A lion’s pride isn’t defined only by those he commands but also resides with his hair, so when a human dares to butcher Arik’s mane, he gets his revenge—and claims her as his mate.

Omg what a good book. Not only is this book a great read,
it is Funny, interesting, and sexy.
I was up ate reading as I just could not put the book down.
I got to one part and laughed so hard and
loud I woke my Hubby up. I should have known better to read
a book by Eve Langlais late at night. Well at least not while hubby is trying to sleep.
She just has a way of grabbing your attention and holding it.
And being really funny while doing so.
I love the banter between Arik and Kira. And when he has
her so ticked off and cuts a chunk out of his mane, it was
priceless. I was laughing so hard. His precious mane omg
a man that is so van is a rare thing. But he soon learns he has to change his ways if he wants his mate to like him. This book did make for a fun
read. I need to stop before I blow the hole book.

I hope you enjoy this book I know I did.

If you do like this book, please consider leaving a review.

The Authors really like it when you let them know,

they value your opinions too.

A billionaire CEO and leader of the largest East Coast pride,
Arik is a ladies man and a lion. Used to commanding others,
and obedience, he can’t believe it when a hairdresser with
tempting curves chops off a hunk of his precious mane.

But her biggest mistake is in running from him.

Run as fast as you can, little mouse, because this cat loves
to chase—and pounce.

Oh, and he also likes to nibble on tender bits. What he
doesn’t expect is to fall for a human woman, a woman who
can make the impossible happen because everyone knows
lions can’t purr…until now.

A Lion’s Pride Series: Each can be read as stand a alone.

When an Alpha Purrs (A Lion's Pride, #1)

When A Beta Roars (A Lion's Pride, #2)

When An Omega Snaps (A Lion's Pride, #3)

Chapter One

“What do you mean Dominic isn’t here?” Arik didn’t quite
raise his voice, and yet everyone in the barbershop heard
him and noted his displeasure. Heads ducked, hands busied
themselves snipping and styling, and no one dared meet his gaze.

If they were lion shifters, he would have said it was because
they recognized his alpha status—say hello to the king of the
concrete jungle. But these were only regular humans, people
easily cowed by a man in an expensive suit with
a commanding attitude.
Except for one.
“Granddad is out west.”

The woman’s reply had him spinning, and he inhaled sharply,
which drew in more than just the scent of the barbershop.
It drew in her tempting aroma—and stirred a hunger that had
nothing to do with food.

Smells delicious. For a human.
Standing at just over five and a half feet, the woman barely
reached his chin. She didn’t let her shortness deter her. Her
head tilted. The chin raised, almost defiantly, as she met his
stare. Brown eyes framed in dark lashes didn’t turn from his
amber-hued ones.

Someone’s got spirit. But he didn’t have time to explore how
far her attitude and bravery went. There were more important
matters clamoring for his attention. Such as his poor, shaggy
mane.

“What do you mean he’s out west? I have an appointment.”
People didn’t cancel his appointments. Nor did they make
him wait. The perks of being top of the heap.

“My Aunt Cecily had her baby early. He took some time off to
go meet his new grandson.”

A decent excuse, but still… “But what about my hair?” That
might have emerged more plaintively than he’d like.
However, who could blame him? They were talking about his
precious luxurious mane that required a regular trim lest the
ends grow ragged, or, worse, a split end dared to make an appearance.

Vanity, one of his faults, along with arrogance and an
unwillingness to budge.

“No need to worry, big guy. I’m taking over Granddad’s
appointments while he’s gone.”

“You?” A girl, cut his hair? He couldn’t help but laugh, the
idea too ridiculous to contemplate.

“I’m sorry. I fail to see the entertainment.”

“You can’t seriously expect me to trust my mane to a
woman?” Sexism, alive and well in Arik’s world, the fault of
the females in his pride who’d raised him. No coddling for
Arik. They didn’t believe in letting him play with dolls or
caving to others. His mother and aunts, not to mention his
numerous female cousins, had taught him to be tough. They
didn’t allow softness in his world, not when they groomed him
as the future leader of their pride.
He was all male, all the time, and dammit, a man used a
barber, not a hairdresser. Even if she was cute.

“Suit yourself. I’ve got more than enough men to take care of—”

Was that his cat growling?

“—without adding a pompous one to the list.”

“Pompous?” Even if she’d pegged him right, it didn’t stop his
indignant glare.

A glare she chose to ignore. She crossed her arms over her
chest, plumping her cleavage—ooh, pretty, shadowy cleft.
His curious nature drew his eyes to the mysterious and
beckoning vee until she cleared her throat.

“My eyes are up here, big guy.”

Caught. Good thing he was a cat. His kind had no shame,
nor did they apologize. He shot her his most engaging,
boyish grin. “My name is Arik. Arik Castiglione.”

She didn’t react to his smile or titles, so he elaborated,
“The CEO for Castiglione Enterprises.” He stretched his lips
wide enough to engage his deadly dimple.

And still failed to impress.

She raised a brow. “Is that supposed to mean something?”

Surely she jested. Within his mind, his poor lion lay down in a
traumatized heap and crossed its paws over its eyes.

“We are the largest importer of meat in the world.”

Her shoulders lifted in a shrug. “I don’t check the label to see
who brings me my steak. I just eat it.”

“What about our chain of restaurants? A Lion’s Pride Steakhouses.”

“Those I’ve heard of. Decent, I hear, but overpriced. I can get
a bigger plate of food at LongHorn. And according to my
girlfriends, the male waiters are cuter too.”

For once, Arik found himself at a loss for words. His lion on
the other hand? His mane was definitely ruffled—and itching.

Arik had already gone two weeks longer than usual for this
haircut because of an overseas business trip. Time to get
back to his highest priority. “How long until Dominic is back?”

“A week, maybe two. I told him to take his time. Granddad
doesn’t often take time off, and he’s getting up there in years.”

A few weeks? He’d look like a wildebeest if he waited that
long. “That’s no good. I need a cut. Are there any male
barbers available?”

“Afraid to let a girl touch your precious hair?” She smirked.
“I can peek at the schedule and see if we can squeeze you in
this afternoon.”

“I don’t have time to come back. I need it done now.”

Usually when he used the word now, people jumped to do his
bidding. She, on the other hand, shook her head.

“Not happening, unless you’ve changed your mind and are
willing to let me cut it.”

“You’re a hairdresser.”

“Exactly.”

“I want a barber.”

“Same thing.”

Said the girl without a Y chromosome. “I think I’ll wait.”

Arik turned away from her, only to freeze as she muttered, “Pussy.”

If she only knew how right she was. But, of course,
she didn’t mean the feline version.

Pride made him pivot back. “You know what. On second
thought, you may cut my hair.”

“How gracious of you, Your Majesty.”
She sketched him a mock bow.
Not funny, even if accurate. He glared in reply.

“I see someone’s too uptight for a sense of humor.”

“I greatly enjoy comedy, when I hear it.”

“Sorry if my brand of sarcasm is too simple for you to
understand, big guy. Now, if you’re done, sit down so we can
get this over with and send you and your precious hair back
to your office.”
A woman giving him orders? Not uncommon when a male
lived surrounded by them. But actually obeying, that was new
– and in this case, unavoidable.

Head held regally high, Arik took the proffered seat, putting
his back to the female, but he could still watch her in the mirror and track her by scent. Coconut lotion, fabric softener,
and musky woman. All woman.

My woman. Want to taste.

His lion grumbled in hunger. Odd because Arik had eaten a
hearty breakfast, even wrestling his beta, Hayder, for the last
two pieces of bacon.

The hairdresser swirled a fabric cape around his upper body,
swathing him in protection against snipped tickly bits. So far
the same as usual, except Dominic’s mere presence never
had Arik’s body so aware. The light touch of her fingers at his
nape as she fastened the Velcro closure caused all the hairs
on his body to stiffen. And they weren’t the only thing
standing at attention.

Before he could wonder at his reaction, she withdrew her hand and busied herself with her tray of instruments. Razor,
scissors, brush, comb. But forget the manly black colors a
barber would use. Her tools were pink and black, zebra striped.

The indignity of it. He almost said something but held his
tongue, only because he could see her watching and waiting
for it in the mirror. As if he’d give her the satisfaction. This cat
held his own tongue—for now.

The hairdresser sifted her fingers through his long strands,
lifting and studying the various layers Dominic usually cut into
it. Unlike many businessmen, Arik preferred to keep his
golden mane somewhat long. Funny how many of his lovers
had told him it gave him a leonine appearance—if only they
knew the truth.

“How much are we taking off?”

As little as possible, given he still didn’t trust her. “About a
half inch or so. Just even up the ends.” That should tide him
over until Dominic returned.

“Are you sure?” She frowned at his crown, as she held long
strands up. “You look like you could use at least two inches
off, if not more.”

How did she know? Arik usually kept his mane to a civilized
length that just touched the top of his collar.

“I’m sure.”

“You know, a man your age really should have a more mature
cut. The shaggy surfer style is more suited to young guys.”

He dug his fingers into the armrest and fought not to growl.
“I like my hair like this.”

“Suit yourself. I was just saying you’d look better with a shorter cut.”

Shave his precious mane? Never!
“Do you always argue with your clients?”

Her eyes met his in the mirror, and he wasn’t surprised to see
a smile lurking at the corners of her lips. “Only when they’re wrong.”

That surprised a bark of laughter from him. Despite his
irritation with the situation, and her outspoken nature, he
grudgingly liked Dominic’s granddaughter. “Very well. You
may cut it a little shorter than a half inch. But not much
shorter. I do not want to end up scalped.”

“For a man your age and in your position, you are way too
obsessed with your hair,” she muttered as she bound
sections of his mane with hairclips. Not exactly his most manly look.

Arik kept a close watch for anyone with a camera or cell
phone. Dare to take a pic and he’d probably go furry.

Okay, he wouldn’t go furry in public, but he sure as hell would
extract retribution. CEOs of billion-dollar corporations had an
image to maintain, and pink hair clips holding his hair at
crazy angles didn’t exactly fit it.

“How come I’ve never met you before?” Dominic had
paraded a great number of his children and grandchildren
through his barber shop over the years.

Attention focused on her hands, which wielded a set of
scissors, she answered. “I don’t visit often. I live out in the
Midwest with my mom and dad. I was actually working at a
hair salon out there until it shut down, and Granddad offered
me a job here.”

“You just packed up and moved?”

“Why not?” She released a layer of hair, and the scissors
kept snipping. Golden bits flittered to the floor, and Arik tried
to not tense. There was just as much hair strewn as when
Dominic cut it. She seemed to know her business when it
came to using scissors, but for some reason, he couldn’t
shake his unease.

“Women should stay close to family.” His female family
members certainly did, despite his best efforts to pawn them
off onto other tribes and cities. Hell, he’d even tried to bribe
some of his more rascally cousins with the promise of condos
on other continents. However, the lionesses in his pride were
content. A sign he was a good leader, but annoying as it
meant they were constantly putting their whiskered noses in
his business.

And they also loved to play matchmaker.

“When are you going to give us some cubs?” Not a day went
by that he didn’t hear this.

“I’ve got a friend I want you to meet.” Fun for a night, until the
next day when his cousin hammered him to make some kind
of commitment.

The hairdresser reacted to his statement about a woman’s
place with a snort. “Get with the times, big guy. We’re no
longer strapped to a kitchen or forced into arranged
marriages. We even get to vote. Girls nowadays often move
away from home and have jobs. Or at least this one does.”

He couldn’t help but wince as she gave a decisive snip to his
mane. So far, everything looked good. Yet he could have
sworn ominous music hummed at the edges of his mind,
feeding a certain dread he’d never admit aloud.

Scared of this woman and her scissors? Never. And his lion
reinforced this with a very masculine rawr.

Still though, she’d essentially accused him of being a
chauvinist. He explained himself. “I did not mean to sound
misogynistic. I merely stated that women often find comfort in
having family around them.”

“I do have family here.”

“Touché.” Then he couldn’t have said what prompted him to
ask, “What of your boyfriend? I’m sure he’s not pleased at
your abrupt departure.”

She paused and stared at him in the mirror. “Is this your
not-so-subtle way of asking if I’m single?”

“Was I being subtle? Let me rephrase then. Do you have a
lover?” He’d challenge him to a duel if she did and—

Hold on a second. He wasn’t challenging anyone, especially
not the human boyfriend of a hairdresser he’d just met.

Just met, and yet wanted.

The realization made him frown. Time to hit the dating circuit
again if a plump and mouthy human girl was capable of
making him irrational. It didn’t help that his lion urged him to
rub against her and mark her with their scent—to keep other
males away.
Not happening. Marking any kind of female was bound to
create complications. Arik wasn’t about to settle down or
commit himself. He was in his prime. Playing the field.

Flirting with a hairdresser who set his hairs on end—and
brought his erotic senses alive.

The things I could do to her. Nibbles on her creamy skin…
Nips at that luscious lower lip, which pulled taut as she
frowned at him and said, “First off, I don’t think my love life is
any of your business.” Snip. “Second. Even if I were single,
I wouldn’t date you.” Snip. Snip.

“Why not?” He could have blinked in astonishment when the
query emerged from his mouth. However, a curious kitty
needed to know. Women just didn’t say no. It wasn’t arrogant
of him to claim it, not when it was fact.

Rejection was not something he encountered. Until now.

“Are you seriously having to ask why I won’t date you?” She
sounded so incredulous. “Would you like me to recite the list
alphabetically?”

Actually, he did. “Let’s hear it.”

Not even a pause. “Asshat. Braggart. Cocky tied with
chauvinist. Dumbass. Egotistical. Do I really need to go on?”

A chuckle rumbled forth from him—again. What was it about
this woman that delighted him? She kept arguing and defying
him at every turn, and yet he couldn’t help but find her
amusing. She utterly intrigued him, especially as he tried to
guess what she’d say next. How refreshing to come across a
female that wasn’t related to him, or impressed by him, who
dared to treat him as a man.

One she considered beneath her standards.

“I think your list needs tweaking.” He launched a defense of his character.

“Oh really? And just how do you see yourself? I’m sure this will be good.”

“Let me see. Attractive, bold, courageous, daring, elegant,
ferocious, especially as a lover,” he admitted with a wink.
“Gallant.”

With a derisive snort, she interrupted. “Ha. I highly doubt that.”

“And yet you don’t really know me. My lady friends would tell
you that I am a gentleman.” When it came to opening doors
and picking up the check. Other than that, there was nothing
gentle about him. Just ask those who crossed him.

Kings didn’t let anyone question their authority.

“I wouldn’t know, though, about this supposed gallantry,
because I’m not your lady friend.”

“You could be.” He gave her another chance. She truly did
draw him in with the roundness of her figure, hugged by
faded denim and topped with a baggy sweatshirt that
drooped enticingly off a shoulder, baring a black strap.

Lace or cotton? A feline mind wanted to know.

But apparently he wouldn’t know today, as she, yet again,
managed to resist him.

“Date you? Not likely.”

Again words emerged from him without volition. “Why not?”

“Oh please. I’ve seen enough to know you’re not my type.”

Such a liar. Apparently he wasn’t the only one aroused by
their repartee. The musky scent of her arousal tickled his
senses. It made him bolder. “I guarantee when I’m between
your thighs and you’re clawing my back, you’ll be screaming
a different tune.”

So he might have come on a tad strong with that last
statement. That was still no excuse for what happened next.

“Pig.” However it wasn’t the animal insult that was her most
grievous crime. It was the gigantic hunk of hair she snipped off!

An irreplaceable, thick chunk of his hair permanently
removed. Accidental or intentional, it didn’t matter.

Ack! My mane. My beautiful, precious mane.

He couldn’t help a low rumbling growl. His eyes glinted in the
mirror, the gold catching the light and reflecting it, along with his fury.

“You. Did. Not. Just. Do. That.” And yes, he might have
growled the last bit.

“Oops? Did I do that? Sorry.” Said with no repentance at all.
With a smirk and a blown kiss, she let her crime rain down
over him in a golden, threaded shower.

And then, she ran.

*~*~*

~*~*~ Eve Langlais ~*~*~

~ A New York Times & USA Today Bestseller
~ #1 Amazon Paranormal Romance Bestselling Author
~ Top 10 AllRomance Bestselling Author 2013

Hello, my name is Eve. I’m a stay at home mom who writes full time in between

juggling my three kids, hubby, and housework, I write really raunchy stuff–usually with werewolves lol.

I am a bestselling Amazon author, ranking often in their top 100 romance
authors. But I’m not just popular with Kindle readers. I was one of the top ten
selling authors on AllRomance for 2013 and have had numerous of my books
hit the top 20 books over all on Barnes & Nobles as well.

I am the first person to admit I am totally boring and lead a mundane life.
Seriously. My idea of fun is shopping at our local Walmart lol. I like to play
video games, cook, and read. My inspiration, hmm, I guess you could say
hubby as he is a total alpha male which means I often want to club him over
head with a frying pan. But, despite his ornery, ‘I-am-man’ nature, I love him
dearly.

I’m writing romance, my way. I do have a twisted imagination and a sarcastic
sense of humor something I like to let loose in my writing. I like strong alpha
males, naked chests and werewolves. Lots of werewolves. In fact, you’ll notice
most of my multi partner stories revolve around great, big, overprotective
Lycans who just want to please their woman. I am also extremely partial to
aliens, you know the kind who abduct their woman and then drive them
insane…with pleasure of course.

My heroines, they kind of run the gamut. I have some that are shy and soft
spoken, others that will kick a man in the balls and laugh. Many of them are
chubby, because in my world, girls with curves ROCK! Oh and some of my
heroines are a teeny tiny bit evil, but in their defense, they need love too.

Some of my work does push boundaries and cross lines. Good and evil aren’t
always clear in my tales, and in some cases, I’ve stomped on well known
religious ideologies. Have I mentioned my imagination is a tad bit warped?

I tend to have a lot of sexual tension in my tales because I think all torrid love
affairs start with a tingle in our tummies. And when my characters do finally
give in to the needs of their flesh? Well, let’s just say, you shouldn’t be reading
my stuff at work. The door is wide open, explicit and hot. Really, really hot.

I love to write, and while I don’t always know what my mind is going to come
up with next, I can promise it will be fun, probably humorous and most of all
romantic, because I love a happily ever after.