Page 50 of Savage Mates (Ruthless Instinct #2)

Four weeks later…

Lauren

Mmm…

Yawning, I stretched as soon as I opened my eyes. The light breeze coming from the overhead ceiling fans created tiny prickles. Just like what Thor, Zeus, and Titus had done the night before, but for an entirely different reason.

Their hunger knew no bounds.

Early morning sunshine shimmered in through the windows. Mornings were my favorite time of day, and I was usually up by the crack of dawn to enjoy the quiet and peaceful moments.

Shifting, I managed to unwedge my body from Thor, who was nestled so closely I was surprised I didn’t wake him with moving. Zeus was sprawled out on his back, his light snore indicating a deep sleep. And Titus was curled up on his side, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

It had taken two king-sized beds shoved together to create a space large enough for the four of us. My father had graciously given me a house he’d had built, the space perfect for us with views to die for and a short walk to the clinic.

While they certainly enjoyed days of hunting as kings of the African jungle, almost every night since arriving at my father’s sanctuary had been spent with me.

Biting my lower lip to keep from laughing, I managed to crawl out of bed, grabbing my robe then tiptoeing to the kitchen.

My father had purchased several hundred additional acres since the last time I’d been home.

He’d had several new buildings erected including a new large game veterinary clinic.

All in all, the sanctuary could be called a little city and have a zip code of its own.

Surrounded by thousands of acres of protected land, he’d successfully managed to lower the deathrate of lions, leopards, panthers, elephants, and giraffes through his tireless work with local law enforcement for poachers as well as disease control.

He had dozens of people working for him, men and women he called family, including two other veterinarians, but my father wasn’t getting any younger. By the time I’d been born, he’d been in his middle forties, retiring from the Army soon after to come to Africa. He’d managed to build his dream.

A dream I would continue alongside him and after he was gone.

Carrie was in heaven, happier than I’d ever seen her and I’d been right about budding love. I had a feeling it wouldn’t be long until they made their relationship more formal.

Whatever that meant now that shifters and humans were comingling. The thought brought another smile as so many things had done lately.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee was welcome. If I could intravenously consume a gallon, that would be perfect. We’d work long hours together on what I’d learned from my earlier tests, identifying the contagious diseases.

Soon, we’d have an inoculation that would help save the lives of hundreds if not thousands of lions. Maybe one day we’d find a cure.

The lions formerly known as mutants were thriving, even enjoying their new environment.

My twin, now named Hope after what she’d been through, was constantly asking questions, provoking my scientific mind.

I liked having her around. She was also an amazing mother, managing to teach me a few things along the way.

I’d managed to locate a phone number for Dr. Savannah Morgan, even garnering the nerve to leave her a message. I was curious what she knew about Dr. Blackwell and if she’d seen him since basically going into hiding. As of yet, she hadn’t returned my call. I’d taken that as a sign to just let it go.

After several deep conversations, we’d made the decision not to make any formal accusations against Zimmerman. I’d heard through my father and his sources that he’d taken a leave of absence from Cornell and his company’s stocks had fallen.

As far as Blackwell, there were still no official sightings and no other makeshift laboratories had popped up.

Thankfully, there was nothing new on the internet about the appearance of shifters. Maybe it was just as well. They deserved to live their lives without interference, or being forced to endure additional experiments.

With a mug of java in my hand, I walked to the front porch. Almost immediately, I sensed a presence, but not because of my sleeping giants. This time from Jonas Junior. “Hi, buddy. How are you?”

The two-year-old lion was the spitting image of his father, Jonas. The moment my father had introduced us, I’d fallen in love. He was pure alpha male and while he would never become a shifter, at least not if I could help it, I had a feeling my mates were a tiny bit jealous of him.

He padded toward me, his huge amber eyes always making me sigh. “How are you doing this beautiful morning?” His slight roar was his sweet greeting, the same one he gave me every morning. He was a loner, yet to find even one mate. I felt sorry for him and could see sadness in his eyes.

Just like Jonas had been.

After I scratched his head, he dragged his tongue across the scar his father had created. Somehow, animals felt emotion and understood humans, most far more intelligent than most of the humans I’d met. There were a few exceptions.

“You smell the cubs. Don’t you?” I rubbed my expanding belly, happy that my pregnancy had gone without any complications.

While the babies appeared normal, all three with ten fingers and toes, the gestation period followed that of a lion.

Another scientific marvel and in truth, one I was grateful for.

At least the morning sickness had started to ebb.

But by this time next week, I’d likely be as big as a house.

His slight growl indicated I was right.

“I know. Your father did this to me. He made me fall in love with every lion in the wild. Don’t worry. I forgave him.”

“You and your lions.” This time Zeus snuck up on me. Jonas snuffed and turned, padding away. He didn’t like his time with me interrupted, especially not by three brooding lions.

“Funny you would say that. Maybe I should consider tossing aside the three brutal beasts currently living with me.”

He jerked me into his arms, giving me his usual stern look. When he crushed me against him, I took a deep breath. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“You’re naked. There are hundreds of people who could see you.”

“And I couldn’t care less.” He lowered his head, pressing his lips against my forehead. “Come back inside. We’re not finished with you yet.”

It was useless to resist so I allowed him to guide me back into the house, the purposeful way he shut the door a clear indication of what he had in mind.

As soon as I was led into the bedroom, the delicious cup of coffee was taken from my hand, my robe ripped away.

And suddenly, I was yanked over Thor’s lap on the bed.

“What are you doing?” Of course, I knew. They’d determined that I needed regular spankings just to keep me in line. While I always objected, secretly I adored them and the wild sensations that kept me tingling for hours.

“You still refuse to obey us.” He brought his hand down, smacking my bottom with enough ferocity I jumped.

The rounds of discipline were always painful, but they always made me wet, my pussy throbbing.

I wiggled in his lap, moaning as if he was really hurting me.

As usual, Thor ignored my cries, his huge palm crashing down on my tender skin time and time again.

The deep core throb seemed more intense this morning. Even my nipples were aching, so swollen they were uncomfortable.

“I doubt she’ll learn,” Zeus said casually, thumping down on the end of the bed.

“I think you’re right.” Thor brought his hand down several times, moving from side to side. He had the most perfect rhythm of my mates, too precise. Too intense.

I bit my lip as stars floated in front of my eyes. How had I gotten so lucky?

“Let me have a crack at her. Maybe I can teach her.” Zeus easily dragged me off Thor’s lap and onto his. “Hmmm…” Before he resumed the spanking, he dared slide his fingers into my wetness. “She’s ripe.”

“Ripe? Really?” I threw my head over my shoulder. “That is just not sexy. At all.”

“Oh, really.” His growl was deep and inviting and he jerked me closer so I could feel how hard he was before popping my bottom with at least ten swats. Maybe more.

Panting, I fisted the comforter, still struggling. I almost managed to escape, but he wrapped his strong arm around my body, holding me in place. And the harsh punishment continued.

I lost count, unable to focus or even think clearly.

That’s why I was shocked to open my eyes and find my tummy positioned over a pillow. Titus wasn’t wasting any time, only he chose to use a bath brush, his favorite implement and one I hated. That made him love it even more.

He placed a knee on the bed, pressing one hand down on the small of my back and twirling the brush. The first two smacks were bad enough. The next six brought tears to my eyes. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be able to walk without wincing.

Damn them.

Men.

Lions.

They truly thought they were in charge.

“We are in charge,” the three said together and I rolled my eyes.

After four more hard cracks, we were interrupted by a knock on the front door.

Thor growled, loathing interruptions.

“I better see who that is.” I was shocked Titus allowed me to crawl off the bed. Holding back a smile, I grabbed my robe for the second time that morning, wincing as I’d expected the moment the silky material slipped past my aching buttocks.

I headed to the door, giving them my stern look. “I suggest you stay here. You’re not properly dressed for company.”

“Says who?” Zeus tossed back.

“Says the person in charge of this household.” I laughed as I walked to the front door, shocked to find Carrie standing on the other side. “What’s wrong?”

“A package arrived for you.”

“Okay. I’ll get it later.” I could tell my expression was one of being perplexed. Why would she come out here to tell me I’d received a delivery?

“No,” she said, biting back a smile. “You’re going to want to see this. Like now.”

“Okay,” I said, laughing. “Let me get dressed.”

“Hurry.”

Less than five minutes later and after convincing my mates to don some clothes, we piled into the Jeep my father had loaned me, heading to the location where all packages were delivered.

There was a huge crowd of workers and my father already there. Given it was so early, I was shocked.

Carrie had made her way back and was standing with something in her hand.

“Any idea what’s being delivered?” Titus asked.

“No clue. I guess we’ll see.” I parked the vehicle, immediately jumping out.

“This is for you,” Carrie said, handing me a note in an envelope.

I had a feeling she knew exactly what this was all about. Very tentatively, I opened the envelope, shocked to see it was from Pamela.

Lauren,

I hope you’re well, enjoying your new life. Someone missed you to the point of her health declining so I knew there was only one thing I could do. You’ll be able to take care of her much better than I could. And perhaps, she’ll finally find a mate.

Your friend always,

Pamela

With my entire body shaking, I headed toward my father. The man had a huge grin on his face.

“You have some interesting friends, my daughter.” He motioned to the others crowding around to back away and as soon as they did, I clasped both hands over my mouth.

Simba.

My beautiful girl lumbered toward me, her eyes reflecting sadness at first. But the moment she saw me, she broke into a run, colliding with me as I allowed the tears to fall.

“Ah, baby girl. I’m so glad to see you.” She had her huge paws on my shoulders, licking me as she used to do.

The employees were oohing and aahing.

“Now, I’m jealous,” Zeus said from behind me.

“You do realize that’s a lioness. Right?” Thor laughed.

“A beautiful girl. I need to take a picture.” I reached into the pocket of my jeans, realizing I’d left my phone back at the house. Damn it. Oh, well. The real thing was much better. “Welcome home, baby girl.”

Backing away, I was happy to see seconds later she was already exploring.

A moment after that, something caught my eyes.

Jonas Junior.

He was already heading in her direction. He’d gathered her scent from hundreds of yards away.

Was it possible they were mates?

My three lions surrounded me, pulling me into their arms and we watched together as Simba and Jonas met. A beautiful sight.

Another reminder nature took care of its own.

And that life was extraordinarily precious.

Beep…

“Hi, Dr. Radcliff. This is Dr. Savannah Morgan, or just Savannah now. I’m sorry I didn’t return your call sooner, but I’ve been a little busy with two new cubs adding to our family and a flourishing pride.

I’m happy to hear you managed to save so many shifter lions.

Shifters are very special. Aren’t they? I feel the same about my wolves.

Anyway, to answer your question about Dr. Blackwell.

Yes, he’s still alive. There have been numerous sightings of him throughout the world.

I do keep tabs on him. As you might have discovered, he is connected to some very prominent people, billionaires providing funding for his projects.

Before you ask how he could remain alive, it’s because he’s a vampire.

Not in the traditional sense as in needing blood to survive, but energy.

He feeds off human donors, sucking the life from them.

He’s very dangerous and I urge you to stay away and don’t draw his attention.

Do I believe there are hundreds if not thousands of other shifters in the world?

Yes, I do. Their numbers will keep growing.

In my professional opinion, soon they’ll living amongst us in cities and towns with few humans knowing the difference.

Take care and perhaps we’ll talk again.”

The End