by Bianca D’Arc
Mark’s sense of humor had gotten decidedly silly since his mating. He seemed to find joy in small things, and Hank was as pleased as the rest of the Clan to see it. Mark had been alone a long time, and a mated Alpha was better for everyone. Plus, Mark’s mate was as special as he was. She was an architect who was single-handedly designing the most amazing buildings for the island. She had a real gift, and the entire Clan was benefiting from her artistic vision.
She was nice, too. Open-hearted. Even if she was a bit of a mage. She was good for Mark, and good for the Clan, and Hank liked her. He almost envied the couple their happiness and had thought wistfully a time or two about finding a mate to settle down with, but had never pursued the thought any further.
Now, of course, everything had changed. He had a child. And a potential mate. But nothing was easy. This was no fairytale meeting and mating, with birds singing and unicorns dancing in the background. No, this was gritty and laced with betrayal.
She should have told him. Dammit. She really should have told him.
“Hey man, you hold that stick any tighter, you’re going to break it off, and I think we need that to land.” Ari’s voice came to him in the close confines of the cockpit. Damn. He’d let his mind wander down dark paths. Again.
“Shit.” Hank eased up on the knob he’d been gripping. Crushing, in fact. It was a little deformed, but at least it was still intact. For the most part. He wiped one palm over his face and tried to regroup. “Sorry. Thinking too much, I guess.”
“No sweat. Just… We’re here for you, man. We’ll back you up with your woman and the little one. Every jaguar is precious, from the littlest to the biggest. We’ll help you, if you need us.”
Help him? Do what? Abduct his child? The thought was abhorrent. He didn’t want to steal his daughter from Tracy. He wanted… Well, he didn’t know what he wanted, exactly, except to be part of their lives. Emma’s and Tracy’s. Still, it was nice to know he wouldn’t be the only grown cat among the dogs, this time.
Because, this time, the wolves knew all about him, and he’d bet some of them might be howling for blood.
CHAPTER FIVE
A short while later, they were on the tarmac in Texas, just leaving the jet when the ground crew paid Hank a little visit. A bunch of beefy, single male werewolves were growling in human form as Hank exited, and they quickly had him surrounded.
“You’re Emma’s father?” the ringleader—a man with more tattoos than Hank had ever seen on a shifter showing through the ripped sleeves of his overalls—stepped right up to challenge Hank.
“I am,” he declared proudly. No way was he going to be intimidated by this pack of wild dogs.
“You better do right by them,” the man continued, poking Hank in the chest.
Hank looked down at the man’s finger with a haughty tilt to his head but didn’t budge his stance. He was just in the mood for a fight if these assholes wanted one.
“Seeing as how I only found out about Emma last week, you should give me a chance before jumping to conclusions. Also, what I do with my family is none of your damn business, so fuck off.”
Hank made to move past the man, but the guy tried to slug him, and Hank spun into action. Before the others could move, Hank had the ringleader on the pavement, his arm held at an unnatural angle that hurt enough to immobilize the bastard, unless he wanted Hank to break his arm. When Hank looked up, surprised that the rest of the werewolves hadn’t already piled on, he realized the twins had come down the steps from the jet and were holding the others at bay by their mere presence.
Hank had known the twins were huge men, but seeing them up against the werewolves re-emphasized just how large and intimidating the jaguar brothers really were. No wonder Mark wanted to recruit them. They were a force of nature, all by themselves.
Hank let his attacker up by slow degrees, getting dirty looks but no further violent action from the wolves all around. Hank stepped back, releasing the ringleader entirely.
“This isn’t over,” the ringleader warned him. “You cats don’t give a damn about your kin, but we wolves stick together. We’re Pack. We look out for each other.”
“And Emma is my daughter,” Hank told the man in a cold voice. “You don’t know the first thing about what that means to me, so don’t presume to understand. Tracy and I will come to an agreement between ourselves, and that doesn’t need the input or interference of her Pack. It’s private.”
This time, when Hank walked past the man, he went unmolested. It didn’t hurt that he had the two behemoth brothers flanking him. Nobody seemed intent on taking on all three of them at once, for which Hank was grateful. The last thing he wanted to do was put any of Tracy’s kin in the hospital. That was no way to try to get on her good side.
“You have some nice moves for a pilot,” Pax commented once they were out of earshot of the wolves. “We didn’t expect that.”
“I may be a pilot, but I was also Special Forces. I trained like the rest of you guys, but then, I specialized. Luckily, I still remember a few things,” Hank allowed, trying not to sound too smug that he’d managed to surprise the twins. Why was it everyone thought they had him pegged?
Hank liked surprising people. It was part of his playful nature and yet another game to him. A fun one where he could be many things to many people, managing to surprise them in good ways all the time. He enjoyed it when he got them good, like just now. His inner cat was a prankster. Always had been.
But then, he decided to come clean a bit. He was here to sell them on the idea of joining the larger jaguar Clan, and this was a subtle opportunity to tell them what it was like to be one of Mark Pepard’s top people.
“Plus, we have a pretty nice dojo on the island. Everyone who works in security or diplomacy gets lessons in new fighting styles, if we want. Mark sends out anyone who wants higher levels of training to spots all over the world, then those folks bring back new techniques and teach the rest of us.”
Hank looked back to see what the brothers thought of that and caught grudging expressions of respect on both faces. Maybe they would be tempted by the idea of higher education—in the military sense and the civilian. He went on.
“We’re building several schools and workshops, as well,” Hank told them quietly as they approached the terminal building. “The idea is that anyone who’s an expert can teach the rest of us who might want to learn something. And if anyone wants to become an expert in something, Mark will pay for their education in the outside world. We’ve got masters on the island in everything from baking to building bombs. Gunsmiths, and silver smiths who make jewelry and trinkets. The courses they teach are open to all on the island who have an interest.”
Hank stopped his sales pitch as they entered the building. The setup on the island wasn’t the business of these wolves—or anybody else around here. Except maybe for Emma…and her mother. Hank had really welcomed Mark’s suggestion that he get them both to visit the island, if he could. He wanted Emma, and especially Tracy, to know what the Clan was building there, and that there was always a place for them among the jaguars. A place they both deserved through their bond to him.
Because he was bonded to Tracy—regardless of what she might think. The fact that he hadn’t been able to even think of another woman romantically in so long should’ve clued him in sooner, but he had been both stubborn and blind. Probably idiotic, as well. What kind of a jerk didn’t realize he’d found his mate?
He must be some kind of defective shifter in that way. Hank refrained from shaking his head at his own thoughts. He was about to be surrounded by Tracy’s Pack again. He couldn’t show any sort of weakness, or the wolves would pounce on him—or, at least, they’d try to.
And speaking of pouncing… Hank had no sooner walked into the terminal than he spotted the Alpha wolf heading straight for him.
Shit.
“You know that guy?” Pax muttered from Hank’s right.
“Yeah,” Hank admitted. “He’s the Alpha of this Pa
ck and my daughter’s granddad.”
“He looks like he wants to kill you, boy-o,” Ari put in from Hank’s left.
“He probably does, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to allow it.” Hank had to consciously keep the snarl out of his words. This wasn’t going to be pretty.
He didn’t let his steps falter at all. No hesitation. No sign of weakness. He was meeting the Alpha head on, in the middle of the airport terminal that the Pack owned. Great. Just great.
Hank, with Pax and Ari slightly behind and to either side of him, met the Alpha in the middle of the concourse. Tracy’s father didn’t need anyone else at his side. The entire terminal was full of his people. All of them would come to his aid if he needed it.
“Alpha,” Hank opened negotiations with a courteous nod. This was his baby’s grandfather. He would be respectful—as far as he could manage.
“You took your time coming back.” The Alpha didn’t bother keeping the snarl from his voice.
Hank realized he was growling too. Great. If Tracy’s dad went for Hank’s throat, he’d have to defend himself, but he really didn’t want to get in a fight with this guy.
“I’m here now, and I plan to discuss our situation fully with Tracy. I have a right to know my own child.” Hank remained respectful, but firm. It wouldn’t do to show any weakness in this confrontation.
The Alpha was still growling in the back of his throat, his beast getting the better of him in his emotional state. Hank didn’t want to antagonize the man, but he had to remain firm.
“My granddaughter is a cat, for Goddess’ sake!”
The statement burst from Tracy’s dad, making Hank shake his head. Hank knew there was always friction between werewolves and any kind of big cat shifter, but the Alpha was talking about his own granddaughter. Hank’s child. This would never do.
Hank felt more than saw Pax and Ari crossing their beefy forearms beside him. They apparently didn’t like the tone the Alpha wolf had used any more than Hank did, but he didn’t want to fight with this man. He had to keep reminding himself of that little fact. A fistfight with her father, in the middle of the terminal, wouldn’t do his chances with Tracy any good at all. No matter who won, Hank would lose.
Maybe that’s what the Alpha wanted? Hank vowed not to fall into any sneaky wolf traps. They were consummate hunters, but they usually hunted in Packs. Hank was the expert at the solo stalk. He had big prey in his sights—his daughter and potential mate. He wouldn’t let a lone wolf, or even an entire wolf Pack, get in his way with that kind of prize in the mix. Not if he could help it.
“Emma is a jaguar, of noble and deadly lineage,” Hank reminded the Alpha. They’d talked about this before, but apparently, it hadn’t sunk in. Or maybe the man just couldn’t get past the fact that his granddaughter was a cat. He’d have to figure that out, and the sooner, the better. “Emma is powerful to be shifting so young. It’s a sign from the Goddess that my child has a strong jaguar spirit. And I intend…” Hank kept talking, not giving the Alpha time to interrupt, “…to teach her the ways of her people.”
“We’re her people,” the Alpha growled. “She’s blood of my blood. Don’t you forget that.”
“I will not, but you also have to see that she needs to be around other jaguars on occasion, to learn the things jaguars need to know. Her spirit is that of a lone hunter, not a Pack hunter. She will need to understand what makes her different as she grows and understand there’s nothing wrong with being what she is.”
The Alpha glowered. “She should’ve been a wolf.”
Hank took an aggressive step forward, and the Alpha met him halfway. Was Tracy’s father trying to provoke a fight?
“She is as the Mother of All intended for her to be. We all must accept Her will.” Hank tried to calm the situation down a bit. “And, there’s Tracy to consider. She must decide how best to raise our daughter, though I hope to convince her to allow me greater input than she has until now.” Meaning—any input at all. But Hank thought he had phrased that very diplomatically, if he did say so himself.
“Is that what you’ve come here to do?” the Alpha asked with a sneer. “Why did you feel the need to bring two goons with you? Were you afraid of the reception you’d get showing your face here now that we all know the truth?” The Alpha was angry, but so was Hank.
“That’s Master Chief Goon, to you, buddy,” Pax murmured loud enough for them all to hear. In any other situation, Hank would have laughed at the unexpected humor, but things were too serious at the moment to risk it.
“Not that the inner workings of the jaguar Clan are any of your business, but these are the men I was sent to find. They are my mission. A mission set by my Alpha,” Hank insisted, not backing down an inch. “If you have a problem with their presence, you should take that up with Mark Pepard.”
Few men in the world would go head-to-head with one of the richest and most powerful men on the planet. Even among shifters, Mark was in a class of his own, and everybody knew it. He was the reason jaguar shifters were no longer on the brink of extinction. He was the reason they had hope for the future, and most shifters knew it, and respected him for it.
The wolf Alpha shook his head and let out a gusty sigh. Hank sensed the tension of the moment decreasing. Perhaps they wouldn’t come to blows right here in the middle of the airport terminal.
This time.
“I’ve got no beef with Pepard,” the Alpha said after a moment’s pause. “You two, on the other hand…” The Alpha favored Pax and Ari with a stern look. “You need to behave yourselves when you’re here at the courtesy of my Pack. Don’t start any fights.”
“We don’t start them, Alpha,” Pax said innocently enough.
“But we do finish them,” his twin completed the thought, and the Alpha frowned at them.
Hank held up his hands, palms outward. “They’ll be on their best behavior. We all will. We understand the consideration you’ve shown in allowing us to be here, among your Pack for a short time.”
“Just how short is short?” the Alpha wanted to know.
“My mission is to bring these two men to my Alpha. I’ve been given dispensation to stay here a few days in order to speak more with Tracy and get to know Emma a bit.” He might have told the wolf Alpha that he hoped to bring the girls back to Jaguar Island for a visit, but there was no way he was telling Tracy’s father his plans before asking Tracy, herself. “Alpha, this is Pax Rojas and Ari Rojas, both former Master Chiefs in the U.S. Navy SEAL teams.” Hank figured a formal introduction was only the polite thing to do. It also warned the Alpha that the two men weren’t just muscle-for-hire, and that they wouldn’t take any shit from anybody.
The Alpha offered his hand. “Joe Villalobos,” he said to Pax as they shook hands. Then, he turned to Ari.
“We’ve had all our shots, and we know how to behave in polite company,” Ari put in, shaking the Alpha’s hand.
The faintest hint of smile that ghosted over the Alpha wolf’s face gave Hank hope.
“And I’m sure you know this, but I’m Heinrich Schleichender. Most people call me Hank.” He watched the Alpha’s reaction to his full name. He didn’t have to wait long.
“Heinrich? What kind of name is that for a jaguar shifter?” The Alpha turned, and they all started walking again. The confrontation had all but ended, but Hank was still wary.
“My father was German. Human. He came to Argentina after World War Two. And yes, he was one of the soldiers on the wrong side of that conflict. Not a really bad guy, or my mother would never have mated him. Jaguars, as you know, are native to the Americas, mostly South America nowadays, and we’re somewhat solitary except for family groups. Many jaguars mate with humans or Others, which we believe has made our magic stronger over the generations.”
“Well, damn.” Joe Villalobos’s steps slowed, and he turned to look at Hank. “World War Two? You’re probably older than I am. Not by much, but… I wanted someone Tracy’s age for her. Someone she could relate to. My m
ate was of a different generation, and that made it tough for us sometimes. I didn’t want my daughter to have to deal with that. And now, her baby being a different species...” The Alpha wolf shook his head. “You two sure aren’t making this easy.”
“It is as the Goddess wills,” Hank said, feeling philosophical. He’d had a lot of time to think about this situation over the past few days. “I didn’t expect it. I don’t really know how it’s all going to work out. But I do believe that your daughter is my true mate. I want a chance to try to convince her of that and make a family with her and Emma. I know it’s not going to be easy, considering how we started, but I think Emma should have a father and access to her own species as she grows.”
Joe ran one hand through his hair, sighing again. “That’s fair, I guess.” The words were grudging, but the fact that he made the admission meant a lot. “I can’t say I like all this, but I do see your point.”
It was a start. At least Tracy’s dad was listening to Hank, not just reacting. Now, if Hank could just get Tracy to do the same.
“I will, of course,” Hank said, “support my daughter in whatever way she needs, including financially. I’ve already set wheels in motion to create a trust account for her—for Tracy to use for Emma’s needs, in whatever way she thinks best. I have no intention of being a deadbeat dad.”
“That’s good to hear, though I can provide for my daughter and granddaughter, and have been doing so from the beginning.” The Alpha sounded insulted, which hadn’t been Hank’s intent.
“I thank you for that, Alpha,” he said, respect clear in his tone. The last thing he wanted to do was alienate Tracy’s family. “Had I known, I would have been here for them both. I’m grateful Tracy had your support and love to see her through what must have been a tough time.”
Joe sighed heavily. “My daughter never has done anything the easy way, ever since she was a pup. She should’ve told you, and I told her that from the moment she revealed she was pregnant. It was wrong to keep Emma a secret. Babies need both their parents. Shifter babies even more so.”