Page 6 of Accidentally on Purr-pose

"This is getting more complicated than we bargained for."

Reth's observation was an understatement of epic proportions, but before Izei could respond, the cottage door opened to reveal Freesia and Luka approaching with their minimal belongings—everything they owned apparently fitting into three small duffel bags.

"Yes, it really is," Izei said quietly, watching his mate walk toward him with unconscious grace. "Because Queen Freesia Waverly is my fated mate."

Reth's expression shifted to something approaching shock. "How is that possible? A panther and a tigress as fated mates?"

"I don't know, but there's no question about the recognition." Izei's panther purred with satisfaction at finally acknowledging the truth aloud. "She felt it too."

"Did you make physical contact?"

"No." The word came out rough. "I can't activate the mate bond right now. That would complicate everything beyond repair."

Reth studied him with the concern of someone who'd watched his Alpha navigate impossible situations for over a decade. "You'd better figure out how you're going to handle this."

The back doors finally opened, and Freesia and Luka settled into the back seat, their presence immediately filling the vehicle with tension and unspoken questions. Izei stared straight ahead as Reth started the engine, his mind spinning through scenarios and contingencies while his panther demanded he turn around and claim what belonged to him.

For the first time since becoming Alpha thirteen years ago, Izei had absolutely no idea what he was going to do.

THREE

FREESIA

Freesia pressed herself deeper into the leather seat, her fingers gripping the edge until her knuckles turned white. The scent of sandalwood and spice filled the confined space of Izei's armored SUV, making her tigress pace restlessly beneath her skin like a caged predator desperate for release. Every breath brought another wave of that intoxicating fragrance, and she had to consciously remind herself to maintain distance from the impossibly broad shoulders visible in the passenger seat ahead of her.

My fated mate is an Alpha panther.

The absurdity of it would have made her laugh if she weren't fighting the overwhelming urge to reach forward and touch him. Because when he'd stepped into that safehouse and their eyes had locked, she'd felt the mate bond recognition slam through her like lightning. And when those deep brown eyes flecked with gold had darkened with unmistakable hunger, her tigress had roared with triumph, demanding she claim what belonged to her. But her rational mind had locked her knees to prevent her from moving closer.

Now, sitting mere feet away from him while trying to appear unaffected, Freesia felt like she was slowly losing her mind. The mate bond pulled at her with magnetic intensity, whispering promises of completion and belonging that she absolutely could not afford to acknowledge. Not when someone was actively hunting her. Not when the Waverly Compact pressed against her hip like a constant reminder of the responsibility that had to come first.

"You're doing that thing again," Luka murmured beside her, his green eyes studying her with the sharp awareness of someone who'd spent three months learning to read her moods.

"What thing?" she whispered, her voice carefully neutral.

"That thing where you look like you're about to bolt," he replied softly, concern shadowing his features. "Want to tell me what happened back there?"

Freesia glanced toward the front seat, where Izei sat with rigid stillness that suggested he was listening to every word. Reth's dark eyes found hers in the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable but alert. The last thing she needed was to discuss mate bonds in front of an audience, especially when she had no intention of acting on the recognition.

"Nothing happened," she murmured, which was technically true. Nothing had happened because she'd refused to let it happen. "I simply decided his estate offers better protection than any safehouse."

Luka's eyebrows rose with skepticism. "Of course. I'm sure that decision had nothing to do with the way you two are vibrating with tension right now."

Heat flooded her cheeks. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Freesia." Luka's voice softened. "I've been protecting you for three months. I know when you're lying."

She opened her mouth to protest, then closed it as the SUV turned through an impressive wrought-iron gate that opened automatically at their approach. Security cameras tracked their movement while motion sensors swept the perimeter with military precision. Whatever Izei Callel might be, he took protection seriously.

The estate that came into view stole her breath despite her determination to remain unimpressed. The mansion sprawled across manicured grounds like something from an architectural magazine—all clean lines and floor-to-ceiling windows that somehow managed to look both elegant and impenetrable. Reinforced glass caught the sunlight, and she counted at least a dozen discrete security measures integrated seamlessly into the landscape design.

"Well," Luka said under his breath as they approached the circular drive, "at least we should be secure in this place, even if it looks more like a prison than a home."

Despite everything, Freesia felt her lips twitch with amusement. "At least it should have hot water."

Luka's answering grin carried three months of shared hardship and cold showers. "At least you're finally being optimistic."

The SUV came to a smooth stop in front of the main entrance, and Freesia's heart rate spiked as Izei opened his door. His scent intensified when he stepped out, and she had to grip the seat again to resist the pull.