Ain't Lion, I Love You

He broke my heart a decade ago.
Now he’s back, growling something about sabotage, council politics, and mate bonds I didn’t ask for.
I run Hollow Oak’s only shifter tavern. Built it with my claws, my blood, and enough sass to keep rogue lions and nosy fae out of my business.
But apparently, my business is suddenly his.
Dante Deleuve is bigger now. Meaner. More golden than I remember, and twice as good at making my knees forget why I hate him.
He says I’m his.
I say he’s late.
Because this time, I’m not the scared lioness he walked away from.
This time, I’ll defend my town, burn my uncle’s pride to the ground, and maybe—maybe—let the one male I swore off prove he’s worth kneeling for.
If he survives me.