CHAPTER 8

ANTON

With a smile, I watched as my mate happily walked away with one of my oldest friends to be taken on a tour of the hotel. There was no uncertainty at all. I was happy that it was Renee that met us at the hotel. While I loved the twins, I didn’t think their brand of exuberance would have settled Hannah as much as Renee had.

Turning away from the delightful sight of my mate’s arse as she walked away, I went and joined my brother and our visitors, who, after they’d checked in, had made themselves comfortable at the bar on the back veranda overlooking the vast expanse of gardens and the pool. I had to admit the twins knew what they were doing when it came to this hotel. It had been a sad, unkept place when they’d bought it a year ago, and I knew that not all the rooms were up to their standards yet. Out of the fifty rooms this hotel had, only twenty had been refurbished, along with the downstairs, the kitchen, and the dining room. The other thirty would be done as they started to make money.

Taking the beer from the bartender with a nod of thanks, I joined the rest of the males on the veranda. They were discussing what was on the itinerary for the rest of the week.

“Tonight, we’ll take you to the nightclub the girls own and then tomorrow we’ll hit the road and head to Livingstone to see the falls. It’s a long trip so we won’t get there until the evening,” Luca informed them just as a waitress arrived with a tea trolley filled with cakes and sandwiches.

“Thanks, Patience,” I said, moving a chair out of the way so she could get it closer to the table. Patience was the daughter of one of our rangers but preferred to live in town rather than on the ranch. The girls had snapped her up when they’d opened the hotel. “You’re welcome, Mr. Anton. Ms. Renee and Ms. Hannah will be here soon. They are in the kitchen at the moment trying out a new pudding that the chef is playing with,” Patience smiled at us as she offloaded her trolley and took her leave.

I heard Renee laugh and then the quiet tones of Hannah saying something before they appeared in the doorway. I’d not realised how tense I was until Hannah stood just a few feet away from me. Her eyes found mine, and while I could see she was tired from her walk, it was the happiest I’d seen her.

With her arm wrapped around Renee’s, they slowly made their way towards us until they stopped next to my chair. Moving over, I helped Hannah sit next to me and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as she relaxed into my side.

Renee picked up the teapot and held it up with an eyebrow cocked in enquiry. “Yes please,” Hannah replied.

“I’m good, thanks, Ren,” I replied, as did all the males. Happy to stick with beer, but we made short work of the sandwiches and cakes. Before long, I felt Hannah grow heavy against my side. Looking down, I saw she’d fallen asleep.

“Take her up, Anton,” Renee said with a soft smile when she noticed Hannah sleeping. “I’ve put clothes in the wardrobe for her. Supper is at seven, then we’ll head to the club after.”

“Thanks, Ren,” I acknowledged, scooping my sleeping mate up in my arms, turning to the males on the veranda, “I’ll see you at supper.”

A round of “Later, Anton” was called out as I walked away and headed up to our room, where I tucked my sleeping mate into the beautiful four-poster bed, setting an alarm on my phone. Stripping, I joined her, pulling her in close to me. I fell asleep with a smile on my face at the deep purr she emitted at my action.

Waking to the sound of the alarm emitting an annoying beep, I reached across to the side table and switched it off. Getting a grumble from the sleeping female on my chest. Pressing a kiss to her forehead before I nuzzled into her neck, breathing in her scent to appease my animal. He’d been patient so far, understanding that our mate was in no way able to handle anything other than affection until she was stronger.

“Han, time to get up and meet the others.”

Muttering, unhappy at being woken up, I watched in amusement as she opened one green eye to a squint before opening the other so that I was now looking into sleepy eyes. My mate was so beautiful but, for the moment, didn’t believe it. Her scars bothered her and made her feel less. It was something I’d be working on with her.

Lowering my head, I pressed a soft kiss to her lips, not expecting a response, and was surprised when her mouth opened under my lips, allowing me entry. A deep rumble emitted from my chest as I deepened the kiss, following her down as she rolled on her back, taking me with her. I nestled my body between her spread thighs, and she sighed softly as I pressed my hardness into her.

Pressing a last kiss to Hannah’s lips, I lifted my head, running my hand through her hair as her eyes fluttered open and stared into mine.

“I like the way you wake me up,” she purred with a smile.

I grinned down at her before running my nose along the side of her jaw and nipping at her ear.

“I like having you in my bed to wake up.”

She giggled happily and wrapped her arms tight around my shoulders before heaving a happy sigh and saying, “I guess we better get showered and go down to meet the others for supper.”

“Yeah,” I pressed one more kiss to her soft lips before heaving my body from hers, pulling her up to stand with me as I went. My animal grumbling at me for not pushing for more. ‘Patience!’ I reminded him.

“Woah,” Hannah blinked dizzily as I set her on her feet, holding her arms until she was steady.

“Are you okay?” I asked in concern, furious with myself for forgetting that she wasn’t quite up to full strength yet.

Hannah must have seen something in my face because she wrapped her arms around me and kissed my cheek. “I’m fine, getting better all the time. Now, how about that shower and then you can feed me.”

Leading her into the bathroom, I got the shower started, turning to find my gorgeous mate already naked for once, not trying to hide her scars from me.

“You’re beautiful, baby girl,” I growl huskily, my cock hardening at the sight of her.

Hannah blushed, the flush running from her breasts up into the apples of her cheeks, and her eyes flashed a sultry look at me. ‘Yeah, my girl was starting to feel better,’ I mused silently before pushing my boxers off, then holding my hand out to her, I helped her step into the shower.

Her eyes dropped to my cock that was standing up hard against my belly, she licked her lips and lifted her eyes to mine.

“Does that hurt you?”

Shaking my head and gently manoeuvring her under the water to wet her long red hair before replying, “Not really, it’s more uncomfortable than anything.”

Hannah didn’t say anything; she just closed her eyes as I shampooed her hair. She wasn’t finished thinking, though I could see the wheels turning as I rinsed out the shampoo, moving her out of the spray onto the chair that was bolted into the wall. I had her sit, so I could rub conditioner into her long tresses.

When I was done, I went to grab my shower gel but was stopped by Hannah’s hand on my arm.

“Would it help if I put my mouth on you?”

‘Fuuuck,’ I thought. It wouldn’t because she wasn’t healthy enough to take me as I needed her to. As it was, I was worried that when we eventually got to our mating that I wouldn’t be gentle enough for her. I needed her to be a little stronger to take me because once we started the mating, I wouldn’t be able to stop until I knew she was carrying my young. It was the way of our kind.

Rubbing a gentle finger down her cheek, I smiled before replying, “No, because if you touched me like that, I wouldn’t be able to fight the mating need and you’re not strong enough yet.”

Her mouth turned down at the corners, showing her unhappiness at my answer. “Okay,” she hesitated before continuing, “What about if you touched yourself and I watched?”

Without conscious thought, my hand gripped my cock and squeezed it hard. My head falling back against the shower wall as I inhaled a deep breath and filled my lungs with the smell of my mate. I could smell the first scent of her arousal as she watched me.

A deep groan erupted from me as I inhaled again, and I could feel my incisors punch through my gums in response to Hannah’s arousal. Lowering my head, my eyes caught and held hers, her pupils so dilated that her eyes looked black. Working my hand faster as she licked her lips before biting down hard on her lower lip, her arousal was stronger now.

If she’d been completely healed, I wouldn’t have been able to hold back, but there was no way I was going to mate with Hannah until she was back at full strength. With one last long tug at my cock, I felt my release rush through me. My cum landing on the shower floor to be washed away by the flow of water.

Hannah released a sigh and was smiling happily at me, her arousal still faint in the air. She took my breath away when she swiped through the remains of my cum coating my hand and hummed happily as she sucked her finger into her mouth.

My cock started to harden again at that small act. “Delicious,” she smirked at me.

Shaking my head at her, I pulled her towards me and kissed her deeply, tasting myself on her lips. Removing my lips from hers, I whispered huskily in her ear, “I can’t wait until you’re at full strength, baby. I’m going to eat your pussy until you pass out.”

Hannah gave a shiver at the visual and whispered back, “Then we better get me back to full strength soon.”

Pulling her up from the shower chair, I manoeuvred us back into the water and rinsed us both off. Satisfied enough for now.

Getting out, I towelled us both off, and Hannah wrapped herself in the complimentary robe that was hanging on a hook in the bathroom. Walking over to the wardrobe, she opened it and gasped at the array of clothing choices waiting for her.

Walking over, I looked over her shoulder and smiled. Renee had done as I’d asked and filled it with lightweight trousers and long sleeve shirts, longs skirts and a few dresses. I would work on getting Hannah to the stage where she was comfortable wearing shorts and T-shirts again. None of us cared about her scarring, but these outfits would make her feel comfortable for now.

Turning, she hugged me tight, “Thank you, Anton, these are perfect.”

Wrapping my arms around her, I pressed a kiss to her still wet hair, “You’re welcome, baby, but all I did was tell Renee what to buy. She did the rest.”

“I’ll thank her tonight,” Hannah assured me as she turned back to the wardrobe to look for something to wear.

Making her selection, she pulled an outfit and matching underwear from the hidden draw in the wardrobe and disappeared back into the bathroom.

Before long, I heard the hair dryer start. Pulling my own clothing from my suitcase, I got dressed in black trousers and a button-up emerald green shirt. I was bending to tie my shoes when the bathroom door opened, and I swallowed hard at the vision of loveliness showcased in the open door.

“Jesus, baby girl, you look fucking amazing,” I gritted out because I knew I was going to be in for a long night of watching other men look at my woman with lust. No shifter would because they’d smell me on her, but humans, yeah, they were going to be a problem.

Hannah flushed with pleasure before she ran a hand down her side, “Is this dress okay then? For tonight?”

She’d picked a long black dress that covered her from her neck to her ankles, clinging to her body, showing every curve. The sleeves were flowing and copper in colour, and the dress had a slit up the left side showcasing her long legs. Her long red hair was in loose waves, surrounding her face and hung down her back all the way to the curve of her delicious behind. Her green eyes were popping with whatever she’d done to highlight them with makeup. There was something missing though, and I realised that she didn’t have any jewellery. Moving towards her, bypassing her, I went to the dresser and pulled out the long, thin jewellery draw in the top of the dresser, knowing Renee would have found her jewellery to match her outfits.

And I was right. I picked up a thick copper necklace and bracelet. Handing her the bracelet to put on, I went behind her and did up the necklace. Pulling her hair to the side, I did it up, burying my head in her long hair. I pressed a kiss to her neck before turning her around.

“You look perfect, baby girl,” I groaned huskily, pressing my lips to hers in a kiss. “Grab some shoes and let’s go before I forget you’re not at full strength yet.”

With a dimpled smile, she turned and went back to the wardrobe, selected a pair of flat copper-coloured sandals and put them on. I bit my lip and turned away as she lifted one long leg and proceeded to wrap the copper-coloured ribbon around her calves, securing her sandals. Pressing a hand to my hard cock, I took a deep breath and turned around at her next words.

“I’m ready, Anton.”

Picking up the key, I led her out of the door, down the hall to the short flight of stairs that would take us to the dining room.

The others were already there having pre-dinner drinks when we arrived. All the males’ eyes widened when they saw Hannah before they lowered. Even Luca. I guess we’d all got so used to seeing her in my T-shirts and her borrowed tracksuit pants that we’d forgotten she was a beautiful female.

Renee stood as we entered and went straight to Hannah, taking her hands, “You look beautiful, Han. I’m glad the clothes fit.”

In a move that surprised me as she hadn’t wanted anyone’s touch other than mine or if she had to, she’d tolerate Luca’s since we’d rescued her, Hannah wrapped her arms around Renee and with a voice full of emotion, “Thank you, Renee, I love everything you picked out.”

Patting her gently on the back, Renee replied, “You’re welcome, Hannah.” Taking a step back, she continued, “Come have a drink before supper.”

Joining the rest of our party, we were treated to a fantastic meal before we headed out to try out the twins’ nightclub.

There was a queue out the door when we arrived, but as we were family, we walked inside to flashing lights and gyrating bodies. Renee, with Luca on one side and surprisingly Miah on the other, forged their way through the crowds to a cordoned off area with a VIP sign on it. A member of the staff standing at the stairs nodded respectfully at Renee before unhooking the barrier and letting us through. It was only as we got closer that I realised it was one of the Chief’s younger sons. I hadn’t recognised him with the way he'd filled out. Stopping to greet him and catch up, I introduced him to Hannah.

“Hey, Ro, I didn’t know you were working here,” I grinned, shaking his hand.

He smiled back at me before replying, “For a few months now while I go to university. It keeps me out of trouble, and I can pay my own way.”

We chatted a bit more before someone called for his attention, so we left him to do his duty and joined the rest sitting in the VIP section. The way it had been set up encouraged you to stay for a while with groupings of comfortable sofas and armchairs with low tables, similar to what you would find in the hotel, there was a private bar at one end and there were servers that attended the tables. The entire VIP floor was enclosed in glass, muffling the sound of the music from the floor below, but you still felt part of it as you could look out and see what was happening.

“Wow,” Hannah said, looking around. “This is beautiful.”

“It really is,” I agree. Taking her hand, I pulled her to the two-seater couch that had been left open for us to use.

“I ordered you a beer and Hannah a glass of the wine we had at dinner,” Renee informed us as we sat.

Tipping my head in thanks, I take the glass that’s handed to me.

Sitting back, I relax as Hannah sinks into me with her glass of wine, her eyes wide and curious as she looks around.

‘The twins know their stuff,’ I thought. The club catered to all. It would be interesting to see what their next venture would be like.

It wasn’t long before the music called to me. Tilting my head, I whispered softly to Hannah, “Dance with me.”

Hannah bit her lip and her eyes widened slightly as she looked down at the gyrating crowd, but she nodded her agreement. Standing, I pulled her up and descended the stairs, pulling her gently along behind me through the crowd until we were at the far end of the dancefloor where it wasn’t as crowded. Turning, I pulled her into my arms to hold her close so that she could rest her head against me in her favourite position, tucked just under my chin.

“You doing okay, baby girl?”

Hannah nodded before answering, “Yeah, honey, I’m doing just fine.”

Pressing a kiss to her forehead, “Good, let me know when you’ve had enough, and we’ll head back to the hotel.”

“Will do,” she hummed at me, her chest rattling with a slight purr and my animal rumbled back.

I smiled; her tiger was slowly coming back, or I hoped she was.