Free Savage Sanctuary 2: Panther Moon by Regina Carlysle

somewhere. We’ll find them. Count on it.”
    Silence fell. “How is your mate? Is she holding up okay?”
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    Hudson expelled a breath. “She’s having a hard time. I took a few days off to watch
    over her. Our queen has been a daily visitor and today, she finally talked her into
    heading out to the mall to pick up some things. Most of Trea’s things are packed away in cartons and she just hasn’t had the energy to dig through everything. So yeah, they are shopping.”
    “Women and malls. Sounds like a plan. They love those things.”
    Hudson recalled the way she’d looked this morning in her borrowed clothes and
    was glad Mahara was taking care of the pesky little detail of clothing and other female whatnots. “I’m just glad she’s getting out of the house. They said something about
    having lunch on the Riverwalk.” The Riverwalk was San Antonio’s premier tourist
    destination. The twisting man-made river stretched through an expanse of the historic downtown area like a translucent, green ribbon nestled near The Alamo. Giant cypress
    trees stretched across the narrow body of water and quaint restaurants and shops lined either side. Colorful barges motored over the river’s tranquil surface carrying throngs of tourists, eager to hear of the famous battle for Texas independence.
    Rio cleared his throat. “I reckon congratulations are in order, my brother. Are you
    happy with her?”
    Happy? With Chantrea?
    What man wouldn’t be happy upon finding that his mate was not only beautiful
    but intelligent? The fact that she was responsive in bed was a definite plus too. With each day that passed, he felt her knew her better but in many ways they were strangers to each other. He hadn’t touched her physically since that morning several days ago,
    believing she needed to reserve her strength for the ordeal to come. Keeping his hands off her was killing him, yet that tiny bit of distance yet to cross would end when she came into her time. Then he would make her his mate in every way. They would be
    truly one. “She’s incredible,” he said finally. “She is just getting used to everything that has happened to her and she’s faced with a lot of changes but I have to say, she seems to be adapting well.”
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    “Any signs?”
    Grunting, Hudson leaned forward in his chair and crossed his forearms on his big,
    walnut desk. Rio spoke of the time when sexual heat would take her over just before
    she claimed her animal form. He focused his gaze on Rio. “A few. It won’t be long now.
    I have a favor, brother.”
    “Name it.”
    “Will you act as my second when the time comes?”
    Silence fell between them then Rio graced him with a rare smile. “I would be
    honored. Anything I can do to make your path smoother you know I will do it, amigo.”
    “It’s not as if we haven’t shared women before, but you know this is different.”
    “Solemn. Si. I know, Hudson.” Rio reached across the desk and gripped his hand.
    “It is a great honor to be your second. I’ll do everything in my power to help with her transition. And gods forbid, should anything ever take you from her, I will protect her with my life. You have my promise.”
    “You know I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t trust you more than any man I know.”
    “As I trust you, Hudson. Perhaps you should introduce us before the time comes?”
    Hudson realized Rio was right and he nodded his consent. “How about next week?
    Come for dinner and drinks.”
    “Done. Name the time and I’ll be there.”
    * * * * *
    Mahara Declan had done everything in her power to make her day wonderful. Trea
    knew that without a doubt and she appreciated it. They’d had a nice girls’ lunch at a Mexican place on the Riverwalk and then they’d done some shopping. Topics of
    conversation remained on the casual side and she knew Mahara had kept things light
    purposely. Smart woman, her queen. She hadn’t been shopping in a very long time