Page 46 of Tiger Bitten

“I don’t know if it will work. Dame misses them terribly. His tiger is different from theirs and needs more closeness in their Ambush. They don’t seem to need to be around each other as much as Dame. They’re triplets, but he feels like a big brother in a way. I think because he was Stellan’s caregiver for so long. Anyway, I’m hoping if we tell them after this trip that he’s proposed, they will be up for visiting again in a few months to be a part of the wedding, and Dame will get to see them two times this year.”

Ren’s heart was so full. “Are you happy?”

Misty teared up immediately and nodded her head. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been. Every day is better than the last with Dame.”

Ren pulled her in and hugged her. “I won’t say anything to Mars, but I will encourage him to come back in three months so maybe I can be in the crowd cheering you two on. I’ll peer-pressure him to bring me.”

Misty laughed thickly and hugged Ren tighter. “Thank you for coming. I think Mars wasn’t really planning on showing up this year, but I have this feeling you are a big reason he and Dame are outside drinking beers and laughing right now. Thank you for what you’ve done for my mate.”

“Of course. You never have to thank me though. I love being here. I feel…” She pushed Misty back to arms’ length. “Like I’ve been here before,” she whispered honestly. “It’s just comfortable.”

“Well, every time you come back to visit, I will have the apartment stocked for you.”

“Powdered donuts and I will be a loyal friend to you forever.”

She giggled. “I will have it stocked with a stupid amount of those. I promise. I’m not above bribing you to make Mars come here.”

“Your ring is so beautiful. Dame did so good,” Ren told her earnestly. “I can’t wait for you to be able to wear it again.”

“I can,” Misty whispered. “Because it will mean you and the boys are gone.”

Ooof. Ren hugged her again. “We don’t have to think about that now. It’ll ruin the time we have together. Tomorrow we will rock those dresses together and take a billion pictures.”

“With axes in our hands.”

Ren laughed and agreed. “With axes in our hands.”

“Okay, let’s go back outside before the boys come looking for us.”

At that, the sound of the front door opening filled the house.

“Shoot,” Misty whispered, rushing to put her ring back in the jewelry box.

“Ren?” Mars called out.

“In here!” she said as she and Misty headed for the bedroom door.

“Doing the house tour?” Mars asked.

He would hear a lie, so Ren nodded and pushed up on her tiptoes and kissed his lips, then asked, “Is dinner ready?”

“Steaks and baked potatoes are on the table. I can help carry out anything we need.”

And Misty put Mars and Ren both to work, hauling out everything else they needed for dinner.

Outside, they organized the table, and Ren grabbed a canned mango margarita out of the blue cooler, matching with Misty. The boys were still nursing their beers, and Mars pulled out the chair beside his for Ren. She’d never had a man be so caring with her. He surprised her. He was this big, dominant, scarred-up beast of a Cat, but with her, he was gentle.

Dinner was amazing. It wasn’t just the delicious food either. It was the company. She’d never laughed so much in a single sitting in her life, and Ren didn’t want it to end. She was two margaritas deep by the time Stellan came stalking out of the woods and took a silent seat at the end of the table. He piled what was left of the food onto his plate and ate in silence, but Mars and Dame didn’t let the conversation die. They kept on with stories about the first year after they had been Turned, and all the humor they had found in their lives falling apart.

Ren caught Misty rubbing her ring finger, and she gave her a wink. Misty stopped immediately and hid her hands under the table with a knowing smile. It was this little secret they shared that bound them. There was a plan in motion to repeat this dinner in a few months’ time, and it made Ren sink into the moment even more.

This wasn’t just a one-time meeting with Mars’s family. She wanted to come back.

Under the table, Mars slid his strong hand over her thigh and rubbed gentle circles there. Ren scooted her chair even closer and curled her knees to her chest and leaned against him.

A soft rumbling sound emanated from him and almost sounded like a purr.

She watched his animated face as he caught up with his brothers, and time and time again included her in the conversation or smiled over at her like he just wanted to see her.