Feral glanced at the rearview mirror, making sure the van still followed behind him. He gave a quick look at his niece asleep on the passenger side. Knowing all the shifters in the area and having a reputation for no-nonsense helped him get the hotel key card without a fuss.

When he went inside, he pulled Ramsey out, not wanting to upset her with the men taking the abductor tied up. Ramsey asked about the woman she called “Sage” and once Feral told her she was in the van, his niece had nodded and fallen asleep. She was too trusting, his niece. He’d have to talk to her about strangers more often.

He decided to take them straight to Reysha’s place and allow his brother-in-law to decide what to do with the female. Mine!

The tiger wanted her. Even knowing she’d taken his niece and was holding her hostage, he couldn’t stop the desire to rub his nose up her body and inhale her scent. His animal didn’t control him, though.

Feral knew how to keep his needs in check. Her eyes had done something to him. Her bright blue eyes full of shock and then confusion did something to him. Why would she be confused for getting caught?

It was late when they got up to Reysha’s cabin. He carried a sleepy Ramsey inside.

“Ramsey!” Reysha screamed. “Oh, baby!” She rushed over and started kissing Ramsey and hugging her tightly to her belly. “Are you okay?” she asked, checking Ramsey for injuries.

“I’m okay, Mama,” she said. “I’m going to find my coloring books.”

Reysha glanced up from where Ramsey was to the men dragging Sage in. “Where’s Sage?”

Feral frowned. “How do you know her?”

Reysha gasped, rushing over to where the men had Sage tied up. “Why is she tied up, Feral?”

He scowled harder. “She kidnapped your daughter.”

Reysha growled at him, her eyes bright with her tigress. He stepped back, knowing full well his sister did not need to be upset when she was about to have a baby. “What’s wrong?”

Reysha cut through the ropes and then the gag. “She saved Ramsey.”

Sage coughed, rubbing her wrists and licking her lips, pulling his attention to her mouth. “I would have explained, but they broke into my hotel room and dragged me out like a common criminal,” she snapped, her blue eyes staring coldly at him.

“I don’t understand,” he growled. “She took her from the forest.”

“To bring her home,” Reysha snapped. “She called when she found Ramsey and was bringing her back to me.”

“Sage!” Ramsey rushed to hug the woman. “I found my coloring books. I wanted to show you.”

Feral’s anger at himself exploded and the feelings of guilt were something he was not familiar with. He was never wrong.

“Listen,” Sage said, brushing a hand over Ramsey’s hair. “I’m sure Mr. Feral was really worried when he couldn’t find Ramsey, and the worst came to his mind. Understandable. But now that she’s here and safe, I’d like to know if someone can give me a ride back to my hotel.” She adjusted the filthy towel and gave him a dirty look. “As you can see, I’m not really dressed for this.”

Reysha glared at him. “Please, Sage. Accept my apologies for the confusion. Allow me to find you something warm and clean to wear. And stay with us for the evening.”

Sage was already shaking her head. Her gaze went back to him. He wanted to lick her lips for her. Now that he knew she wasn’t an evil person, his tiger was pushing for him to take her.

“I couldn’t,” Sage said.

“Nonsense!” Reysha grabbed her by the arm and pulled her toward the bedrooms. “Come, I have lots of clothes that will fit you. And we have several nice big guestrooms.” Reysha tossed him another glare over her shoulder. “I will make us something good for dinner. You go and shower. I’ll find you clothes.”

Once they were out of sight, Feral turned to Gunner and Slate. Neither man said anything at first, but then Slate cleared his throat.

“I couldn’t help but notice that the human caught your attention.”

Feral gave a sharp nod. “My tiger says mate.”

“Fuck!” Gunner groaned. “She hates your guts, bro.”

“I know,” Feral slid his fingers into his hair and pushed the strands away from his face. “I’m not familiar with any good humans. All my interactions have been with troublemakers.”

“Yeah,” Gunner agreed. “Every single time, no wonder you were quick to think she was a bad guy. Still, she hates your guts. What are you going to do?”

Feral rubbed the back of his neck, tension gathering there down to the base of his spine. “I don’t know. I’ve never dealt with a human female and I don’t know how to explain to her she’s my mate.”

“I don’t think just telling her and expecting to get her naked is going to work,” Slate grinned.

Feral gave him an annoyed look. “I wasn’t going to.”

Yes, he fucking was. He was going to just tell her she was his mate and expect for her to adjust. How the hell was he supposed to approach her now?

“Stay,” Gunner said. “Or better yet, find a reason to take her home with you.”

Slate snorted. “I have a lovely garden you should look at, Sage. Come to my home and see it.”

Gunner shoved Slate. “At least I gave him an idea.”

Slate rolled his eyes. “What you need is to romance her.”

It was Gunner’s turn to snort. “Do you realize who you’re talking to? Feral doesn’t even know the meaning of romance. When he wants sex, all he has to do is open his front door and the women come crawling like they’re in heat.”

Not a great description, but it was true. He’d never had to worry about getting female attention. They were always there. Sex was easy. He could get that whenever he wanted. This was his mate. A whole new level of intimacy and bonding he had never done. Frankly, he didn’t know what to do.

“How would one romance a human?” he asked.

Gunner and Slate frowned, both seeming to think hard on the question. Then, Slate grinned. “Google it.”

“How to romance a human?” Gunner asked.

Slate sighed. “No, dumbass. How to romance a woman.”

He could do that. She was human. Any advice given would definitely apply to her. He nodded. It was the perfect plan. “Okay, I’ll stay. You two can go. I’ll talk to you both later.”

They slapped him on the arm as they walked away.

“Good luck,” Slate said. “Remember, romance.”

“And if you get stuck, just kiss her. They like it when men are spontaneous.”

This was getting too confusing. Maybe he should try the shifter method first. See how that worked out.