Tempting the Jaguar Page 5

  Wait a minute. His female? She wondered if that was just a shifter term for lovers or if he meant something more by it.

  There was a long pause and she realized they were talking telepathically. Popping her head up, she glared at his brother and pinched Rainer’s side. “It’s rude to do that when there are other people in the room.” Or cave.

  Rainer looked over his shoulder at her and actually looked sheepish. “Sorry. My brother was telling me your house is clear. We’ve got two of my pack mates standing guard, but there are no vampires anywhere near there.”

  “It’s daytime anyway, right? I thought they couldn’t walk around in the day.” Or at least he’d insinuated it when he’d said they could return to her house the next morning.

  “Day walkers are rare, though my Alpha is mated to one.”

  Her eyes widened. “Your Alpha is mated to a vampire?” She’d assumed that would be impossible. But here she was sleeping with a wolf, so what did she know.

  Rainer nodded and opened his mouth to say something, but the man at the cave opening cut him off. “So exactly where are you from? And why are you living so close to our pack land without having introduced yourself? There’s a reason those vamps were after you and I want to know why.” His brother’s voice was almost hostile, his questions close to shouting.

  Estrella felt her throat close up at the accusatory way he spoke to her. And the dark look in his eyes made her extremely uncomfortable.

  “Damn it, Conrad. Enough with the third degree,” Rainer snapped, his own anger almost palpable.

  “I have a right to know. The entire pack does. Alaric and Knox are going to be pissed,” he snarled.

  Feeling nauseous, Estrella laid back down and used Rainer’s body as cover while she snagged the clothes they’d discarded the night before. Somehow she managed to shimmy into them while Rainer and his brother continued to argue. She’d heard enough. Once she was dressed, she sat up and placed her hand on Rainer’s side. When he saw her dressed he reached for his own clothes.

  “Listen, I appreciate your help last night,” she said to Conrad—who rudely hadn’t bothered to introduce himself before tossing questions at her, “but I’m going to get off your land right now. I’ll talk to your Alpha or whatever it is I need to do but it’s early and I don’t need some rude jerk shouting at me.”

  Rainer’s brother rubbed a hand over his face and when his gaze connected with hers again, he looked slightly apologetic. “I’m sorry. With the vampire-shifter treaty taking place right now we can’t afford any incidents.”

  She shrugged, unsure how to respond. Suddenly she felt very uncomfortable now that it was daylight. She’d just spent a night in a cave with a wolf shifter she was only just getting to know and he was involved with this big pack and a world she knew nothing about. Estrella wrapped her arms around herself, wishing she was back in her home. Rainer’s arm landed around her shoulders as he pulled her close. His embrace was comforting, but she knew she couldn’t get used to it.

  Looking down at her, his expression was gentle, but also tense. “Before we go to your place, let’s go back with my brother. You can meet some of my pack mates and my other brother who’s still in town—he’s much nicer than Conrad,” he murmured jokingly.

  Estrella shook her head and looked down, feeling totally out of place. “I just want to go home.”

  Rainer’s grip on her tightened. “Don’t pull away from me,” he said quietly, almost desperately.

  How did he read her so well? Instead of responding, she took a step out of his embrace. There was no way she was having this conversation with his brother and who only knew how many of his pack mates nearby. “Can we just go?”

  Growling low in his throat, Rainer shot his brother a dirty look before nodding at her. “Yeah.”

  Relief swelled up inside her. Last night with Rainer had been amazing, but clearly she’d jumped into whatever this was too soon. She just wanted to get back to her quiet, uncomplicated life.

  Chapter 5

  Rainer wanted to pummel his brother for the rude way he’d behaved to Estrella. They’d driven back to her place instead of shifting and running and she’d been quiet the entire time. Not that he could blame her. In addition to Conrad, another pack mate had come with them, which had probably only compounded her nervousness. Rainer wasn’t positive, but considering his history with females—or one treacherous female in particular—he knew his brother was just concerned about him.

  But he didn’t need a babysitter and he sure as hell didn’t need someone making his female so uncomfortable. It was like she’d completely withdrawn into herself and he hated it.

  Staring out the window, her dark hair covered most of her face so he couldn’t even look at her profile. He ached to reach out and run his fingers through her hair, to pull her close. But he figured she wouldn’t welcome his touch and he didn’t know her well enough to know the right thing to do.

  As they pulled down her driveway, her hand was already on the door handle. The second his brother parked, she was out of the car and striding toward the side of her house, clearly heading to the back where the door should still be unlocked. Cursing under his breath he hurried after her.

  “Estrella.” She stopped only when she reached the back door. She opened it, but didn’t step inside.

  “What?” Nervousness rolled off her in potent waves. She placed a hand on the frame, almost like she was steadying herself. Either that or trying to block him from entering.

  “Are you going to talk to me?”

  “I just...” Her voice cracked and it ripped open his heart. When her eyes welled up with tears, it was like a double whammy. She might as well have punched him in the gut.

  Gathering her into his arms, he nudged the door farther open with his foot and guided them inside. He then picked her up and didn’t stop until they were in her kitchen. So far it didn’t look like there had been any damage to her home. The two pack mates he’d seen near the edge of her property line watching it had already done a sweep so he knew it was clear of danger. The vamps had probably been too busy chasing after them then getting back to safety to stick around and tear apart her home.

  Though he didn’t want to let her go, he set her down on one of the chairs at what looked like a custom-made oak kitchen table. He took a step back then nodded at the coffeemaker sitting next to her refrigerator. “Coffee?”

  She nodded gratefully so after searching the cabinet above the pot, he started making it and let her get herself together. “I don’t know why I was crying,” she said softly.

  “Vampires that you didn’t even know existed chased you down, you were forced to go on the run with a strange shifter, and last night between us was intense and unexpected. At least it was for me. I’ve never experienced that with a female before. Then you got yelled at by my own freaking brother.” He couldn’t even put into words what “that” was, but he hoped she felt the same.

  She chuckled softly and when he looked over from where he stood at the counter, he relaxed. Her arms were wrapped defensively around herself like before yet she seemed more at ease. “I guess you’re right. Last night was pretty insane. And what we shared...yeah, intense seems like the right word.” Her cheeks flushed crimson and he was relieved she was clearly still affected by him.

  After pulling two mugs down from one of the cabinets, he leaned against the counter and watched her carefully. The percolating coffeemaker was the only sound in the othe
rwise quiet kitchen. When it became obvious she didn’t plan to continue, he said, “One of those vampires called you princess last night.”

  Her eyebrows furrowed as she nodded. “I know. It was weird, right? At first I thought maybe it was an insult but that doesn’t really make sense, does it? And why didn’t they want me hurt?”

  He’d wondered the same thing. The confusion rolling off her at the moment was so real, he had no doubt of her sincerity. Rainer had already told his brothers all of this and he knew Alaric had definitely relayed the message to their Alpha, but Knox and Alaric had more important things to worry about at the moment. And nothing was more important to Rainer than Estrella. Whatever was going on with the vampires, he’d be taking care of her.

  Covering the distance between them, he sat tentatively next to her. Her legs were crossed and that shirt his brother had brought for her showed way too much skin. Not that he was complaining, but it was hard to concentrate on talking when all he wanted to do was strip her again and bury himself inside her. “Why did you pull away from me in the cave?”

  She shrugged, the action jerky. “I was overwhelmed with everything and your...” She trailed off.

  “And my brother didn’t help things any.”

  Estrella shook her head. “It’s obvious he’s concerned about you. I shouldn’t have called him a jerk.”

  Rainer’s jaw clenched once. “You were right, he was being a jerk. But he’s not normally.” In fact, Conrad was usually the charming one of them. “When I told you my parents were murdered because someone betrayed them—it was my fault.”

  Estrella’s dark eyes widened. “What?”

  He’d held back last night but if he wanted to take this relationship with her in the right direction, he had to be honest. No matter how much it pained him. Opening up to people who weren’t his brothers was a foreign experience. “It was about three hundred years ago.” But even thinking about it still killed him inside. “I was involved with a wolf shifter from a neighboring pack. Things were different back then between supernatural beings. We fought for land, even the right to choose a mate. Life was definitely less civilized.”

  Surprise rolled off her and he knew he’d be explaining a lot about their different species in the future. Not that he minded. She deserved to know everything about supernatural history and he wanted to be the one to teach her. “This female,” he spat the word, unable to even say her name, “that I thought I loved—” He froze when he realized Estrella was growling.

  She stopped abruptly as if she’d surprised herself. Blinking, she blushed again. “Sorry. Please continue.”

  He held back a smile. Right now nothing should be easing his internal pain, but her reaction touched something inside him he was glad hadn’t died. “Long story short, a female shifter led my parents into a vampire trap. My brothers and I were also supposed to be there, but it didn’t work out that way.” And for decades after he’d wished he’d died with his parents. The shame and guilt of knowing he’d been responsible for their deaths had been almost too much to bear. “Once we realized what had happened, my brothers and I and a few other pack members killed them all. Her pack, the vampires. Everyone who didn’t flee.”

  She sucked in a quick breath and it hit him that if she’d grown up in the human world this would all be new to her, even if her parents had been killed.

  Rainer hadn’t killed his former lover. Conrad had unfortunately had to do that. She’d come at Rainer, ready to kill him and he’d been unable to strike back no matter how evil she’d shown herself to be. It was probably why Conrad was so leery of Estrella. “Our world is different than what you’re used to.”

  She nodded slowly and he could practically see the wheels turning in her head. Finally she spoke. “Why did she betray you?”

  “Land.” It was a simple answer for an act that had nearly destroyed him.

  Rage surged off Estrella, the bitter scent unmistakable. “Is she dead?”

  Rainer nodded.

  “Good.” Her one word response surprised him.

  Before he could say anything, he scented his brother’s presence nearby at the same time Estrella did. She stiffened in her seat and glanced at the entryway of the kitchen. Moments later when Conrad stepped inside wearing cargo pants and a simple black T-shirt, Rainer tried to see him the way she did. His brother was just as big as Rainer and his expression was fierce and deadly. No wonder she’d been nervous back in the cave. Hell, it was a surprise she’d trusted Rainer as much as she had.

  Conrad looked between the two of them, then focused on him. Rainer stood, partially blocking Estrella because he wanted her to know he’d protect her. Even from his own brother’s hostility.

  Conrad lifted an eyebrow at him, but didn’t send a telepathic message. He just said, “We’re leaving. Brought your truck to her driveway. Looks like someone went through the glove box, no doubt the vamps. You need to have her pack a bag and bring her back to the compound as soon as possible.”

  Rainer closed his eyes for a brief moment, resisting the urge to massage his temple. He’d wanted to ask Estrella first—or subtly insist. With his brother ordering her, he knew she was going to resist out of pure instinct. He knew because he’d do the same if some stranger tried to give him orders.

  He felt Estrella move before he actually heard her jump up from her seat. “I’m not going anywhere. This is my home. And if I decide to leave, it won’t be because you ordered me to,” she snapped at Conrad.

  This was just perfect. Rainer turned to face her, completely blocking Conrad from her view. Leave now, he mentally ordered his brother. Though he didn’t hear him go, his brother’s scent faded instantly and Rainer knew they were alone. When he reached out to cup her face he breathed a silent sigh of relief that she didn’t pull away.

  She actually leaned her cheek into his hand as she silently watched him. Good. It was obvious she needed his touch as much as he seemed to need hers. That extra contact went a long way in soothing his inner wolf and he could only hope he had the same effect on her. He’d always assumed his true mate would be a wolf, but he had no doubt that Estrella was it for him. They had a lot to learn about each other, but the heat and desire between them was undeniable and scorching. Not to mention his wolf had already accepted her jaguar. “I would appreciate it if you would pack a bag and come back to my place. At least for a week while we try to figure out who is after you and why.” They might know it was vampires but they didn’t know what coven they were from and they definitely didn’t know what their ultimate purpose was.

  She bit her bottom lip, her expression unsure. “A week?”

  “Is the thought of spending a week with me really such a bad thing?” he asked jokingly, even if it sliced him that she was unsure when all he wanted to do was go on lockdown with her and only come out for meals.

  “No, it’s just that I have to work. I have a few commissions that I need to finish and—”

  “Whatever you need for your work, we’ll transport to the pack’s compound. And if you need money I’ll—”

  Now she cut him off as she held up a hand. “Don’t even go there.”

  Okay. He could respect that even if he did want to take care of her in every way. “We could stay here if you wanted, but it’s not smart.” There was no way he’d actually let her stay here. Not without an army surrounding them, but he was trying to be diplomatic.

  “I know. I just don’t like anyone ordering me around. Actually, I had just planned to stay with my friend
, Sabrina. What does a compound mean? It sounds scary.” A thread of fear twined off her.

  He chuckled. “It’s what we call the mansion my pack lives in. It’s huge enough that we all have a lot of space. Everyone has their own rooms, which are basically apartments. We all take care of each other and Knox is a fair Alpha.”

  “But I’m a jaguar.” Her lips pulled into a thin line.

  “So?”

  She swallowed audibly. “Other than you, the only wolves I’ve come in contact with before haven’t been exactly...nice.”

  There was something about her tone that made his inner wolf go on red alert. “What does that mean?”

  “I don’t know all these rules and regulations you guys seem to have so if I tell you something you have to promise me it stays between us.”

  “You think I’d betray or hurt you?”

  “No. I just don’t know if I can be punished for what I did. What I had to do.” Her body had gone completely stiff as she watched him warily.

  “What happened?” His inner wolf was clawing at him as scenarios raced through his mind.

  “In college I met a few wolf shifters. I’d guessed there had to be other shifters out in the world, but none lived in Miami that I knew of. And I still haven’t met any jaguar shifters.” There was a note of sadness in her voice that he might have missed if he hadn’t been listening so intently. “Anyway, they were all dominant and arrogant and one of them pushed me too far. He tried to rape me and told me it was my fault because I was stupid enough to be packless.” She gave a derisive snort, but the pain etched on her face was deep.

  Rainer’s inner wolf flexed its claws, death and rage the only thing it saw for one brief moment. Rape? He wanted to respond, but his throat tightened almost painfully. No words would come out as he imagined her at the mercy of some asshole.