Page 15 of The Jaguar's Flower

“Trust is what gets us eliminated, brother,” Mac answered. “Spes est infirmis.We are not weak.” As the years passed, they changed their motto, which seemed more fitting for them: Hope is for the weak.

“Hope isn’t dangerous. What’s dangerous are those that believe they can take hope from you.” Avel repeated the same words Dr. Morris told him. When Mac looked at him, he refused to back down. “She was right. Hope isn’t for the weak, brother.”

I’ll make sure you’re free.Mac felt hope when Violet spoke those words. He wanted to believe her, but the facility would never grant it. If his brother continued to live in a fantasy, Mac would eventually lose him. The jaguar didn’t want that. Before he could think of his next action, he gripped Avel’s shirt until Draven stepped close.

The floral fragrance hit Mac’s nostrils. It wasn’t until he caught Draven’s scent mingled with hers that he turned his attention to the other shifter. “Why do you smell like Dr. Morris?”

“Fuck you,” Draven growled as he caught the doctor’s scent on the jaguar. “You shouldn’t be anywhere near her.”

Mac clenched his fist in Draven’s armored vest. “Say that again?” he snarled.

At the scene in front of him, Avel immediately pushed both men from each other. He stared at his twin brother for an answer. “What the fuck?” When Mac didn’t budge as he continued to glare at Draven, the jaguar itched to come out. “Mac, fucking calm down. What the hell is this all about? 002 is assigned to the doctor. Renfield’s orders.”

“Which means you shouldn’t be close to her.” Draven’s eyes flashed for a split second as he snarled, “Stay the fuck away from her, 007.”

“Why do you smell like her?” Avel asked Mac.

Mac cracked his neck out of frustration. When he didn’t bother to give them an answer, he felt Avel’s hand around his arm. “I wanted to make sure I didn’t scare her.” He whispered low enough for them to hear. “She believes shifters are good.”We aren’t. We are animals.His eyes scanned Draven.

“You went to see her?” Avel barely glanced at Draven. “You don’t see anyone, Mac.”

The jaguar clicked his jaw. “Let go of my arm, Avel.” When Mac snatched his arm back, he glared at both shifters. “002, if I want to see her again, I will.”

“You didn’t scare her. You made her cry.” Draven growled. “If you scare or touch her, I will put you down.”

“Keep your emotions in check, soldier. Or did we forget how this world is?” Mac kept his gaze on Draven.

Avel shuddered as he felt the prickles of his jaguar itching to come out. “Stop this shit.” He smacked Mac’s chest and placed a hand on Draven’s shoulder. “We turn on each other now. The facility wins. We know Dr. Morris is special, but are we really going to toss away our years of work here? Both of you get your shit together. Renfield will know.”

Mac paused at the mention of Renfield. He licked his lips as he turned his gaze away from Draven.He’s right. Renfield will harm Violet if we don’t stop this.Easier said than done, especially when Mac continued to smell Violet on the other shifter.

“Remind your brother, not me.” Draven glared at Avel. “I’m assigned as her guard. If he hurts her, it’s my ass on the line. Which means I will not hesitate to do whatever is necessary to protect the doctor. Get your shit together and watch your emotions.” He growled low in warning. “Unlike you, I’m doing my job.”

When Avel didn’t speak, Mac raised a brow. He scoffed at his brother when he eyed Draven. “And so are we.” How much of the mission would be compromised? Mac went into her laboratory. The jaguar would rage against his brother if Avel acted similarly toward Violet. Draven waited for an answer. Instead, Mac kept silent.

“Renfield wants to know if she can pick us out.” Avel glared at Mac as his jaw tightened. He glanced at Draven. “If she can, then will we stop the mission? Renfield hasn’t given us the next orders.”

“So, either step back or take over her guard duty, 007.” Draven’s fists clenched at his sides. “If you can’t control yourself, remove yourself. Your brother can finish the mission with little intervention from you.”

Mac didn’t take his eyes off Draven. The anger boiled inside him because of the other shifter. “You’re her guard, and I’m on another mission. I will not step back, but don’t think for a second you can stop me,” he growled.

“Okay.” Avel stepped between them again. “Fucking-a, guys. Mac, calm the fuck down. You act like you want her all to yourself and will kill anyone who gets near her. Keep that shit locked in a box, and don’t let it out. Haven’t you already seen what happens when people kiss here?” He snarled in a whisper. “Draven is her guard. We have our own mission. But do not fuck this up, or we really will be one soldier.”

“If you’re so fucking hung up. She’s personnel.” Draven stared into Mac’s eyes. “Ask her to fuck you. Get it out of your system before you get all of us killed. Official personnel are free to do with us as they please.”

Mac winced at the mention. He played it off as he gazed around the area. “The mission won’t be compromised.” He promised.I can’t ask her to fuck an animal. We are beasts. Nothing more.He clenched his jaw before he growled. “You won’t need to worry. I won’t fuck shit up.”

“If you do, I will handle the situation before Renfield ever hears a word.” Draven shoved past Avel. “I need to change before I escort her back to the personnel dorms.” He smirked back at Mac. “Go shower her scent off before you go feral.”

The shifter clenched his fists. As Avel gripped his shoulder, Mac eyed him. “I’ll be heading back to the room. We need to discuss other things before we proceed further on our mission.” His dark gray eyes followed Draven until the shifter turned the corner that led into the showers. “I need to leave before I kill him.”

Avel nodded. “You both need to get laid. I’ll see you after my workout is done.” He patted Mac on the back. “Please, keep away from Dr. Morris until we figure out a plan. Alright?”

Mac only nodded as he stepped away. Avel and Draven demanded he steer clear from Violet, but the shifter felt differently. He wanted to return to her laboratory, touch her cheek, nuzzle her neck, and gather every bit of her scent onto his skin. When Avel pleaded with him, the jaguar gave in. “I’ll steer clear.”It’s the best. She doesn’t need to be near a beast like me.

“Before you go,” Mac called to his brother. “We need to discuss the minor details between our interactions with her.” The idea of Avel getting close to Violet bothered him.

Avel sighed. “What does it involve?”

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