Free More Than Pride by Amber Kell

might be mates.”
    “Really? Two cats mating with two lions? That’s so strange.” Chester hoped the lion did turn out to be mates with his brother. Garfield needed something good in his life and he’d be part of the same pride as Chester. That made him wonder… “Are we joining the pride?” He didn’t want to take away Evin’s choices.
    Evin nodded. “I’m not going back to my brother. He made his own choices. While you were sleeping, at least half of the owls in the aviary arrived here, asking for sanctuary. Talan has put them on temporary status. They’re allowed to sleep on the lands but aren’t allowed in the pack house. We can’t trust yet that none of them are working for Tilden. If they want to stay here they’ll have to earn their place in the pack. There is talk they might buy some land from Talan and start their own aviary.”
    “Any news about your brother?” Chester asked Evin.
    “Not yet.” Evin shrugged as if the issue didn’t bother him. “We’re keeping a careful watch on all the newcomers and the wrens are keeping an ear to the ground about Tilden.
    Right now all we can do is wait.”
    “And mark you as ours,” Dillon added.
    “Andrew said if you have the energy to shift it might heal you faster.”
    “I-I can try.” He didn’t really want to shift, not when his stomach swirled like a whirlwind, but to cure the poison and claim his mates he’d put up with the discomfort.
    Closing his eyes, Chester concentrated on his cat self—changing his two hands to paws, imagining his long elegant whiskers and swishy tail.
    “ Meow .”
    “Who’s a pretty kitty?” Dillon scratched Chester’s chin with his long fingers. “Now turn back into my beautiful boy.”
    Chester meowed at the lack of petting.

5
“Change.” Dillon’s voice didn’t allow for misunderstanding.
    Chester focused on his human half. He shivered when the air hit his bare skin. “I miss the fur,” he complained.
    “I know, babe.” Dillon gave him a sympathetic smile.
    Andrew walked into the bedroom as if on cue. The older man appeared frazzled by the young men dogging his heels.
    “You will be the perfect mate,” Marlen said.
    “We will rely on each other,” Chen piped up.
    “No.” Andrew approached Chester and he could see the man pull his professional cloak back on. “You are looking better. Would you mind if I took some blood?”
    Chester offered his arm.
    With quick efficient motions, the scientist filled a vial from Chester’s arm. As Chester watched, Andrew took another tube from his pocket and unscrewed the cap that had a dropper inside. Opening the blood vial, he put two drops from the new container into the blood vial. The contents turned a brilliant yellow, like fingerpaint.
    “What does that mean?” Chester asked.
    Andrew patted Chester on the shoulder. “It means the poison is mostly out of your system. There are a few veins of red, which means there are traces, but definitely not enough to affect your mates.”
    “Thank you, Andrew.” Dillon wrapped an arm around the scientist, which he quickly removed when angry chirps filled the air. “Sorry, guys.”
    Chen slid his hand to the base of Andrew’s back and Marlen grabbed his arm.
    Sandwiched between the wrens, there was no chance of escape.
    “I kind of feel sorry for that guy. He has no idea what he’s in for,” Evin said, shaking his head.
    “Yeah, imagine having to deal with two mates.” Dillon made a scoffing sound before the three of them burst out laughing.
    “You heard what the doctor said—it’s time to claim me.” Chester gave his mates a come-hither look.

5
“Well, who am I to argue with a doctor’s orders?” Dillon stripped off his clothes and crawled onto the bed with sexy feline grace while Evin removed his clothes quickly and efficiently. To Chester what was important was that they were naked.
    Surrounded by warm, bare skin, Chester’s cock rose to greet his mates. Rubbing against Dillon in the front, he