The Jaguar’s Arranged Mate

She sounded pissed. Great. Just great. Where had their easy conversations gone? Yeah, so they had mostly been talking about their mutual enemy more than their hopes and dreams for the future, or whatever it was engaged couples were supposed to talk about. Maybe they didn’t think they would have a future, but they still had to get along in the meantime.

“I went out scouting yesterday,” she continued.

“Yeah, well, so did I,” he growled. “And it wasn’t that pleasant of a time, let’s just say. I’m not trying to turn this into a big deal. It’s not. It’s simple. You can relax, and I’ll come to you.”

“I don’t need you to ride in on a white horse.”

“Good, because I never learned how to ride one.”

To his surprise, she burst out laughing. He’d been worried his joke would piss her off more. “You would be the kind of knight to have tarnish all over your armor.”

“Hey, a knight with shining armor is one who isn’t battle tested.”

“Oh, so you’re a real warrior, are you?”

He grinned. This banter he could appreciate. This he liked.

If only she wasn’t pregnant…

“So… any particular food I should bring with when I come over?” he asked.

“Oh, slick one. Still try to get your way but make it seem like you’re doing me a favor.”

She could see right through him.

“Well? Any food cravings?”

She hesitated.

“Don’t worry if it’s gross. I promise not to judge.”

Crap, that came out a little wrong. It might sound like he wouldn’t judge her food choices, just that she was pregnant.

“Nothing gross. I haven’t really thought about what I’ve been craving. I just had a huge breakfast, so I don’t need more food right now, but actually… a milkshake sounds good.”

“You want it right away? I can just swing by now instead of at noon.”

“No, noon’s fine. I have some things to do.” Now she sounded sad.

“What’s wrong?”

She sighed. “We can talk about it when you come over. It’s long and involved.”

“All right. See you soon.”

“Beric?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He couldn’t help smiling as he hung up. Maybe things weren’t quite as bad as he thought they were. At least as far as he and Miera were concerned.

His omelet was cold by now, but he forced himself to finish it. If the Brutal Claws came at them en masse, they would have to survive a siege, and that meant food would become scarce and quickly, especially if they had the Blood Roses here too. He wasn’t about to waste food.

As he exited the mess hall, Mark, one of his close friends, approached him. “Dude, why didn’t you have me come with you yesterday?”

“Couldn’t find you.”

Mark grinned. “Yeah, I might’ve been a little busy with Jess, but still.” His smile died. “Lionel…”

“I know, man. I know.”

“You waited for the fence. It’s fixed and as good as it’s going to get. When will the bells be ringing?”

“Today or tomorrow hopefully.”

“Good. I’m not a coward, but the Brutal Claws… they are just vicious.”

“You don’t have to tell me. I know.” Beric’s stomach twisted into knots.

“How many are we combined, the Blood Roses and us?”

“We’ll still be outnumbered three to one.” It all seemed so hopeless at times.

“Could be worse. Could just be us.”

“Aren’t you a ray of sunshine.”

Mark laughed. “Hey, man, I’m just keepin’ it real.”

“Oh, is that what you call your spending time with Julie?”

“Jess,” he correct with a grin.

Beric smirked. He knew the female were-jaguar in question. “I thought you hated her.”

“Yeah, well, if I kiss her and keep her mouth shut, she’s not too bad.”

“Dude, you’re awful.”

“I know.” Mark turned serious. “If I get knocked off the next time I go scouting, or when the real battles starts… I don’t really have much of a legacy, do I?”

Beric winced. He didn’t have one yet either, and with Miera being pregnant, would he ever have a legacy of his own? Or would it always be tarnished because his heir wouldn’t be his blood?

“You look ready to kill someone,” Mark said.

Damn. He better try to control his face better for when he talked to Miera.

“I’m just sick of this,” Beric used as an excuse. “Why us?”

“Because we—and the Blood Roses—are the largest packs in this part of the state,” Mark pointed out. “It’s only logical for them to go after us.”

“They can shove their logic up their asses.”

Mark laughed then checked the time on his phone. “Gotta get going.”

“Jess?”

“Yep. She’s actually not that bad. If I could get over her cheating on me, we might actually be able to make something of this, this time around.”

Beric winced inwardly as he waved good bye to his friend. It was wrong to feel betrayed by Miera. She had gotten pregnant before they had met. He couldn’t blame her for the past. Only the future mattered now, and if they wanted to actually live and experience that future, they had to get married. He had to get past his reservations. It wasn’t so much for him that he was upset. It was for his future child.

He walked around the main areas of support they had built onto their fences. Everything looked solid and strong, the metal gleaming in the sunlight. It appeared perfect, but would blood one day coat the strong frame?

***

Shortly before noon, Beric arrived for his meeting with Miera. He was nervous. Silly, but he was. There were so many other things he should be worried about, but right now, he had to set things right with her.

She was waiting by the parking lot and approached as soon as he climbed out of his car. “Hi,” she said softly, hanging back slightly, acting even more nervous than he felt, which was saying something.

“Here.” He handed her a milkshake. “I wasn’t sure what flavor to get so I figured I couldn’t go wrong with vanilla.”

“It’s fine.” Even her smile seemed forced, but she took it easily enough. Their fingers brushed for a moment, and Beric found himself staring at her. She was beautiful, yes, but something else drew him to her. Her vulnerability. Her strength. Even her confusion. She was a were-jaguar who had faced some battles, he could tell, and he found himself wanting to know more about her, the were-jaguar who would be his wife.

“Fine. I might not be the most manliest of men…”

That got the tiniest crack of a real smile from her.

“But I know that when a woman says she’s fine,” he continued, “that she really isn’t.”

“I… A lot of stuff has gone down recently.”