Jade Buchanan

The youngest Steinsson is missing, and Durai’s pride has spread out into Muncho Lake Provincial Park in search of him. Just when the pride is more splintered than they have ever been, a group of new arrivals makes things a little more complicated…

Rabi’a Asher never wanted a mate of her own. She has a daughter, and a purpose among her people, and that’s just fine with her. Unfortunately, fate doesn’t agree. Placed in unfamiliar and dangerous territory, she is torn between two men who are both determined to have her and each other.

Only, Rabi’a isn’t going to sit down and let any man determine her future. She has claws of her own, and Tigris Sheer Ma’at and Leo Rais Steinsson are about to feel them.

BUY FROM CHANGELING PRESS

5 Nymphs! I fell in love with the characters Jade Buchanan created in the first Pridelands series and was blissful after reading The Pridelands 3: Sheer's Choice. If you enjoyed the previous of the Pridelands series, The Pridelands 3: Sheer's Choice will have you laughing and overjoyed for the characters destined to find heart mates. Jade Buchanan is a natural at creating believable characters and stories that reach out to the reader.

~ Reviewed by Scandalous Mynx, Literary Nymphs

Rais whirled in place, startled to see a female Tigris standing behind him at the edge of the clearing. She’d come from downwind, but how had she gotten here in the first place? What were the Tigris doing on Earth?

Darren squeaked in fright. Durai growled, obviously just as startled to see the female. It was hard to tell what Durai was more mad about, the Tigris female appearing unexpectedly or the fright his precious hairless mate had been given. Rais cursed himself silently, he couldn’t continue doing this. If he didn’t get over his irrational anger at Durai’s mate, things were going to end badly for them all.

The female moved forward, embracing Khalid fiercely. The big man seemed to be the only one not surprised about her being here. He rumbled softly to her, his words hidden in her hair. His faintly striped arms tightened around her, pulling her closer. Her tail swished, wrapping itself around Khalid’s knee. 

They resembled each other vaguely, as they should. This had to be Khalid’s Tigris sister, there was no other explanation. Rais had never met her before, Khalid always made sure his two families didn’t have contact with each other. It was probably easier for them all that way.

She was tall for a female, her frame trim and muscular. Muted tan fur covered her body, intersected with dark brown stripes. Her hair was short, swinging in a striped bob around her ears. A simple cloth wrapped around her breasts, another around her hips.

Despite his lingering frustration with his siblings, Rais felt a low throb of attraction for the female. She appeared delicate standing in front of Khalid, but he knew she could probably best him in a fight if she wanted to. She was Tigris, after all.

“What are you doing here?” Durai’s voice was low, the threat behind his words apparent. His entire body was frozen, not even his tail twitching. Darren stood behind him, one hand grasped firmly in Durai’s mane, his knuckles white.

The alluring female tore herself from Khalid’s embrace, bowing her head to Durai. “I am Rabi’a Asher, sister to Khalid Steinsson, daughter of the Tigris. I have come to offer you aid in finding your brother.” Her voice was quiet, controlled, familiar. It was odd hearing that tone come from feminine features instead of from Khalid.

“How do you know about Achan?” Durai frowned fiercely, his head jerking to study Khalid intently. His frown pulled his scar taut, calling attention to the jagged mark. The slash ran from his temple down to his cheek, bisecting his eye, standing out against the fur covering his brother’s face. Rais normally didn’t notice it anymore, it was such a part of the other man.

“How do you think we know about him, Leo?”

Rais closed his eyes, breathing deeply. That voice he recognized. Opening his eyes on a sigh, he turned to watch Pran Devan stride arrogantly into the clearing. He was striking, even for a Tigris, but his attitude sorely needed an adjustment.

“Pran!” Khalid’s voice rang out, a clear chastisement.

The other man bared his teeth, turning his back on Khalid to pace closer to Rais.

“Forgive our intrusion, Durai Steinsson. It is not our intention to upset your Pride.” A second man stood just inside the ring of trees, his face shadowed.

Rais twitched his ears, drawn to that smoky voice. His tail swished once before he wrapped it around his thigh, stilling the betraying motion. He did not recognize that voice, but everything in him wanted to know more.

The Tigris stepped out, towering over everyone in the clearing except for Khalid. He was big, muscular, his fur a vibrant shade of orange highlighted with red. Bold black stripes covered his body, wrapping around his arms, his chest, his legs… Rais turned his head, drawing his gaze away from the temptation presented by the small loincloth the Tigris had wrapped around his hips.

He met Rabi’a’s gaze, catching her faint smirk. She raised a brow, looking Rais up and down briefly before turning her attention back to the newcomer. Rais felt his cheeks heat, suddenly thankful for the fur that covered his body. Of course, the Felidae could likely smell the difference in his scent even if they couldn’t see it.