Free The Jaguar's Arranged Mate: A Paranormal Shifter Romance by Jade White Page B

warrior.
    “They haven’t killed anyone in a day,” Lionel said. “Maybe they’re moving on.”
    Sam snorted. Lionel was far too naïve and green, and Beric had half a mind to send the nineteen-year-old back into the compound, but he didn’t. If anything, he wanted extra men with them, not less.
    “Moving closer toward us is more likely.” Beric stared Lionel down. “Be at the ready.”
    The teen nodded. “I-I will be.”
    “Good. Let’s move out.”
    Beric led the way for the first few yards, but Sam quickly overtook him. Beric allowed it, only because he couldn’t be killed, not until after the marriage at least. Yes, it was still on. For his people’s sake and her people’s as well. Not for her. Not for him.
    The sun splashed oranges and reds across the sky as she sank lower and lower, readying for slumber. They had made several treks around the perimeter by now, widening their distance from the compound with each loop. Now, they were at least three miles away.
    “Another few loops?” Sam asked.
    “Yes.” Beric still couldn’t shake a sense of foreboding. Something wasn’t quite right. At least birds were chirping so there wasn’t an unnatural silence to the air, but the hairs on the back of his neck rose, and he felt as if someone was watching him.
    It might have been safer for them to return to the compound immediately, but if Brutal Claws were lurking near them and they choose tonight of all nights to make a move, their failure could cost many more Teal Warriors their lives. Better to make certain everything was clear before returning to the compound for a late dinner.
    The first loop was also uneventful, but on the second, Beric knew he heard something. Their group had fallen quieter and quieter with each trek around, and now they weren’t talking at all.
    He held up his hand to halt them.
    An arrow whizzed by, almost clipping his fingers.
    And that was when all hell broke loose.
    Twenty Brutal Claws descended on them. Most of them dropped down from trees, but a few were creeping up the forested hillside. All of them were in their human form and were armed to the teeth. In fact, one had a blade tight between his teeth. It struck him as curious that they weren't in their savage jaguar forms, but he couldn’t worry about that now.
    Within seconds, Beric had out his gun and fired off two shots. Two-to-one odds weren’t horrible. They could manage this. They had the high ground…
    But then more Brutal Claws dropped down from trees behind them. By now, there might be forty Brutal Claws there.
    Uh oh.
    Beric and his brothers attacked and defended themselves as best they could, but the Brutal Claws surrounded them, forcing them into a tight circle. In every direction, wild eyes stared at them. Metal flashed in the fading sunlight as their blades nicked and cut.
    While his first gunshots had wounded one and killed another, and some of his men had fallen, as well, it didn’t take Beric long to realize that the Brutal Claws weren’t attacking them to kill them. They were only trying to keep them in line, to prevent their own deaths. Is that why they’re in their human form? What do they want? What game are they playing?
    Beric fought back the desire to go all jaguar on them and rip out their throats. Somehow, he managed to not release his fangs. “Leave us be,” he demanded.
    The tallest of the Brutal Claws, a hard-looking man, smirked and shifted over to stand in front of Beric. “Leave you be,” he repeated mockingly. “And just why should we do that? You killed some of ours.”
    “Yes, but you attacked us first. We were within our right—”
    “Your right. What right do you have, boy?” The Brutal Claw brought his face within inches of Beric’s. “You can only breathe if we tell you to. You’re only still standing because we’re feeling generous.”
    Beric refused to be intimidated, although he was starting to sweat. His gun was currently out of bullets, and he wouldn’t have time to