Joining the Jaguar: BBW Paranormal Jaguar Shifter Romance by Zoe Chant Read Free Book Online Page B

his hackles.
    There were scuffed footprints in the soft dirt beside the path, a man's big boots and a woman's smaller shoes. A few drops of blood were spattered around them. The scent of blood was faint, but enough to confirm that there'd been a struggle. Someone had taken her, had used some kind of chemical to subdue her.
    Jake turned back around. Vince and Jeremy took a step back at the sight of his face. Jake became aware that he was making a sound, a low, deep growl in the back of his throat, pure animal rage.
    They'd taken her.
    He'd find her. He'd make sure she was safe. And then he'd make them pay.
     
    ***
     
    Sarah startled to her feet when she heard steps coming down the stairway. She shifted nervously, wrapping her arms around herself. If only she had some kind of weapon, a gun or something... not that she'd know what to do with one if she had.
    Well, she wouldn't give them the satisfaction of knowing they'd managed to scare her. She crossed her arms and braced her shoulders.
    The door opened. A tall man stood in the doorway. He wore a heavy leather jacket over enormous shoulders, and an unkempt beard covered half his face. He held a gun, dangling loosely from one enormous hand.
    "George Smith," she said, startled. She knew him. He led the biker gang.
    "Dr. Anderson," he replied. He grinned at her, baring yellowed teeth. Sarah had to fight not to flinch back when he took a step towards her.
    "If you know who I am, you can probably imagine what I want," he said. "So let's not beat around the bush. This is a war, and you're going to have to choose a side, lady. I'm done letting that upstart cat pretend he's running my town. Everyone who picks his side is going to regret it. You're going to stop helping him and his pack of mongrels, and no one's going to bother you and your little office. Or you can choose his side, and find out what happens to people who go to war against me."
    "So what are you gonna do, kill me?" Sarah asked. "Half this town knows me. You're not going to get away with that."
    "We'll see about that," Smith said. He cocked his gun and pointed it at her forehead. His eyes were hard and cold, a fire burning behind them.
    He's insane , she thought.
    "Get on your knees," he ordered.
    "Jake's going to find me," Sarah said. Oh God, he was going to kill her. She clenched her hands by her side. She wouldn't let him see her shaking.
    Smith took a step closer, until the gun almost touched her forehead. She squeezed her eyes shut.
    The door crashed open. Sarah opened her eyes. Jake came flying through the doorway, moving so fast his powerful jaguar form was nothing but a blurred streak. Smith whirled around, trying to point the gun at him.
    "Watch out!" Sarah yelled.
    Jake jumped. One huge paw batted Smith's gun away with effortless ease, and then the jaguar barreled into him, knocking him flat to the floor. Once he had Smith pinned, Jake shifted back to his human form. If anything, he looked more menacing as a human than he had as a cat. His broad shoulders flexed and bunched when he shifted to pin Smith to the floor. His dark eyes glowed with rage. But when he turned his head to look at Sarah, his eyes softened.
    "You all right, doc?" he asked gently.
    "I'm fine," Sarah said. "He didn't hurt me."
    "Good," Jake said. And then he looked back down at Smith, his face hardening. "And that's the only reason I'm going to let you live. You ever touch her again, you ever even show your face in my town again, and I will kill you. Are we clear?"
    "You can't — " Smith began.
    "Yes I can," Jake said, his voice a primal growl. "I'm not interested in starting a war with the bikers, but if you hurt my people, I'll do what I have to do to protect them."
    He shoved to his feet, leaving Smith lying stunned beneath him. Vincent came through the door, gun in hand.
    "Get him out of my sight," Jake said, jerking his chin at Smith. Vincent wordlessly pulled Smith to his feet and escorted him out of the room. It felt like a heavy