The Jaguar's Romance

by Emilia Hartley

  “Come on out, Nate,” Nova called to his protégé. “It’s just me. You and the others head home, would you? Patrol’s over for the night.” When the boy just stood there, staring, Nova narrowed his eyes. “That’s an order, pup,” he told him, his voice hard. “Straight from your Alpha. Do as you’re told.” He waited until Nate disappeared.

  Taking out his spare key, Nova let himself in to Amara’s house. He quietly shut the door behind him. Kal was still following her. Just the thought of it made his blood run cold. He couldn’t be with her every second. More, even if he could, there was no way she would let him. But his presence didn’t seem to be enough. Maybe now that Nemoy had met her, Nova could convince him to assign a patrol to her until Kal had been dealt with. Either that, or she was just going to have to deal with him being around a lot.

  Nova padded down the hallway to Amara’s room and eased the door open. She lay on her back in the middle of the bed, the blankets spread across her hips. One thin stripe of skin was visible, showing off her flat, tanned stomach. Her shirt had ridden up while she slept. Her dark hair splayed out around her, covering the pillow around her head. God, she was beautiful.

  His heart was pounding against his ribs. After so many years of waiting, Amara was finally his. And no one, not Kal, not Nemoy, not the fucking Earth itself, was going to take her away from him.

  Stripping down, Nova crawled in next to her, draping his arm over her waist. He had never felt about anyone the way he felt about her. He was so head over heels in love with her, it was laughable. Content, Nova closed his eyes. Whatever the future might bring, of one thing he was completely certain.

  His life, his heart, everything he had to give, was hers.

  Amara stirred when Nova settled in beside her. She all but purred as his calloused fingers caressed her skin, arousing her. Each light, delicate touch, each dip along her hips, sent a thrill of pleasure across her skin. His hands played along the edge of her panty line. She let out a stifled breath and arched her hips to meet his touch. The chemistry between the two of them was electric.

  Closing her eyes, she felt her breath catch in her throat as he slipped his fingers into the wet center of her. Pleasure exploded from within and she bit her lip, letting the sensation carry her along on a soft wave of pure ecstasy.

  She was sure this was heaven. Never in her life had she been so terrified of and in love with the same man at one time.

  And boy, was she scared.

  For as long as she could remember, Amara had closed herself off. She hadn’t just learned to protect her body from outside forces, but her heart as well. She had relied on herself, and herself alone. And, for a time, that had been enough. But now there was Nova. And every day with him was like another day in paradise, even if they were simply lying on the couch, watching T.V. Now that he was part of her life, she couldn’t imagine living in a world without him.

  But wolves weren’t meant to be with humans. It was Pack Law. She knew that. And Nova Lowery was nothing, if not loyal to the Pack. She knew that, too.

  Still, she was determined to enjoy her time with him while she could.

  Nova’s skilled fingers pushed her up and over the edge of orgasm again. She cried out, her fingers scrambling to grab the sheets. When she came down again, she flipped over, tugging back the covers as she moved. Amara situated herself between his legs and took him into her mouth. It thrilled her to feel his body go hard and rigid beneath her touch, to hear his sharp intake of breath as she sucked on his cock. Her tongue drew slow, sensual circles over the tip, drawing a small cry from Nova every time she sucked harder or cupped his balls.

  It was one of life’s simple pleasures, to know that you could wield such power over a man without feeling the need to use it against him. On the contrary, she wanted to please him. She had no intention of stopping, what so ever, until she had him begging her to climb on top of him and take him inside her.

  Amara felt him shudder beneath her lips. His long, lean muscles became taught under her fingers. And then, just when she thought he wasn’t going to last, he gripped her arms and tugged her forward, settling her on top of him. Amara spread her legs, enveloping the entire length of him with her hot, wet center.

  Linking their fingers together above his head, they began to move. Her hips gyrated back and forth, massaging him with nothing but her womanhood. In their current position, he stroked the length of her, and each time he hit, pleasure and magic would sizzle over her skin. In no time at all, they were both ready and willing, each one waiting on permission from the other to take the plunge. With one last kiss, they locked eyes and dove into sweet oblivion together.

  Chapter 18

  Nova lay with his arms tucked in around her, Amara curled gently against his chest. He could still feel the heavy thudding of her heart, and knew that his own was still racing with her. “That was amazing,” he whispered, pressing a kiss into her hair. He was pleased when her only response was a blissful, “mmm,” and her steady breathing.

  How had he gotten so lucky? Amara was fantastic. Funny, smart, sexy as hell. Dynamite in bed. He wasn’t actually sure she could cook—they always ordered takeout—but she made a mean whiskey sour. She was tough, and that was an attribute he could appreciate. Yet she was still gentle, which he could respect. She hadn’t let any of her past tragedies break her, and that he could admire.

  The only thing keeping them apart was the Pack.

  Nova thought for a moment. Screw it. The Pack be damned.

  “Amara.” She nuzzled up against him in her half-sleeping state. He tried again. “Amara.”

  “Hmm.” She burrowed deeper, hitching the soft, warm comforter up to her chin.

  “Amara,” he said a third time, trailing kisses down her throat. He latched his teeth to her shoulder and squeezed.

  “Hmm?”

  Right as she stirred, turning to face him, howls rent the air. Every muscle in his body went tight. Those weren’t howls he recognized. Jumping out of bed, Nova rushed to the window, leaving Amara clutching the sheets to her chest in alarm. He brushed the curtains away and peered outside.

  Three Valley wolves stood at the edge of the woods surrounding Amara’s house.

  Fuck. That wasn’t good.

  “What is it?” Amara wanted to know. She’d crept over to the edge of the bed.

  Nova shook his head. “Kal sent his lackeys. I’ll take care of them.” He caught Amara’s gaze in the reflection on the window. She nodded, but her face was pale. He pursed his lips.

  He had just reached the front door when Amara called out. “Be careful,” she pleaded.

  Nova looked back at her one last time. “Lock the door.”

  The moment he was alone on the porch, Nova shed his human form. His entire body contorted as his wolf-self took over. His smooth skin was replaced by lush, thick, black and silver fur. Immediately, his senses strengthened. He could see the blades of grass in Amara’s lawn. He could hear her worried breathing from behind the stone walls. And he could smell the Valley wolves from one-hundred yards away.

  Keeping close to the shadows, Nova moved silently towards them, stalking his prey. He crept around through the woods, grateful that he knew those trees like the back of his hand. This was his territory. His woman. They were trespassing. And he was going to make them pay.

  Twigs crunched as the closest wolf shifted his weight, still staring at the house. It was too easy. None of them expected him to come at them from behind. Amateurs. These were the idiots Kal sent to finish him off? If he’d been in human form, he would have scoffed. These three were young, inexperienced. Little more than novices, really. And against him? It was like swatting flies. So, then what was Kal’s angle? Why wasn’t he there himself?

  One of the Valley wolves fidgeted nervously. Turning, he spotted Nova. His tawny gold eyes widened in surprise.

  Nova didn’t give him time to signal the others. Without hesitation, he lunged, latching his jaws around his throat. H
ot, thick blood flowed out around his teeth. The air filled with the scent of copper. The wolf fell to the ground.

  The other two wolves finally took notice and charged at Nova from either side. The battle was brutal but quick. When it was over, Nova stood, the lone wolf, covered in the intruder’s blood.

  He let out a low growl of frustration. It didn’t make sense. He knew Kal hated him, that he was after Amara, but why send those three? Why let another do his dirty work? Something didn’t feel right.

  Shaking his head, Nova padded back toward the house. He needed a shower.

  “Take your gun. And your knife. Maybe both your knives,” Nova ordered, throwing a bunch of her clothes in a bag. “Just in case.”

  Amara sat on the bed, frowning. Nova had come in twenty minutes ago, covered in blood, and ordered her to get dressed before locking himself in the bathroom. It was only moments before she heard the shower. When he’d come out, she was dressed and waiting for him.

  “It’s not safe here anymore,” he told her, throwing on his clothes. “We need to get you packed. We’re leaving in ten minutes.”

  Amara raised a brow. “Leaving? For where?”

  “You’re going to come stay with me for a while.”

  “You? With the pack? But…but I’m not allowed.”

  Nova shook his head. “You can’t stay here. Nemoy will just have to make an exception.”

  He’d then spent the next ten minutes getting her packed. Finished, Nova beckoned her forward. “Load up.”

  Obedient, she followed him out to his truck and climbed into the passenger’s seat. She wasn’t sure how she felt. On the one hand, she was going to Nova’s. For the first time, she was going to get to see his house, the place that he called home. She was going to get to meet his family. His mother. The illusive Pack.

  On the other hand, she was leaving her own home behind because the same wolf who had terrorized her town for the last decade had apparently put out a hit on her. And to keep from being killed, she was heading into the heart of yet another pack of wolves.

  How could this possibly be her life?

  Nervous, she toyed with the hem of her sweater. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” She glanced sideways at him, almost afraid to see his expression.

  He chuckled. “I’m not going to lie, they’re not going to be pleased. Nemoy is convinced the rules are there for a reason. He isn’t going to appreciate the fact that I’m bringing you back with me, even if it is for your protection.” Deep lines furrowed his brow. “He’s just going to have to get over it.”

  “And your mother?” Amara asked, her voice small. “What will she think about you shacking up with a human?”

  Nova frowned. Her heart sank. “Well, that’s a tricky one. I’d like to tell you that she’s my mother, and all she wants to do is see me happy, that she would approve of me bringing you back because it’s the right thing to do. But to be honest with you, I don’t actually know how she’ll react. My mother is one of a kind. There is no reading her.”

  “Oh.” As if she hadn’t been terrified before. Now she was on the borderline of having a panic attack.

  Nova read her signals and put his hand on her thigh. “It’s going to be all right,” he assured her. “We’ll protect you.”

  The road to the compound was long and windy. She supposed it didn’t help that she kept imagining every awful thing that could happen, either. What the hell was she thinking, getting involved with a shifter? It wasn’t like she could ever become one of them. Nova said wolves were bred not bitten. So, what? Was she just going to play the weak human for the rest of her life while he got to be the macho man protector?

  No. That wasn’t how it was going to work. They would get through this, together. As partners. The rest of it, they would just have to figure out.

  “We’re here.” Nova turned the truck down an old gravel road that disappeared into the underbrush. After a few twists and turns, they followed the road to the gate. It was bordered on both sides by a fence and two guard stations. Both of them were empty.

  Nova frowned. “This isn’t right,” he muttered, throwing the truck into neutral. He put on the emergency brake and climbed from the cab. “I’ll be right back,” he told her.

  Amara watched him walk down the road to the gate. He examined something she couldn’t see on the far side of the fence, before peering into both tiny buildings. Reaching in, he pressed a button and the gate began to open.

  Nova’s face was grave when he returned to the truck. He put it back in drive and started easing forward. Amara waited. “Something’s wrong,” he told her, scowling at the empty guard stations as they passed.

  “Maybe they just went on break.”

  He shook his head. “No. That’s not how it works. If the guards on the morning patrol aren’t at their posts, something more important is going on. They wouldn’t just up and leave.”

  She huffed out a frustrated breath. “How do you know?”

  “Because I trained them myself.”

  The road leading from the gate to the living area of the compound was completely deserted. Nova turned down a long side street filled with quaint little cottage houses. Amara was suddenly struck by what it would be like to be part of it. To be with Nova, to live there with him, to maybe one day raise children with him among the pack and the community. To learn what it was to be Wolf.

  Except now, the place was eerily quiet. Not a single soul showed their faces. No sound came from within the walls. There was just silence.

  Nova parked the truck and the two of them got out. With one shared, worried glance, they split up and began to peer in windows, searching for his pack members. Amara saw cute little flowerbeds and tidy living rooms; one house even had dinner on the table. But while the furniture and such appeared to be in place, none of the houses contained people.

  “Find anyone?” Nova hollered from four houses down.

  Amara shook her head. “No. You?”

  “Nothing.”

  And then someone screamed.

  Chapter 19

  Nova and Amara raced back to the truck and they blasted back on the main road, heading for the square. Chaos reigned. People were running everywhere, both in wolf and human form. Children, penned in a cage near the Pack’s main meeting hall, screamed for their parents, their families. Bodies littered the ground as wolf attacked wolf, both sides fighting to kill.

  “What’s happening?” Amara cried, staring out the window in horror. A man with a large knife hauled a young woman around a corner by her hair. Amara instinctively pulled out her gun. “Nova, who are these people?”

  “Valley Clan.” His tone was hard, thickened by grief and anger. He was watching his people being destroyed. She couldn’t imagine what that was like. When he looked at her, his eyes were tortured. “Kal did this.”

  “Kal?!” She stared out the window at the terror with a renewed hatred. “Why would he do this? Why would he attack your home? That isn’t brave. That isn’t noble. It’s cowardly.”

  Nova shook his head. Leaning into the back seat, he pulled out a machete. Its blade was visibly sharp and as long as her arm. He handed her the weapon. “Take this,” he said, “and stay in the truck.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “To help.” Pausing, he leaned in and kissed her one last time. “And Amara? That’s an order.” Before she could say otherwise, he had shut the truck door and disappeared from sight. When she found him once more, it was not the man she’d fallen in love with that she saw. It was the wolf that had saved her, that had protected her since she was a girl. His dark eyes bored into hers, and even from the confines of her metal cage, she could feel how much he loved her.

  And then he was gone.

  It took about ten seconds for Amara to decide to go after him. There was no way she was staying there while he risked his life. She was human; she wasn’t helpless. Gripping the machete in one hand, she opened the door as inconspicuously
as possible and lowered herself to the ground, shutting it behind her. She freed her gun from its holster with the other. Thank goodness Nova had insisted she come armed. Granted, he had thought the danger would be from his own pack and not Kal’s, but at least now she was prepared.

  She couldn’t even tell where to start. The wolves all around her were gigantic, at least twice the size of regular wolves. If one of them got ahold of her, she didn’t have much of a chance. The only good thing she could ascertain was that the two sides were different colors. Nova’s pack had his same coloring. They were black, gray, and silver, whereas Kal’s pack were all various shades of red and brown. At least she could tell who her enemy was.

  The air smelled of blood, death, and fear. She could almost taste the metallic copper and decay. Amara began to creep to one of the buildings. The sun was setting, and the shadows dusk brought aided in hiding her. If she could get to the children, maybe she could lead them to safety without being seen. It wasn’t far back to the cottages. If they could get inside one, she could lock them in, keep them from getting hurt. Before she could change her mind, she got as close to the wall as she could and slipped around the corner, heading for the enclosure with the kids.

  They were huddled together, watching the battle. Amara crept up to one of the older ones and got his attention. He eyed her with distrust at first, but when his gaze landed on the machete, he changed his mind. Nova. Thank goodness for Nova. “Come on,” she whispered, showing the handle to a few more of the children. They all gathered around. “We’re going to get you out of here.”

  “How?” the older boy wanted to know.

  “I’m going to cut you loose. And then we’re going to stay out of sight and get back to the houses. You’ll be safe there.” She found the gate tied shut by an impressive knot and heavy rope. One swing of the blade severed it.