Chapter 244
Gerri glanced at both applications. A wolf and a lioness. This was not her usual course of action, but these two belonged together. She remembered how specific they had both been about asking for what they thought would be the right mate for themselves. Wrong. So wrong.
Neither had a clue who they belonged with. Gerri knew though.
She’d set them both straight. Though her usual pairings ran with shifter and human or most recently shifter aliens and human, this was new territory, but she liked the idea. Besides, she shouldn’t limit herself when so many out there need her help.
She picked up her phone and called Kasen Steel.
“Kasen, Gerri Wilder. If you have some time, I’d like to ask you to do me a favor. The woman I have in mind for you lives in a rather remote area. Do you feel up to taking a drive and meeting her?”
She listened to his acceptance of her request with a smile.
“Is there anything I need to know about this woman?” Kasen asked. He had the type of voice that would make most women stop and stare. This was going to be fun.
Gerri laughed.
“You might want her name. Ms. Miranda Colilla.”
She bit her lip to keep from giggling at her plan.
“Be sure to not overwhelm her. She’s a shy little thing.”
“She already sounds perfect,” he said, enthusiasm clear in his tone.
Once the call was over, she dialed Andi.
“Gerri,” Andi said. “It was really nice meeting you yesterday. I’m hoping you are calling with some news?”
Gerri grinned. She liked Andi. Being an independent woman and having to deal with everything on her own, she was under the impression she needed a man who would just sit by and let her lead. Nope. What she needed was a partner. A man just as alpha as her who would not only help her lead, but challenge her, and at the same time, stand up to anyone who brought problems to his mate. Andi had no idea what she needed in a man, but Gerri knew.
“I’m calling because I’ve found someone I believe fits exactly what you need,” Gerri said.
Interestingly enough, neither of her clients had bothered to request that she pair them with their own type of animal. They probably took it for granted that she would. Oh well. They were about to learn that when they hired Gerri, they got what they wanted in their hearts, not what came out of their mouths.
“I’m so relieved to hear that, Gerri!”
Gerri bit her lip. She wasn’t sure that relief would last.
“I’m hoping that when you meet him you still feel that way.”
Andi gave a soft laugh.
“You have quite a reputation. I’m sure he will be more than adequate for my needs.”
“Andi—”
“Gerri, I’m sorry. I have a bit of a commotion in my office. I’ll get back to you tomorrow. We can discuss meeting this man soon. Thank you!”
Gerri glanced at the phone and shrugged. Oh well. She hoped Andi liked surprises.
Andi glared at the group of women who’d taken it upon themselves to show up at her office. They were older matrons of her pride. Elders.
“Miranda, we need to speak to you,” Shantelle, the oldest of the elders, spoke. Her adoptive niece, Claudia, helped her to walk. Claudia was quiet, shy, and disliked commotion. Andi could already see the girl’s eyes wide with fear due to the large gathering of loud women.
“Shantelle, did it ever cross your mind to speak to Naya and set up some time?”
She slammed her open notebook closed. No use letting them see that she’d been making a list of things to discuss with the man Gerri was sending her. What she really wanted was a contract, but it would probably turn off a man to be handed one of those upon first meeting.
Shantelle sat on one of the chairs across from Andi, the other women gathered behind the matron in a show of support. This was one of the reasons Andi had such a hard time getting her pride to listen. The men thought she was up for grabs like some free meal at a local restaurant and the women wanted her to do what they said because they were elders. It was enough to make her lioness want to bite some hides off.
“Miranda, it has come to our attention that you have several of our sons wanting to court you,” one of the women who stood behind Shantelle said. Lulu. She wasn’t a troublemaker, but she adored her son, Josh, who was one of the pride guards.
“Lulu,” she took a breath to let out her frustration and not disrespect the older woman. “I can make my own choices. I don’t need anyone here looking for a man for me.”
“Be that as it may,” Shantelle started, “you have caused quite a frenzy amongst the males. They are ready to fight each other in the hopes of getting your attention and hopefully approval for mating.”
Andi shot to her feet. Her chair shoved back and slammed against the wall.
“Has everyone in this place lost their fucking mind?”
Shantelle sighed.
“Calm down, child. We are here to help you stop this madness.”
“I don’t need any help. I have this under control.”
She went around her desk and stopped in front of Shantelle.
“I’ll have a mate within the week.”
Shantelle raised her brows. The other women gasped and even Claudia glanced at her with surprise.
“I’m glad this will finally be put to rest. Who have you chosen?” Shantelle asked.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” Andi replied. “Now, I have to go. I’m doing a check of the cabins down by the river and want to make sure I order supplies before the day is out.”
Shantelle’s smile showed off the wrinkles around her lips and eyes.
“Go on, girl. We’ve learned you’re a doer and don’t like putting things off. But if you need help, I am here.”
She nodded and walked out of her office, leaving the women silently chatting behind her. Naya came up to her side like she always did, ready to assist.
“Those cabins need complete rehab, Andi,” Naya said.
“I’m heading out there and checking them out myself.”
Andi started walking. She’d been down by the cabins enough times she could do the walk with her eyes closed in the dark.
“When I get back, we’ll discuss supplies and hiring someone to do the work.”
“Wait!” Naya called out.
Andi stopped and turned to see Naya rushing toward her, her curls bouncing around her shoulders. She glanced around and then gave Andi a worried look.
“Belinda is worried. Maybe stop by and make sure Catherine is okay.”
She frowned and squinted at the sun’s glare.
“Cat’s going through her first heat?”
Naya gave a sharp nod.
“Belinda being so much older, she can’t ensure her granddaughter is safe from any of these boys just showing up and taking advantage of the girl.” Naya gripped her arm, the light of her own lioness coming to life. “You know this is a difficult time for a female. She can’t help wanting to breed. But with time she’ll learn not to just take any male.”
“Yeah. I understand. I’ll pop in and check on her. The last thing poor Cat needs is to end up unable to turn a male away due to her condition.”
“Thank you,” Naya gave a slight sigh of relief. “Are you taking the fast route?”
She nodded and swiped sweaty palms on her jeans. Damn, it was unusually hot for the season. Then again, she was so close to her own heat it was insane. She hoped whoever Gerri had in mind worked out.
“I’m going down the road and then cutting through straight down the hill. I’ll be back before sundown. Maybe I can give Cat a few pointers on how to make things more bearable for herself. If she has a boyfriend, now’s the time to see if he’s the one her lioness wants.”
“Okay, I’ll see you later.”