Page 8 of Fated to the Panther

“Never as in never. And I don’t remember my mother. She took off when I was an infant. It was only my father and me, until I was six.”

My mate was an orphan like the others. My parents may have distanced themselves, leaving us to our task for centuries, but at least we knew they still lived. In fact, we preferred them not interfering in our lives. But to have been purposely abandoned? To not know one’s ancestry seemed cruel to me.

“How do I know that you’re not as evil as those men, demons? How do I know all you’ve told me isn’t some lie to get me to believe a prophecy that could be made up for all I know?”

Stricken by the desperation in her voice for the truth, I pushed my empty plate away and reached out my hands toward hers. She hesitated, then cautiously placed her hands in mine. The contact humbled me. A first step toward trust.

“You don’t. Not by my words alone. Ask yourself if you’ve ever felt this way toward any other man, like you do me? Have you ever felt such an immediate connection?”

Her eyes had widened, and she gasped. “Your eyes. They’re green. And glowing.” She may have been frightened, but she didn’t release my grip. Kara’s gaze stayed locked on me, and I read the truth in her eyes.

Ignoring her statement, I didn’t doubt that my eyes had changed. The mating bond was becoming more insistent the longer we were together. It wasn’t going to be tamed by sharing a polite dinner. “Deep down, Kara, what is your soul signaling to you in this exact moment?”

Raw need continued to fill me as our gazes were locked in an impasse that soon would be untenable. Destiny and the Moirai would not accept defeat.

“What’s happening is merely physical. The fact that I’m turned on by you doesn’t mean anything. It’s simple biology. I’m a trained scientist as well as a witch. And I’ve heard of many prophecies, but how do you explain that my coven, my aunt, knew about this one that I wouldn’t have been told?”

Ignoring her demand, I pushed her to face the truth of our connection. “Have any of your former…lovers,” I had to force the word out, “did they ever make you feel as I do? I see the lust in your eyes, I scent your need. Was it so easy for you to accept another male when some part of you knew your true mate was someone else?” The thought of another man taking what was mine clawed at my brain, and my panther screamed to be released to track any and all who had come before us.

“Your hands!”

Unbidden, my nails had lengthened, the shift to my beast seconds from happening. I had to put distance between us quickly. She had to see I was able to control myself. Releasing her hands, I stood. She had to see I would never place her in danger by my hand or my panther’s.

“Forgive me. The thought of you with someone else. It’s unbearable, but I will accept it. You say you knew nothing ofthe prophecy or that you had a fated mate, and I will get past this.” As I paced, my claws retreated, and my breathing settled. The need to rip something apart remained, however. Perhaps I should go back into the jungle. Nothing would quiet my panther more than taking out another demon.

“I, uh, there’s no reason to beat yourself up. I’m fine. It’s fine.” Visibly shaken, her delicate throat constricted as she swallowed. “Please, there’s been no one, not that it’s really your business. But you’re right. I’ve never felt this before. With anyone else. Until today. Until you. My skin is tight and there’s this unending ache inside me and?—”

Stunned by her admission, I stopped, frozen in place. I watched with hope as she rose from the table pushed in her chair, then gripped its top rail. My mate was still unsure about me and that did not sit well. Taking in another calming breath, I made myself relax each muscle group before I attempted to speak.

“Never? So, you’re a virgin?” My voice, raspy and louder than I’d wished, made her wince. Regret filled me at the harshness, but I was so damn grateful she’d known no other man, I hoped she would understand.

“Yes, damn it. I’m twenty-six and never, well I’ve been kissed, and other things, but I’ve never gone all the way.” Her hands twisted in front of her, something more than embarrassment filling her bright hazel eyes. Her shoulders went back, which lifted her breasts, and I couldn’t, even on the threat of dismemberment, tear my gaze from their fullness.

Her nipples pearled against her tank top, begging for my attention. Did she realize how beautiful she was or how I feared my resolve to let her make the first move was being tested to the point of harming myself?

“Well, you don’t need to look so surprised. There are a few of us left. Even though I’m sure you’ve had plenty of conquests,looking like, well, like you do.” Kara’s gaze roamed my body, lingering on my erection. If she kept up her hungry perusal, my cock was in danger of breaching my waistband. My hunger for her touch was fast reaching a breaking point from just the fire in her eyes.

Something needed to be done.

“How do I look Kara?” The deep tenor of my words boomed across the room, but I barely recognized the voice coming from my mouth.

Her tongue shot out and swept across her lower lip. Her tongue would be the death of me, There was no holding back as a moan ripped from me. Another wave of her arousal filled the air. Good to know she as affected as I was.

“You know. I shouldn’t have to tell you. Men like you have women lining up to share your bed. Not that I’m judging you, because I don’t want to be judged either. I guess what I’m getting at and not doing a very good job of is letting you know that if we truly are mates, I’m not going to hold it against you that you’re not a virgin like me. After all, you look to be in your thirties, at least. A person would be crazy to think a man like you wouldn’t have had sex by now.”

Her statement tamped down my need, barely. The double standard had been around so long, since even my youth, that I understood her theory about me. What she may not yet understand was that men like me weren’t even men. Especially with my parentage. And she had it wrong, so very, very wrong.

“I hate to break it to you, love, but you’re incorrect about your assumptions.” No longer able to keep myself away, I moved closer. Stopping opposite her on the other side of the table, behind the chair I’d occupied during dinner. I waited for her to ask me what I was referring to, but instead she continued to work her hands back and forth, over the chair’s top rail. I’d never been so jealous of an inanimate object in my entire life.

“You’re not afraid to ask the question, are you?” Giving her an out, I waited.

She tilted her head and grinned. “No, but again. I’m a scientist. We thrive on hypothesis. But please enlighten me. What did I get wrong?”

Chapter

Seven

KARA

---