Ciaro

By Crystal Dawn

Life was all about change and since he’d met Mairi, his opinion about mating had changed. He was ready for her whether she was ready or not.
So Ciaro was handsome and could be charming when he wanted to be. That meant almost nothing to her. She didn’t want a mate and he couldn’t have her.
Two beautiful people with a fate in common. One fought it while the other was ready to embrace it. Those things always turned out good, right?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crystal Dawn
• Release date: Sep 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370369553

Crystal Dawn

When she's not out hunting rogue vampires and werewolves, you can find Crystal Dawn out exploring the galaxy. She can do it all without ever leaving her computer. She kicks ass, takes names, and puts it all down for the enjoyment of her readers. At least that's what I think she told me. Writing came as a natural outlet for her overly creative mind. She has always told stories and even written some but publishing books didn't start until 2012 with The Rebirth, was the first of the Planet Amazon books. Crystal has also been lucky to have some wonderful beta readers who keep her on track and help inspire her. Secretly, she crushes on all her sexy heroes because all her stories end happily. That is one of the things that makes writing such a joy. Knowing that it makes her reader's day a little brighter. Not that she doesn't read sad books sometimes. While still in school, she read Where the Red Fern Grows and cried like a baby. It was a wonderful book and sometimes a bit of sadness has to be put in books because that's part of life. While she reads all kinds of books at some time or another, PNR and SFR, which she writes is what she reads the most for pleasure. When she started writing, she decided on going Indie after the first two books because an author has more control. She believes Indie will compete well and continues to grow. The need to give pleasure to her readers keeps her going and she sees a long career ahead. Growing up mostly in the NW Arkansas area, it has given her a good place to set some stories and many of her characters come from there or nearby SW Missouri. The start of her stories is the easy part. Finishing them is a little harder when all the stories are in there trying to get out. She loves reading, chocolate, fine sweet wine, and traveling among a large list of pursuits. Her favorite people, after her family and close friends, are her readers who she says are some of the most wonderful people in this galaxy and the next.

Book preview

Big Cats series

Book 3

Ciaro

By Crystal Dawn

Cover by Cyntillating Graphics and Design

Edited by Eagle Editing

2017 Copyright by Crystal Dawn

This book is a work of fiction. All

contents, including names, places, and

events are the product of the author’s

imagination or used in a fictitious

manner. Any resemblance to persons,

living or deceased, or to businesses,

locations or events are completely

coincidental.

None of this work may be used,

reproduced, exchanged or transmitted

by anyone, except the person the book

was purchased for. Any reproductions of

this book in any part or any form must

be done with the express written

permission of the author or not at all.

Thank you for respecting the work of

this author.

Big Cats

Book 1

Sebastian

Sebastian is moving his pride headquarters to what he hopes will be a permanent home. Seven groups of big cats will be forming an alliance for mutual defense and to aid in the growth of all their groups. The last thing he needs right now is a mate. Too bad the goddess does things her own way.

Andi is busy building her flower shop into a prosperous business in a town the size of a shoe box. She gave up on men, who has the time for them anyway? If only a certain arrogant alpha would get the message. Things get even worse when she's attacked repeatedly by mercenaries looking for a potential white wolf mate to sell to a customer. Will her life ever settle down?

Big Cats series

Book 2

Titus

Titus supposed he should feel honored that Sebastian had put him in charge of the private school for their children. He didn’t. It was one headache after another with the interviews being the worst until Beth came in. His tiger roared in approval; she was his.

Beth had a bad history with males. If she didn’t, the sexy tiger might appeal to her. She was tired of supernaturals trying to mate her because of her bloodline. This would be just another one, so she intended to steer clear of him.

Big Cats

Book 3

Ciaro

Life was all about change and since he’d met Mairi, his opinion about mating had changed. He was ready for her whether she was ready or not.

So Ciaro was handsome and could be charming when he wanted to be. That meant almost nothing to her. She didn’t want a mate, and he couldn’t have her.

Two beautiful people with fate in common. One fought it while the other was ready to embrace it. Those things always turned out good, right?

Prologue

Mairi hung up the phone. Why had the panther leader called her? Ariel knew she didn’t like dealing with customers. She was the behind-the-scenes type doing the work but staying in the background. It was a stretch for her to boss a crew like she was doing. That only worked because she knew most of the guys and they listened to her. Since they were all experienced, she worked right beside them getting the work done. Her supervising was limited to assigning duties and keeping the logs of materials and time sheets.

Beth was the one who could train and encourage workers that had no experience. As a boss, Beth could also deal with customers or anyone else she needed to. Her cousin was beautiful and perfect. They’d been the best of friends since they were in kindergarten. Andi, Beth, and she were like the three musketeers. Now they were back together after becoming adults had sent them in separate directions.

It was a good thing Beth was still helping out. She would take care of the panther alpha for her. Still, the male had a sexy voice. It sent shivers through her. Best if she never met the guy at all. Shifters weren’t her thing. They were too dominating. The males in her dad’s family were bossy too except for her dad. It was something she couldn’t handle. At five foot zero and a hundred pounds soaking wet, it was easy for her to get mowed over by a bossy guy.

xx

Ciaro looked at the phone in fascination. The female’s voice had stroked him over the line. Soft and sexy, he couldn’t wait to see what she looked like. He called Beth getting everything straightened out and learning Beth was Titus’ mate. Two cat leaders had settled down here and both had mates already. He’d heard both females were exceptional, and it turned out they were both white wolves.

It wasn’t like he’d be so lucky. Not that he was looking, at least not yet. He needed to solidify his position and see to his people before he even considered a mate. Ciaro wasn’t even a hundred yet. There was time before he needed to start looking. A hand appeared on his thigh.

Come back to bed, Darling. Hetty whispered.

I’ve had enough for a while. Go home. Ciaro wasn’t nice, but his lovers knew what he was like.

You know where I am when you’re ready, if I’m not busy by then.

He nodded absentmindedly. The computer screen captured all his attention as he checked out supplies, costs, and completion dates. In the back of his mind, a sexy voice spoke to him teasing him. Ciaro would meet the woman soon.

xx

Ariel was happy with her results so far. Two out of two alphas mated to cousins. She hadn’t had to do much either. Just a little tweaking of schedules to make sure the right couple met at the right time. Two arms wrapped around her. I love you, Sweetheart. She said knowing it could only be her mate.

Who are you plotting against now? Mairi and Ciaro? Blake asked as he nuzzled her neck.

Why don’t we forget about them and just slip away to bed for a nooner?

I love the way you think.

They’d had more time lately to be spontaneous and it felt wonderful. The world could do without them for a short while. Tomorrow she would get back to her plans.

Chapter 1

Foundations

The panther’s party house or what would soon be it, lay in front of him. A crew was doing the foundation while a kid watched them. Should a kid be so close to a working crew? Wasn’t that dangerous? His eyes widened as he realized the child was giving them instructions. He bit his tongue, deciding to wait to see what was happening rather than to blunder in and look a fool. Thank the goddess he’d waited.

The person turned towards him, and it was a short woman who looked like an elf. She was beautiful and lithe, her voice sweet and endearing even if some of her words were coarse. Something went wrong and the woman cursed up a blue streak. He had to smile; she was so cute even when she talked like a truck driver.

Ciaro was beginning to see Titus’ recommendation about putting a few picnic tables here in case he wanted to watch the workers. The tables would be useful later as well. Pulling out his phone, he added them to the next supply order. Someone must have messed up again because she lifted her foot pointing to her boot then to the huge man’s ass. He looked like a wolf. The guy turned bright red before he nodded enthusiastically. She dropped her foot then shot him a look. Scurrying off, the wolf looked behind him to make sure she wasn’t following. That little woman had all these big guys under her thumb. Ciaro found it fascinating.

It didn’t hurt that she was lovely and fiery. She was on the small side which made him concerned that he’d break her if they were intimate, but she was tough. The elf, as he nicknamed her, was lifting heavy boards and doing the same work as the big men. He’d caught her eye, too. Every once in a while, she couldn’t help but to look at him. Her eyes would move away fast too.

Ciaro knew the females loved him. He couldn’t beat them off with a stick, but other than sex, he had little use for most of them. His bet was this little lady would give him a run for his money. That excited him, a chase with such delectable prey.

Now he stood up then stalked to the foundation while the crew worked. Standing next to her, he could see she was aware of his presence by her fast heartbeat, heavy breathing, and the goosebumps breaking out on her skin. Her scent was delightful as she was nervous, but not fearful. Maybe she was even curious about him as he was about her.

This is delicate work. Interruptions are not welcome. She said softly.

Her voice ran through him. He loved the sound of it. You know who I am, right?

You’re the reason we’re putting a rush job on this project? She asked.

Ciaro’s face heated. Had that ever happened to him before? Technically yes. But I’m also the one paying for everything, so I feel I have the right to assure myself that everything is being done properly.

Is it?

What?

Is it being done properly? She asked.

I’m not sure.

In other words, you’re just getting in our way.

Ciaro felt his face heat up again. He wished there was something he could say to correct her, but she was right. There was nothing he knew about construction; he just wanted to get a closer look at her. His impulse was just to throw her over his shoulder and carry her away. Some female panthers liked that, but he’d heard humans didn’t always understand. Since they were new to the area, he had to be careful about how they were perceived. What a shame!

I guess I’ll just drag my sorry self back to where I was. Is that far enough away? He asked, hoping she would reassure him that he wasn’t really in the way.

Yes, that will be fine. She even sent a smile his way, briefly.

Ciaro was stunned. Women never treated him this way. This woman challenged him on every level. How would he change her mind so she would see him? What did he have to do to get her attention in a positive way? Whatever it was, he would do it. Never before had he ever been so obsessed by a female.

Titus came walking over to speak to the female. She seemed to be pleasant to him, but Titus was mated to a friend of hers. As Titus walked by, Ciaro called to him. What did you need, Ciaro?

Some advice on how to handle a female.

Mairi? The one I just spoke to? My advice is to find another. Titus chuckled.

Why?

She’s not like any female you know. Beth was tough, even Andi gave Sebastian a hard time, But Mairi, oh my. Beth calls her a piss ripper. Mairi is tough and hard on men who are interested in her. She’s also a scrapper who won’t take anything off of anyone.

What the hell does all that mean?

Basically, she’s dynamite in a small package. Titus explained.

I know exactly what I knew before I talked to you. I thought you would be a help.

Okay, if you’re serious about her, talk to Ariel.

The white wolf?

Yes, she’s just a person. You’re doing business with her, aren’t you?

I suppose so.

You’ve not spoken to her yet?

No, Sebastian set everything up. Ciaro admitted.

It’s time for you to step in. Titus said as he walked off.

Ciaro liked Seb and Titus well enough, but both of them were too damn happy all the time. Mating rarely brought that out in a male. It was usually their downfall as far as he’d seen. This was crazy as well as was Titus’ advice. Like he could just go and see the white wolf or even call her up and say hi, could you give me some advice. Titus must think he was so damn funny.

He would figure things out on his own. It was best to rely only on yourself. Next time something was needed for the project he would deal with it himself, but he would not approach the white wolf because of his love life. Sitting there, he watched Mairi work. His thoughts ran wild. Somehow, someway, he would win this little stick of dynamite.

Ciaro had brought his computer with him and set it up on the picnic table because an alpha had responsibilities and always had things to do. The picnic