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

ground. You’ve already killed Sal and Markson.”
    “Banged their heads together. They’ll have a vicious headache, but nothing more.”
    Jarrett sneered. “I would have killed your men. I suppose you’ve grown soft. Soft in the head and soft in the crotch, which is why you haven’t made her your mate.”
    Ariana watched Daimon’s jaw turn to stone as he struggled to leash his temper. “I only want peace between our people.”
    “There will never be peace between us. If you want to mate with the woman first, fight me for her. Or I’ll summon my whole pack here.”
    “Your people can’t hurt me.”
    “Not me.” Jarrett glanced at her. “But I’m sure she bleeds red.”
    A low cough of fury rolled from Daimon.
    The transformation flashed before her startled eyes. A sleek, furred black jungle cat faced the muscled, powerful gray wolf. Lips drew back in snarls, showing fangs and teeth. Ariana backed away.
    The two beasts charged each other, powerful bodies clashing in a smack of muscle and sinew. Spitting and snarling, they fought. Claws slashed down, ripping through fur. Their beasts unleashed, the jaguar and wolf tangled together in feral anger.
    They fought over her, over the right to mate with her. Ariana clapped her hands over her ears at the sound of their panting breaths as they collided. Daimon had the advantage, but Jarrett was powerful, fast and would never relent.
    Then he retreated and gave a short, eerie howl.
    Calling the pack. Daimon snarled and charged, tipping the wolf back before he could finish. The cat’s powerful jaws clamped around the wolf’s throat.
    One move and Jarrett was dead. Yet the jaguar did not bite down. He remained still, as if the logical man and the wild beast struggled for control
    She could stop this by releasing her demon. The darkness longed to sink claws into Jarrett, strip away his flesh for abducting her. Ariana’s body tensed. She must not. Daimon didn’t want bloodshed; he wanted peace. He could easily rip Jarrett to pieces, but did not. She must find out why these two packs were trapped here.
    The white light sang inside her. Ariana’s tension fled. She let go, opened her mouth and began to sing.
    Serenity flowed through her with each note. The clear, angelic melody filled the air, halted the thudding of dozens of paws tearing through the forest to aid Jarrett. Daimon released his grip on the wolf, backed away, shaking his head as if to free himself from her music. Jarrett, panting and bleeding, lay on the ground. His brown eyes slowly closed and the wolf slept.
    She sang louder, weaving her siren’s spell around Daimon. He staggered on all fours toward her, his eyes blinking furiously. Ariana walked toward him, her music coaxing his eyes to close. Stubborn resolve kept him upright. With a sweet wash of notes, she approached the big cat and gave him a gentle push.
    “Timber,” she sang out.
    Daimon tumbled downward, crashing onto the forest floor. Pine needles and dirt flew outward.
    Still she sang, for the song gave her strength, filled her body with powerful white light. She jogged to the roadway, carrying the big cat over one shoulder as if he weighed no more than a housecat.
    She found where he’d parked his Jag on the main road. Ariana dumped Daimon onto the dirt. After opening the door, she sagged against the car and fell silent.
    The white light that had given her incredible strength was now fading, the customary weakness settling into her limbs. She could not heft more than two-hundred pounds of muscled feline into the car.
    Soon the wolf pack would awaken and race after them. The only safety lay within the jaguars’ fenced prison compound.
    Ariana climbed on all fours over to the sleeping jaguar. His sides rose and fell as he breathed deeply. She prayed he would not instinctively lash out as she leaned over his head, inhaling the musky scent of animal and Daimon. Her lips came close to the rounded edge of his ear.
    She bit down hard.
    With a