Heart of a Lion by Lacey Thorn

Chapter Twenty-Four

Quinn woke slowly to Mitch placing kisses across her face, neck, and shoulders.

“Time to wake up,” he whispered.

“Again?” she asked and forced her eyes open at his chuckle. They’d made love at least three times, taking short breaks in between. She’d known male shifters had a lot of stamina but hadn’t realized human males could be the same. Or, at least, Mitch was.

“No. Tony has a team waiting to fly to New Mexico. He was up all night getting the permissions needed to fly multiple military grade helicopters that close to the border. If I keep him waiting much longer, he’s going to force his way in here and carry you out naked.”

She’d forgotten. Being with Mitch, finally claiming him, had pushed everything else from her mind.

“Don’t,” he ordered.

“What?”

“Don’t feel guilty for the pleasure we found in one another. Tony had to get everything prepared anyway. He’s taking three helicopters for this one. Several of the shifters are going, as well as all of alpha team.”

She swallowed. She was no less leery of jumping into a metal bird this time than she had been the first time around.

“Maybe, I…”

She stopped and blew out a breath when Mitch shook his head at her. He was right. She had to go. She was the only one among them who’d actually been there and knew what they were looking for in the facility.

“Give me a minute to get dressed and get Emery over to Diane.”

“I’ll be back in five,” he offered, dropping a kiss on her lips before leaving the room, whistling.

She grinned, noting the spring in his step. She’d put that there and planned to keep it there. Then she rose from the bed, pulling fresh clothes from the ones she’d been loaned and tugging them on. She really needed to get her own things and quit taking advantage of the other ladies’ willingness to share with her. Once she had her boots on, she lifted her son from his crib and cuddled him close.

“Soon, Mommy won’t be running around all over the place and leaving you with Diane.”

He watched her with his big, curious eyes, appearing as if he were drinking in her every word.

“Not that Diane isn’t amazing, but you and I need some downtime where we can snuggle and share kisses. I love you so much, and I promise you that I’m going to take the best care of you. Mitch and I will keep you safe, and when the time comes for you to learn about shifting and what it means to be the special person that you are, you’ll have an entire pride standing by, ready to guide you. You’re going to have everything you need to thrive. I promise you that.”

“Quinn.” Mitch called her from the doorway, and she cuddled her son close to her chest as she moved to join him.

“I’ll drive you over to drop him off while the final plans are made. I need to pick up Tony from the medical center anyway.”

“Why is Tony there? Did he get hurt?”

“No, Gideon called him and asked him to take a look at Vic.”

She stared at Mitch as he slid behind the wheel and started the vehicle. There was more to it than that. She knew it. Had known it for a long time.

“Are you human?”

Mitch gave her a startled look. “Yes.”

“But?” she asked when he paused.

“With enhancements,” he offered.

“Tony-grade enhancements.”

He nodded. “I’ll tell you all about them once we’re back. But I’d like to ask that it stays between us for now. Not everyone is ready to share.”

“All of you are enhanced?”

“Just alpha team for now,” he answered.

“No claws and growls and non-human parts inside you?”

He shook his head as he pulled in the graveled lot by the medical center. “No. Those are just yours. And mine are nothing to fear. I promise you that. Trust me?”

She didn’t even have to think. “Always.”

He leaned in and gave her a kiss. “It’s a booster similar to what you’ll be getting. Ours just help with healing in case we’re injured during any of our missions. Plus, it enhances our senses and strength.”

“Tony made his own super soldiers?”

Mitch grinned. “In a way, yes.”

Why didn’t that surprise her? Because nothing to do with Tony surprised her, and still, she found she genuinely liked the man.

“You drop off Emery, and I’ll go get Tony and meet you back here. Don’t go out without me,” Mitch ordered.

“I won’t.”

She kissed Emery a million times before forcing herself to walk away. She promised him one more time that she’d be back soon, and they’d snuggle together. She wasn’t leaving him again. He needed her, and she needed him.

“Ready?” Tony asked as she joined him and Mitch at the door.

She nodded, moving into Mitch and leaning against his side as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Let’s find our people and end Blane, once and for all,” Tony said, moving ahead of them out the door. “We need to get loaded up and hit the air. You two will ride with me.”

A shiver went down her spine. God, she hated fucking helicopters.

“Your ass will be on that bird, Ms. Jensen,” Tony said, probably picking up on her fear and dismissing it as easily as he had the first time.

“Just when I was beginning to like him,” she muttered.

“You love me,” Tony yelled back at her.

“I love Mitch,” she countered.

“He’s not selfish. You can love me, too.”

She growled, and Mitch laughed, cuddling her closer as he slid in the back, letting Tony drive.

“He’ll grow on you,” Mitch whispered.

“Like mold, maybe.”

“I heard that,” Tony said, throwing a glance over his shoulder at them.

Quinn smiled. She was one of them, sharing the comradery, the jokes and teasing as they joined the rest of the team and loaded up. The others gave her easy acceptance as she sat in Mitch’s lap as if it were perfectly natural. Because it was.

“What’s on your mind?” Mitch whispered close to her ear.

“Thinking about how much I want to crawl back in bed with you and have a repeat of earlier.”

He flushed, and those around them caught on quickly.

“Not getting nervous are you?” Jonah asked.

The others took up with that, ribbing Mitch.

“Must be why Sandman is stationing you at the main house,” one joked. “Keep you safe at home.”

“I’ll keep you safe,” she offered, and Mitch turned to her.

“You will, huh?” he asked.

“Trust me.” She leaned in closer until her lips touched his ear. “I won’t let you down.”

The future had never looked so promising.

Want to know what more about the pride? You can find all the books in the Awakening Pride Series at laceythorn.com