Was he insane?
“Look, besides a few other guys that aren’t here right now, I don’t trust anyone in this world except for those in this room, especially Sinclair. I know if I call him, no matter what, he has my back and will work until his fingers bleed to get me out of trouble. If being part of a pride brings us all that much closer, then yeah, I’m in.”
Samson pointed to Stryker. “I’m with him.”
They were both insane.
“Do you know what you guys are saying?” I asked.
“It makes sense, Stone. I think we’re supposed to have that connection, that bond Sinclair keeps telling us about. I don’t think panthers are supposed to be without a pride. I think we’re supposed to be part of something bigger than ourselves.”
“Does the blood exchange thing or being part of a pride interfere in the bond between mates?” Shade asked.
Sinclair shook his head. “No, it’s like if you were married and we were just your extended family, brothers and cousins and stuff. The bond between the two of you is between the two of you. It would remain as strong as it ever was. There would just be a lighter connection to the rest of us.”
“Then we’re in.”
“We are?” Bob asked as he gazed up at Shade.
“Yes. I think we need to be part of a pride and I trust these men.”
The smile Shade sent Bob was one I had never seen on his face before he met his mate. It was sweet, but also happy. Having claimed Sinclair, I suddenly knew exactly why he felt the need to smile like that.
“Okay.” Bob returned Shade’s smile and then turned back to us. “We’re in.”
I blinked at the lot of them. “Do you actually understand what you’re agreeing to?”
I wasn’t sure I did.
Shade nodded. “Yes, we’re going to be a pride.”
“Pride, pack.” Bob frowned. “I’m not sure what hyena and panthers would be together.”
Sinclair chuckled as he squeezed my hand. “A family.”
Chapter Nine
Sinclair
I watched Stone’s jaw drop and started to laugh. I found the man’s reaction absolutely hilarious. The man had no idea what was going on. I did, and I was so excited, I could feel my hyena jumping inside of me.
All hyenas craved a pride, even if it was a pride of two. To have so many others join us and make us a real pride, that was the ultimate dream.
I didn’t even care if I had to follow Shade’s leadership.
“You’re all insane,” Stone said, bursting my happy bubble.
“You don’t want us to be a pride?”
“Baby, I want to be a pride with you. It’s them I’m worried about.”
“Why?” Shade’s voice was deadly.
Stone glared across the room. “Because I don’t want to know when you’re getting it on with Bob.”
I snickered, because how could I not? “It doesn’t work that way, Stone.”
“You said we’d be able to feel each other.” He waved his hand at Shade and Bob. “I don’t want to feel that.”
