Read NocC 024 - Katie Reus - A Jaguar's Kiss - Harlequin 2012-10 for Free Online Page B

lift off her chest, she grinned and tossed the bag to him. “How are you dealing with everything?” She didn’t spell it out because she figured it was pretty clear.
    “I had a very real urge to take your brother’s head off today.” His voice was only half joking.
    Grinning, she pulled out two long metal roasting sticks with wooden grips and passed him one. “I think that’s your right as Skyler’s big brother.” Gabriela paused a moment then decided to just plunge ahead. “So what does this mean for your pack and my family? And what’s the deal with the attacks? You know it’s not my parents or Israel and I’d stake my life it isn’t Dr. Shahi. And Axel might be a hothead but so is Ethan. I know Axel isn’t a killer. He wouldn’t do anything to harm our family, not to mention he wouldn’t want to hurt Israel and Skyler’s relationship. He hero worships Israel. The only reason he attacked Daniel today was because he didn’t want anything to slow down getting Skyler to the doctor.”
    Owen blew out a long breath. “I forgot how much you talk when you’re nervous.”
    Gabriela scowled at him. “I do not.”
    His lips pulled into a thin line as if he was biting back a smile. Just as quickly he shook his head. “There hasn’t been an attack in a couple weeks but we’re not letting our guard down. I don’t think it’s your family, though the rest of the pack isn’t so sure. Well, now that everyone knows Skyler’s mating with Israel the tension has eased a little. I think they’re all just so happy we’re going to have a cub running around soon.”
    “You know the baby could be a jaguar.” Gabriela watched his reaction to her statement.
    Owen shrugged. “I don’t care and no one in my pack does, either.”
    She narrowed her gaze at him, wanting to believe him. He sounded so sincere and after the way he’d quickly welcomed her brother into his family, it was hard not to take him at his word. But his brother had still kidnapped her earlier today. Clearly at least Ethan had issues with jaguars. “Seriously? No one cares?”
    “If it was anyone else having the baby, I honestly don’t know what the reaction would be but it’s Skyler .” Owen lifted his shoulders again as if he shouldn’t have to explain further.
    In a way, he didn’t. Skyler was adored by the entire pack, which went a long way in bridging whatever hostility had developed recently between their families. If it had been a decade long feud or something Gabriela doubted his pack would have been so welcoming but clearly these issues were recent. “So what’s the deal with the attacks?”
    “They started out of nowhere, first against a hunter who wasn’t where he should have been, but still, no one in my pack would have attacked him. And he had a gun. Whoever went after him carefully hunted him and from the way his body was shredded it wasn’t the way a normal animal hunts or kills. It was meticulous, had a purpose—almost like the bloodier and bigger display made, the better. Body parts were ripped off and strewn around, but nothing was dragged away or eaten.” Owen’s jaw clenched tight. “There have been two almost identical attacks since then and like I told you before, the last one was closer to town, right on the outskirts.”
    Gabriela was thoughtful as she peeled back the foil wrapping on the chocolate bar. “Have you or anyone in your pack pissed someone off recently? Does someone want your land?” Her family certainly didn’t. After getting Skyler settled in at Israel’s house she’d finally gone home and talked to her parents. Her father was angry over the whole situation and her mother was distraught and worried about their place in the community—fearful they might have to move eventually. Not to mention they hadn’t been able to run free like normal and that was never good for a shifter.
    Owen shook his head. “We keep to ourselves and a lot of the younger wolves are away at college right now, anyway.