The Mane Event
Page 7

As a matter of fact
You have no idea whats going on.
Something in his sisters tone made him stop. Something tiredand scared.
Youre right. So why dont you explain it to me.
Missy began rubbing her temples. A sure sign her stress level just hit a new high. I dont know. I think someones trying to take over the Pride. Force the males out.
Youre telling me lions shot Petrov?
I said I dont know.
Clearly.
An unspoken rule among shiftersnever fight against another shifter with anything but your fangs, claws, and hunting skills. One of the reasons few lions shed a tear over the loss of the Withell Pride a few months back. Using poison on your claws? Tasteless.
You sure its not hyenas? I know Ive been away for a while, but you cant tell me youre getting along with them.
Missy sniffed. Hardly. No. He didnt think things had changed that much. Not when Missy still sported a scar on her back from a childhood fight with a hyena. They were the only shifters Mace knew of born with their fangs and the belief that everything around them existed simply to be their prey.
Just be careful, Mason. If some other males are planning to take over, Im not sure if theyll see you as a threat or not.
Males always left the Pride they were born to, but since the Llewellyns were one of the civilized Prides that traded their males out, his existence created a bit of a problem and a threat to outsiders trying to claim his sisters and cousins as their own. With his money and name, the Pride could get three higher-level males for him.
Of course, that particular thought made him want to retch.
Although, Mace really wasnt worried. He learned a long time ago how to survive without the Pride. Hed been the hunter and the hunted. Trapped in the middle of firefights with seemingly no way out. Hed killed. Humans. To protect his men and himself. His days of pampering had disappeared as soon as he went off to the Naval Academy.
But his sisters concern almost made him feel like he didnt hate her. Almost.
So what do you want me to do?
Nothing at the moment. Just keep breathing.
And then what?
I dont know yet. I dont want some renegade males trying to take over this Pride. Sherry had two cubs last month by Petrov. Missy shuddered. Id hate to think what theyd do if they got in.
He didnt want to ask the next question, but his stupid sense of duty and loyalty wouldnt allow him to do any less. Do you need me to stay here?
No. Shaw and Reynolds wont stand for it, and Idont need you three snarling at each other over breakfast. Besides, we have some important people coming over for a holiday banquet tomorrow. And since I know you wont clean yourself up for it
Mace held up his hand. A simple no really would have answered my question.
Where will you stay? And dont say your apartment. It wont be safe.
He wanted to say between Dezs thighs, but that would simply set his sister off again.
Actually a buddy of mine from the Navy is coming to town. He and his Pack are staying here for the holidays. I can crash with them for a while. He looked up to find his sister staring at him in horror. Is there a problem?
Did you say Pack?
Yes.
Youre friends with aadog?
He prefers wolf, but yeah, I am. He actually considered Smitty his brother. Theyd saved each others life on more than one occasion.
Butyou cant be friends with him.
In theory, maybe. They were Pack and Pride, dog and cat; he and Smitty should be the worst of enemies. Especially with the PackPride war that had been going on for decades. But the military created strange bedfellows. Guys who had to rely on each other for their survival. Smitty was and always would be one of his best buds. Even if Mace caught him on more than one occasion licking his own balls.
You know the funny thing is, Missy, Im really not asking your fucking permission.
Dont you dare curse at me, Mason! Im not one of your military cohorts or that slut from the Bronx. Mace looked back up at the ceiling. Five minutes with his sister and he felt twelve years old again.
Now, she continued, are you at least going to come over for Christmas? I have a gift for you.
Mace glanced around Missys office. There wasnt one sign that in five days the world would be celebrating Christmas. It could easily be the middle of August for all the decoration that his sister had up.
Are you even celebrating Christmas?
Dont be smart. The living room is quite decorated. I just dont like tinsel and things in my office.
He didnt even have to ask to know that his sisters hired someone to decorate their living room. No way would the Prides females lower themselves to something as middle class as putting up a Christmas tree.
Well have to see. I may be busy.
His sisters gold eyes narrowed. Not with that woman.
If he were lucky, Christmas day his cock would be so far inside Dez MacDermot, going anywhere would be a physical impossibility.