The Jaguar's Arranged Mate: A Paranormal Shifter Romance Read Free Page B

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.”
    Beric stood. “If you would follow me back to my camp, I can introduce you to my father. If he gives the go ahead, we can set up a meeting immediately.”
    “That sounds good to me.”
    They dismantled the fire and headed back to the Teal Warriors. Several were working hard on the fences, but still, Beric felt like more should be out there, himself included. Even after the fence was fixed, would he be able to relax any? He doubted it.
    Beric presented Matthias to his father in their calling room. His father appraised the Blood Rose as he explained the purpose of the meeting. The alpha sat at the square table, his hands flat on the table. “Your sister did not come to ask my son’s hand herself. Why?”
    “Because not all packs are good ones,” Matthias said frankly. He had remained standing, and so had Beric. “The council would not want her to merge our pack with someone who could one day grow to become another alpha like the one running the Brutal Claws, and they sent me here to see for myself what kind of were-jaguars you are.”
    “Admirable or cowardice?” His father turned to Beric. “What do you think?”
    What a question. He peeked at Matthias. The other were-jaguar did not seem upset about the inquiry at least. “Admirable. It is never a bad thing to be cautious.”
    “Being cautious can be good,” his father said begrudgingly, “but it can also mean that you are moving too slowly. Matthias, if you will, I would like a moment to speak with my son in private.”
    Matthias nodded, almost bowing his head, and exited the room.
    “I will do it,” Beric said before his father could say anything.
    His father snorted. “Because he showed you a picture of how beautiful she is.”
    Beric blinked. “You know her?”
    “Of course. You already met her yourself, although you were only three at the time and she a baby.” His father shook his head disapprovingly.
    He felt like a fool. Of course his father would want to know all of the alphas of the nearby packs. That should come as no surprise. At least his father hadn’t been so condescending while Matthias had been in the room.
    “Do you think this is a wise move?” His father’s stare was watching, already judging him.
    As if this were a test.
    “Of course it is,” Beric said smoothly.
    “Why do you think so?” His father’s tone made it impossible to tell what his father thought.
    “We need the numbers. Even with the Blood Roses, we’re still outnumbered. The Brutal Claws have nearly three times the amount of our packs combined. If they were to send even half of their force at us, the Teal Warriors would be slaughtered. Yes, we’d kill some, but it wouldn’t matter. They will just find another pack that is more to their liking and who would be willing to join them to replace those we might kill.”
    “The Brutal Claws. A more apt name for a pack there isn’t.” His father stood and walked over to the window. “Andreas the Bloodthirsty is what they call their alpha. Again, apt. They say he killed a human when he was just five. Pushed a man from the roof of a five-story building. He killed his first were-jaguar at seven. A blade to the gut while the man was sleeping. Every month since, or so they say, he’s killed someone. Some say he’s pure berserker, like the ones from the olden days.”
    “Berserker?” Beric shook his head. That race was said to have been the one from which all different were races had first evolved: jaguars, wolves, lions, bears… “But they could be any animal they wished. Andreas the Bloodthirsty is only a were-jaguar.”
    “But he has their bloodlust, the craving for flesh, the need for blood. Yes, we must do everything we can to keep our pack safe. Fleeing is not an option.”
    Beric wasn’t