Free All's Fair in Love and Lion by Bethany Averie Page B

other, however I promised her a long engagement.” I rock the chair back and forth on its back legs. “As to the Council, you’re a member, so you’ll be there when I mention it to them. Where we’ll live is up to Sasha.”
    “I see,” Bast replies.
    “This isn’t the first instance of a Firstling and a Thirdling falling in love,” Alexia reminds Bast.
    “No,” Bast says. “Just unusual.”
    “If they love each other then I don’t see a problem.” Her features darken. “Neither should you.”
    “Thank you for the support,” I say.
    “You’re happy, aren’t you?”
    “Why wouldn’t I be?”
    Alexia giggles. “And Sasha?”
    “I plan to make her happy to the best of my ability.” I let the chair rest back on all four legs.
    “If it’s meant to be,” Alexia says, “then nothing will get in your way.”
    “You’re a hopeless romantic, my love.” Bast kisses her cheek.
    “Don’t let Bast put a damper on your plans, Monroe. He’s merely concerned.”
    “I couldn’t tell.”
    He grimaces. “Monroe would have you think all I do is laugh at him.”
    Alexia pats his knee. “Poor Bast. Not many take you seriously.”
    “Oh well.” He puts his hands behind his head. “It’s fine with me.”
    “Yes,” I add, “Bast relishes playing the fool.”
    He throws me a glare. “I’m not a fool.”
    “Not always. Most of the time you’re an idiot,” I respond.
    “Retract that statement,” he growls.
    “Never.” I grin.
    “Boys!”
    Bast smirks arrogantly. “Alexia doesn’t want me to make mincemeat of you.”
    “Like you could,” I retort. “A jackal outdo a lion? Keep your delusions, Bast. I’ll not rob you of them.”
    Alexia rolls her eyes.
    “So,” I say, getting out of my chair. “Are we sitting around all day or do we hunt? I admit the weather isn’t ideal. However, I’ve need for the exercise.”
    “You two have a good time.” She nods to her husband. “I’m going to take a nap.”
    He kisses her lips, then stands. “If you’re ready, Monroe, we can go.”
    “Have a good afternoon, Alexia.” I drop a kiss on her cheek.
    “You, too, Monroe. Bast, you behave.” She wags her finger at him and leaves the room.
    Bast stretches. “The Adon Forrest?”
    “We’re unlikely to run into Delton there.”
    “You’ll hear no arguments from me,” Bast replies. “Let’s go.”
    We wander out the front door and in the courtyard and transport ourselves into the middle of Adon Forrest. The thick foliage provides perfect hiding places. I flex my fingers. “Well?”
    Bast cracks his knuckles. “Ready when you are.”
    I drop to my hands and knees, stretch, shut my eyes, and feel myself changing. My legs and arms lengthen. My hands and feet disappear to reveal paws with long, sharp claws. My hair thickens and spreads into a full mane. Twitching my tail, I glimpse Bast in full jackal form.
    “We haven’t hunted together in far too long,” I growl.
    “Unfortunately we’re both pretty busy. Come on, I smell deer.”
    I lick my teeth and prepare to spring forth. “I’ll race you.”
    “You’re on.”
    The two of us take off, side-by-side. The air rushing by, the trees and bushes a blur. As Bast pulls ahead, he calls over his shoulder, “You should let the lionesses do your hunting for you, as they do in the wild. You can’t seem to keep up.”
    “Watch yourself, Bast,” I snarl and dig in. Soon I overtake him. When we get near a clearing, we slow down. Stealthily, we creep behind the bushes that border the area. From our vantage point, we assess our quarry.
    “A whole herd.” Bast salivates. “This will be fun.”
    We wait. The deer are nervous and dancing on their hooves. Their tantalizing scent floats through the air and I breathe in, savoring the aroma. The herd’s noses twitch. The buck raises his head. They’re ready to run. Bast gives me the signal.
    With a roar, I spring from beneath the bushes and dive into the herd. Bast moves in on the opposite end and