Dev's Claim: A Fated Mates Mustang Ridge Shifters Story

By Adera Orfanelli

Amina came to Mustang Ridge to get away and start a new life somewhere far away from her past and her stalker. Dev needed a yoga instructor for his gym. She needed something to supplement her private clients. It seemed perfect. The attraction between them was something she could ignore, right? After all, it wasn't professional to get intimate with her boss.

Dev knew Amina was his fated mate from the moment she walked into his gym. Returning to Mustang Ridge had brought him a sense of peace, and he knew in his soul it would do the same for Amina. He could bring her peace. But how did he explain to her that he was more than a muscle-bound workout junkie, but also a mustang shifter...

The knowledge could upend Amina's new life. It could also chase her away. She needed to accept him and then he could claim her as his.

Note: This book was previously released under an earlier pen name in an anthology.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adera Orfanelli
• Release date: Aug 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005415730

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental

DEV’S RETURN: A MUSTANG RIDGE NOVELLA

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Copyright © Adera Orfanelli 2021

Cover Art ® 2022 Epona Author Solutions

Electronic Publication Date: August 2021

This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher.

Blake’s Return:

A Gay Mustang Ridge Shifter Novella

Mary Winter

Table of Contents

Copyright

Title Page

Dev's Claim

Also by the Author

About the Author

CHAPTER ONE

Amina checked her makeup in the rearview mirror of her car, then grabbed her yoga mat and opened the door. She locked the door, though she guessed most people in Mustang Ridge never did, and walked into Dev’s Workout Den. The space was bright with boldly painted walls. Plenty of mirrors along one wall next to the weights provided the place to see perfect forms. Shock absorbing cushioning in the opposite corner, along with folding screens that could be pulled across the space to provide some privacy was probably where she’d be working.

The clank of weights caught her attention, and she glanced at the only other occupant. A large, muscled man sat at a leg press machine. She couldn’t see what it was set at, but the large stack of weights told her it was a lot. A bright blue bandana with the gym’s logo mostly hid his short, buzzed brown hair. His skin held the kind of dark tan that came from being outdoors all the time, and as he stood, part of her wondered if he was that tan all over.

You could have said something, he said as he turned. His gaze swept her from head to toe, making her aware of her teal sports bra beneath a loose, white shirt in deference to having a working interview, and matching teal shorts. She thought she’d dressed conservatively, but beneath the man’s gaze her skin heated.

I didn’t want to interrupt. I was just about to say something. She stepped forward, deciding to go on the offense because standing just a few feet from her his impact was startling. She had to tilt her head to look him in the eyes; she guessed he had to be at least 6’5, a good foot taller than her. With his broad shoulders and those abs defined even under his tank top, looking at him was like staring at a wall. She held out her hand. I’m Amina Longren. You’d asked me to stop by and see about the yoga instructor position."

He glanced at his smart watch. Is it that time already? I got lost in some final setup and testing the machines. I’m Dev, as you probably guessed. He shook her hand, his grip strong, yet mindful of her smaller frame. His hand completely enveloped hers, and just a for a moment a sense of welcoming, of coming home, of finally settling down somewhere filled her. He released her hand and turned toward the mats. Will this be a good place for the classes. I’m still not sure how I want to do the final layouts, and I wanted the yoga classes somewhere that could be made into a room in case you had a client. He gestured to the mats.

Do you know the dimensions? This looks good, but I’d like to know so I can determine the number of students in my classes.

Of course. I’ve got the information in my office. A large window overlooked the space, and she realized he’d put the yoga area up against his office.

Amina swallowed hard imagining she’d be teaching right there in full view of him. Somehow that seemed more intimate than being shut in a room or even on mats in the middle of the studio.

He kicked off his sneakers and removed his socks, then grabbed a dark blue yoga mat leaning against the wall. I’m ready when you are.

Great. She shook off the sensations washing over her and put her bag down. She removed her own yoga mat from the carrier, and unrolled it, then stood, taking a few deep breaths to center herself before beginning. I have my Bluetooth speaker for some music, but I find with the noise from the machines sometimes it’s too much.

I agree. It’s hard to hear your body over the clanking of weights sometimes. He paused for a moment. We can talk about it later, but maybe there are some things we can do.

Sounds good. Would you like to experience a hot yoga class or maybe something more relaxing?

His full lips quirked into a smile and something a naughty danced in his eyes. We’ll save the hot stuff for later. I feel like I could use a good stretch if you don’t mind.

Not at all. I provided my training and certifications. I work with both hatha and yin yoga, she replied, shoving the thoughts from her mind. Let’s begin.

Over the next forty minutes she worked on centering and stretching, holding each pose long enough to really sink into it. She loved classes like this, a chance to unwind and just feel into her body. When she looked over at Dev, she saw the same serenity on his face that she felt inside. She led him through the final sun salutation and then down into savasana. Laying on her back, her eyes closed, she