Free The Lion Kings (novel): a BBW Werelion Menage Romance by Renee George Page A

blonde’s eyes. “I’m fine,” she finally said. “I really am.”
    Adam stepped behind the tent, his large body filling the space and blocking the afternoon sun. His expression was a mixture of sympathy, confusion, and concern. “Madeline?”
    The deep timber of his voice broke the tenuous dam she’d built to hold her emotions in check, and when he neared, Maddie threw herself against the warmth of his body and huddled in as fat tears rolled down her cheeks. “Oh, Adam.”
     
    ADAM swallowed hard, unable to decipher the jumble of emotions sweeping over him. Some may have been his own, but he knew, instinctively, that most of what he felt was coming from Madeline. He stroked her hair as she wept.
    Why was Adelaide here? Had she said something to upset Madeline? “What happened?” he curtly asked his sister.
    Her frightened eyes darted toward the tent as if looking for an exit before she replied. Adam immediately regretted his tone. His sister had been through so much, especially the years when Adam hadn’t been around to protect her. He softened his expression. “Do you know why she’s upset?”
    “I don’t know.” Adelaide fidgeted with the emerald ring on her middle finger, a nervous habit. It had been her mother’s and she never took it off. “I think it’s because of Cage.”
    Adam raised a brow. He could smell Cage all over Madeline along with her residual desire. He leaned back, lifting her face from his chest so he could get a good look at her. Madeline’s cheeks were red, her lips swollen, still wet from a thorough kissing. Adam’s chest rumbled. She stared up at him, her eyes shining like glittering amethysts, as she wore the evidence of her encounter with his co-ruler.
    “Did he hurt you?” Adam asked in a gauged manner. He didn’t believe Cage would physically hurt Madeline, but his brother had skirted the line of control since her arrival.
    “No,” she said, sniffing. She wiped her eyes with the back of her arm, slowly disengaging from Adam’s embrace. “Well, my pride maybe.”
    Madeline’s pride wasn’t the only pride Cage hurt with his actions.
    “No one ever died from a wounded ego,” he finally said. He looked at Adelaide, who still seemed to be scoping out escape routes. “You’ve met my sister?”
    The wide-eyed stare of surprise pleased Adam. He continued to watch as she shrugged off the wounds from her encounter with Cage and narrowed in on Adelaide.
    “We haven’t been properly introduced,” Adelaide said. Her tone was warm and gentle.
    “Adelaide, this is Madeline. She’s... visiting with us this week.” He hoped she would stay.
    His sister twirled the end of her hair, another nervous habit. “Nice to meet you, Madeline.”
    Madeline blushed. “It’s really nice to meet you, Adelaide.” Adam wondered at the relief in Madeline’s voice. “Like a real sister,” she said after a momentary pause.
    Adam frowned. “We have the same father.”
    Adelaide spoke up before Adam could say more. “The young woman’s upset.” She took Madeline’s hand—a gesture of comfort. “You should probably track Cage down. I’ll take Madeline with me. Besides, I’m intrigued.”
    “By what?” Madeline asked.
    “By you, of course. You seem to have our two fearless leaders tripping all over themselves.” She smiled, and cast a shy glance at Adam.
    He nodded his approval. “I’ll see you both later.” It took every ounce of control not to reach out and draw Madeline’s body back to his—to kiss her and hold her, mark her as Cage had done, to mark her for claiming as their mate. Her staying wouldn’t be his choice, as her going wouldn’t be Cage’s. Madeline would make the final decision. This was the last night before they left for the next county. After the show, he would ask her about her plans. Would she travel with them or go her own way? He couldn’t force Cage to accept Madeline, but given time...
    With Madeline, they might not have much time.
    Before he