His Darkest Salvation (Jaguar Warriors 3)

Her hands fell to the waistband of the pants that she wore, and she was about to drop them when the door crashed open behind her. Nico’s angry growl echoed into her quarters, but it was not he who stood inches from her.

“What the fuck did that mean?” Julian’s furious words ripped into her. “We’re mated? I don’t want you,” he began, “we can’t . . .”

Jaden cocked her head to the side. “No shit,” she whispered hoarsely, as his words swept across her like physical blows. She knew they had no future, but still . . . to hear his denial, his dislike, was like a kick to the gut.

She felt his anger. It was in the coldness of his voice and the subtle vibrations that lingered in the air. Inside, her jaguar stirred, and her skin began to burn as she clenched her teeth tightly.

“I am going to enjoy throwing your ass off this plane.” Nico’s threat was met with harsh laughter.

“You could try,” Julian answered.

“Leave us, Nico,” she said quietly, and held her breath. The warrior was a wild card at best, and she didn’t have time to referee the two of them.

She felt the chilled air against her back and fought the urge to grab the newly discarded T-shirt. She was naked from the waist up and was suddenly very much aware of the fact. Her nipples puckered into hard pebbles, a reaction to the cold, and she crossed her arms over her chest, glad the men were behind her.

“We leave in ten minutes,” Nico said, his voice angry, barely controlled.

Jaden winced as the door slammed shut. Lately, the warrior had become more than a little protective of her. She would never claim him, and his attitude was

n’t good for either one of them.

She forced a calm over her body, one that she wasn’t feeling, and walked to the closet that held her clothes. She felt Julian’s gaze upon her back, knew that he watched her closely. She pulled the door open, loosened the tie at her waist, and let the trackies fall to the floor.

She heard Julian hiss as he exhaled loudly. Her heart began to beat heavily inside her, and she felt the electricity in the air begin to tingle, jumping over her bare flesh in small pulses.

She grabbed a robe, slipped it over her shoulders, and took a few moments to tie it properly before she turned to him.

His eyes were dark, the irises’ bleeding into gold until they glittered dangerously. They bored into her with an intensity that left no doubt as to what he was feeling.

Julian Castille was in a dark place, and his anger was focused solely on her.

What fucking nerve.

“Are you going to explain to me how a DaCosta jaguar is mated to a Castille?” His tone was harsh. “On what planet is that even possible?”

“Apparently on ours,” she snapped back.

He raked his hands through the thick mess of hair atop his head. “How in the hell did this happen?”

She arched her eyebrow. “For Christ sakes, Castille, do you really need me to explain the fine details? Did Daddy never explain the birds and the bees and the warrior mating rituals?”

“You don’t get it!” he exploded, and he moved so fast, she felt the wind against her cheek as he stood in front of her. Jaden was startled at his speed but held her ground, her dark eyes meeting his boldly.

“There will never be anything between us,” he spit out. “I will not accept your claim.”

Jaden smiled and shook her head, swallowing the bitterness that hung in the back of her throat. “Don’t worry about it. You made that more than clear three years ago.” She nodded. “Move back. You’re crowding me.”

Julian bared his teeth. He was on edge, the strange darkness that clung to him rising to the fore. It agitated her cat something fierce, and she trembled slightly at the force of it.

“I mean it,” she said forcefully. “Back off.”

His hand reached out, and, inside, everything stilled. She could hear her heart beating heavily against her chest, felt the pace quicken as warning bells began to explode.

Her breath hitched, and her mouth went dry as his fingers settled over her clan tattoos. She felt them, burning beneath his touch. Another chunk of humiliation to add to her armor of shame.

“So beautiful,” he whispered harshly.

Jaden flinched at his tone.