The Jaguar’s Arranged Mate

Chapter 2

Beric was perfectly fine with turning over the sewage drainage issue to Lukas, but his new assignment wasn’t one he relished either.

I should be helping to fortify our defenses, not going off to talk to someone from the Blood Roses. The pack in question was more than double in size than their own at five hundred, but they were different than most were-jaguar packs. For one thing, while they had an alpha, they were ruled by a council. For another, they tended toward peace and would not kill more animals than they needed to feed their people. Not that the Teal Warriors killed recklessly, but sometimes it was important to hunt, to remain sharp, to hone their fighting prowess. Now more than ever.

But when his father told Beric to do something, he had no choice but to obey. His father was also his alpha. There was nothing else to be done but to go and see this Matthias guy.

Of course, the Blood Roses had chosen a meeting locale much closer to his pack than that of the Teal Warriors’. Even more wonderfully, it was high up on a mountain, meaning Beric had to climb.

As he started his ascent, however, he realized he didn’t quite mind the time away from his home. The chance to spread his legs was welcome, and with each step, he could feel some of his worries melt away. If only he could shed this form in favor of his jaguar form and race up the mountain to the cave in no time.

But the sun was beating down on him, and he couldn’t risk being seen. Humans didn’t know about were-jaguars, and the weres weren’t interested in that changing any time soon. Humans were too prone toward fear, which in turn made them too prone toward violence. In a way, they were even worse than the Brutal Claws.

The sun reached its apex by the time Beric entered the cave Matthias had instructed would be their meeting location. A fire was lit, the smoke billowing out of the entrance. Inside, he found a tall, thin man turning a chunk of meat over the flames. The scent of charred meat filled Beric’s nose. His stomach rumbled, and his mouth watered.

“I thought the climb might make you hungry.” The man who must be Matthias grinned. “It’ll be done soon. You must be Beric.”

“I am, Matthias.”

“Good, good. We can talk after we eat.”

The deer was delicious, and Beric ate more than he probably should have. Matthias had also brought up a skin of wine that they quickly drained. It felt good, almost relaxing, to enjoy this meal, but in some way, it also felt like a farewell meal too, which set Beric ill at ease.

The Blood Warrior eyed him after the finished their meal. “You are the alpha’s son?”

“Yes.”

“The heir to the Teal Warriors?”

“Yes,” Beric repeated. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall of the cave. The floor wasn’t that uncomfortable, or maybe the wine was helping with that. As a rule, he did like nature, but he would almost always prefer his bed to a cave.

Matthias nodded. “I am the son of our alpha.”

“You’re the heir?” With the Blood Roses, that meant a seat on the council. The most important seat, yes, but the alpha still had to listen to the majority, at least from what Beric had been told. It seemed like such a strange way to run things. Packs were fiercest when led by a strong alpha.

Then again, if the alpha was weak, a council might help save that pack.

“No. I have an older sister. She’s the heir.”

Interesting. Female alphas were not completely unheard of, but they were still rare. Beric didn’t care if he had a girl or a boy first. His firstborn would be heir.

“Why did you wish to meet me?” Beric asked.

“I have a few more questions for you before we get to that, if that’s all right?”

Beric nodded. Sure, fine. Maybe drinking so much wine hadn’t been smart, but he felt loose, easy going. He’d go with the flow. For now.

“Are you mated?”

Beric coughed and pounded a fist into his chest. Not where he had expected this to be going at all. “No.”

“Engaged?”

He shook his head.

The Blood Rose’s face was blank as he asked each question. “Do you think you’ll make a good alpha?”

Beric opened his mouth but hesitated. Something made him want to speak honestly. “I don’t know. It’s something I want to be obviously. When my time comes, I will try hard to be a good one, yes.”

“Fair enough. What are your hobbies?”

“What is this?” Beric blurted out. His head was swimming from trying to figure out where this was going. “Twenty questions? To what end? What do you want from me?”

“I don’t want anything.” Matthias appraised him. “It’s my sister who does.”

“The heir of the Blood Roses.” Something clicked into place. “The Brutal Claws are coming after you guys, too.”

“Yes, they are. We—our council—thought that maybe a union between our packs—”

“You mean a marriage between me and your sister.” Beric was careful to keep his tone neutral and his face a mask.

“Yes. It would strengthen us both against the Brutal Claws.”

Beric watched the other were-jaguar for a long moment. Matthias tried to give off a calming presence, but his fingers were tapping against his leg and his gaze never stopped moving. He’s anxious. Worried. Maybe even terrified.

“How many have you lost so far?” Beric asked quietly.

“Even one is too many.” Matthias lifted his chin. “If you were alpha, wouldn’t you want to do all you could to save your people, to give them their best chance at survival?”

“Yes,” Beric answered immediately. He couldn’t deny that.

“Then will you consider my sister’s proposal?”

Something in his tone made Beric guess, “This was her idea.”

“It was. She is a strong were-jaguar. She’s fierce and loyal, and she will do anything for her people.”

Including marrying a stranger. Beric should be willing to do the same.

“What is her name?” he asked.

“Miera.” Matthias pulled out his cell from his pocket. After fooling with it for a moment, he slid the phone across the ground to Beric.

He picked it up and examined the photo. Not the best quality, but the woman shown was beautiful. Her hair was red and fiery, her eyes wild, wide, and a reddish gold color, and her smile was so infectious he found himself smiling down at her.

Reluctantly, he slid the phone back to its owner. “I would have to talk with my father first before I can make a decision.”

“Of course.”

“And I would like to meet her first as well.”

“Understood.”