Shifting Crossroads 8 - Ocelot of Trouble by Zenina Masters Read Free Book Online Page B

see Teal and Tony, getting our registry and a trip home.”
    She made a face but got to her feet, her legs aching and her skin tingling. A sundress was called for. She couldn’t stand anything tight pressed against the juncture of her thighs right now.
    After she put the dress on, she tidied her hair and slipped on some high-heeled sandals. Robar’s expression was appreciative, and she felt simply pretty for the first time in a long time. Normally, men in her community looked at her with a combination of attraction and fear.
    “I am ready when you are.” She smiled shyly.
    He grinned, took her bag and his own, holding his free hand out to her. “Time to start the rest of your life. Are you ready?”
    Mina laughed. “No, but I am going to do it anyway.”
    “Good girl.” He kissed her hand and tugged her out of the safety of his room.
    Teebie spoke to her quickly at the base of the stairs, wishing her luck and telling her that the curse masters would be in touch with her for final removal of the last remains of the magic that still clung to her but now wrapped Robar as well.
    Plenty of hugs later, they were on their way to the meditation centre as the rest of the visitors to the Crossroads were making their way to dinner.
    Teal was grinning like a fool as they signed their registration of their mating.
    Mina didn’t have to decide on her last name right now. That would be something for the human world.
    She signed document after document to pledge her life and offspring to Robar, and he did the same to her. One copy for the ocelot registry, one for the Crossroads archive, one for the fox registry and one for each of them for their families.
    When all the documents were signed, Mina and Robar removed their charms and were ready to leave the Crossroads.
    More hugs, farewells to be passed to Ivy, Chuck, Lee and Jim, and a promise to write later, Teal and Tony opened a portal and sent Mina and Robar to his grandmother.
     
    “Loreada Alenfleur, this is my mate, Mina Lancaster. Mina, this is my grandmother.” Robar kept his hand on her lower back, and Mina could feel that he was keeping her from running.
    Mina looked at the woman and easily identified the features that had made her a beauty and had been transferred to her grandson in masculine form. “Pleased to meet you, madam.”
    Loreada looked her up and down. “Are you one of my grandson’s tramps?”
    Mina wrinkled her nose. “Hardly. I don’t get around much…well, until now.”
    “How many lovers have you had, child?”
    Mina blinked and stretched her neck a little. “Just the one, madam.”
    Robar wrapped his arm completely around her and pulled her in front of him, holding her back against his body. “That would be me, Nana.”
    The matron reared back. “Truly? How could a woman like you get through life without a string of lovers?”
    Mina wrinkled her nose. “It is complicated, but there was a little magical interference if that makes any sense.”
    Loreada got to her feet and smiled. “Are you going to be a good mate to my grandson?”
    “As good as he is a mate to me, madam. I will only give what I get. I was not cut out to be a martyr.”
    She felt a squeeze from Robar. That had been the right answer.
    His grandmother suddenly grinned. “Good answer. Now, give me a hug and tell me what you are. You are not a fox but that is probably for the best. I have had my fill of vixens flicking their tails around here.”
    Robar released her, and she went to give Loreada a careful hug. The older woman was having none of it and squeezed her tight. “Welcome to the family, Mina.”
    “Thank you, madam. I am an ocelot. Robar and I are about the same size when shifted.”
    “Call me Nana. Yes, I get the feeling that you are rather evenly matched. Now, dear, would you care for a run in the estate forest?”
    Mina sighed in relief. “Yes please, mad—Nana.”
    “Good. I want to see what you look like.”
    Robar led her to the pool house to change and out