The Jaguar Prince (24 page)

“I cannot.” He walked to the kitchen and set the box on the table.

“It could work.”

“I’m sorry.”

She set the bottle of soda on the table and planted her hands on her hips. “Oh, I see, it’s okay for me to give up everything I’ve ever known and go to another planet far, far away. But when I suggest you stay here with me, you won’t even consider it.”

He sighed. Things had been going so smoothly. “I’m a prince. I have responsibilities.”

“Ohh, now I’m impressed. I guess I’m too low class that you would even consider staying with me.”

How had she managed to twist his words? “You know that’s not what I meant.”

“I’m just beginning to think I might not know you as well as I thought I did,” she said quietly. “I’m going to take a shower.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “It won’t be long before it’s time to leave.”

“You need to eat.”

“I will. I just want to shower first.”

He let her go, watching until she went inside the bedroom and closed the door. He didn’t want to leave her. He wanted her to be a part of his life, but he had a feeling she was already gone.

C
allie was antsy. Three nights had passed, and still nothing from Zerod. Not a hint that he was even in the area. Their pictures had been plastered all over the front page of the paper, taunting him to show his face. Telling him they weren’t scared of what he might attempt.

She stopped at the fence in front of Sheba’s cage. Rogar would probably kill her himself because she’d slipped away, but she had to get out of the building for a while. Rogar was busy with the lion’s cub. Somehow, it had cut its foot. She smiled. The cub was a cute little fellow. Always into one thing or another. Besides, she wouldn’t be gone that long. Rogar probably wouldn’t even miss her.

And if Zerod showed up, she had a can of mace in one pocket of her jacket, and a small gun in the other, and she knew how to use them both. Not that she was a marksman or anything, but DeeDee was a damned good shot. They’d gone to the firing range a few times. DeeDee had shown Callie how to load, aim, and fire a gun. Callie wouldn’t think twice about pulling the trigger, either.

The strain of the last few days eased as she neared the jaguar’s cage. “What do you say, Sheba? Will Zerod show himself tonight?”

The jaguar growled from deep in her throat as though she understood.

“Yeah, I know. I don’t like him, either. Rogar will protect me, though.” She had no doubts that he would come running if she needed him. Could she do the same? He wanted her to go with him.

“I can’t just pick up and go live on another planet. This is where I belong, right?”

Callie crossed the fence, and knelt in front of the cage. It was dangerous, she knew. Sheba wasn’t like Balam. But Callie couldn’t stop herself.

Sheba had treated Rogar like a long lost friend. Would Sheba sense Callie’s guide? On the other hand, Balam was a jaguar. Callie still didn’t know what her guide was. It could be a rabbit. Sheba might have been looking at her all these years as a meal, rather than a friend.

“Someday, we’ll really get to know each other,” she said. “Of course I can’t leave Earth. Never seeing you again would be unthinkable.”

Sheba purred as if she agreed, then came to her feet, and ambled across the cage, stopping in front of Callie. Sheba rubbed her head against the bars.

Tentatively, Callie raised her hand, felt Sheba’s fur like a warm caress. Strong emotions flooded Callie as her eyes filled with tears. She had no idea why it meant so much for her to touch Sheba, but it did. Maybe because she had longed to so many times, but never had the courage. She had Rogar to thank for that.

“I have to get back. Rogar will worry. I’ll try to sneak in another visit before we leave in the morning.”

As Sheba went back to her corner of the cage, Callie hurried back to the animal keepers’ building, and Rogar. The lioness still made her nervous, but Rogar seemed perfectly comfortable with her, too.

Some people would think she was crazy to want to work with the big cats when she was a little scared of them, but she also felt this incredible pull to be around them.

Before she reached the building, a man stepped from the shadows. Her heart pounded inside her chest. She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out. She fumbled inside her pocket for the gun.

“I was getting worried about you,” Rogar said.

She ran the rest of the way to him, throwing her arms around his neck.

“You’re trembling.”

That was an understatement. “I thought you were Zerod.” Oh, yeah, she was real brave.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t that quiet as I walked down the sidewalk, though.”

“I guess I was lost in thought.”

He frowned. “I don’t want you this far away from me again. If I had been Zerod…”

He left his sentence unfinished, but Rogar didn’t need to go into any detail. She could guess what would have happened.

“What were you doing?” he asked.

Her cheeks grew warm. She was glad the only light in this area came from the full moon. “I was checking on Sheba.”

“You were with her that first night, too.”

“I couldn’t have a pet.” She shrugged. “I sort of adopted the jaguar.” Excitement began to build inside her. “This time was different, though. She actually walked over to the bars, and I pet her.”

“You love her very much, don’t you?”

“I do. Over the years that I’ve been here, I’ve poured my heart out to her.” She chuckled. “Sheba is a good listener.”

“I could be a good listener, too.” His hand lightly stroked her arm.

Callie closed her eyes, her heart pounding. He wasn’t asking her to leave, just telling her what it would be like if she did.

“Make love to me,” she whispered. She suddenly needed to feel him inside her, needed that connection with him.

“It would be dangerous.”

She placed her fingers over his lips. “I want to make love to you right here, right now, then every time I walk past this spot, I’ll think about you.” She stepped out of his arms and removed her jacket before she began to unbutton her shirt. He was still watching her when she slipped it off.

“Callie.” His voice was ragged with need.

“Don’t think. Just make love to me.”

She unfastened her bra and let it fall to the ground. He groaned, before grabbing her against him. Her breasts crushed against his chest, her nipples hard from the cool breeze.

Rogar had once told her he wanted to make love to her outside. This was the perfect place. She felt as though she was deep in a jungle. Making love here would give her a memory that would last a lifetime. It would have to last that long.

She raised her head, felt his lips against hers, then his tongue stroking, caressing, loving. His hands slid over her rib cage, then back up to cup her breasts in the palms of his hands. She moaned when he rubbed his thumbs over her nipples. Pleasure shot down, settling between her legs.

He ended the kiss, but she didn’t waste any time unfastening his jeans, then sliding the zipper down. She ached to hold him.

Rogar toed off his boots, then shoved his pants off the rest of the way while she did the same with her clothes. He scooped them up, then tugged her deeper into the wooded area. As soon as they were out of view of any guard who might wander by, he dropped their clothes on the ground and pulled her into his arms.

“I want to taste you,” he said. “All of you.”

He licked across her nipple. She leaned against a tree for support. He licked across the other nipple before sucking it inside his mouth.

She grasped his head, pulling it even closer, as sensations swirled inside her. It felt so good. She couldn’t think, she didn’t want to think, she only wanted to feel what he was doing to her body.

He licked over her stomach, then between her legs,

She drew in a sharp breath as his tongue slid over her, then sucked the fleshy part of her sex inside his mouth. She felt naughty, she felt embarrassed—oh, God, she felt so freakin’ good!

He grabbed her butt, bringing her closer, tighter, keeping her against his mouth as he sucked, running his tongue over her sex. She couldn’t move even if she had wanted to, which she didn’t. It felt so wonderful.

She grasped the sides of the tree, holding on. There was nothing in the world that could harm either of them. The only thing that mattered was this moment in time.

The fire inside her began to build, taking her higher and higher. Flames licking her. Passion building.

Her legs began to quiver as she came. She cried out, then stifled it. Waves of pleasure washed over her. She didn’t think her legs would hold her up, but she didn’t have to worry. Rogar picked her up, then laid her down on top of their clothes.

She felt a familiar burning ache begin inside her. She was going to shift.

It’s not time, Callie.

Whatever,
she thought dreamily.

She began to relax, and the feeling slowly went away.

Then Rogar was entering her. He began to move, slowly at first, then faster. She wrapped her legs around his waist. Heard his groan of pleasure as he sank deeper. Her body ached once again for the release that only Rogar could give her.

He cried out at the same time the world burst into a multitude of colors around her. She gasped. Rogar collapsed on top of her, then rolled to his side.

Silence.

Only the sound of their labored breathing.

Her world slowly came back into focus.

When he moaned, she knew what was about to happen. Okay, she didn’t mind Rogar seeing her naked, but she felt a little odd when it was Balam. She grabbed her clothes just as the fog rolled in and jerked them on. She was dressed when the shift occurred.

“It’s me, Balam.” She warily eyed the cat, hoping he would remember her.

Balam came to his feet with a roar.

Ben clomped through the brush at the same time, raised his gun, then fired. Callie stared at the security guard in disbelief.

Balam! Rogar!

She turned just as Balam went down.

Oh, God, she was going to be sick. She turned on Ben.

“You shot him.”

“L
ooks like I was just in time, too,” Ben said. “I heard rustling around and pulled my tranquilizer gun. You’re safe now. Well, until the medication wears off, but we’ll have him in a cage long before then.”

She looked at the downed jaguar. Balam was panting as he tried to focus, the dart poking out his flank.

Ben pushed the button on his radio. “Ray, bring the Jeep with the trailer hitched to it. Grab that canvas, too. We got a jaguar to get locked up.”

“Uh, did you say a jaguar was loose?”

“Don’t worry. I knocked him out. There’s enough medicine in him to keep him quiet for a while.”

Static, then, “Sure thing. Wow, I can’t wait to hear about this one.”

While they were talking, Callie removed the dart. “I’m so sorry. I’ll get you out, I promise.” She shoved his clothes behind a log, and pushed some leaves on top of them, glad there were so many on the ground.

“How’d he get out?” Ben asked.

“I guess the door wasn’t secure.” She held her breath, hoping he would believe her.

Ben squinted. “Don’t remember a black jaguar.”

“He’s new.”

Ben nodded. “Better be more careful.”

“I will.” She exhaled a deep sigh of relief.

In less than ten minutes, Ray came lumbering up in the Jeep, the trailer bouncing behind him. Ben motioned for him to back it up, bringing it as close as they could without hitting a tree. Callie hurried to help roll Balam onto the canvas Ray had laid out.

“Careful, don’t hurt him.”

“I’m the one who’s going to have a hernia. What’s he weigh? Two hundred?”

“One ninety, maybe,” Ray said.

They put him on the cart. Callie chose to ride with Balam to the cages. “It’ll wear off in about an hour or so, I promise,” she whispered. Why had she thought making love in the zoo was a good idea? It had been stupid. She only hoped the tranquilizer wouldn’t have any lasting effects.

They stopped in front of the cage next to Sheba. She paced inside hers as if the other jaguar made her nervous. This wasn’t good at all. Sheba might have accepted Rogar, but she apparently did not like Balam.

“I don’t think she cares for the new jaguar,” Ben voiced her thoughts.

“I’m sure everything will be okay,” she said.

Ben’s radio crackled again. Ben pulled it out of the holster on his hip and pushed the button.

“What’s the matter now?” he asked.

“The gorilla is going ape shit.” Apparently, he realized what he’d said and began to laugh while still holding the button down.

Ben frowned. “Smart ass,” he mumbled, then pushed the button again when the other guy let off. “I’ll be right there.” He turned to Callie. “You’ll be okay?”

She nodded.

Ben looked up. “Full moon. All the animals go crazy. Never fails.” He started toward the Jeep. “If you have any more problems, just give me a holler.”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine now. Thanks, Ben.”

As soon as he drove off, she quickly opened the cage and hurried to Balam. He was still sleeping. She ran her hand over his dark coat. “You are so going to have a headache when you wake up.” And as long as he woke up before morning, they would be fine. She really doubted the zoo’s visitors would appreciate viewing a naked alien in a cage.

On second thought, maybe they would. Rogar was a hottie, no two ways about it. She certainly enjoyed looking at him. She shook her head. Sheesh, crazy thoughts. Sometimes she wondered about her mental state.

Sheba was still creating a ruckus so Callie went to her, leaving Balam’s cage open just a bit in case the drug wore off early.

“What’s the matter, girl? Balam wouldn’t hurt you. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Isn’t there?” Zerod asked as he stepped from the shadows.

Callie felt the color drain from her face as cold dread filled her. “Ben!” She turned, but already knew he was long gone.

“I really doubt he’ll be able to help you. In fact, I’m certain he’ll be with the gorilla the rest of his shift. It was so easy to create a diversion. I’ll have to thank the guard for knocking Balam out for me, though. An error in judgment on my part, I’m afraid. I planned to attack sooner, but I got rather caught up watching the two of you mate.”

“You bastard,” she snarled.

“I can see why Symtarians have enjoyed mating with women from Earth.” He reached out and caressed her face. When she jerked away, he only laughed. “There’s a wildness about you that almost matches that of our women. Maybe I’ll mate with you before I kill you.”

“I’d rather die than have you touch me.”

He bowed slightly. “As you wish.”

His hands were around her throat before she could run. She stumbled back against Balam’s cage. He made an angry noise from deep in his throat as he tried to protect her, but she knew he wouldn’t have the strength.

She attempted to get to her pocket where the gun was, but couldn’t quite reach it.
How could I have thought I’d be a match for Zerod?

Her world began to go dark.

Zerod applied just enough pressure that she was able to get a little oxygen into her starving lungs. Just enough that she could hear his words. Not enough that she had the strength to defend herself.

“You look a lot like your mother,” Zerod said. “She was a very beautiful woman. But I see some of your father as well. He was such an easy kill. No sport at all.”

“I hope you die a painful death,” she managed to gasp.

He chuckled, then turned serious. “Not until I wipe everyone not of pure blood off every planet. Our blood should never be mixed.” He lowered his head, his lips pressing against hers in a quick kiss. She almost gagged.

Their gazes locked. She saw the hatred in his, and knew she was going to die tonight. There was so much she still wanted to do. So much she still wanted to see.

“Good-bye, Callie Jordon.” He squeezed harder.

Lights danced in front of her eyes as the sounds around her diminished. She vaguely heard his voice.

“They’ll think Balam killed you when I’m done. They’ll think he ripped your body to shreds. I won’t have to harm Rogar, they’ll put Balam down for me, and Rogar with him.”

She tried to tell Zerod what she thought of him, but no words formed as her oxygen was completely cut off. This was it. The end. What did she have to show for her life here on Earth? She hadn’t even gotten the job she’d worked so hard for.

Or to tell Rogar she loved him.

She loved him. She did. With all her heart.

Callie tried to raise her hand, to hit at Zerod, but she didn’t have the strength.

Suddenly, she felt a great weight push her against the bars of the cage. She fell to the ground, oxygen filled her lungs. She took great gulps as the fog cleared from her brain.

Zerod screamed. She opened her eyes. Sheba, not Balam, had attacked him. How had she gotten out? Callie shook her head to clear it, but when she looked again, she saw that Zerod was changing into his animal guide with a swiftness that could only come with age. He would kill Sheba. The jaguar wouldn’t be able to fight his experience.

Anger swelled inside her fast and furious. Fire burned deep in her belly as a familiar ache grew and fog moved over her. She stretched, welcoming whatever help she could give.

This time the shapeshifting felt different. She felt different.

She groaned. Then blinked.

Together we will conquer him,
the voice inside her spoke.

Katun?

We meet at last my friend.

Callie blinked, and knew she was seeing through the eyes of her jaguar guide. And yes, she knew she was jaguar. Callie didn’t need a mirror this time.

She could feel Katun’s power, her strength, as she joined forces with Sheba.

Zerod’s animal guide was no match for the two of them. They continued pressing forward, attacking from both sides, until they had him backed into Sheba’s cage. Sheba rammed her head against it and the door clicked shut.

Zerod’s injuries were many. He growled one last time, then dropped to the straw bed, waiting for his injuries to heal. But for now, he was out of commission, and they were safe.

Thank you, Katun.

You are welcome, my sister.

Callie smiled, liking the idea that they were sisters. Then just as suddenly, she collapsed to the ground. What was happening? Had she been injured? She closed her eyes as she began to shift back to her human side.

So much had happened.

I’m not ready to say good-bye, Katun.

You have other things to attend to that I cannot help you do.

What other things?

But Katun was already gone and fog was rolling in. Rogar hadn’t mentioned other things that Callie needed to do when she changed into her animal guide for the first time. Maybe there was a procedure that she was supposed to follow, or a ceremony.

She blinked several times until her vision cleared. Callie knew she had shifted back to her human form. She looked around. There was a woman kneeling beside her. A very beautiful woman, with long dark hair. And she wore a gentle smile.

“Hello, Callie.” Her voice was like soft music.

There was something familiar about her, but Callie couldn’t put her finger on what it was. “Who are you?”

“I am Recina.”

“Do I know you?” She looked at the other woman, and noticed Recina wore her shirt. Nothing else, just her shirt, but it reached the top of her thighs.

“You know me as Sheba.”

She quickly sat up and glanced around. Sheba was gone. Her gaze went back to Recina. “You’re Symtarian?”

Recina nodded. “Yes.”

“Did someone send you to watch over me all these years?” It didn’t make sense. Sheba had been at the zoo almost as long as Callie. Too long for someone to live in a cage just to watch over her.

“Once I found you, and it took many years, I knew I had to stay close although it meant I would lose some of my freedom. I also knew that Zerod would detect my Symtarian scent, but not so much my animal guide’s scent, especially when I was surrounded by other animals.”

Callie could feel her heart begin to pound as tears pooled in her eyes. “But why would you do that?”

“That’s what mothers do, Callie. They love their children more than anything else.” And just so Callie would truly understand. “I’m your mother.”