Read Online The Tiger's Mate: (Book 12, Grey Wolf Pack Romance Novellas) by E A Price - Free Book Online

to find you eight hours ago.  He’s called me fifteen times.  I can’t stall him any longer.”
    Her tiger whined pathetically.  “But…”
    A flicker of unease passed over his face.  “Whatever was going on in that house, it’s not something you can take home with you.”
    No, not yet.  It was too soon; she just wanted a little more time.  “But…”
    “For the wolf's sake, you should leave,” rumbled Carrick with a finality that brooked no argument.
    How could she argue with that?  She knew of the harm Locke was prepared to dole out to his own pride mates when he considered they deserved it.  What would he do to Acksel?  “I’ll… grab my purse.”
    Carrick grunted.  “Be quick.”
    She nodded and ran into the house.  She found some fresh clothes neatly folded in the laundry room, and hoped that his sisters wouldn’t mind her taking them.  She didn’t bother with shoes; she just grabbed her purse.
    Simone scribbled a quick note and left it on the kitchen table.  As she heard Acksel stirring she left, trying to comfort a distraught tiger and hold back the tears threatening to roll down her cheeks.
    *
    Acksel stretched an arm out over the bed.  His wolf huffed as he found it disappointingly empty.  Damn, he’d been hoping for a repeat of last night.  He smiled as he smugly recalled what happened.
    He hadn’t intended for it to happen.  He’d hoped, of course he had.  He’d pretty much thought of nothing else than burying his body in hers from the moment he first scented her, but he hadn’t wanted to rush her.
    When he heard her whimpers of pain, he had only planned on comforting her and making sure she was okay.  But when she had kissed him, he couldn’t hold back.  She was his mate; she had to be.  His wolf howled in agreement.  Why else would he react this way to her scent?  Why else would the thought of her leaving drive him so crazy?
    His wolf roared in happiness.  Just a few days ago, he’d been griping about life not being fair and whining like a little girl about not having a mate of his own.  Well, now he did.  And she was… lovely.  She was funny and interesting and ate food like there was no tomorrow.  And of course, looks didn’t matter, but he naturally hadn’t failed to notice that she was absolutely the most gorgeous woman in the world.  Long legs, perky breasts, beautiful dark brown skin, and silky black hair that trailed right down to her perfectly rounded derriere.  She looked like she ought to be sauntering up and down a catwalk.  Particularly as she was a cat.  Yes, he couldn’t wait to meet her feline side.  He got the impression she wasn’t an overly dominant tiger, but, well, just being a tiger was enough to scare away even the boldest of furry critters.  He couldn’t wait for her to meet the rest of the pack.  To think, his pack mate, Jake, was so proud of his leopard shifter mate.  Wait until he sees Acksel’s tiger.
    Worry niggled him.  She had said she needed to go home.  His wolf snarled at the thought.  No, surely not after last night.  Surely they could talk about the future and decide where to go from there.  He needed to know more about her; he needed to know about her own home situation.  Acksel didn’t really want to leave his pack, and was hoping that Simone would want to join him in Rose.  Maybe he was getting ahead of himself.  They needed to spend more time together, and then, hopefully, she’ll be ready to talk about mating.  What, give her a few hours and then spring it on her?  Yes, the wolf was all for that.
    “Simone?” he called out, his voice booming through the house.
    No answer.  The house was deathly still.  His beast growled, lowly.
    He jumped out of bed and started looking for her.  Her scent was still in the air, combined with the scent of their glorious lovemaking, but it was starting to fade.  He checked every room, even the twins’ room.  She wasn’t there.
    Maybe she’d gone for a