Lion Beta's Protective Mate

Chapter 4

Sara woke slowly feeling warm and content. She gradually became aware of the thins around her. Judging from the light streaming in from the window, she had fallen asleep in the living room. It didn’t happen very often but occasionally she would drift off reading or watching a movie.

Not wanting to get up just yet, she nuzzled her pillow. She nearly jumped out of her skin when it moved on its own. Finally jerking fully awake, she looked up. Jackson lay on the couch with her, his arms wrapped around her securely with her on top. No wonder she had been so warm.

As her head lifted his eyes cracked open the slightest bit. His arms tightened around her and she laid her head back down on his chest. His heartbeat sounded in her ear. She loved the sound of it. The feeling it gave her was indescribable.

Everything spun as he suddenly flipped them over so that he was on top. He buried his face in her neck and nuzzled, breathing her in. He groaned as he drew her deep into his lungs. Beautiful. I love waking up and your gorgeous eyes are the first things I see.

“Definitely have to make this a regular thing,” she murmured.

He stilled before leaning up on his elbows and he lifted his head. Gazing into her eyes, he lifted a hand and brushed her hair away from her forehead.

You heard me. It was a statement.

Sara laughed. “Of course, I heard you. You’re right here.”

Cupping her chin to hold her in place, he pointed to his mouth. You heard me. His mouth didn’t move. As her eyes widened in shock, he grinned. Our bond is getting stronger.

“How did you do that?” she breathed.

Just think what you want to say and picture sending it to me. He brushed his nose against hers and kissed her lightly. Jackson bent down further nuzzling her neck again.

She thumped his back. “Stop it. I can’t concentrate when you do that.”

He couldn’t hold back his glee. That’s the point.

But I want to get this right. She ran her fingers through his hair. Sara decided to ignore the fact that she sounded a little whiny.

Jackson leaned into her caress unable to help himself. Oh, baby. That’s going to get us into trouble.

Just to tease him she arched her back to rub against him. She laughed when he groaned. Okay. I guess that means we need to get up and figure out breakfast.

“I think that would be best.” He wrapped her up in a tight hug. “As much as I want to have s*x with you, and I definitely do, that can come later. I want our relationship to be more than just that.”

“I’m good with that.” Sara hugged him back. “That doesn’t mean I still won’t tease you,” she said as her fingers stroked down his back. She got the reaction she wanted when he arched into her, groaning again when she hit sensitive spot.

He grinned evilly in return. “Pay backs are hell.”

Bringing her hands around to the front, she slowly drew them up his chest. “Promise?” She pushed with all her strength and he landed on his butt on the floor. Sara jumped up and quickly threw herself over the back of the couch to put it between them.

Jackson grinned and jumped into a crouch. “You really shouldn’t have done that.” He fainted left and so did she. He went right and, predictably, she did also. He chuckled when she giggled. Playing with her was fun. His lion was getting a kick out of it too. Without warning he sprang over the couch, shamelessly using his lion agility.

Sara squealed and dashed for the kitchen. Her heart was racing and she had to admit, she loved it when he chased her. He caught her by the fridge and she was laughing so hard she could barely stand up.

Holding her up from behind, he mock bit her neck right where he would eventually leave a claiming mark. “I’m hungry,” he growled. He rubbed up against her back, letting her know he wasn’t just talking about food.

“Okay,” she gasped, trying to catch her breath. “I give. I give. I’ll feed the wild animal.”

The next hour passed with them fixing breakfast together. They discussed what they would do with their day. It was Saturday. Sara didn’t work again until Monday. Jackson didn’t have a patrol until Sunday night. After cleaning up, they decided that a grocery store run was in order first and foremost.

“I’m going to be around a lot. We can take turns getting groceries. Who knows? After the first trip you probably will decide I eat too much to keep around,” Jackson joked as he put the last dish into the dishwasher.

Sara smirked. “Could be interesting. As long as you don’t eat anything nasty like sardines or anchovies, we should be good.” She paused int eh process of wiping the counter. “How is this going to affect your lion? If you are here all the time, won’t he feel trapped? You have to let him out to run and you can’t do that here.”

Jackson came to stand beside her. His heart swelled that she would consider the needs of his lion. “That was one of the things I wanted to talk to you about.” He slid his arms around her. “Maybe we can split our time between the Pride and here. I have a small house. I haven’t had it long so furniture is kind of sparse but you can help me with that. I want you to be comfortable there. My lion will be able to run. At some point I’m hoping to eventually talk you into moving in permanently. It’s about the same distance to your work so that won’t be much different. Plus, at some point your lioness is going to want to come out. Then we’ll be able to run together.”

“I’ll be able to shift? I didn’t think about that.” She leaned her weight against Jackson. The wonder of it! “What’s it like? Shifting?” She gazed up at him in excitement.

“It’s the most freeing experience you could ever have. When the lion takes over, your senses come alive. They are sharper and clearer. Letting your lion take over and just running flat out. I can’t even describe the euphoria of it. I can’t wait for your lioness to come out. Mine can’t either. He wants his mate as much as I do you.” He kissed her lightly. “And if you have any questions, you can always ask Lindsey. She’s been through it too.”

Sara jumped enthusiastically. “I didn’t think about that. I haven’t talked to her this week. I need to call her anyway. Fill her in on everything going on.”

“She’d like that. She’s been following Tony’s mom around, learning the ropes so to speak. She’s always smiling and laughing when I see her. And always seems to be surrounded by cubs.” Jackson thought for a minute. “I think their mating ceremony and wedding are getting close.”

She nodded. “That’s one of the reasons I need to talk to her. Lindsey wanted me to help her plan the wedding part. I should be pretty simple. She just wants something small. Amy is still being a little resistant, too. She feels like Tony is stealing her away. She’s refusing to even get to know Tony at all.” She couldn’t help but frown at that.

Amy was one of their close-knit group from high school. They had graduated a couple of months back. Jason and Camille, brother and sister, had been all for Lindsey and Tony getting together. Lindsey deserved the kind of happiness that Tony was giving her. Growing up, Lindsey had dealt with a lot of physical and mental abuse from her parents. There had been an obsessed admirer that had gotten missed up with someone from Tony’s past. Together they had kidnapped a group of them. That’s when Sara had been shot with the tranq dart. But at the time, no one in their group understood what danger Lindsey had been in. Tony had. Which was why he had been so protective of her.

Since the kidnapping, Amy had dug in her heels. She kept insisting that Tony was no good for Lindsey and that the kidnapping would have never happened if he had just left her alone. It had made their relationship strained to the point that Lindsey was uncomfortable being around her. Whenever they got together, Tony was always there as a buffer. He was extremely protective of her. Even from her so called friends. Sara didn’t know if Tony was overprotective or if Lindsey had asked him to always be there when Amy wanted to get together.

“She’ll come around. You guys have been friends too long for her not to.” He hugged her tight. It upset him when she was worried or upset.

“I hope so.” She shook her head. No need worrying about something she couldn’t control. “Let’s get cleaned up and then head to the grocery store. When we get back, we can try calling Dad and Lindsey.” She brought her arms up and wrapped them around his neck. “Then maybe you can show me your house before we meet Lindsey and Tony?”

Jackson nodded and pressed a kiss to her temple. “Sure. Maybe you can pack a bag? I have to do patrol tomorrow night. Since you don’t have to work, you can stay at the house tonight and tomorrow night. I can wake you up Monday morning when I get off and take you to work.” He waggled his eyebrows playfully. “Two days of just you and me.”

“That could be fun.” Reaching up on her toes, she kissed his cheek. “Did you bring something to change into? You look a little rumpled.” She rubbed her hand along his shirt that was wrinkled from being slept in.

“Yeah. I always have a change of clothes out in the truck. I’ll just run out and get it while you get ready.”

“Good. I’m going to take a shower.” Sara kissed him again before turning and heading down the hallway.

“Okay. I’ll get one when you’re done.” He headed toward the front door. Her only response was the closing of the bathroom door.

It was another hour before they were ready to go. Sara was rushing around, double checking to make sure that she had everything ready to stay at Jackson’s. They had decided to go ahead and get her packed and get her bag into the truck. It was one less thing they would have to do. Instead of bringing the food to Sara’s, they had decided to take the groceries to Jackson’s instead.

She was in the process of getting her phone charger and putting it in her bag when the doorbell rang. Looking at Jackson quizzically, she moved toward the door.

“Are you expecting someone?” she asked. She knew it wasn’t her dad and everyone she knew would have called before showing up.

“No. I was going to ask you the same thing.” He bent down and grabbed her bag. Following her to the door was a given. He had been protecting her for too long to stop now. A feeling in his gut was telling him something was off.

Sara hummed. “Maybe a salesman. You know? Come to think of it, I haven’t seen the Jehovah witnesses in a while either.”

Jackson laughed, just like she knew he would. From what she had told him, they usually came around like clockwork.

She sighed as a knock came this time, more insistent. Getting to the door, she opened it to find a woman with bleach blonde hair and skintight biker clothes on. Her make-up was caked on. Everything about her screamed ‘fake’.

“Can I help you?” she asked after a moment. She honestly didn’t know what to make of this woman standing on her doorstep. She looked a little older though it was difficult to tell. Maybe she was at the wrong house? She looked like the women that tended to show up for parties at the house down the street. “If you are looking for Greg, he’s actually down on the corner.” She pointed at the house she was talking about.

“No. I’m not looking for Greg. I’m looking for you, actually. And you can help me. You can let me in.” The woman stood looking at Sara as though she fully expected to be obeyed.

Sara didn’t budge. “I’m sorry. Who are you?” Her tone made it fully evident what she thought of that demand. She also made sure to plant herself directly in the doorway so she couldn’t get in.

“I’m Janine,” she said as though that should explain everything. When Sara continued to just look at her blankly, the woman huffed out a breath and c****d her hip. “I’m your mother.”