A Healing Love by Shara Azod Read Free Book Online

burst through the door of his store, not bothering to close it, and took off in the snow, following the clear trail Megan had left.
                Anything inside the place could be replaced; a female tiger shifter—she was priceless. Though it wasn’t the novelty on Valeri’s mind as he chased her scent farther and farther away from the town. She was young, not even fifty yet. For a creature who lived up she was sloppy, not even bothering to cover her tracks. There was a lot Valeri had to teach his new mate. And there was no doubt she was going to be his mate. On some level, she knew it too. That was why she ran. And it was also why she was slowing.
                With Megan in his sight, he put on more speed. The blood in his veins sang as he bounded over snow drifts, unhindered by the fat flakes that were beginning to fall in earnest. The panicked look she threw over her shoulder made him snarl. She was not scared of him. That wasn't fear he scented on the wind. It was desire. Pure, hot and needy. Valeri’s cock pounded, alive for the first time in so long he had forgotten the kinds of pleasure the appendage could bring. The closer he got to the tigress, the harder he became. 
                “Wait!” Megan stopped, turning and holding out her arms as if that could halt him.
                Deciding to play along, for now, Valeri stopped and waited, balancing on the balls of his feet, ready to spring. “Why would I want to do that?” HIs voice was more growl than words. Damn, she looked glorious all flushed from her sprint, her chest heaving. And the way she kept licking at her bottom lip... Mmmm, what would it feel like to have those lips wrapped around him? He was going to have to find out.
                “You have children. You must have a mate.” She looked confused. And aroused. “I will not be your kitty on the side.”
                Valeri didn’t know whether to laugh or cry or maybe both.
                “My first mate died.” Was murdered. By his brother.But that conversation was for later. Much, much later.
                “I thought tigers only mated once?”
                Yeah, he didn’t either. Still, she didn’t seem to know about her own kind in general. Probably sheltered. If he had ever been blessed to sire a female tiger, he would’ve never let her out of his sight.  
                “And I thought female tiger shifters didn’t exist,” he shot back. They were both in uncharted territory. He didn't have answers, and right about now he didn't care to.
                Her eyes narrowed, her fangs descending once more. “Did you send your son to the cabin while luring me here?”
                He could answer, but that would just lead to an argument. Valeri didn’t feel like arguing right about now. It was nothing more than a delay tactic. Enough words. He sprang, taking her down with him as he landed.
                “Mine!”
                Of course she fought him. Sort of. The tussle lasted less than a few minutes before their mouths fused together. The small hands that had been pounding at his shoulders now tangled in his hair, pulling viciously. Damn that felt good! Breaking the kiss, Valeri sank his fangs into the soft spot on her neck, marking her as his mate. Her hips bucked up against him, rubbing her crotch against the hard ridge of his cock.
                Fuck that, he wanted skin. Using his claws he ripped at her clothes, having her bare in seconds. Gorgeous. The darkness of her skin against the white of the snow was mesmerizing.
                “You’re gorgeous.”
                “I’m old.” Now she was scared. Her arms rose to cross against her chest, her legs closing tightly.
                “You are a babe in tiger years.” Yanking her arms above her head, he pinned her down in the snow.