“Then why did you steal them?”
“I didn’t steal them.” Anna pressed her fists against her hips. “I prevented the male and female who did sneak them out of Guarida from taking them to Natasha. They will be returned to the gathering den in Guarida where any jaguar may view them, read them, sniff out the truth as they see it. I’m not sure when the website will go live, but I know there are a handful of jaguars working to translate the old howlings so everyone can understand them. No jaguar is going to control them and inform the rest of us what the laws are and are not.”
“How do we know the VicMorans won’t do just that?”
Anna cocked her head, sniffing out Naria. Her once dear friend, best running buddy and confidant was testing her. Anna wasn’t sure why.
“Our laws and traditions belong where any jaguar may learn what they say, study them.”
“Touch them, smell them,” Naria interrupted.
“The laws and traditions, in their original form, were kept in the gathering den, a public den anyone could have entered before they were stolen.” Anna shrugged. “I don’t know what will be decided once they’re returned.”
“But I can touch them now. Just touch them.” Naria moved closer, reaching for Anna.
The female had helped Anna and Rafe escape out of Natasha’s claws. She’d led them to the cave where they were able to witness how many more jaguars there were outside Colony and Guarida, a fact Anna might not have believed if she hadn’t sniffed out the truth herself. In spite of her cold accusation just now, Naria hadn’t shown Anna any indication her motives were dishonorable. Yet her scent was unreadable and her gaze chilling.
“You were the one who instigated the male and female running to Guarida to get the laws and traditions.” It was a stab in the dark and Anna watched Naria closely the moment the howled the accusation.
“Suddenly you are in charge of the well-being of our laws and traditions?” Naria snapped, curling her lip and stopping just a few feet from Anna. Her scent turned spicy as her anger surfaced. “Don’t you find that rather ironic? The moment you smell of a VicMoran you kill the litter who tried to run the laws and traditions for all to see. Are you fulfilling prophecy, Anna?”
Anna gaped at her. It hadn’t crossed her mind that she and Rafe had acknowledged their mating to each other, officially making her a VicMoran prior to her sniffing out the male and female running with the laws and traditions. She had stopped them, thinking after the fact she’d restored honor to the Hunter den. Naria stated the truth without a blink of an eye. Anna smelled her own shock and cleared her throat, suddenly more confused than she’d been before coming outside.
She was also aware Naria didn’t answer her question. “I did what needed to be done, and what any honorable jaguar would have done,” she said coolly. “No amount of jaguars can take the laws and traditions. They were found in Guarida and the jaguars there have been diligently working so all can understand what our ancestors believed was the right way to run.”
Naria made a tsking sound in her throat. “And those ancient words say only the VicMoran litter may control them?”
“We aren’t controlling them!” Anna snarled, her irritation soaring. “I know you aren’t so dense, Naria, not to understand what I’m howling. No one will ever control them. The laws and traditions will only work if all jaguars acknowledge them.”
“You said we,” Naria purred.
“Huh?”
“You are mated to Rafe VicMoran.” She didn’t make it a question. “You did fulfill prophecy. I’ve heard the howlings. Maybe I don’t know the exact words, but I have that right just as you do.”
“You don’t have the right to have a litter sneak into the gathering den and take them then run without howling to a soul that they have them, just so you can read the words at your leisure,” Anna growled.
“I didn’t take them—” Naria started to howl but cut her words off and looked past Anna, her eyes widening.
Anna glanced over her shoulder and stared into Rafe’s smoldering gaze. Strong hands gripped her shoulders and Rafe pulled her back against his front.
“There will be no more stealing of the laws and traditions.” He wrapped his arm around Anna, adjusting her so she stood next to him.
The males who’d been with Naria in her den moved out from behind the trees and moved in behind her, the largest of the group putting his thick hands on Naria’s petite shoulders.
He glowered over her head at Rafe. “She didn’t steal the laws and traditions,” he informed Rafe. The male smelled dangerous and had a possessive look about him when it came to Naria. “Your female is out of line for suggesting she did. Naria wants to see the ancient writings so badly she would endure the dishonorable accusations you howl.”
Anna stared at Naria, but her friend from when they were cubs suddenly stared at the ground. The male didn’t smell as if he were lying. Naria had implied it meant a lot to touch and smell the laws and traditions. Anna would have to agree she’d rather sniff them out herself than read them off a website. Although she’d never run to the extreme of stealing them just so she could do so.
“No jaguar in Guarida has ever suggested the laws and traditions be hidden away.” Rafe gave Anna a quick hug then moved his hand to the middle of her back and turned her with him toward the hotel. “Come with us.”
* * * * *
Anna stood against the wall of Raul and Ran’s hotel room, watching as the jaguars they’d allowed to flood into the room took turns leaning over and reading the translated laws and traditions, which had been in the saddle bag along with the original, untranslated version. Ran sat at the small, round table, pointing to the original, and explaining to the males and Naria the process he and the other jaguars in Guarida had implicated to translate the ancient howlings.
Rafe and Raul stood off to the side of the table, leaving room for the five jaguars to each have their turn hovering over the papers, satisfying their curiosity. Anna guessed Raul and Rafe guarded more than focused on what anyone was saying at any one point. It was the four of them against five, although Anna didn’t smell any aggression on Naria or the males with her. She almost felt something akin to awe, if not reverence, the way the room calmed and the scents of each of them changed after they began reading.
Maybe the laws and traditions would have the power to bring their species closer together It wouldn’t happen overnight. Especially with Natasha negotiating with humans and jaguars turning themselves into mercenaries. But as Anna stared, listening to the hushed comments made as different laws were read, it did something to her. It might take showing these to one jaguar at a time, but if that were to happen, possibly more of them would smell how important it was for all jaguars to run together instead of not trusting each other.
Anna glanced over at Rafe and found him watching her. She smiled at him and his eyes warmed and he straightened. Her attention meant something to him. Anna’s heart skipped a beat. It was the sensation she’d experienced outside before Naria had appeared. They were mated, officially and for life. It was overwhelming as hell but what both of them had wanted. She knew she smelled Rafe’s interest and his lust for her was unmistakable. She wanted him too.
As she stared into his incredibly beautiful green eyes, Anna understood what had put her on edge earlier. It was what had sent her rushing outside for fresh air. She’d been on the verge of needing to run. The sensations had hit her, not because of her littermate’s reaction to their mating, and it was more than knowing they were now mated for life. It was the need for love, knowing the male she ran alongside, hunted and killed for, and made love to all night, cared for her more than he cared for anything else in his life.
Rafe’s lips moved, just a bit, as he mouthed something to her. Everyone was focused on the laws and traditions. Ran and the males were howling with each other as if they’d run together all their lives. Even Raul had stepped forward and joined in on the discussion of the meaning behind the different laws. No one was watching
Rafe or her.
She stared at him, positive of what he’d just howled silently to her. Anna opened her mouth and repeated the silent message. I love you.
Chapter Fourteen
Rafe entered the hotel room across from his littermate’s. The bathroom door was ajar and steam drifted through the opening. Anna was in the shower and immediately he envisioned her arching into the spray of water. Imagining her cleaning herself, preparing herself for him made his cock hard as a rock.
“Need help?” he asked, opening the door and walking into a cloud of steam laced heavily with her happiness. His clothes immediately clung to his him, so he pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it on top of the pile of Anna’s clothing.
She stuck her head out of the shower, clinging to the curtain so it concealed her body. Her hair was lathered in a pile on her head and streams of soapy water flowed down her neck.
“I guess it depends on what you want to help me do,” she purred, and batted her moist lashes. The bathroom filled with the smell of lust.
Rafe stripped out of the rest of his clothes and pulled the curtain back. Anna was arched under the water, facing him, her hands in her hair and her eyes closed. She worked her fingers through her hair, combing the soap out as water continued soaking her head and face.
“I have an idea,” she said, keeping her eyes closed as soap rolled over her eyes.
“So do I.” Rafe watched suds stream down Anna’s body for a moment then cupped her breasts in his hands.
Anna started purring and smiled, but then stepped backward, letting the full stream pour over her head to rinse her hair.
“Let me,” he said, his voice turning gruff when he let go of her breasts and put his hands in her hair.
Anna lowered her arms and relaxed, allowing him to move her under the water as he finished rinsing the soap from her hair. Her hair was long, past her waist, and when he’d finished, it stuck to her body. He loved the feel of it, thick and smooth, and lifted it from her slender back then twisted water from it as he guided her out from under the spray.
“That feels so good,” she moaned, letting her head fall back. She arched her back and her round breasts were more than a distraction, especially with her brown, hard nipples budding toward him. “Don’t ever stop,” she murmured.
“Never,” he promised her then pulled her into his arms. “I could clean you every day and never tire of it.”
Anna blinked water out of her eyes. “Then I’m going to have to get dirty every day.” She flattened her hands against his chest, staring at them before lifting her face to his. “My mate,” she purred, her words almost slurring as her emotions grew stronger and her face flushed with desire.
“You finally snagged me.” Rafe ran his hands under her hair, feeling the curve of her back and how slender and trim she was. His dick became harder the moment he pulled her against him, but with his hands roaming, the growing pressure had him aching to slide deep inside her and forget about the foreplay.
“Is that so?” She pinched his nipple, then twisted it. “You’re saying you remember me hauling ass and chasing you around the rain forest?”
Rafe growled at the sudden flash of pain before grabbing her wrist and bringing her fingers to his mouth. He grabbed her index finger between his teeth. Anna’s eyes widened and she hissed in a breath.
“I will chase you down no matter where you run, my little cat.”
Anna was exquisite, her features absolutely perfect. Thick black lashes shrouded her pretty green eyes. Her cheekbones were high and her face thin but far from gaunt. He’d have to say her lips were the most sensual part of her face. They were full and at the moment slightly parted and ready to be kissed. “I plan on running alongside you, not from you,” she said.
Rafe couldn’t keep his hands off her. He ran his fingertips up and down her back, then her arms, and finally tilted her chin and watched her eyes close. There wasn’t any experience in his life that compared with how he felt right now. He’d reek of a lie if he claimed no fear. Being a mated male scared the crap out of him.
But damn! Rafe pressed his mouth over Anna’s, parted her lips and tasted his sweet, adorable cat. He could handle the fear. It didn’t hold a flame to the other emotions soaring out of control inside him. No female had ever stirred him inside the way Anna did. He not only ached for her physically, but he wanted to know what made her growl, what made her purr. He wanted to know her darkest secrets, what made her laugh and what made her cry. There wasn’t a shred of doubt inside him that he was head over paws in love. And it was the best damn feeling he’d ever smelled in his life.
“I want you, Rafe,” Anna whispered against his lips. “Right here. Now. I need you inside me.”
He damn near exploded. His cock jerked at her demand, nudging against her soft, wet flesh. She hummed her delight and rubbed against him, fueling the already raging fire inside him.
When he pulled her closer, the shower sprayed against his arms, lifting the thick lust-filled fog from his brain as he felt the cool pelts of water hit his skin.
“The shower isn’t hot any longer, my little cat,” he growled.
Then reaching around her, he turned off the shower. Rafe stepped out first, pulling a couple of the heavily bleached, folded white towels from the rack on the wall. Anna let him dry her.
Rafe scooped her into his arms and Anna squealed in surprise but cuddled into him as he carried her out of the bathroom to the large bed. Then dropping her on it, he came down on top of her before she could move.
“I love you, Anna,” he whispered, and began nipping at her. He raked his teeth over her lower lip then her cheek then her earlobe.
Anna arched into him, purring as her fingertips pressed into his shoulders. “I love you too,” she whispered then wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him closer against her. All the blood drained out of his body and swelled in his cock.
“I’m your mate,” she added, and pressed her moist lips to his neck.
When she scraped his flesh with her teeth, sparks of energy zapped his spine. The predator in him was right there, ready to protect her, fight for her honor, always ensure her happiness. And at the same time a fear swarmed through him, strong enough it could be as a cub might feel when taking off on a first run. He wouldn’t mess this up. Whatever it took. No matter the work. Rafe would make sure Anna was with him, happy and proud to be there for the rest of their lives.
Anna grabbed his face, cupping his cheeks with her small hands and turned him so he looked down at her. He locked gazes with her but also took advantage of the moment to adjust himself so he was positioned at her entrance. She smelled of the shampoo and conditioner she’d just used on her hair, and there were traces of the unmistakable scent of bleach on her flesh from the towels. But her happiness, mixed with a thicker, incredibly appealing fresh scent was overwhelmingly strong, causing everything else to dim in comparison.
“You smell it too?” she asked, her voice gravelly from her purring.
Rafe realized he’d been sniffing her, his face buried in the soft part of her neck while he rubbed against her sleek, moist entrance. “That’s the smell of our love.”
“It’s a wonderful aroma,” she muttered then rolled her head to the side, closing her eyes and moaning as he began kissing and nipping at her soft flesh just above her collar bone.
Damn, he loved his little cat. “Best damn thing I’ve ever smelled,” he rumbled, and moved his mouth to her breast.
The heat from her entrance and the moisture welling around the tip of his dick became too much. He gave a quick thrust.
Anna’s mouth opened. Her legs spread. Her fingers dragged down his back and her nails scraped his flesh. She gripped him with both arms and legs, pulling him down on her, working to drag him deeper inside.
“Is there something else you love?” he asked, his blood roaring in his ears as he fought to maintain control of the moment. He stopped with just the tip of him wrapped within her sweltering heat.
/> The look she gave him would have been comical if he weren’t torturing himself worse than she would ever know.
“I love you, jaguar,” she hissed. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t kick your ass if you try torturing me during sex. I already told you what I want,” she reminded him, her voice breathy. “Now be a good cat and give it to me.”
Rafe pulled back, fighting the swelling inside him that damn near toppled the room on its side as he forced himself to refrain from her tight pussy for a few more minutes. Anna clung to him, moaning her protests, but he easily freed himself from her grip.
“Rafe!” she wailed.
Her protests turned into a humming sound when he grabbed her legs, spread them and resituated himself between them. “Hush, my adorable cat,” he told her, rubbing his chin over her entrance and grinning when she jumped.
Anna lifted her head, her hair tousled and face flushed. “What? Oh,” she breathed, and dropped her head with a grin as she stretched her legs farther.
“I’m going to make you come.” When he dipped his tongue inside her and lapped at her juices, Rafe was sure he’d died and gone to heaven.
She was so perfect, her skin smooth and damp with moisture. He teased and tortured, licked and feasted. When he took his time torturing her clit into a ball of hard desire, her inner thighs trembled. He growled with pleasure.
Rafe wanted to learn every single detail about his adorable cat’s body. He wanted to know what made her groan, what made her gasp. He wanted to hear her call his name as she came. He wanted to hear her howl. And after making love to her, he wanted to lay his kill before her and worship his female. For the rest of his life.
“I love how you taste.” Rafe lifted his head, staring at her flat stomach and the rise of her full, round breasts.
Anna’s eyes were closed and she licked her lips, smiling as she hummed.
“I want to taste more, little cat.”
“Uh-huh.”
He continued to stare up at her as he once again ran his tongue over her entrance, dipped inside then created a wet line from her juices along the inside of her leg. He pressed his tongue to her clit and her legs clamped against the side of his head. Her tummy tightened and she gripped the blankets on either side of her.
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