Jaguar's Judgment

by Lia Davis

  Sable wrapped her fingers around his arm. “I wanted to leave it all, as well. You made me see there was life outside of Onyx, outside the violence. If you’d asked, I would have run away with you, no questions, no judgment.”

  Facing her, he asked, “Where does that leave us now?”

  “We have to start the end of the war.”

  “What happens after you’re free? You take Nigel and leave?” His jaguar growled in his head at the thought. It’d be like losing her all over again.

  “That was the plan, at first.”

  Was the plan? He searched her features. “And now?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. A part of me wants to be with you, but I’m not sure if being together will only hurt more.”

  He framed her face and closed the small gap between them. “We are fated mates. It will hurt us more to be apart. I’m tired of fighting the urge to claim you, to take you in every way imaginable.”

  “Jared, I can’t. Savannah will use everyone and everything I care about against me.”

  Lowering his head, he brushed his lips against hers. “You are just as strong as she is. You may be more powerful if you trusted yourself to let down your shields and test the strength of your magick.”

  A battle of emotions played over her features as if she considered what he’d said. Then she went still. A ripple of her power skittered up his hands and arm. “What—”

  She placed a finger over his lips and whispered, “It’s my mother and she’s not alone.”

  Jared didn’t waste another moment. He grabbed her hand and tugged her through the kitchen to the back door. “Can we teleport?”

  “Not yet. Savannah will most likely trace the magickal signature. It’s better if we leave a false trail first.” Sable let go of his hand and darted out the door. Once outside, they ran north.

  Chapter Six

  After the third false trail had failed to throw Savannah and her scout, or whoever the hell was with her, Jared stopped running. “How can your mother track your every move?”

  Sable whirled around, her eyes narrowing. “Apparently, she is the only one besides you who can see through my shields.”

  Frustration mounted within and his jaguar paced under the surface. “We can’t keep running.”

  “What do you think we should do?”

  “How sure are you it’s Savannah?”

  Sable worked her jaw and searched their surroundings. “Why do you answer a question with another?”

  “You’re not sure.”

  After a brief moment, Sable moved to stand beside him. “Fine. I’m not a hundred percent sure. But there is definitely something coming for us that has her magickal signature. I’m betting it’s not friendly.”

  Jared didn’t have a chance to reply before two males broke through the brush and stopped a few yards from them. One of them was a shifter, most likely a scout. The other was a shifter but different. Jared wasn’t sure how he knew that, other than the power and magick drifting off the male. And he was larger than any shifter Jared had met.

  “Holly shit,” Sable breathed beside him.

  He moved closer to her. “What?”

  “The tall one is a mutant. That crazy ass bitch added her blood to the formula to create the perfect assassin.” She took a step forward, but Jared grabbed her arm.

  “What are you doing?”

  She shook her head and straightened her spine. “Why are you two following me?”

  The mutant was the one to speak. “You must return with us. Your parents are concerned.”

  Sable laughed. “My parents don’t give a rat’s ass about me. They want my powers to use for whatever evil shit they’re cooking up. I’m not being used again. You can tell them I said to fuck off.”

  The mutant tilted his head slightly, studying Sable. Jared tensed, and his cat wanted to tear both of them apart for coming after his mate. Beside him, Sable fisted her hands. He felt her magick surface and swirl around them.

  “Better yet, I think I’ll send them my own message.” Sable shot out her arms and a stream of bright white light extended from her hands, hitting both rogue males in the chest. They doubled over, and it was just the distraction she and Jared needed.

  Jared charged the scout, knocking him to the ground. A quick glance at Sable made his jaguar perk up with pride. The female was beautiful as she fought the mutant, dodging each swing from his fist.

  Focusing on his own opponent, Jared punched him in the jaw. A crack echoed through the forest. The rogue stumbled back, then let out a growl and came at him. Pain exploded up Jared’s spine as he hit the ground. He shifted one hand into a claw and swiped it across the rogue’s chest. The scout cried out, and Jared threw him off and jumped to his feet.

  A male’s scream cut through the air, drawing Jared’s attention to Sable. She stood over the mutant’s headless body, a sword in one hand and her eyes glowing with power Jared hadn’t witnessed from her. She met his gaze, raised her free hand, and shot a basketball size energy ball straight at him. Fuck. He dropped to the ground a second before the power sphere sailed over his head and slammed into the rogue scout, killing him.

  A moment later, Sable stood over him with her hand extended. He didn’t take it. When he rose to his feet, he stepped back only to have her close the distance. Her scent was off, stronger and sweeter. It was similar to when she’d gone into her heat cycle the last time they were together…

  “Sable,” he growled. If she was entering her heat cycle, then both of them were doomed. Neither could resist the mating urge with all the hormones and raw need she would experience.

  “No one messes with what’s mine.” She stalked closer and threaded her fingers through his hair.

  He groaned and wrapped an arm around her. “You must focus on the mission.”

  “The mission has changed.” She cupped his cheek then closed her eyes. “Push me away, Jared. Tell me this is a mistake, we’re a mistake.”

  He opened his mouth to do as she asked but stopped. She was his mate. There was no running from Fate. He’d pushed her away once and hurt both of them in the process, not to mention their son. “The only mistake I made was walking away from you. The last fifteen years have been hell.”

  “The only time my life wasn’t hell was when I was with you.” The glow from her magick dulled and she turned her back to him. “I can’t take back what I’ve done.”

  The ache in his chest grew. He squeezed her closer and buried his nose into her neck, inhaling her intoxicating scent. “No one can. We just have to make sure we don’t repeat our mistakes.”

  “We start with shutting down Onyx. Together.” She twisted in his arms. “Blaine and Luna should know about the new mutant. I need access to the Internet.”

  He studied her features for a moment. There was something she wasn’t saying. “What are you planning?”

  She made circles on his T-shirt over his heart. “We need to flush Savannah out, get her in the open.”

  “What if we can’t?”

  “Then we get ourselves caught.”

  Jared nodded. “We’ll go back to Hunter Ridge and I’ll call a meeting.”

  ****

  Sable paced the living room, trying like hell to hold on to the little control she had over the heat cycle. Her stomach cramped and Jared’s scent drove her crazy. All she wanted to do was drag the male off where no one could find them and stay there until they were exhausted and sated.

  Like they had fifteen years ago.

  She knew the all too restless feeling right before the cycle hit. Right on track. Hell, she could create a calendar off the bitch. Her heat cycle always came around the first heavy snowfall. This time, she wasn’t safely tucked in her apartment with the potion her Healer had taught her to make before she’d died. The potion calmed the urges and allowed Sable to sleep most of the two to three days of the cycle.

  The worst part was, she was shacked up with her mate, f
ar away from her den. Any other time it wouldn’t be a problem, but she didn’t want a child. Not now. Not while she lived in the Onyx den.

  “Sable.”

  Shit, Jared.

  A moment later, he stepped into her path. She skidded to a stop. “I can’t.”

  “Can’t what?”

  She took a deep breath. “Be a mom.”

  Understanding lit up his face and his eyes grew round. “You’re going into heat?”

  “I know how to make the serum to ease my symptoms.”

  Jared let out a low growl. “I’m your mate and I’ll take care of you.”

  She didn’t understand why he would unless he wanted a child.

  “Sable, you all right?” Jared’s voice cut into her thoughts.

  She cleared her throat. “I’m fine.”

  His lips thinned and his eyes narrowed. She lifted her chin in challenge. Shaking his head, he said, “Alec and a small team are on their way to set up a generator and a satellite system.”

  She nodded, but her thoughts returned to the potion. Since Jared had left her and broke the bond, she hadn’t had a heat cycle. She couldn’t remember all the ingredients. Not that it mattered anyway. There wasn’t enough time to make the potion. She’d already started. Her reaction to him after killing the mutant and rogue earlier proved that.

  Damn, she’d been ready to strip him down in the forest.

  Feeling suffocated by his presence and scent, she fled from the house. She needed air to clear her head. If only she knew what her parents had planned.

  Chapter Seven

  Savannah stormed into her mate’s office and slammed the door behind her. Rage bubbled in her blood. She’d underestimated her daughter’s ruthlessness and strength. “The mutant and the scout are dead.”

  Felix sent her a raised brow look from where he sat on the sofa. “You expected less from our daughter?”

  “Your Pack is weak.” She dropped onto the sofa and tried to dissolve the red haze surrounding her.

  “Dear, no one can match you, expect for Sable. That doesn’t make the Pack weak.”

  Studying him, she considered his words. He was right. Sable was her daughter, after all. It was only natural she be as powerful as Savannah. But her daughter was at a disadvantage. She used too much energy containing all her magick. “How much of my power does she have?”

  Picking up her hand, he brought her knuckles to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to them. “As much as you, possibly more. It’s hard to tell with her shields up. She thought she’d hidden them from me, but I still sensed the magick.”

  “She hides from the world. It is her weakness as much as the love for her child and mate is.” Savannah leaned to Felix, allowing his energy to soothe her mood a little.

  “I agree. Her heart will make her careless.”

  A wicked smile formed on Savanna’s lips. “And it’s only a matter of time before she makes a mistake.”

  When she stood, Felix asked, “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to get Sable myself.”

  “What about her mate?” Felix sat back in his office chair, concern clouding his dark gaze.

  Savannah smirked. “I’ll use the male to lure her in. If she’s truly like me, she would do anything to protect what belongs to her. When she comes for him, I’ll inject her with the new serum. She’ll have no choice but to stand with us.”

  ****

  Jared followed Alec out of the house and scanned the area for Sable. He could sense her close by so he wasn’t too concerned about her leaving. Not yet, anyway. Although it wasn’t like Sable to hold back and not take off to finish things on her own.

  “The generator can stay here. Travis suggested the den would make a good base,” Alec stated when he reached his car.

  Jared absently nodded, his focus on the slight change of energy in the air. Alec must have felt it too because he paused and studied their surroundings. “What is it?”

  Shaking his head, Jared glanced at the leopard Marshal. “Sable.”

  Her name came out as a growl, drawing a chuckle from Alec. “Glad it’s you and not me.”

  Jared flipped Alec the bird as the male climbed into his car. Alec laughed and drove off. When the car was out of sight from the den, Jared turned toward where the new energy came from. He’d lied to the Marshal. It definitely wasn’t Sable. “I know you’re there, Savannah.”

  The witch materialized a few feet from him. He wasn’t surprised at how much she and Sable looked alike. They had the same teal eyes, mocha skin, and modest curves. However, Savannah’s magickal signature was darker, heavier. Jared didn’t need physical contact to know what her intent was.

  The corners of her mouth twitched a moment before she spoke. “It nice to finally meet you. I’ll have to talk with Sable about not introducing her mate to her parents.”

  Jared stilled, but masked his emotions from her. “I’m sure my mate had her reasons.”

  Savannah laughed bitterly and took a step forward. Jared’s whole body tensed and he cursed himself for the reaction. Her eyes flashed and one side of her mouth lifted. “Sable is like me. She’ll use whatever diversion she has to be free.”

  If it hadn’t been for his gift to see into Sable’s memories, and the fact he could feel her presence close by, he might have believed Savannah. “You’re wrong about her.”

  “Ah, blinded by love.” Savannah moved forward again but stopped as if listening to the forest around them. A lazy, wicked smile lifted the witch’s lips. “I was correct about her. You see, I knew she’d come for you.”

  Jared’s heart hammered. He tried reaching out to Sable, to warn her, but he couldn’t find her. Damn stubborn female had blocked him from mind linking with her. When he moved toward where he’d last sensed Sable, his whole body froze in place. Meeting Savannah’s glare, he tried to break the hold she had over him. No luck.

  “Sable, dear, come out and say hi to your mother.” Savannah’s voice echoed around him. After a long moment, the witch tried again. “You will regret defying me.”

  The only sounds were the breeze blowing through the treetops and the birds singing in the distance. Jared focused his gaze on Savannah. Hard lines etched into her features, indicating she was growing impatient.

  “What do you want with Sable?” he asked, trying to distract the female.

  Cold, bitter fury rolled off her as she met his gaze. “She is my daughter and her rightful place is by my side.”

  If he could move, he’d have shaken his head at her delusions. Savannah didn’t know her daughter as well as she thought she did. Sable stood by those she wanted, not because her mother told her to. “So, you want her power? You know nothing about her. She will not stand by you.”

  Savannah laughed, deep and pure evil. “Oh, she will after I inject her with the new mutant serum.”

  Cold fear sliced through him. If that happened, Sable would become the monster he’d always accused her of being. He would be forced to kill her, which would leave him an empty shell. Knowing his mate was alive and out there was different than being cut off from her by death.

  If his friends and family thought he was an ass now…he’d have to leave the den for sure after killing Sable.

  No, he wouldn’t do it. Wouldn’t allow her bitch of a mother to follow through with her plan. Sable deserved the second chance she wanted.

  Reaching deep into his soul, he found the frayed, battered thread that still connected him to Sable. Although weak, he could sense her magick and her jaguar. He pulled on the thread, raising it to the surface, and flooded it with every emotion he’d felt over the past fifteen years. Anger, the need for revenge, a cold void, raw fury, and then the love he still denied his heart to beat for. The cyclone of emotions filled the link between him and his mate, reforming the mating bond.

  What the fuck are you doing? Sable’s voice entered his mind. She’ll kill us both now.

  If there is one time to tr
ust me, it is now.

  Her low growl was his answer. They would argue later.

  When she accepted the bond, her power poured into him, filling the emptiness he’d carried for far too long. Gathering their combined strengths, he directed it to the mental hold Savannah had on him. With a snap, he was free to move.

  He lunged and caught the witch by the throat, using his Justice power to enter her thoughts and memories. Events over the past few months flashed through his mind, including the one secret Sable searched for.

  Pain burst inside his head like his skull was being ripped apart. He screamed, released Savannah, and fell to his knees. His vision blinked out and he barely heard Sable screaming his name before everything went dark.

  Chapter Eight

  Sable paced the small bedroom her mother had placed her in a few hours ago. Furious didn’t begin to describe what she felt. Jared wasn’t responding to her mental nudges. Damn, male.

  To add fuel to the fire, her cycle had begun. If she didn’t get out of this place and find Jared, she’d go mad with need. Maybe that was what she needed to do. In the rage of the heat cycle, she’d tear the place apart to get at her mate.

  A wicked grin formed on her lips as hope bloomed in her chest. Jared, here I come.

  As soon as she figured out the damn spell her mother placed on the door and windows. Somehow, Sable didn’t think salt would counteract the magick. Even if she happened to have some.

  Okay, think, Sable. Easier said than done with her jaguar pacing within and snarling because she wanted her mate. The mating bond only made the craving of her heat cycle worse. The fact that he was in the same building and she couldn’t get to him…Yeah, shit was going to get real, soon.

  Just then, she doubled over as pain rocked through her abdomen. A sheen of sweat formed on her skin and the room grew too warm. Balling her fist, she pressed it into her stomach and breathed in and out in slow breaths. She ground her teeth, fighting back a scream. Fuck, this is your fault, Jared.