The Jaguar’s Arranged Mate

With slow deliberateness, she stalked toward the closest jaguar. The creature was far too large to be an animal. This was a were-jaguar, and not just any were-jaguar, but a Brutal Claw. She could smell blood, and a speck of meat was stuck between his front fangs when he bared them at her.

She halted just in front of him, staring him down. There were as many Brutal Claws as there were Blood Roses… if none of the Brutal Claws were hanging back in the shadows.

A flash of light was the only warning she had as the were-jaguar brought up his claws to swipe at her. Her claws caught his, a screeching sound echoing throughout the forest at their connection.

That’s when the fighting began in earnest. Her other Blood Roses also shifted their forms, and the sounds of grunts and whimpers and roars filled the air. The stench of blood only grew, and Miera soon tasted it, too, when she bit down hard on the ear of the were-jaguar she was fighting.

Despite the whimpers, Miera noticed, in between ducking blows and trying to scratch at her foe, that none of the were-jaguars had killed another. They were rather evenly matched, the two sides. We might not have “warriors” in our pack name, but we are already warriors in battle.

Fighting while pregnant was almost an agreeable experience, and she found her reaction time to be a little faster than normal, which surprised her. Her blows were just as strong, though, or maybe even stronger. For every blow she landed, her foe landed one in retaliation.

Kevin and Lisa were fighting together, she noticed as she backed around a tree to put some distance between her and her enemy. She needed a moment to catch her breath. They battled well together, working as a team, protecting each other and fighting the other’s foe for them when they had an opening, but only if doing so wouldn’t leave the other at risk of being hit.

They might yet make things work out between them for the long haul.

If they could survive that long.

The were-jaguar stalked around the tree. It moved with grace and poise despite bleeding from several locations. None of the wounds either had delivered so far were fatal. Most were superficial, but not for lack of trying.

Miera attacked first this time, slashing high and low. The were-jaguar blocked the first blow, but the second connected with his knee. It buckled, and he lowered himself into a crouch before leaping into the air toward her. She tumbled to the side, and he landed right where she had just been.

Breathless, she faced him. Her stomach was tightening, and something didn’t quite feel right. Oddly, her first thought was that she wished Beric was there. Where had that come from? She could defend herself. She didn’t need him.

A were-jaguar whined, and she couldn’t tell if the owner belonged to her or was an enemy. Did it matter? They were hurting each other, killing each other, and all because the Brutal Claws wouldn’t leave them be. If it weren’t for them, she wouldn’t have to be forced into a loveless marriage. She could have her baby, and their family just be the two of them, until she did find someone she wished to spend the rest of her life with.

The crazy thing was, though, that Beric might have been the kind of were-jaguar she would have looked for. But he’d never consider her. Not after her getting pregnant by another.

Blind fury filled her, and she almost couldn’t see, a red sheen coloring her sight to the point that she couldn’t make out fine details. She attacked with a savagery she hadn’t known she possessed. When she came back to herself, she saw her foe fleeing from her. He was whimpering at his fellow were-jaguars, and they all followed him.

Gradually, her vision cleared completely. Although spots of grass were soaked with blood, none of the were-jaguars had been killed, on either side.

No causalities.

That was good at least.

Lisa approached. Even in jaguar form, her friend always managed to look her best. Should we head back? she roared.

Miera grunted. Kevin. Please climb up this tree and tell me how far those were-jaguars have gone.

Kevin rushed to obey. All jaguars were natural tree climbers, regardless of their form. With ease, he soon was so high up that Miera could hardly see him, the tree branches were too bushy.

A mile away already.

Any sign of them slowing down?

No.

Good. Miera nodded. Although a part of her wanted to remain out here, where she felt useful, where she could make a difference, where she hadn’t screwed up… yet… it was better to return home now before they were attacked again. Best to not push their luck.

Come on. Let’s go home. Miera retained her jaguar form whereas most of the others reverted to their human form. They quickly changed back into the clothes they had discarded when the battle had hit. She didn’t want to reveal her pregnancy to them just yet. In this form, she carried her pregnancy well enough so that it wasn’t obvious.In another few weeks, that wouldn’t be the case. Her future husband thought poorly of her. Her father certainly did, too. The rest of her people… would they judge and condemn her, as well?

***

That night, Miera dreamed of Beric. He came to see her, looking every bit as dashing as a movie star. Music started to play, and they danced together, moving perfectly in time together, as if they had practiced for years.

When he dipped her, she closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of his arm around her waist, trusting him completely.

But then he dropped her. Her back connected with the wooden floor of a shack. Where was the grand ballroom they had just been in?

He stared down at her, his face twisted with fury and contempt. “You would have me bring dishonor to my pack.”

“No, Beric. Please.” She scrambled to her knees and grabbed his hands. “It’s nothing like that.”

“I deserve to have an heir who is my own flesh and blood. Don’t you agree?”

She could hardly blame him. “I never intend—”