The man rolled his eyes. “You’re not my type. Too…theatrical.”
Chuckling, I admired my duša’s feisty spirit. He was clearly playing hard to get. I hoisted up my pants, zipped them, and confidently approached him.
“You sure about that? My instincts rarely steer me wrong. And right now, they’re saying you’re quite interested,” I said as I trailed my finger over his hard chest.
“Your instincts need recalibrating. I’m not here for a playdate.”
I laughed again. “Everything’s a playdate if you’re in the right mood.”
I was yanked from our charged exchange by an obtrusive throat-clearing—the audacity. “I’m Walter Doy, second in command of the Satchel Pride,” the interloper declared. I glared at the older lion as he continued. “I’m here on behalf of my king.”
Ignoring the old lion’s interruption, I allowed myself a moment of amusement and circled the striking man before me. It felt almost poetic. A chuckle escaped my lips as I indulged in the irony of the situation—like a lion, I stalked, albeit metaphorically, around my potential prey. Each step was measured, a deliberate dance of predator sizing up its catch.
“My king has a message for you,” Walter continued, his tone full of anger and distaste.
Ignoring Walter’s authoritative tone, I circled closer to my duša, the man who unwittingly held my interest. “What’s your name?” I asked, leaning in, my breath teasing the skin on his neck. The air was thick with tension, my question hanging between us like a challenge.
“My second is speaking,” he said through clenched teeth.
“I’d rather hear you speak. What’s your name?” I played my fingers on his neck. He stiffened beneath my touch.
“We are here on important matters.”
Walter interjected, but I held up a hand. “Not until I know his name,” I said firmly, keeping my focus on my duša.
My mate’s response was a low growl, his eyes flashing with a mix of defiance and curiosity. “Tell me yours, and I’ll tell you mine,” he countered, the heat in his gaze igniting an unfamiliar thrill in me.
“Dominic,” I replied, though his demand for my true name sent a jolt of unease through me. The name ‘Domi’zel’ echoed in my mind, a remnant of a past I wasn’t ready to confront.
The intensity in my duša’s eyes faltered, replaced by a flicker of understanding. “Your real name,” he pressed, his voice a deep rumble that resonated within me.
The walls of the club seemed to close in, the memories and pain associated with my true name clawing at the edges of my composure. “Maybe in time,” I deflected, stepping back to regain control of the moment.
Walter’s patience snapped. “Enough of this,” he snarled, his warning clear. “Stay away from the pride, or there will be consequences.”
My amusement returned as I casually took my seat, my gaze never leaving Talon. “No promises there.” There was no way I could stay away from my duša now that I found him.
“If you attack Mike—"
“I have no interest in Mike, or Jake, for that matter.” I waved a dismissive hand. “They’re of no interest to me. My actions were mere… boredom.”
Walter’s confusion was almost comical. “So, you agree to stay away?”
I laughed, a sound that echoed off the walls. “From Mike and Jake, yes. But not from all your members.” My eyes locked onto my mate, the unspoken challenge hanging in the air.
My soul’s expression hardened, a silent battle playing out in his eyes. It was clear; this game was far from over.
Walter’s expression hardened, and he stepped forward. “You are to stay away from the entire pride. You don’t want to mess with the Satchel Pride. This is your one warning.”
Walter signaled to leave, and I cast one last glance at my soulmate, the pull between us an undeniable force. This encounter, however brief, had changed everything—a game had begun, and I was intent on playing to win.
Jorin reentered with concern etched on his face. “Is everything alright, sir?”
I leaned back, a sense of satisfaction washing over me. “Everything is perfect, Jorin. Just perfect.”
“But the lions?” he queried, his eyes betraying his worry.
A laugh escaped my lips, filled with excitement and anticipation. “They won’t be a problem. In fact, I anticipate we’ll become quite… acquainted.”
