Females were to be respected, and cared for, at all times.Males were dominant in Pride society, but that didn't mean they treated their females like lesser beings.
At times, Trip knew, certain females used that to their own advantage.Marisa was one such female.And it irritated the hell out of him that she got away with it constantly because of her position and her father's position on the council.
"Your mate is insane," Marisa spat, apparently displeased by his rejection of her.Although what she expected when, she’d said it herself,mate… The clue was in the title, dammit!
Did she think he'd find her less repulsive now he was mated?If that was the case, it was backward in its logic.
He frowned at her statement."What are you talking about?"
"She just attacked me."
Trip, though he didn't like her, had to admit the arrogant bitch did look shaken."Attacked you, how?"When it came down to it, Marisa was a Lioness.El was very much a human being.Unless…
"You never told us she was one of us," Marisa hissed, darting her gaze back and forth in a way that made her look beyond crazy.It was like she'd fallen into conspiracy and had no idea how to leap back out of it again.
His frown hardened.Though the cat’s remark had unease slithering down his spine, he ignored it and asked, "What happened?"
Marisa, for all she had a hideous character, was actually a beautiful woman.She had long blonde hair, bottle green eyes, skin like gold, and a lithe and slender form that spoke of her fitness.Not only as a human, but as a Lioness.It had always amazed him that in the face of such beauty, he’d always been underwhelmed.A fact she hadn't been able to comprehend either.It didn't stop her from trying though.
As was the case now.
Realizing she had his full attention, she straightened her shoulders subtly, gently arching her back and pressing her heart to the sky in a way that shoved her tits in his face.She couldn't just reply, oh no, she had to pout.Pursed her lips as though every move was made to entice him.
Some cats just didn't realize when to back off.
"Cut with the shit, Marisa.I said tell me what happened or fuck off."It was the least polite and politic thing he could have said, but she was getting on his nerves.
He was mated.Ryan, to his Triad brothers’ astonishment, had spent the last few hours introducing their mate to the upper echelons of Pride society.
What more of a clue did the woman need to realize she was getting nowhere fast?
At his words, she let out a hiss that was pure Lioness.Maybe, had he been a lesser male, he'd have been concerned.As it was, his lips twitched in amusement.
Seeming to sense that, and no longer feigning her rage, she spat, "She forced me to submit."
Scowling, Trip studied her.She didn't look under the weather or worse for wear.When Marisa had spoken of an attack, Trip had figured it was of the physical variety.But domination?
El had made Marisa submit?
Marisa, who came from an inordinately strong line, and who was renowned for her prowess on the lower challenge fields…?A woman who, by sheer strength alone, would make her way onto the council without her family name helping her up the rings…?
Trip scratched his head and looked blindly down at the ground.
Totally unsure of what to say, when this was so beyond anything any of them had expected, he dismissed Marisa with, "You must have deserved it.Now you are aware of our mate’s power, and her strength, you should know not to mess with any of us.And by mess, you know exactly what I mean, Marisa.Leave Marc alone."
Marisa scowled, her brow puckering in a way that was most ugly."I wasn't talking to Marc when she attacked.Mother have mercy, does the woman have rights over all the males in the Pride now?"
Curiosity pricked, he asked, "Who were you flirting with?The male attending as our guest?"
Marisa firmed her lips."Yes.The male named Shawn.I didn't realize he had a ‘hands off’ sign hanging around his neck."
Wanting to sigh with relief over the fact El had made a move to open communication with Shawn, but realizing that that might seem an unusual reaction to her statement, Trip just stared blankly at the female.“Now you’ve felt her bite, I remind you, Marisa, to watch your back."
Bristling, the cat spat, "I'm strong enough to defend myself.I don't need your help, Trip."And with that, her nose popped into the air again and she swayed off into the crowd, her stride slowed by her incessant need to look sexy.
Mother, if the woman popped her hips any more, she'd end up dislocating the damn joints.
"What was that about?"
