Sasha's Lion Read online

  Savron eyed his family to tell them he had his lion under control and that he could handle this. His mother’s eyes narrowed, and he smiled. He didn’t want to tell his mate on her birthday that the world was a lot bigger than she thought. That shifters and other not so nice things existed. That Sin City was called that for a reason and not for the one she thought. He could control his lion as long as she didn’t leave him right now.

  Sasha bit into her bottom lip. “Ah, thanks, but tonight is kinda a family thing.”

  Britney pouted, stood up, and hugged Sasha. “I thought I was like your family. I’d make an awesome sister. I’d really love my family to meet your little sister and mum before tomorrow night. Please, I’m sure your mother won’t mind.” Britney pulled out her phone from her pocket and shoved it at Sasha. “Call them now.”

  Sasha slowly typed the number in the phone and put it to her ear. He watched as her eyes darted around the room. “Hi, Mum. I’m sorry I’m late. Yes, I know. Yes. Mum, I had to drop some things off at Britney’s house, and I was wondering if it’s okay if Britney’s family joins us for dinner.”

  Savron could hear her mother on the other end say it was a family dinner and she would meet them tomorrow. He needed to stay with Sasha, even if it was just for a little while, so he could calm his lion down and start to get to know her.

  Britney took the phone from Sasha. “Hi, Mrs. Brentno. I’m sorry to impose on your family dinner. My family would love to meet yours. My brother Savron in particular would like to meet the mother of the girl he’s interested in. Why yes.”

  Sasha gasped, and her gaze fell on him. She tried to grab the phone from Britney.

  His mum stood and dragged Sasha to the front door. “Go wait in the car. Britney will be out there in a moment to join you, and we’ll follow you.”

  Sasha looked like a deer stuck in the headlights as she walked out.

  When the front door shut his father turned to him. “What are you going to do, son? I have faith in you, and the family supports you in any decision you make. Just remember, once mated it’s permanent. Unbreakable.”

  Scrubbing his hands over his face, Savron looked at his family. “I have no idea what I’m going to do. I‘ve never been with a human even on a date.” He turned to Britney, who was putting the phone back into her pocket. “Do you think she could handle our world? It’s a big thing to learn vampires aren’t that lovable sparkly shit. Or that trolls and leprechauns are something you never want to meet. And her new best friend turns into a lion. Shifters exist, and they control and kill all the bad shit. Oh, and she’s a mate to a shifter, which entails a lot of other crap.”

  Britney rolled her eyes. “When you put it like that, you make it sound all bad. There is good stuff. And yeah, I think she could handle it. Sasha isn’t like my other human friends. If you give her a chance and let the mate thing evolve, you’ll see she is quite perfect for you.”

  His dad patted him on the back. “It’s up to you. We won’t say anything until you know what you want and are ready.”

  Savron nodded and turned for the door, Britney ran ahead of him to get to Sasha. He needed to get to know his mate, the one woman in the world that both he and his lion could love and bond with. The only woman he could have children with. The woman to share his burdens and tell anything to.

  ****

  Sasha sat in her car and knew she must look a fool as she stared numbly at the house waiting for Britney. What the hell had just happened? She would swear she’d just entered the Twilight Zone. She tore her gaze from the house and looked down at the black tacky sweats she wore over her costume.

  She’d argued that she didn’t need to wear them and she wasn’t cold, but after Britney’s mother insisted she put them on as she had four horny boys, she’d caved. Her school uniform was only a tiny bit longer, and she’d been around a lot in the past week and nothing had been said about that.

  They were acting weird. Well more than usual. Britney could take over and be bossy, but Sasha knew how to handle her most of the time. Tonight, though she was uncontrollable, and what did Britney mean by her brother wanted to meet her mother? None of Britney’s brothers had shown any interest in her, and Sasha was fine with that.

  Her passenger door opened, and Britney got in and sat. “Let’s go. You’re late.”

  Sasha turned to glare at her friend. “What is going on, Britney?”

  Britney gave her a butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-her-mouth sweet look. “Nothing. Everything is fine. Let’s go before you’re even later. Savron is waiting to follow us to the restaurant.”

  “That’s another thing. Why did you tell my mother your brother Savron is interested in me? He’s not. This is the second time I’ve seen him. This is the first time he’s spoken to me, and it was to ask me what I’m wearing, and he didn’t sound happy.”

  Sasha started the car and backed out. Britney shrugged and turned on the radio. “Men.”

  They sat quiet for a while. Sasha waited for more from Britney. “That’s it. You’re not going to tell me why all you said is ‘men’?”

  Britney bobbed her head. “Don’t stress. It’s your birthday.”

  Sasha groaned, giving up on getting anything out of Britney.

  Chapter Three

  Everyone sat around the table talking. Sasha glanced at her mother to see she still had the dazed looked on her face as she looked around at the stunningly beautiful family. Even dressed in casual clothes, the Pride family looked gorgeous, all tall and with blond hair, tanned skin, perfect white teeth, and green eyes that looked yellow most of the time. Her mother had seen Britney before, but seeing them all together was different.

  “Glenda, your daughter is a lovely girl. You should be so proud of the woman she’s become.”

  Her mother nodded to Catherine, Britney’s mum. “Yes. I’m very lucky.”

  Sasha moved her leg for the hundredth time as Savron brushed his against hers. If it wasn’t his leg, it was his arm or fingertips. It wasn’t that Sasha wasn’t attracted to him—she was—it was just that he wasn’t her usual type. Sasha went for dark haired men, usually with a tat or two. She wasn’t a fan of blonds, but she felt a pull towards Savron, and the more time she spent with him, the stronger her attraction got. She wished she knew what was going on.

  The way Savron kept rubbing up against her was almost cat-like, and she swore when she subconsciously stroked his hand he purred.

  Steven, who was always on time for everything, glanced at his watch again, cleared his throat, and butted into the conversation that her mother and Catherine were having. “Glenda, I’m sorry to interrupt, but we need to leave now so we get to dance practice on time.” He smiled over at her. “Sasha did promise her partner she would be there today.”

  Sasha looked around as a sharp growl sounded beside her. She looked at Savron to see his teeth showing and his jaw moving in a grinding motion.

  Britney smiled. “Oh Mrs. Brentno, we’d love to see Sasha and you all dance.” She turned to Sasha’s little sister, Melody, who’d sat quiet the whole meal watching and taking everything in. “Do you dance also?”

  “Yes, but not like Sasha,” Melody said.

  ****

  Savron’s lion had calmed from being near Sasha in the restaurant. He didn’t feel the urgent need to claim her. He’d listened to stories about when she was younger and the antics she got up to. Savron had watched as Sasha laughed and groaned at the stories being told, but not once did she reprimand her mother or moan about it not being her. She admitted to things, and the way she looked at her mother told Savron straight away she wasn’t selfish or catty, and family came first.

  Sasha was now dancing, and Savron watched in agony, his cock rock-hard. He wasn’t usually a possessive man, but every time Jason, her dance partner, smiled at her and spoke, making her laugh, he wanted to rip out his throat.

  His lucky brothers had gone to deal with a vampire attack reported in their sector. Savron would love to have gone, but his lion wouldn�
�t let him leave Sasha. So he endured watching her practice in the skimpy little outfit. His parents sat enrapt in the scene before them. Britney was to the side of the huge hall where a class was being taught, and she’d joined in.

  He told himself he wasn’t being rational. He didn’t know Sasha. She was human. He should let her go. The problem, though, was the more he learnt about her the more he liked. She loved her family, she was loyal to her friends, she respected her elders, and she was happy and easy-going.

  Jason spun her and pulled her to him. Savron could smell the lust wafting off him even from his seat at the side of the room. Jason trailed his fingers down her arm before he held her stomach, and ... Okay Savron had had enough. He got up and stomped towards the practicing couple, only to be stopped as his father’s hand grabbed him.

  “Breathe in, son. It’s his lust, not hers. Jason desires Sasha, but it’s not mutual.”

  Savron took a deep breath in and focused on the desert rose. He could smell joy, excitement, and happiness, but no lust or any desire from Sasha. He went back to his seat and glared at the couple, wishing this would end.

  His mother patted his knee. “Britney is going to ask if Sasha can stay the night. You can stay in the room next to where we put Sasha. We’ll give you some time with her tomorrow.”

  “Thanks for the help.” He knew that he had to take his time. Get to know Sasha, woo her, and show her he was the man she wanted. Savron had a feeling he was going to be in a permanent state of agony for a while.

  ****

  “Who’s the massive blond giving me death stares?” Jason nudged her as they finished their last dance for the night.

  Sasha frowned and looked around. Her gaze landed on Savron, who was glaring daggers at Jason.

  “Is he your boyfriend?

  She laughed as she glanced at Savron’s brooding face. “No. He’s not my type. He’s my friend’s brother.” Sasha pointed to Britney in the class.

  Jason draped his arm around her shoulder. “Wow, she’s hot.”

  Sasha turned and smirked up at him. “Yes, she is, and Savron over there is one of her four big brothers.”

  Jason made a choking noise. “Oh God, there’s more of those blond hulking men?”

  Sasha giggled and walked with Jason to the class to help teach and pair up with spare people. The instructor Linda introduced them and suggested a couple of people who needed guidance.

  As Sasha danced she told herself she’d never go the number of days she’d gone without dancing again. She’d missed it. She relaxed and enjoyed herself smiling as her little sister made goo-goo eyes at Jason.

  She had her family, her new best friend with her, and she was dancing. There was nothing more she wanted. It was turning out to be an awesome birthday, weird, but one of the best.

  ****

  Sasha lay still in bed, reluctant to get up. She hoped that whatever Britney was up to she’d given up. She stretched and opened her eyes. The bathroom called, but she didn’t want to get out of bed. Her stomach growled, making demands, and she slowly got out of bed.

  She looked around the room Britney’s parents had given her for her clothes. Sasha groaned when she couldn’t see them anywhere. Going to the en-suite bathroom she relieved herself and tidied up her hair. She pulled down the shirt she’d been given to wear as a nighty and walked out of the bathroom and into the hall. She listened for any noise to tell if anyone was up but couldn’t hear anything.

  Britney’s room was three doors down. Tip-toeing, Sasha headed to her room hoping to find her clothes there.

  “They’re all gone.”

  Sasha screamed and turned to Savron, who stood leaning against the frame of the open door in just black boxers.

  Wow. He was huge, all muscle. He had a light sprinkle of blond hair on his chest, but that was all. She blinked and told herself not to look down.

  “Damn,” she whispered as her eyes darted farther down his tight six-pack abs, and she saw his dick was standing to attention, very happy and proud this morning.

  “My shirt looks better on you than it does me.” He stalked towards her, and she froze.

  What did he mean his shirt? Britney had told her it was hers to wear. “Britney said it was hers, and I could wear it.”

  “No, she said it was yours to wear. And it is.” Savron hovered close to her, and now as he spoke his breath tickled her skin. “You’re with me today. They’ve gone to get everything ready for the party tonight.”

  She took a step back which put her against the hall wall as his words sank in. “What do you mean they’re gone?”

  His arms came up on either side, caging her in. “They left hours ago. You’re a late riser.”

  “Britney wouldn’t leave. She wanted me to stay. Britney. Britney!”

  No one came.

  Savron’s lips hovered over hers, and she could hear her heartbeat drumming a million miles an hour.

  His fingertips traced her lips. “They left so I could have some time to get to know you better. Because, Sasha, I want to know you in every way.”

  Her breath hitched as his mouth came down on hers. Shocked, it took her a moment to respond. She opened her mouth and met his tongue, enjoying his touch and taste. Sasha told herself she’d lost her mind.

  Her hands crawled up his chest and around his back to rest clasped to his neck. Drowning in his fresh minty taste she let herself go for a moment. His hands came to rest on her arse pulling her closer to him. His hard, thick erection rubbed against her, and she pushed on his chest.

  “Stop. What is going on? I don’t do stuff like this ever.” Sasha wondered what was happening to her. She never let a guy she’d just met kiss her and feel her up. What was wrong with her? What had Savron done to her?

  Savron let out a long-suffering moan before he raked his fingers through his hair and took a step away from her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you this far so soon. It’s just you smell so good, and you’re irresistible in my shirt. How about we start again? You get a shower. My sister left some clothes for you in her bathroom. Once dressed, meet me downstairs, and I’ll tell you what we have planned for the day.”

  Savron smiled and his eyes pleaded, and she told herself not to cave but then he added, “Please. I really do like you and would love to get to know you better. I promise I’ll be good.”

  Sighing, she nodded. “Okay.”

  ****

  They were having a late afternoon lunch. Sasha sat across from him eating a chicken burger and nibbling on her fries while he scarfed down two with-the-works burgers.

  “What did you think of the movie?” he asked as he shoved a chip in his mouth.

  “I liked it. I love action packed movies. It also helps they always have some really hot actor who has his shirt off for half the movie.”

  Savron gave a mock growl, and she laughed. He was enjoying himself. Sasha was easy to get along with and talk to. He was happy she’d watched the action movie and not asked to see the romance movie he was willing to take her to. Sasha had chosen a burger place for late lunch even knowing he had the money to take her somewhere a lot more expensive.

  “How are you liking America?” Savron loved listening to her talk. It soothed his lion, who just wanted to take her back to his house and claim her.

  “It’s good, better than I thought. When Mum said Steven had asked her to move to America Vegas, I was hesitant. I even looked into staying on my own. My dad said I could stay with him, but I don’t really feel welcome with his wife. It’s compulsory to stay in school and do year twelve in Australia. I want to become a childcare worker, which doesn’t require you to have your HSC, but you do need a yearlong course in university or TAFE. So I thought it wouldn’t hurt me too much if I transferred to do my last year over here. If worse comes to worst I can always redo my HSC when I go home.”

  He almost choked on a fry as she finished. “You’re going back to Australia?”

  She shrugged and pushed her half-eaten food away. “Probably.
I came because I knew my mum wouldn’t make the move without me. I always planned to go back once she settled in.”

  “What could I do to help you change your mind and stay?”

  She winked. “I’m sure you’ll figure out something. So, enough about me. What do you do for a living? Britney said you help your father run his clubs.”

  “Yes. We also have a … protection business that I do a lot of work for. It keeps most of my nights busy.”

  “Your sister never mentioned that.”

  He pushed his empty plate away. “It’s a private business. The clients don’t want it getting out.”

  Savron stood and held out his hand. It was time to take her home so she could get ready for her big birthday bash.

  He dropped her home and rang his parents telling them he wouldn’t come tonight. He’d learned today that he could only spend a short time alone with Sasha or he’d claim her. Going to her party tonight would be too much. All that it would take for him to throw her over his shoulder and take her home and make her his was for a man to touch her, or dance with her and lust after her.

  He told his parents he needed to think and that he’d see them through the week.

  ****

  Britney picked her up in a limo with a couple of friends, and they loved it as they drove into the city of Vegas. Sasha looked around her at all the bright lights and action. She’d been in the city a hundred times before, but tonight it looked to Sasha like a whole new world. Brighter and more colorful, it almost felt alive.

  They passed huge hotels and fancy waterfalls until they stopped in front of a place that looked like a massive two-storey warehouse. Lights flashed out the front saying, “Shifts Night Club”, and a long line of people waited out the front to get in. The limo driver opened their door and helped them each out.

  Britney hooked her arm through hers and walked right by the waiting people and into the club. Sasha stared speechless at the inside of the club. It had light blue walls and flashing neon lights. Purple balloons covered the ceiling, and at the end of a huge dance floor a band was setting up. On the walls and hanging from the roof were posters of her and “Happy Birthday, Sasha!” signs.