Family Pride: Blood Fever: Family Pride, #2

By Deborah A. Bailey

After claiming Zora Mason as his mate, and fighting off a threat to the MacKinnon pride, Mac is more than ready to get back to managing his coffee bar and settling into mated bliss. But just when it looks like things are quieting down, Mac and Zora find more challenges ahead.

Plans for Zora and Mac's official introduction the to the pride, and the opening of the new coffee bar may be derailed when, gripped by a mysterious blood fever lingering after the leadership challenge, Mac is driven to the edge of his endurance as he fights to keep his inner lion under control.

Juggling her responsibilities in the business and her position as the mate of the pride leader becomes even more challenging when Zora is forced to confront her fear that Mac is changing into someone she doesn't recognize.

As the fever pushes Mac to the edge, the revelation of an old, painful family secret proves to be the key to saving Mac's life. Zora and Mac come up with a plan to end the threat of the fever forever, but that same plan can destroy them both.

Is their love strong enough to defeat the blood fever, so they can live happily ever after as mates?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bright Street Books
• Release date: Aug 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781536536386

Deborah A. Bailey

Deborah A Bailey's Science Fiction & Paranormal Romance novels include suspense, a bit of mystery and a lot of romantic heat. Her published works include the Hathor Legacy science fiction romance series, Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales, three non-fiction books, and articles for various online publications.  Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference and have been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun. Visit her site http://www.BrightStreetBooks.com/ and subscribe to the newsletter so you'll be the first to find out about giveaways and upcoming book launches.

Book preview

Deep down, I am not different from you. I dreamed you, I wished for your existence. I see in you that part of me which is you. I surrender my sincerity because if I love you it means we share the same fantasies, we share the same madness.

- Anaïs Nin

1 Mates

Move a bit to the left.

I just did that. Can't you tell?

If you don't move the chair, the table won't fit.

Mac stood back and examined the placement of the furniture. That's what he got for getting square tables to fit into this new shop. He had round ones back at his coffee bar in Bristol Hills. They fit better and made it easier for customers to navigate. 

Of course it'll fit, Zora said, obviously exasperated. Just shove it into that gap there.

When you talk like that I get excited. He hoped to lighten the mood and get her smiling again.

You're always excited. Wiping her hands on her white t-shirt, she left smudges down the front. It's almost midnight. Can we go now?

It was his fault that they were here moving furniture and assembling shelves. After putting in a 10-hour day at the shop back in Bristol Hills, they'd come here to get this shop ready for the grand opening. Now after almost five hours of moving chairs and tables around, they hadn't made much of a dent.

Sure he could hire someone to do this, but it was his responsibility. He had to get it done himself to make sure it was done right. Babe, let's just put another table together. After that we can go.

Another table? We've already done six of them, Mac. There are six more in those boxes back there. She pointed to the door leading to the storage room. I can barely see straight. We've got four weeks until this place opens, we can't do it all in one night.

I know that, he snapped. As much as he didn't want to admit it, she was right. How much could two human beings do? Well, one human and one lion shifter.

Okay. You're right. Let's close up and go home.

Instead of replying, Zora rolled her eyes and headed through the doorway leading to the storage room and office.

What was wrong now? Once she started the eye rolling, it usually meant trouble. She should've been pleased that he agreed with her.

Mac locked the front door, then took a moment looking over the shop before he turned off the lights. Soon there would be posters covering the light brown walls and a chalkboard on the wall behind the counter. Once that was done, and the chairs and tables were arranged, they'd move in the machines and cases to display the deserts and sandwiches. Little by little, it was coming along.

Zora was waiting for him by the back door. Propped up against the wall, her eyes half-closed, she looked like she was about to fall asleep on her feet. Her normally sparkling brown eyes were red and watery, and when she reached up to smooth her curly hair off her face, he noticed a couple of broken nails.

She looked so weary he was tempted to pick her up and carry her to the car. Since he'd met her five months ago when she'd come into Mac's Coffee Bar, he'd been in love and in lust. What he'd never expected was that the woman he'd met that day, and hired as an assistant manager, would end up becoming his mate. After all his years as a nomad lion shifter, he'd finally found the perfect woman to settle down with.

She'd had no problem keeping up with him, even with the long hours they'd both been putting in lately. But he had to remind himself that Zora was human, and didn't have the bursts of energy his shifter blood afforded him. That energy fueled him when he was out running in the hills above his home, and it helped him when he hunted prey. Was he pushing her too hard? She'd never admit it.

Outside it was a clear, cool night with hints of fall, even though it was still a month away. But the best part about living in Southern California was he didn't have to worry about harsh, cold winters. Shifter lions preferred warmer weather. Mac rolled down the sleeves of his denim shirt and followed Zora to her small two-door compact. Across from the street, the gas station was already closed. He was sure that the other shops in the strip mall were already closed too, which explained why the back parking lot was deserted.

Give me the keys, Mac slipped them out of Zora's hand as she went to open the door. I'll drive. Usually she hated it when he drove her car. He always left the seat back where he had to push it to accommodate his longer legs. After all, he was a foot taller than her 5'3" height.

He pulled out of the lot and headed to the freeway. This time of night they'd get home in less than an hour. For a moment Mac thought about staying here in Hermosa and heading over to his grandmother, Lena's house instead. She was just about ten minutes away and had lots of room in her townhouse. But if he did that, he and Zora would be stuck on the freeway trying to get to the Bristol Hills coffee bar in morning traffic. Nope, might as well go on home.

Mac, why can't you hire someone to do the setting up? Zora asked, her voice wavering like she was between sleeping and waking.

I'll think about it.

We can't keep going back and forth like this, she insisted. At least not every day.

I can do it. Don't worry, just rest.

Mac, we've been mated for a month now, and we're partners, remember? I don't want you to do it alone. I just want you to hire some help, she said.

Babe, I've got it under control. In an effort to reassure her, he squeezed her knee. But it wasn't only reassurance, he enjoyed touching her and reminding himself that they were connected. Permanently. She was his mate and always would be.

Your cousin Donny is managing the day-to-day issues for the MacKinnon pride in your place. Your parents are running the Lion's Pride winery. That means you don't have to be responsible for everything.

I didn't say I was. But now that my dad is retired from pride leadership, I have to show I can handle the responsibility. The pride looks to me and I can't let them down.

He didn't miss Zora's tired sigh in response to his words. They'd had this discussion before, probably every other day since they'd returned from the challenge. 

Sure, his parents were running their business just fine, and his cousin Donny was filling in for him as pride leader, but it was Mac's place to oversee everyone. Even his parents had to defer to his decisions as the top male in family hierarchy. Maybe one day his younger brother Chris would grow up and be responsible, but until then, Mac had no intention of giving him anything of importance to handle.

Less than fifty minutes later they were heading up the winding road that led to their home. He'd bought the house in the hills because there was never any traffic passing through. If you didn't live up there—or weren't visiting—you had no reason to be there. His reward was a beautiful home overlooking the city of Bristol Hills, and privacy to roam in lion shifter form when he felt like it.

Mac pulled into the gravel-filled driveway and parked next to his shiny black convertible sports car. It was his toy and he liked nothing better than to ride with the top down.

We're here, Zora. Wake up. He patted her knee. Babe?

Stretching, she let out a yawn. I can't wait to get into bed.

Once they were inside, Zora threw her bag on the couch, kicked off her flats and trudged up the stairs to the bedroom. He heard her open the bedroom door and pad across the wood floor.

Why was that door still creaking? One more thing he had to fix. Where was the oil? Should be in the cabinet under the sink, unless Zora moved it. Since she'd moved in and started rearranging things, he'd given up finding anything. It would take a while, but he'd get used to it, just like he was forcing himself to accept those awful flowers on his sheets. And bottles and jars and makeup implements cluttering the bathroom counter.

Unfortunately they had to share the bathroom sink, and his stuff had less and less space. There was a smaller bathroom down the hall from the master bedroom. He could retreat there. But why should he?

Even though it was late, he felt like shifting into lion form and going into the hills for a run. There had to be a way to use up his energy. No way he could go to bed now and relax. He'd let Zora know he was going out so she wouldn't wonder where he was.

By the time Mac got to the bedroom, Zora was sitting on the edge of the bed, a towel wrapped around her. With her head down and her eyes closed, she looked ready to fall over.

It's time for bed, Mac said, slipping an arm around her shoulders.

I was just thinking. We could get some round tables and put them in the back of the shop, by the door. Eyes still closed, she came to her feet and leaned against him. Then the counter can go across the back.

Sleep now. We'll talk tomorrow. Holding her with one arm, he reached down to pull the covers back.

Those pink and purple flowered sheets were driving him crazy. But if he mentioned it, she'd probably be offended. She'd been so happy when she'd bought them.

She crawled into bed, giving him a full view of her nicely rounded ass. It didn't take much for Mac to feel like he didn't need to go for a run. Climbing into bed next to her would be more satisfying. But she was tired and needed her rest. Better to work off his energy as he'd originally planned. 

Mac pulled her abandoned towel out from under her and tossed it onto a nearby chair. I'm going out for a run. Get some sleep.

Tonight? Mac, it's late. Come to bed. She plumped the pillows, and pulled the covers up. Suppose you run into some animal out there?

They won't come near me unless they want to get eaten. He pulled off his shirt and tossed it into the chair. I won't be long.

This is the third time this week you've run late at night.

Are you keeping track of me? He unzipped his khakis before dropping down on the edge of the bed to kick them off. No need to worry.

I do worry, Mac. She ran her fingers through her hair, twisting one of the tight coils around her finger. You've been shifting more and hunting more, too.

Your sister, Diane, suggested I shift instead of holding it in. I'm just following doctor's orders, he said as he kissed her on the forehead. The way she was nestled against the pillows, her curly hair framing her rounded face stirred him deep inside. Whenever he woke up and she was still sleeping, he'd lie there and watch her. Maybe he was crazy to be going out right now, but he was restless. Exercise would help him work it off.

I don't care if she's your vet. We haven't talked since she came to the coffee bar last month to fight with me. She was pissed because I didn't tell her I was dating you. My life is none of her business, and I don't care if we never talk again. Zora turned her back to him.

He hadn't been around to witness their argument, but Zora had filled him in. It was awkward that his vet and his mate were sisters and not speaking to each other. It's silly. You two should straighten it out.

In response she pulled the covers up over her head.

Well, that was that. But Zora would have to come around sooner or later. He wanted to keep relations open with Diane, seeing how there was only one other vet for shifters between Bristol Hills and Hermosa. He needed this disagreement between them settled as soon as possible.

Might as well get going. Mac headed outside and paused at the front door. Taking a deep breath of the fresh air, he was invigorated and ready to feel the earth under his paws.

Crouching on all fours, he willed himself to transition from man to lion. Bone and sinew rearranged themselves, organs changed shape and position as his body went through the familiar change. A thick yellowish brown pelt replaced his skin, as his human features gave way to allow the beast to take form.

Thankfully his physical discomfort was minor and faded once his body had completely shifted. Mac stretched and bared his teeth to release a rumbling roar, then shook out his tail and trotted across the gravel. By the time he bounded up the trail leading up into the mountains, he'd pushed the stresses of his human life out of his mind.

An hour later Mac trotted back to the house, tired out from running for miles through the hills. Whenever he approached his house, the sight of it always made him feel relieved to be home. A two-level built into the mountainside, it was modern and spacious enough for him and Zora. With no other houses nearby, he had all the privacy he needed.

It hadn't even needed a lot of fixing up when he'd bought it. Other than installing a new gourmet kitchen, and a matching outdoor kitchen on the patio, he hadn't had to do much else to it.

Once he'd shifted back to human and gone inside the house, he locked up and headed up for a shower. After expending so much energy, not only was he sweaty but he was aroused. As usual, shifting always left him ready for a different type of workout.  Not tonight though.

In bed, Mac eased into his favorite position, spooned against Zora. Instinctively, she grasped the arm that he'd wrapped around her middle. Still asleep, she mumbled something, then was still. Her body felt so good next to his, he was tempted to wake her with a few kisses. Better not. She'd been so tired from working all day and half the night. Instead, he smoothed her curly hair aside so he could plant a kiss on her shoulder, and then he settled into sleep.

2 Making Decisions

A loud clang shook Zora out of her sleep and she shot straight up in bed. The curtains were still drawn, but she saw a faint light around the edges. According to the clock on the dresser, it was just 6:05 am.

Clang!

What was that noise?

As soon as her feet hit the floor she realized what it had to be. Mac was downstairs rattling around in the kitchen. After he'd bought the house, he'd given the kitchen a complete renovation, and had acquired as many pots and pans as he could find.

It was a good thing that he'd learned how to cook from his grandmother, and good for her, too, because she benefitted from his skills as a chef.

When she opened the door, she heard Mac talking. Who could be down there at this hour? Did Chris decide to drop by again unannounced? Probably best not to go check without putting something on.

Her robe was in the closet someplace. After living here for barely a month, a lot of her stuff was not quite where she wanted it. The built-in closet wasn't big enough for both of them, and so far Mac had resisted moving his things to the smaller closet in the guest room. Had he really expected her to move in with only one suitcase and a bag of toiletries? Sometimes that's how he acted.

Tying her robe as she went, Zora tip-toed down the stairs, curious to see who the visitor was. But by the time she got to the lower level, she realized what was going on.

Mac was behind the oversized kitchen island, a large red and white striped ceramic bowl in front of him. Arranged around the bowl were bottles and tins of seasonings, a container of milk and a carton of eggs. Across from the bowl, sat his cell phone. He was on a conference call. At 6:00 in the morning. Didn't he ever rest?

Gina, when that coffee shipment gets in today, just check everything out, okay? Last time they were missing one of the boxes. And have somebody check that coffee maker.

Sure, Mac. I'll be at the shop in a few.

Gina are you driving? Zora slid into a seat at the counter. A hard worker, Gina Bradley had been one of the first employees Mac had hired after he'd opened his first coffee bar.

Hey, Zora. Don't worry. Hands free. I'm not trying to get a ticket out here, she replied.

I told Peter to open today with you. Who else is coming in? Mac asked, as he opened the container of milk and sniffed it.

Kendra's in at 11:30, she said.

Okay. Zora and I are going back to Hermosa to do more work at the new location. I'll drop by the coffee bar later this afternoon to see how you guys are doing.

Okay, Mac. See you, Zora.

Bye, Gina.

Mac reached over to tap the phone with one hand, while he picked up an egg with the other.

You didn't tell me you were going to have a conference call with Gina, Zora said. Why didn't you wake me?

Didn't want to disturb you. I just called to tell her a few things. Mac cracked the egg and dropped it into the bowl. I wanted to get her before she opened the shop.

Mac, I'm your assistant. You don't have to handle everything. She'd been telling him that since he'd hired her. Other than getting him to work with a bookkeeper and add an inventory system, he'd been reluctant to let go of control.

He dropped another egg into the bowl, and then another. You're not my assistant anymore, Zora. You're going to be my business partner. I'm getting the papers together when I see my attorney this week.

You never said anything about that. When were you going to discuss it with me?

Babe, you're my mate. If anything were to happen to me, I want everything taken care of. Turning his attention back to his task, Mac turned on the fire on the cooktop, then dropped a piece of butter into the skillet. Sizzling butter