisses.

Every inch of my body continued to tingle even a few hours after we’d… mated. There was no other way of looking at our carnal actions. Yes, there’d been passion exploding between us, but our carnal needs had gotten in the way.

Sighing, I leaned against the cave opening, marveling at the late afternoon sun. The sky was slightly orange, more of a beautiful tangerine, but the clouds had drifted away, exposing a hazy amazing sky.

We were safe, harbored from the vicious storm by another creation from Mother Nature.

I felt Thor’s presence behind me, his massive frame exploding with electricity.

When he placed his hand on my shoulder, I shuddered. The move was decidedly human, but I still felt his lion just below the surface.

“I hope they’re safe,” I said almost absently, meaning the other lions, praying they were no longer mutants.

“You truly believe the lifeforms aren’t evil.”

“I don’t know what to believe any longer, Thor.” I turned toward him, wrapping my arms around his waist. They’d remained in human form after our wild round of passion, holding me through the duration. Keeping me warm.

And tingling all over.

“What I know for certain is that in creating you and Zeus and Titus, I was made whole. How strange. How… wonderful.”

He brushed damp hair from my face, his eyes even more piercing than before. “So Africa, huh?”

I laughed. “I guess I can’t hide anything from you or the others.”

His deep chuckle resonated all the way to my core. “No, you cannot, little mate. Keep that in mind.”

“Well, that goes two ways, buster.” I punched him playfully in the stomach. “It’s beautiful there with wide open spaces and bright skies. Are there dangers from both man and beast? Of course, like anywhere else in the world, but I think my predatory mates can handle just about anything.”

“You’ll be giving up your career.”

“Not necessarily. You don’t know my father and his accomplishments. My entire adult life I always felt drawn back to his sanctuary and everything I’d shared with him and my mother. I like to think of what happened as a sign for what I need to do with the rest of my life.”

“Does that mean you can’t live without us?” Amusement on his face was a rarity, the sparkle in his eyes adorable.

“Maybe. As long as you’re good house mates.”

“We’ll learn as long as you obey us.”

“We will see.” I winked and pushed away, noticing the other lions were already out and about. “We need to head back to the military base. Hopefully, I’ll hear from my father later today.”

“What about the other lions? Do you plan on leaving them here?”

I shook my head. “No matter what condition they’re in, I will not leave them here to die. They deserve to live out their days in the same kind of sanctuary I was allowed to as a child.”

“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 being tormented 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.”

“What now?” I took a step closer.

She smiled, glancing at Peter and the two of them moved away, allowing me to see inside the small room where the lioness had been kept.

Instead of a beautiful dying beast, a young woman sat on the edge of the steel table, her long blonde hair cascading all the way down to her waist.

“Oh, my God. The lifeforms heeded my request.” I walked inside, stunned at the sight of her. “Hi.”

She looked at me, smiling and nodding. “I can… understand you. I don’t know what happened.”

“Trust me. We’ll explain it to you. At least as much as we know. Just relax.”

“All of a sudden, she started shifting. In the middle of birth. It’s a little bit… insane.” Peter halfheartedly laughed and rolled his arm across his sweaty forehead. “I don’t mind telling you if I never see that again, I’ll be fine with it.”

Titus moved around me and closer to the glass.

The lioness lifted her head, peering at him with her large eyes. Then she shifted her attention to me and I could swear I could sense what she was thinking.

“Just so you know,” Carrie started. “She’s pretty intelligent. As in brilliant. As in just like a scientist I know and could be close with.”

“What are you trying…” Before I even finished the statement, I knew what she was getting at. The lifeforms had chosen to base her human form on me.

“What’s wrong, little mate?” Thor asked.

“Nothing is wrong. I think I have a twin. Of sorts.” I tipped my head, gazing from one of my mates to another.

Zeus shrank back. “We can’t handle two of you.”

“Well, you might need to figure out a way.” I clasped my hands across my face as I walked toward the door.

I could see traces of myself in her eyes.

The lifeforms had heard me. They’d given me a gift of life and no matter the hatred I felt for both doctors Blackwell and Zimmerman, I couldn’t ignore how grateful I was.

There were so many thoughts rushing through my mind, so many things that needed to be said, but that would come with time.

Now I was beginning to allow myself to believe there would be time and space to learn and grow, to teach each other the ways of life.

And happiness.

The lioness and I remained silent, doing nothing more than staring at each other. But finally, I sensed she knew she could trust me. She smiled again.

“I think you’ll want to see this, little mate.” Zeus’ tone of voice was insistent as he always was. Somehow, I’d need to teach him patience.

When I looked at him, I noticed an unexpected grin.

He was the easiest mind to read, maybe because he had the hardest head. Today was a day of surprises and miracles and one I’d remember for the rest of my life.

Every human and beast trailed behind me as I walked back outside.

The two new cubs met Phoenix, and I had a feeling soon they’d be fast friends, maybe one day creating a pride of their own.

Pamela had asked me such an important question now what seemed a lifetime ago.

Did I want to play God? The question and any answer but no had repulsed me.

But now, as I stood in a mixed crowd of lions, shifters, and humans, facing several stunning hybrids in their human forms, no longer mutants, I quietly reserved the right to change my mind.

Maybe if Pamela asked me the same question again, I’d feel comfortable telling her the truth.