Page 28 of Tempting the Tiger

Even though Keair knew what had been coming, that the streak from southern Georgia wanted him to come and lead them, he was still unprepared for the vehement arguments that were presented during the next hour. They did not simply ask if Keair would be interested, they demanded that he take leadership.

“I am ready to step down and I need a strong man beside my daughter.”

The tension between the father and daughter was high. Jasmine, who had not spoken a word during the entire meeting, sat ramrod straight, her hands held tightly together in front of her, resting on the dark cherry wood conference table. She looked neither left or right, just straight ahead.

Bachar sat at the head of the table, watching the father-daughter duo. “You do not believe your daughter capable of leading your streak?”

Bachar had never been one to beat around at the bush, and he knew Keair had no desire to be the alpha of this man’s streak. He had to admit that Jasmine was beautiful, tempting to a man. But, he also knew that Keair had a mate. A gorgeous, curvy mate, just like his Sally. And the draw of a mate could not be broken, no matter how beautiful the temptation.

“She is a female.” Jermal’s lips curled into a derisive smile as if to say Bachar should know better.

Bachar, though very old-fashioned, did not believe that leadership with shifters lay solely in the hands of males. He now ruled his pride with his wife proudly at his side. If, she had been the shifter, he would be serving at her side now. “She is your daughter—your heir.”

“A female cannot rule my streak. That is not the way.”

“Says who?” Bachar leaned forward. “You?”

“It is the way, the council backs me on this decision.”

Bachar shook his head. “No, they do not. They support your efforts to find a mate for your daughter. Those are two totally different things.”

“They—”

“Enough.” Keair stood, his voice dark and heavy. “I have already found my mate. If you had bothered to ask before coming here, you could have saved yourself a wasted trip.”

“You are not mated,” Jermal stated. “There is no reason for you not to consider my offer.”

Keair laughed softly. “You would prefer me, a stranger, who is not your daughter’s mate, to lead your people, instead of your own flesh and blood?”

“Yes.”

Keair shook his head. “I will not lead your streak.” His eyes shifted from father to daughter. “My alpha is correct. You do yourself, your streak, and especially your daughter a grave disservice by refusing to acknowledge her as your heir. If I am blessed with a daughter, I will make sure she knows she is just as capable as a male to be alpha of a streak. Or not. It will be her choice. Not mine.”

He took a deep breath and nodded his head to Bachar. “Now if you will excuse me, I must be getting to my mate.”

He turned and walked out of the room feeling as though a giant burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He was now completely free to claim his mate.

“Keair, you better not let me fall.”

“As if I would let harm come to you, my sweet.” Keair’s voice was softly amused as he guided Grace along a well-trodden path at the back of the Lion’s Pride. When he had picked her up at the bakery, she had been dressed and ready to go, wearing the jacket he had sent her. She also wore the earrings he had sent to her earlier in the week when he’d had to cancel a lunch date. They were very small diamond studs. He’d wanted to buy her much larger ones, but Sally had warned him about being too extravagant to begin with. She had laughed and told him he could shower her with gifts when they were mated.

He did not follow that logic, but he was glad he had followed his best friend’s advice. As it was, it had taken him nearly two days to convince Grace they were cubic zirconia, which they weren’t, but she didn’t need to know that. She had also given him a hot glare tonight when he’d commented on how lovely she looked in her coat. But, she had kept it on, and didn’t protest that he had given it to her. He felt he was truly making progress.

Now, if he could convince her that she was indeed his true mate—and allow the mating.

“Just a little bit more.” He had blindfolded her when she’d gotten in the car so she wouldn’t know exactly where they were going. He wanted tonight to be filled with awe and wonder for her. He guided her slowly along the path, enjoying the feel of her hips swaying beneath his hand as he held her close. The night was soft, the air holding that slight chill as predicted.

She had worn soft blue jeans and a long flowing cotton blouse. Sally had informed him that she had gone shopping with her and purchased several new items of clothing. Of course, Keair had immediately wanted to buy them for her—or better yet take her shopping himself. He wanted to give her everything she needed—and wanted.

A few more minutes and they reached their destination. Well, their first one. A large rock, perfect for sitting and enjoying the quiet of the forest was in front of them.

When they stopped Keair untied the blindfold and Grace had to blink several times to get her eyes to focus. It was almost dark and she had to adjust to the dim light. In front of her was a small clearing with a large, gray rock. She had an idea where they were but didn’t know why.

“So, what’s the surprise?” she asked, turning around. When she did her breath left her lungs in a rush. “Oh, wow.”

Keair stood behind her, stripped of all his clothing. While she had anticipated seeing him naked at some point tonight, it surprised her how quickly he had gotten down to business so to speak.

“Thank you,” Keair grinned down at her, moving closer. He pulled her close, his body radiating heat that quickly took away the evening chill.