Read NocC 004 - The Ancients 03 - Bonnie Vanak - Hunted by the Jaguar - Harlequin 2011-12 for Free Online

like two iron bars. Ariana gritted her teeth and wriggled through.
    Gasping, she fell onto the dirt road. She was free!
    Strength returned to her legs as she forced herself onto all fours. The white light faded inside her. Weakened from singing, she pushed to her feet. I can do this. I can do this .
    The chant became a litany. Muscles shrieked a protest she ran down the road, edging the fence, her sneakers slapping the hard pavement. Her lungs burned for air as she ran, faster and faster.
    Running to put space between her and the wicked Jaguar who’d seduced her with pleasure for his own purpose.
    Running away.
    Again.
    The realization was a sharp slap. Guilt surged. Daimon had been honest with her. He’d told her what he planned. But she’d capitulated to her body’s demands once more.
    And now she’d tricked him again, leaving him fast asleep just like last time. Only this time, something evil lurked on the horizon. Something that would lash out with cruel claws and fangs and bring blood and suffering and death.
    Curse me for being a coward. I don’t know what to do , she thought, her breath hitching on a sob as she ran.
    Finally she slowed, her legs shaky, a burning pain in her side. Time, she needed time to think.
    Daimon needed her, but she needed the full truth. She had to know what drove him to lead a ragtag group of dying Jaguars. He was a powerful Ancient, a soldier for good. So why was he hooked up with prisoners?
    Searching for a stump, a rock to sit upon, she rounded a bend and saw the crossroads. A large black Ford truck drove slowly toward her.
    Her heart beat faster.
    The pickup ground to a halt. Two men jumped out, stalking toward her with menace. A third slid out of the driver’s seat and moved forward with lethal grace.
    Her heart pounded a warning. Ariana held out her hands, retreating.
    “Stay away from me.”
    Jarrett Lawson’s mouth curled into a satisfied smile. “Not a damn chance in hell.”
    As she turned to flee, they pounced on her, and she fell with a groan.

Chapter Six
    After they’d bound her wrists with handcuffs, shackled her ankles and gagged her, Lawson’s men threw Ariana in the back of the truck. Lawson’s men had climbed into the front, their expressions blank. Dust flew up beneath the tires as he hit the gas. Their gazes met in the rearview mirror. From beneath his blond bangs, Jarrett’s brown eyes gleamed with purpose.
    “My men informed me you have a beautiful, but deadly voice, my little siren. I wish the gag were not so necessary. I have a hankering to taste your sweet mouth.”
    She wished the gag weren’t necessary so she could call him all the nasty names coming to mind. Ariana glanced at the door, the handles removed. Couldn’t even jump out.
    A plan, she needed a plan. Maybe her fogged brain could kick in by the time they reached…
    Lawson pulled into a narrow dirt road, parked. He shut off the engine. “Sal, Markson, go take a walk. I need a little alone time with my mate.”
    Cold dread snaked down her spine.
    As the men got out, they shifted into gray wolves and ran off into the pine trees. Lawson got out as well, opened the back door. Kicking her feet, she shuffled away from him. He grabbed her, forced her halfway out of the truck until her legs dangled over the sides. She kicked hard, but he pressed his heavy body atop hers.
    “You will be my mate. I need you, Ariana. My pack needs you.”
    He eased the gag off her mouth. Ariana licked her cracked lips. She opened her mouth to sing.
    Jarrett pressed his lips against hers.
    Oh, the wolf knew how to kiss. Coaxing, and licking, his tongue traced her bottom lip in a teasing caress. Gently, with subtle pressure, he deepened the kiss, urging her mouth to open to him.
    His tongue swept inside, flicking and retreating. With every plunge, he commanded and controlled. He would be a lethal opponent in bed and in battle, she dimly realized. But he kissed with purpose, not passion. Her breasts tingled as he palmed