The Bond by Nikki Prince Shyla Colt Read Free Book Online Page A

smile.
    They retreated from her mind, returning back in human form to the
chaos that awaited them. Her father stood guard in front of them. The giant
puma was still as regal as he had been when he was young.
    “Rafael?” The wounded whisper tore at his heart.
    “I’m here.” He brushed her face with the back of his knuckles.
    “What do we do now?”
    Her father shifted, rose and held his hands up, gaining silence.
    “Now we try him. Here and now you will decide his fate! Knowing what
he planned for us, I won’t suffer his face in this village even one more day.”
    “Kill him! Remove his animal spirit! Banish him!” The cries blended
together as the crowd surged forward. Anger permeated the air.   He peered over at the man who lay in a heap,
wondering if they’d revert to animal instincts and attack, ripping him to
shreds. Can’t say I’d shed a tear.
    Chief Aren inclined his head, raising his arms again and gaining
silence.
    “We will take away what he desired most, power. Stripped of his
animal and banished, he will be left for the human world.”
    Rafael hissed. It was rare that such a harsh punishment would be
delivered. To lose an animal was a fate worse than death. You spent the rest of
your life feeling lousy, imbalanced, searching for something you would never be
able to regain.
    The ancient dialect of his people filled the room. The air grew
heavy. Power pressed against his chest, making it harder to breathe. A
brilliant golden light formed over Logan’s body. Aren closed his fist and
jerked it back. A puma shape clawed its way out of Logan’s chest. His body
jerked, and a ghostly cry echoed in the room. The shape flew into Aren, and the
climate in the room began to come down.
    “It’s done.” Aren turned to his right hand man, Bryan. “Take him out
of the state and make sure he understands if he returns he’ll be killed on
sight.” The pain visible in Aren’s eyes as he turned away spoke of his
devastation.
    “Today we also welcome back a member wronged. Rafael, come over
here, son.”
    He removed his arm from Sanura’s waist and walked over to Aren.
    “I owe this man an apology. I should have looked closer into the
incident, but I too am subject to failings like pride and misplaced trust. I
hope you will welcome back our brother with open arms because he is Sanura’s
chosen mate.”
    Silence fell. A lone clap sounded, joined by others until a
thunderous round of applause filled the room. His heart lightened. Acceptance. It was more than he ever
hoped for. Sanura moved up to wrap her arms around him. With his mate by his
side and the Pride behind him, the end to his torturous exile arrived.

Chapter Six
    Two Months Later
     
    The loose ends had been taken care of. Her father had passed the
mantel of Chief-to-be to Rafael who’d spent every day getting to know the
people of the tribe once more. The Elders had been resistant, but it was clear
everyone was ready for a change. Her thoughts turned to her husband, the
epitome of a cat he was soft spoken until he had something to say. His laid
back attitude won people over, but she knew he could spring into action in a
millisecond.
    Today they would make things official, remarrying in front of the
tribe in a ceremony that was a blend of Pride tradition and human. She’d been
pleased with their match, but the little girl inside her did want an
opportunity to wear the sleek white dress, and a day dedicated to her and the
love she shared with Rafael. Butterflies danced in her belly as she studied her
reflection in the mirror.
    The mermaid dress molded to her form on top and belled out,
accentuating her curves. The champagne color seemed more fitting than stark
white and made her cocoa skin glow. She’d chosen to wear her hair loose and
curly, the way her man liked it.
    “You look gorgeous.” She smiled at her Aunt Charmaine in the mirror.
Her mother’s sister was the guiding feminine force in her life.
    “Thank you.”
    “That man of yours