Page 12 of Finding my Shifter Soulmate

I look over at the path of foliage cut through the forest and begin to climb over large rocks and fallen limbs in the direction of the mountain. I'm not used to so much exercise, and between yesterday and today, my thigh muscles ache. Sweat drips down the back of my neck as the incline grows steeper. I reach for my water bottle and chug it down. I push myself until the ground levels out.

There's a lake in the distance, and with the sun making the surface of the water glitter like stars, it takes my breath away. I jog toward it and take a couple of pictures so I can remember this moment. I keep running until I come upon a rock near the edge. I slowly slide my sneakers off and wiggle out of my sundress, setting it off to the side.

Here, in the middle of this hot, sunny day, I feel confident and unashamed in my bikini, basking in the sun, carefree and alive. Soon, my skin tingles from the heat, but I sit and allow my body to soak in the warmth and the energy of the place. Crickets chirp around me and birds cry out to one another. One thing I don't hear is people. It’s just me and nature. The experience is relaxing and energizing, just what I needed.

I dive headfirst into the cool water, thrilled at how wonderfully clean the lake feels. The coolness rushes over my head, and I'm tempted to try and swim to the bottom to see how deep it is. Instead I emerge with a gasp of air and stretch out my arms and legs, stroking through the water.

On my fourth or fifth lap, I climb back on the rock to catch my breath, and just lie back, staring at the white clouds scuttling across the blue sky. I can't believe I get to experience this place and this moment. A year ago, after my breakup with Casey, it felt like nothing would ever be all right again. Now I can see the light and the joy that life has to offer once more, and it nearly brings tears to my eyes.

The feeling of eyes on me disrupts the tranquility, and I prop myself up on my elbows to have a look around. The surrounding landscape is lush with greenery, but there's no sign of any other humans. And then I hear a crunch just on the other side of the brush, and I bolt upright.

It's probably just a hiker or something. My mind is playing tricks on me, imagining all sorts of things. It must be because I'm alone. I tell myself I need to calm down and think rationally, but then I hear another noise, and my heart pounds against my chest as a figure materializes from behind a cluster of trees.

Every muscle in my body tightens as the big cat makes itself known. A beautiful striped tiger takes a small step forward, and I hold my breath. Its eyes are striking, with rich emerald green irises that appear almost human. It doesn't seem fazed by my presence. If anything, the longer I stare at its eyes, the more the tiger seems to examine me.

In the movies, people are always warned not to lock eyes with a predator in the wild, so they don't see you as prey. But inthat moment when I make eye contact, there's no mistaking the intelligence in this animal's eyes as it surveys me.

I'm completely mesmerized. I feel calm. The tiger lowers its ears and keeps walking, and when it gets too close for comfort, I rise to my feet and look around for somewhere to run. I could jump in the water, but tigers can swim. I could climb up the rock wall to my right, but with those claws, the tiger would drag me back down in seconds. I could take off into the jungle, where surely an even larger beast could pick up my scent and chase me.

Seeing to sense my intention to flee, the tiger growls, a deep and powerful rumble coming from its throat that shakes me to my core. I stand completely still, taking short, shallow breaths. Any sudden movement and I could startle it into attacking. I tense to run again, when the tiger abruptly pulls back and lunges forward, tackling me to the ground.

My back collides with the stone surface of the rock, and all the air whooshes from my lungs. I lie there, looking up at the beautiful majesty of the mountain as it spins. Before I can catch my breath and get up, the tiger pins me down, sitting squarely on my stomach. His claws dig into my bare skin on either side of my chest, not breaking flesh, but intimidating me all the same. I gasp for air and I squeeze my eyes shut, ready to feel those claws and teeth tearing into me, but they never do.

"Stay still and listen to me," the animal instructs in a very human voice.

Wait. Did he really just say that? Or was it a hallucination? How is the tiger speaking to me? I pry my eyes open and stare up at the creature’s green eyes, taking a long look, trying to decide whether or not I'm dreaming.

The tiger leans down and opens its jaw. Two sharp, hooked canines lengthen below his thick whiskers, and he dips them dangerously close to my neck. I clutch at the dirt and stones beneath my hands, trying to drag myself free, but it's no use.

"Stay," the tiger growls, and I know that I definitely heard him speak this time.

I release a wild scream, as loud and as piercing as possible, hoping it echoes off the rocks, and that someone hears me. The world around me blurs, and my vision goes splotchy. The shock of it all is too much, and within seconds, everything goes black as I lose consciousness, floating in a sea of nothingness.

Chapter Eight – Gede

As much as I wanted to be at Sabrina's resort first thing this morning, I couldn’t do it. The jungle still needs me to look after it. Duty before pleasure and all. I promised her I'd be there by ten, and I'm just now finishing up my morning patrol.

The jungle is quiet this morning, but that doesn't do much to reassure me. The way Rama spoke last night unnerved me. Something tells me he won't give up so easily. I should've killed him when I had the chance. As it stands, we'll probably meet again sooner than later.

I wind my way through the foliage on the edge of the resort property line, careful to keep my Barong form hidden from view. The mangroves are thick and hard to squeeze through as I follow the path, checking for any fresh tracks from Rama or other intruders. Thankfully, I find none.

I'm passing one of the hiking trails that leads into the interior of the forest when a familiar fragrance drifts on the wind. It's Sabrina. I catch her scent just as the faint echo of a scream resonates through the jungle so faint I only manage to hear it back. I'm in my shifted state. My entire body goes still, and everything falls silent as her scream fades and the jungle stirs back to life.

Rama's got her.

I surge forward, pumping my four legs as I head in the direction of the scream. The vegetation gets thicker the closer to the mountain I get, and I have to stop myself from calling out Sabrina's name. The only upper hand I have right now is the element of surprise, and I'm not about to compromise that.

Just before I reach the lake, I smell that filthy tiger. Crouching in the brush, I stick low to the ground, watching as my enemy stands over my unconscious mate. All my instincts compel me to react—to protect. I want to fly at him and tear him to pieces, but I have to force myself to wait.

Rama shifts back to his human form and hauls Sabrina's bikini-clad body over his bare shoulder. It's killing me inside to see my Sabrina being touched by this filthy creature. My claws dig into the mud beneath me, cutting a hole in the ground.

Every fiber in my body screams at me to attack, and it gets more difficult to hold myself back with each passing second. He's not far from the water. I have to strike fast. In a burst of speed, I fly from my hiding place, running hard into Rama before he even sees me coming.

He loses his grip on Sabrina, and she slumps to the ground as I land on top of him and hiss, teeth bared and eyes flaring. I want nothing more than to slash him with my claws and burn his life away with the flame of his death that resides within me, but I have to get Sabrina to safety.

While he's still stunned, I back away. Using my jaws, I throw her over my shoulder and take off into the mangroves. Rama growls, shaking himself off before sprinting after me.

I run as fast as my body will go, twisting and winding along the paths that I know like the fur on my back while trying to keep her balanced. Leaves smack me in the face, and I trip over a log in the path. I just gather myself and run harder, not looking back. The heavy panting of my enemy is audible, proof that, with the extra weight slowing me down, Rama is catching up.

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