His Darkest Hunger (Jaguar Warriors 1)

“Can you?” she finally managed to ask.

Libby watched as pain crossed Skye’s features. She was a striking woman, but there was also strength there to match the beauty.

“My father died trying to destroy the portal, and I will give my own life to keep it out of that bastard’s hands.”

Her answer was barely above a whisper, and Libby was still not altogether sure that she trusted her. But at this point she had no other choice. “Okay, then. I’ll do whatever I can to help, but my son comes first. Understood?”

Skye nodded, and Libby exhaled slowly. A shrill shriek cascaded across the jungle as a large bird flew overhead. Both women jumped, and afterward Libby tried to calm her nerves.

“We need to get going,” she said, stashing the water bottle and standing. “I want to get to Cormac before Jaxon and the rest of the

team follow suit. I can’t take a chance on everything going to shit. I won’t let Logan get hurt in the cross fire.”

“Do you even know where we’re going?”

The heaviness in her heart turned over, and Libby fought the panic and nausea that roiled in her gut. She nodded and began to move, Skye following her lead. “Cormac has tapped into me somehow. He’s leading us right to him.”

“That’s great to hear,” Skye replied sarcastically. “We got a plan?”

“No.”

Skye laughed softly. “Good to know.” She fell in step behind Libby, and the two women were once more swallowed whole by the Belizean jungle.

Base camp was quiet, yet the air was thick with anger. It clogged Jaxon’s throat, preventing him from articulating the boiling rage that simmered beneath the surface. But maybe that was a good thing.

He could not believe he was about to go after Libby…again, the second time in as many days. The woman was certifiable! What the hell was she thinking? Traipsing off into the jungle, going after Cormac alone—taking the only bargaining chip that they had with her.

How the fuck had she managed to sneak out of camp, and take their prisoner along for the ride?

He threw a dark look toward Cracker, but truthfully, he knew he couldn’t blame the soldier. They were all exhausted, and there had been no reason to suspect she would pull such an incredibly stupid stunt.

He snarled, angry with himself more than anyone else. He’d had the woman in his bed and still she’d managed to slip away.

Libby was going to get herself killed. And over what? Some fantasy that his enemies had kept his offspring alive? That someone as evil and demented as Cormac would take care of a small jaguar shifter? Out of the goodness of his heart? That even if he had, he would just hand the child over? The man was a monster, and for reasons Jaxon didn’t understand, wanted the woman that they’d pulled from the wreckage of the compound.

None of it made sense.

But he was going to get to the bottom of it. And there would be hell to pay if one hair on Libby’s head was harmed.

He clenched his teeth as he heaved his bag across his shoulders. They were full of weapons, Declan specials, and he was ready to use all of it to get back the woman he loved.

“You ready?” Declan asked as he moved toward him, followed closely by Julian and Cracker. The ex-soldier was avoiding his eyes, and Jaxon left it alone. He knew Cracker felt responsible, but he’d come around eventually. No words were necessary.

Jaxon nodded and glanced over to the tech tent. “Ana, we’re going silent. Don’t contact us unless we’ve got company.” He could see the frustration that lit her eyes. The vampire was damn pissed that she wasn’t able to come along.

“I’m coming after you as soon as it gets dark,” she replied.

“Ana, we need you here with all the equipment.”

“No you don’t, Jaxon. Tech boy over here can handle it without my help.” Her eyes softened as they passed over the sorcerer, but the familiar bite was still there as she continued, “You better watch your ass, Declan. I don’t want to be picking it up off the jungle floor.”

“Hell, Ana, is that all I have to do to get your hands on my ass?” Declan smirked and then winked back at the vampire. “Don’t worry, darlin’, I’ll be back, and you can inspect every inch of me for damage. In fact, I’ll expect a thorough examination.”

“Just be careful.” With a whirl of long dark hair and pale limbs, Ana disappeared into the tent. Their tech boy saluted and followed suit.

“All right. Let’s head out.” Jaxon turned in a semicircle and inhaled sharply. He felt a rush of emotion threaten to overwhelm him as her scent drifted on the wind and settled deep inside his chest. He could track her easily by smell, but he knew he didn’t need to do that any longer. She belonged to him now, and her essence called to him on a primitive level.

His gaze swung west and he began to move quickly, his men following suit. She had at least a two hour head start and they had some rough ground to make up.