I made the slightest hand movement trying to signal the guys to go ahead and move the horse and themselves out of harm’s way. I couldn’t look to see if they got the hint or not for I was afraid if I made the smallest movement the mountain lion would either charge me or turn on them and attack again.
As large as this thing was I really think it was only playing with them. If it really meant to hurt them one swipe of its massive paw would have decapitated them or done a hell of a lot more damage than what was done.
Right now all they had was deep scratches all over them. They really did look worse than they were. Good thing they are were animals they’ll heal it in about an hour or so.
I took the chance to take my gaze off the lion to look to see if the guys and the horse where out of the way. Unfortunately, the lion turned its head in their direction at the same time I did. The lion hunched down on its hind legs ready to spring. I leaped forward and grabbed it by the tail.
It let out a hiss growl and turned on me. “Run!” I screamed at the guys. I turned on my heels and took off running as fast as I could. I looked around me to see if there was an easier way out of this ridge. If I went back the same way I came it would take too long to climb and that damn cat was right on my heels.
Up ahead I saw an incline that I didn’t have to literally climb up. I got another burst of energy now that I knew there was a way out. I pushed myself harder to move faster. I hit the incline at a dead run and almost lost my footing. The lion leaped over my head and landed right in front of me on top of the ledge. I dove underneath its belly sliding between its legs and rolled to my feet once I got past its hind legs. The lion followed my movements. Once I stood up fully, it whipped its head around and I took off again like a bullet out of a shotgun.
I could feel the beat’s breath on my neck it was so close. I didn’t dare look back. I guess the mountain lion got tired of me running because one minute I’m running for my life and the next I’m flying through the air landing head first into a mud puddle.
“Mother fuck that hurt!” I yelled to know one in particular.
I stood up and assessed the damage. I made sure all ten toes and ten fingers were still intact. After all, I am barefooted. I moved my head in a circular pattern to make sure my neck was ok. Next, I reached my arms over my head and bent my back backwards slightly to make sure my spine was okay. I brought my hand down on top of my head and that’s when I felt it.
I whipped around and screamed at the lion, “Oh hell no! You know how long it takes me to wash this rat’s nest you crazy bitch!” At this point I didn’t give a rats ass if it was just an animal or if it was a were. No one and I mean no one fucks with my hair!
I charged that bitch and shifted midair into an eagle. I heard gasp from behind me. I guess the guys finally caught up. I swooped down and sunk my claws right into the lions left eye.
The lion swiped its big paw at me and I dove out of the way. I guess I over estimated that because I hit the ground again after turning back into human form to land in a better position.
I stood up and faced the lion. It was rubbing its paw over its sliced up eye. “Well at least I know you bleed just like I do,” I muttered.
The lion must have heard me because it looked up and charged again leaping into the air. I leaped and change form into a lion colliding with it in midair. Our bodies hit with a hard thud. I don’t know what this damn thing is made of but god do I feel like I just threw myself off a ten-story building. It may look fluffy and cute but this bitch was built like a shit brick house.
We rolled on the ground over and over again, both of us fighting to be on top. I struck the lion in the face with my right paw causing its head to whip to the side. I jumping off and hunched down on my hind haunches ready to spring. I hissed and growled trying to get this damn animal to back off but it refused. It leaped after me again. This time instead of hitting a brick wall, I stayed low a slid under it. I reached up with my claws extended and dug my claws into it’s under belly.
The lion landed right on top of me crushing me underneath it. I bit and I clawed with everything I had in me. My fur was completely drenched in blood. I was concentrating on what I was doing and forgot that the mountain lion also has claws. Its hind leg lifted up, forward, came back down, and back. I was just able to turn in time to keep its claws out of my belly. The lion raked its claws down my side from my hip to my shoulder.
I turned my head as its paw got close to my face and latched on for dear life. I sunk my teeth into its paw until I heard crunching sounds and the taste of copper liquid filled my mouth. The lion kicked its foot out trying to get me to release its paw but all it managed to do was pull me out from under it. At the taste of blood, I remembered I was also part vampire and that is when I let go of its paw and shifted back to human form.
I slowly stood up, weak and tired with blood running down my side. My right shoulder hung to my side loosely. The muscle meat on my hips, ribs and on the back of my shoulder was shredded. I lifted my hand and wiggled my fingers together in a come and get it motion.
I crouched down braising myself for impact just in case I wasn’t fast enough. The lion charged and I leaped up in the air twisting and landed on its back with my left arm wrapped around its neck in a chokehold. I summoned what strength I had left and used my right hand to snatch its head back and wrapped my legs around its body just below its shoulders. I felt my teeth elongate in my mouth and I leaned my head back slightly with my mouth wide open and struck. I felt my teeth pop through the first layer of skin on the lions neck and I bit down harder puncturing it deeper. My mouth filled with blood and I still went deeper. Once I felt I had a good enough hold of its neck with my mouth I jerked my head to the side and tore its throat out.
The lion staggered but still tried to throw me off. I continued to hold on and didn’t dare let go, for I knew if I did it would make sure I was dead right along with it. I kept my arms wrapped around its neck and my legs tight around its body waiting for it to drop. Finally after what seemed like hours, even though I know it was only a few minutes, the mountain lion dropped to the ground motionless.
I stayed wrapped around the lion’s body for a while, too exhausted to move. I lifted my head to look up. The guys were all running towards me. As they approached, I lifted up my left hand for someone to help me get off this damn thing. One of the guys reached out and pulled me to my feet. I stepped off the lion and stood in front of the guys. They all looked concerned and relieved at the same time.
“Jessi,” Travis said reaching out to me.
I pushed his hand away and said, “See that wasn’t so hard no was it”, that was the last thing I remember because after that I felt myself fall forward, and everything went black.
Two weeks later, I woke up in the hospital ward underneath the ranch house. I didn’t even know there was a shifter hospital under there. I woke up to a worried Sam and a crying Mathew. After Alasdair and Sam finished chewing on my ass for being reckless, they told me my wounds healed a few hours after I was brought back to the house. I apparently over exhausted my body and shifter spirit. I was told I was nearly to the brink of death since I never changed into those forms before except during my first change. They said I had to build up to using that much energy all at once in each form or I’d pass out and go into a temporary coma like I did after fighting that damn mountain lion.
Alasdair ordered me to shift everyday into the same form for a week straight to build up my energy levels with that animal form’s spirit. Therefore, every day after work for a week at a time I would shift into different forms and run. At first, it was exhilarating. But, after a while it got to be a pain in the ass.
After that day I earned respect from every shifter here and managed to find new friends and family among the were community.
ROOMMATE
Two long years passed by after my first fight as a shifter and vampire. Still to this day none of us know what in the hell that mountain lion really was. It never turned back to human after it died an
d it was way too damn big to be a normal mountain lion. The guys all felt awful for taking me to that ridge. They said if they knew I was going to be crazy enough to fight it they would have left my ass back at the ranch. Well, now they know better. Besides, I wasn’t going to stand by and watch it tear my men apart piece by piece.
The guys never changed. They still flirt and make fun of me because I’m a girl. Well, until I start breaking bones, then they shut up real quick. We all became a close tight-knit group. We play, we horse around, we rag on each other and we work hard as a team. I didn’t know it at the time, probably because I was too focused on a Godzilla sized mountain lion, but Tucker was one of the men in the water that day. The other guy in the water was Bobby.
Considering how Tucker and I got off on the wrong foot, he was just glad I didn’t break his bones like I did the others. He was also grateful I ended up saving his and Bobby’s asses. Bobby even more so because he’s Tucker’s little brother. Everyone said Tucker wouldn’t leave my hospital bedside the whole time I was out of it. Alasdair said he even cried, but Tucker will never admit to that. Still to this day, he said he had dirt in his eyes. Everyone just says bullshit and coughs at the same time. We all laugh of course, because the shits just funny. Big bad mister beta sir crying over little ole’ me. You bet your ass I laughed. We even go to the local bars together, which is never a dull moment. Of course, I’m the best wingman ever. Oh wait that should be wingwoman, but you get the point. I help get them girls and they beat the shit out of anyone that even looks my way.
It took a long time to get past everyone’s betrayal. If I didn’t have Sam and the guys I don’t know what I would have done with myself. Every time I get down about it they always seem to be there to pick me back up. It probably had to do with Alasdair’s mind reading and Sam’s empathy. No matter, I’m just glad they were all there. I’ve become a different person over the last two years. I’m stronger, faster, and I’ve learned to love again. I also, thanks to Alasdair, completely embraced my supernatural side. Also, Sam’s roommate never showed up. I’m starting to wonder if he ever will.
“Hey Jess, can you come down here for a minute?” Sam asked from the bottom of the stairs.
“Yeah just a sec,” I called back.
I finished shoving all the Christmas presents back into my closet. Yes it is way too early for Christmas, but I like to buy it when I see it, then I hide it away. My motto is the sooner you get it the less shit you have to do later on.
I walked downstairs and followed the heavenly aroma to the kitchen. I opened the kitchen door and took in a deep breath, “damn girl that smells good.”
Sam turned around and leaned against the counter. “I know it does. I’m cooking, duh,” she says teasingly.
“So,” I say dragging out the O. “What’s up?”
“Oh yeah, right. Do you remember me telling you about that roommate of mine?” she asked.
“Yeah I remember. What about him?”
“Well, it seems he is finally coming home,” she said staring at me waiting for my response.
I shrugged my shoulders and said, “So, what’s that got to do with me?”
“Okay, well since you live here and you’re actually here all the time I just wanted to make sure you were okay with that.”
“Sam this is your house. You can do whatever you want.”
Sam stepped away from the counter and walked towards me. “No Jess this,” she says waving her hands around her, “is our home. We make decisions around here. If you’re not okay with him being here then he can go stay at his dads. It’s technically his ranch anyway.”
I held up my hand to stop her right there. “What do you mean it’s his ranch and who is his dad?” I asked.
Sam looked down at her shoes as if they were the most important thing in the world. I waved my hands in front of her, “hello, earth to Sam.”
Her head snaps up and she looks at me, “Oh sorry,” she says.
“Well,” I say to encourage her to finish.
“Oh, right. Ok um, his dad is Alasdair,” she rushes the last part out.
“Okay so let me get this straight. Alasdair’s son is Nic. Nic actually owns the ranch. So technically he’s my boss and he lives here why?” I asked raising my eyebrows at her.
“Yes.”
“Yes? That’s all you have to say is, yes?”
“Yep,” she says popping the P, “that’s it. Good. Great. I’m glad you catch on quickly,” Says Sam rambling and turning back to the stove to stir the contents in the cooker.
“Sam,” I say slowly.
“Yes,” she replies just as slow.
“What are you not telling me?” I ask. I already know she’s hiding something. Sam always rambles and talks in circles when she’s nervous and or hiding something.
“Sam,” I wine.
“Jessi don’t wine. It’s not very becoming of you,” she scolds.
“Damnit Sam!” I yell. ”What aren’t you telling me?”
Sam spins around and gives me her famous puppy dog look that I’m sure got her out of a lot of trouble when she was a kid. But she’s not a kid anymore and that look only works when Mathew does it.
“Sam,” I say warningly.
“Oh alright,” she huffs out. “He’s really hot. I mean like you touch him and you get burned hot, okay?” she says exasperatedly.
I busted out laughing. “What’s so funny Jessi,” asked Sam with her hands on her hips while tapping her foot.
I laughed harder. “You,” I say pointing at her and laughing more.
Sam stomps her foot and I look up, “I don’t see what’s so funny missy,” she screeches and starts waving a spoon at me. Which sends me into another fit of laughter.
“You,” giggle “acted,” giggle “like,” more giggling “that” snort “over a guy?” I finally manage to get out.
Sam starts to jump up and down and stomp her feet, “Jessica Barnes! It is not that funny!” she yells.
I laugh even harder and point at her. “You should have seen your face,” I laugh out.
“Aargh!” Sam grunts out.
I walk around the kitchen overly swaying my hips, flipping my hair, and fanning myself. I left out a deep dramatic sigh and leaned against the counter fluttering my eyelashes.
“I did not just act like that!” Sam screeches.
“Oh Nic. You’re so dreamy,” I say dramatically fanning myself, swatting her on the ass and bolting out the kitchen door and up the stairs.
“Jessica Barnes! So help me god I’m gonna murder you one day! And for fucks sakes I did not act like that!” Sam screeches after me.
Which just sent me into another fit of giggles. Mathew walks out of the game room as I’m hunched over laughing, “Let me guess, mom did her Nic is coming dreamy thing huh?” he asks.
At that I lost my footing and fell right on my ass I was laughing so hard.
“I heard that you little twerp!” Sam yells from down stairs and Mathew starts laughing.
“Aargh! I give up!” We hear Sam scream.
We fall over each other laughing. It took a while but we finally got ourselves under control. Mathew and I laid in the hallway on the floor trying to catch our breath. I turned my head and looked at Mathew. He turns his to look back at me and we both smile.
“You know mom’s gonna kill us right?” he asks.
“Yep. Sure do,” I say standing up and dragging Mathew with me. “By the way thanks for the heads up on the roommate and a good way to tease your mom. Priceless dude. Priceless,” I say laughing again, shaking my head and patting Mathew on the shoulder.
“No prob Aunt Jessi. I got your back,” he says giving me a fist bump.
“Alright kid go back to your games before your mother get suspicious.”
“Too late,” we hear from behind us.
We slowly turn around to face a very angry Sam. Mathew and I clasp our hands behind our backs, lower our heads and look up at her through our eyelashes.
Sam stan
ds there with her arms crossed over her chest and tapping her foot. I leaned slightly towards Mathew and said out the corner of my mouth, “on the count of three run. RUN!” I scream and we both shoot off down the hallway with Sam right on our heels.
We all ended up in a heap on the hallway floor breathing heavily after chasing each other all over the house tickling each other.
BARBEQUE
Sam and I decided to host a barbeque for all our workers, friends and family at the ranch. Alasdair let it slip one day in front of Sam that he hasn’t had a barbeque in about twenty years. After that, Sam got me on the ban wagon and that is all we have focused on ever since. The planning was horrendous because Sam is so damn precise and meticulous about everything. Other than that, it went rather smoothly. Tonight was the big night and Sam was running around the kitchen getting everything ready. After the tenth or so bowl went flying across the room me and Mathew decided to just stay the hell out of her way.
Sam comes barreling through the kitchen door with the last of the dishes in hand, “Ya’ll ready yet?” she asks.
Mathew and I look up at her and nod, “sure,” I say.
After we loaded everything up in the truck and started down the road Mathew just had to open his mouth, “so mom, how many dishes do we have to replace?”
Sam just grumbled something incomprehensible under her breath, crossed her arms over her chest and stared out the window. I laughed silently to myself not wanting to piss her off more. I looked in the rear view mirror at Mathew and he had his hand over his mouth trying to stifle his laughter.
When we pulled up in front of the ranch house the place was in full swing. Everywhere you looked there were shifters of all ages, shapes and sizes. Most I knew, some I did not. We exited the truck and each carried stuff out back where everything was set up. I walked up next to Sam and nudged her in the ribs with my elbow. “Cheer up. You’re at a barbeque that we planned and people don’t want their host biting their heads off.”
Lover Betrayed (Betrayed #2) Page 4