Her Hidden Dragon Mate: Sahara Pride

bellini battlefield

-Felicity-

     I wake up cold, with the sun fully slanted across my face, with a pounding headache. The last thing I remember is being angry at Sam before I left Moonrise last night. Reaching for my phone on the bedside table my fingers clink against a crystal vase filled with ice water, and I see a bottle of ibuprofen next to it. On it there's a note.

    I know you're mad at me and I'm so sorry I handled it the way I did. It's been an overwhelming couple of days. Let me know if you feel up to talking, I'm getting fresh chocolate croissants. -S

     Suddenly it all floods back and I'm properly embarrassed I made a drunken scene, even if no one saw in the bathroom. I pour myself some water and grab a pair of aspirin and pull up my texts again. Now that I'm not so emotional and can see where she was trying to emotionally process with Amisha it's not making me the same kind of upset anymore.

     If I hadn't bumped into him and dragged him to our group would last night even have happened?

     I think it's fairly obvious at this point she didn't know what she was even going to do or if she even WANTED to do anything but now it's messed up and I'm tense because I slept alone for the first time since I was seventeen and I don't even know why it happened in the first place. Pulling up my shorts, I decide I'm brave enough for the kitchen and head down.

     Amisha and Jacob are laughing against the counter and everything smells beautiful, the rich smell of fresh baked buttery bread is heavy in the air. Mish comes over to hug me and says "listen I know you're probably still really upset and I'm here if you want to talk but if you do can we take it outside to the gazebo? Sam felt like she didn't deserve a bed and slept on the couch, she was too drunk for me to convince her otherwise, and crashed after she set the pastries down." 

     I'm feeling a little guilty but also secretly glad she suffered because I'm not ready to forgive her yet. "Yeah, I'll pour myself some coffee. Are you coming, Jake?" 

     At 6'5, Jacob Hamza is taller than most shifters, lean and muscular, with dreamy hazel eyes ringed by thick lashes and a well tended braid of sandy brown hair between his shoulder blades. He's the werelion King of our pride, and much too courteous and disinterested in power to do anything but learn things like fencing.  

     He gives me a sleepy smile and accepts. "I left an easel under there, I can work on a landscape while I give you my clearly sage advice." I laugh despite myself and we head to the back while Sam snores softly in the next room. The first sips of coffee gnaw at the edge of my hangover, and the still-warm almond chocolate croissant makes me moan in happiness.

     ...Maybe I can forgive her a little bit.

     The gazebo is white and gilded with a circular hanging bed, plenty of colorful pillows, and a few throws to use as blankets. I take a few bites and put my breakfast down on a side table, desperate for a pride cuddle. Lions are much more physical than a lot of other shifters, we basically have cuddle piles when we are distressed and to bond. Mish and Jake hop on up, each grabbing a throw and curling up into me, and starting a purr. I feel myself start to relax as the aspirin kicks in, sunshine warm on my face.

     "Amisha filled me in on what happened, by the way." I feel my cheeks flush but don't open my eyes. "It doesn't really sound like anything happened. What are you feeling about it, Felicity?"

     "Truthfully if she had told me what happened in the mountains I wouldn't have been upset, but now I kind of feel like I both blindsided her and myself and I can't help but wonder if she's kept anything else from me. I know it maybe doesn't make sense but we've known each other since grade school and never had a secret even before we were mates. I feel like my insides don't make sense anymore." 

     Just then, we see some lionesses make a lap during an outside run. I'm switching to a mind link because they're going to circle back soon and you deserve your privacy. I nod. You don't have to forgive her right away if you feel like that but you really should just talk. 

     I know, and I will. I just feel like I catalyzed everything by bumping into him when I had no idea and it's all super embarrassing. I'll figure it out when she wakes up.

     I think you're too hard on yourself, and her as well, Jacob muses. You're wonderful together and both allowed to be overwhelmed. It's perfectly natural for you both to be overwhelmed and upset for your own reasons but you didn't fall in love because it was easy, you fell in love because it was right.

     I know he's right but I'm still apprehensive. Sighing, I get up for the rest of my croissant and coffee. I don't know how to approach things if she wants to start seeing him seriously. I know it's common, it's just... we've grown up together, you know? It's always been Sam and Felicity. We found out we were mates almost ten years ago, I've never had to make room. I'm not sure I know how.

    Jacob stretches and wanders over to his easel, starting to sketch his latest work. I haven't found my own mate, as you know. I can't relate to what you're feeling. But I can tell you you're amazing, intelligent, and thoughtful, and I'm sure you'll make the best decision.

     Tears spring up in my eyes. Thank you, Jake. You're an amazing friend.

     I start the slow walk back to the house with my now empty cup, thinking about which room I want to move around into in the meantime.

**

-Sam-

     When I wake up again my neck is stiff and sore and pride members are walking around the living room and kitchen cheerfully talking amongst themselves. I'm irritable that they're happy when I'm miserable, so I make my way upstairs to the bedroom, sure that Felicity is elsewhere. When I find her moving clothes into the open door of a room across the hall I stop. Felicity, what's going on?

     She stops. I... well, I feel like I embarrassed myself, and Tiago, and you last night. I can handle embarrassing myself, I'm a big girl. The thing that sucks, though, is you didn't even tell me you met him. I didn't even know he existed, and that isn't a small secret. It's a whole ass possible mate.

     I know, I know, I'm-

     No, let me finish, please. I'm not done. Samiah, we've known each other since we were ten and I've never known you to keep a secret from me. It feels unnatural and unkind and I need some space from it. Waves of shock hit me while I listen. I don't know if I'm a lioness that can share just yet, but you deserve the chance to figure out if two mates is something you even want. I refuse to feel upset about something I don't have control over.

     I'm relieved no one can see me, because I just sunk to my knees in our bedroom. I'm so, so sorry. I love you so much. I never wanted this and you're right, I should've told you when I woke up. Can't we figure this out without you changing rooms? I can feel her emotions, just as upset as I am, but for very different reasons.

     I think we both know I'm too jealous for that. Take some time to focus on work, Sam. Maybe go for coffee with him or something. I just need some room to think and wrap my head around what happened and decide whether I want to still be with you, if he's something you choose for yourself. I deserve space for that.

     I feel the tears starting, hot down my face. I get up and bury my head into my pillow under the covers.

     Do you still love me, Felicity? You haven't sai-

     She opens the door, eyes bright with her own tears and her face red from the effort of trying not to cry. "Yes. I love you. A million times, I love you." She grabs her laptop, giving me one last long look, before turning and leaving the room.

     Our room feels too big now. 

     As I'm getting ready to nap, I hear my phone give me the special chime that lets me know another shifter leader is messaging me. It's Luna Zola. Hey Sam, Moon Goddess' blessing on you! I was wondering if it was okay to give Thalia your number, you were at her bar last night and she wanted to know if you were okay to chat.

     I inwardly groan at the horrific timing. Sun God's warmth to you too Zola- of course, she's lovely, she can text me whenever. What I don't expect two minutes later is a phone call when I'm trying to wallow.

     I sniffle. "I'm guessing this is Thalia?"

     "You would have guessed wrong." The deep, accented voice puts me on high alert, and I'm mentally cursing. "Are you crying?" he asks, much more gently.

     "Yes." I take in a deep breath. "I'm so sorry about last night. I didn't know she didn't know and I should have known better than to out you like that. I'm ashamed of myself. Are you guys going to be okay?"

     "When I explained everything, she forgave me almost immediately. In a way, I kind of owe you for forcing me into a position where no more secrets exist between me and my best friend. I accept your apology, and actually, I want to say thank you. Are you and Felicity free by chance? Mr. Graves is keeping home and I have an afternoon available."

     "Actually... she's upset with me because I didn't tell her I met you in the mountains, it's... well. A mess would be an understatement. I need some time out though, and I haven't eaten. Where did you have in mind?"

**

-Tiago-

     I almost can't believe she accepted my invite but 20 minutes later we're walking into Sunday brunch at Lazzara's and I can't believe someone could make a simple pair of black leggings look so good, thick muscular thighs swelling into a perfect heart shaped ass I do my best not to leave my eyes on. Her face is still puffy from crying but she seems more relaxed than she was on the phone.

     I flag down a server for an outside table and we're seated immediately. We start with peach bellinis and are both obviously measuring each other up. She speaks first.

     "What do you know about lions?"

     "All I know is you are one, and your leaders are females called Queens." She gives a little laugh.

     "Well, then, at the least you know how to address me." I blink, not understanding. "It's me. I'm the Queen of Sahara Pride." I curse under my breath.

     "That's just my luck. How am I supposed to keep a low profile with someone like you?"

     "Well, for one, while many lionesses are polyamorous, I still don't know if I'm willing to try it myself."

     "Wait. why? Why wouldn't you? Do you think there's something wrong with me or something?" I'm genuinely offended. Before she can respond the server appears, taking out orders and collecting menus. She eyes me in an appreciative fashion and from the corner of my eye I see Sam bristle.

     "I know I said I was undecided yet but that was literally 30 seconds ago. You could have an ounce of shame, Tiago." Before I can stop myself, I laugh.

     "I mean, I could, but I have to admit I enjoyed your obviously bothered response." The blush is instant. 

     "To answer what you asked earlier- no, there is nothing wrong with you. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful man in my life. Cheekbones to chiseled abs, I can't help wanting to touch you." Now it's my turn to blush. I feel the heat creeping into my cheeks, trying to mentally distract myself from the smell of warm honey in the sun. "It's confusing, and arousing, and at odds with the last ten years I've been in a perfect relationship with my incredibly beautiful and perfect girlfriend. I don't want to ever risk losing her." She bites her lower lip, lost in thought, and I instantly feel the blood flow shift into the lower half of my body beneath the table. 

     I clear my throat and she finally focuses on my face, eyebrows knit together in worry. "I can't pretend this is normal for me, or that I understand exactly what your relationship is like. All I can say is from what I saw of Felicity, I liked her, and it's not easy for me to like or trust people." She smiles at that. "Yeah, she's one of those people you just can't help but warm up to, you know? She's always making new friends in weird places, picking up strays."

     "I agree, it's a lovely quality in a lovely woman. I think if she was open to it, we could be friends, and I would never want to get between the obviously special bond you have. However, to go with that, she's not the one with the swan neck in front of me. She's not the one that smells like honey and sunlight, sweet and warm. And she is absolutely not the one currently making me jealous that her lips are wrapped around a champagne flute and not pressed against my own."

     With every word her eyes go wider and wider and I see her skin shiver into goosebumps, the smell of arousal in the air. 

     "I still haven't made up my mind about you," she says, eyes not meeting mine. I almost think she's convinced herself.

     I make direct eye contact before I respond, lowering my voice so only she can hear. "I understand that completely. I'm here, Samiah, to tell you -I've- already made up -mine- when it comes to you. I keep dreaming of your eyes and scent. I don't think I could live with myself if I didn't get get to taste you, legs wrapped around me, screaming my name with your fingers twisting and pulling my hair."

     Her eyelids flutter, heavy gold with s*x, unable to find the words to respond as she shifts uncomfortably in her seat, sending the smell of her wetness into the morning air. Just as she opens her mouth the cute chirpy waitress arrives with a small mountain of food- breakfast sausage and potatoes, thick french toast, omelets, and fresh coffee. I cheerfully start portioning onto my plate before asking "is there anything else you wanted to say?"

She gives me one dirty look before pouring bitter bean juice into a dainty white mug, and I think maybe I won this round.