Chosen Mate: Lion Shifter Romance (Cybermates Book 5) by Candace Ayers (top 100 books to read txt) 📗

All the pieces seemed to be falling into place like a jigsaw puzzle. Learning about Dylan’s past explained a lot. And he seemed different. There was a peace around him.

My thoughts were going haywire, but I realized it was almost dark and we were alone in a secluded cemetery.

“I have a question.”

“Anything. Ask me anything.”

“Will you show me your lion?”

My breath hitched in my throat as I watched Dylan remove his clothes. It was warm out, but I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering in anticipation.

When the largest lion I had ever seen ripped out of him with such a force, I felt a ripple of power radiate out from him, I gasped and took a step back. He was almost twice the size of any zoo lion. His paws were as big as my head.

I suddenly became a little frightened. I realized I’d forgotten to ask if his consciousness was still present when he shifted into his lion. Surely he wouldn’t risk shifting if he couldn’t control the huge jungle beast he turned into, right?

A sound rumbled from deep in his chest. It sounded like a purr. Then, he circled me, rubbing against my body affectionately, like a house cat, except his back came up nearly to my shoulder. He was gorgeous. Magnificent.

I ran my fingers through his thick, coarse mane giggling in delight. He was the perfect specimen of male lion—chestnut mane, luxurious golden coat, and an air of primal dominance. The lines of his body hinted at the raw power his beast possessed. He sat beside me, and blinked slowly, his eyes golden and glowing. I stroked his fur for several minutes before he changed back and I found myself petting the hair of a naked man.

I pulled my hand back like his head was a hot stove, but my enthusiasm and sheer joy couldn’t be diminished.

“That was amazing. Just…amazing.”

“Yeah?” He grinned, clearly pleased by my reaction.

As Dylan dressed, I rubbed my baby bump. Nugget would one day shift into a beautiful creature like that. Alongside his or her daddy.

We walked back to the truck in silence. I was lost in thought. I imagined Dylan shifting with our child for the first time, explaining all the things about shifters that I couldn’t. I wanted to at least be there—be a part of it.

When we reached the truck, Dylan held his hand out to help me in, and a warmth spread through me. I looked into his eyes, now more green than gold, and saw everything I ever wanted within my reach, but could I trust it? After the way he practically devoured me in his kitchen a couple hours ago, he did seem to truly want me. I wanted him too, but I was scared.

Dylan could crush me if he ever decided to leave again.

As if reading my mind, he kissed my forehead. “We’re meant to be together—made for each other.”

My heart thudded against my rib cage. “You believe that?”

He turned my face so I was staring at him. “With my whole heart.”

Dylan had conquered his fear. I had yet to conquer mine. He wanted to be my mate, forever, and there was no hesitation when he said it. He meant it.

“I-I need to time to think about it.”

He nodded, but his smile held a devious glint. I got the impression that while he agreed to give me the time I asked for, he was just biding his own time until he pounced.

20

Elin

I’d just finished editing and uploading my latest video and was getting to work on the accompanying blog post when Parker called and asked me if I could whip up some baked goods for a wedding bash she was throwing for Flynn and Arden. Apparently, her shifter friends weren’t stuffy enough for the wedding shower Arden’s mom and sisters were throwing, so Parker, Laila, and Fern decided to throw a party shifter style.

My heart was filled with joy for my bestie, Arden. If anyone deserved a lifetime of happiness, it was her and Flynn. I volunteered to bake a cake and sweets for the party.

I baked while Dylan sat at the dining room table and worked on his computer. While his eyes hardly left the screen, I could tell he was completely aware of me and everything movement I made.

I was cutting layers in the cake and hadn’t realized gotten up and moved behind me until he brushed his hand across my hip. I jumped and giggled when I felt him so close. “Hey.”

“You’re not filming this?”

“Nope. This is special—for Arden and Flynn’s party.”

“Can I help?”

I looked back at him and bit my lip. “Seriously? What do you know about cake decorating?”

“Not a thing. But you can teach me, right?”

I faked a serious, intense look. “On one condition. No burning down the house, lion king.”

He growled lightly and nipped the back of my neck. “That nickname has to go, Elin.”

“I like it.”

He sighed. “Fine, just not in public.”

I hid a grin and shrugged. “We’ll see.”

“So, talk me through this.”

I showed him how I layered the cakes and then soaked them in simple syrup before stacking them with layers of buttercream and lemon curd. In truth, he ate more than he helped, but it was more enjoyable doing it with him and it made my heart feel lighter to pretend I didn’t notice as he stole spoonful after spoonful of frosting.

“Want to be my date to the party?” He licked his fingers and kept his eyes on the cake, acting like he hadn’t just entered the awkward no man’s land between us.

I stopped with my spatula halfway to the cake. A blob of icing fell onto the kitchen counter. Looking up at him through my lashes, I forced myself to lighten my grip on the spatula. “Okay.”

He reached over and scooped up the buttercream blob and held a finger out to me. “Taste?”

I swallowed hard. Unable to decline, I opened my mouth for him. Instead of