Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 118860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Is something wrong? Dominic asked.
Sarika shook her head. I’m just trying to figure some things out.
Solange sent her a tentative smile. “Jasmine, Sandrine and Jubal, of course. We have to have the party planners. My cousin Juliette is on the way with her lifemate, Riordan. They have a son, little Hunter. He’s only eighteen months old. Dax and Riley are coming. They have a daughter, Maureen, who is three, and there is a rumor that Riley might be expecting as well.”
“Zacarias and Marguarita will also be attending,” Dominic said. “If she is expecting, Zacarias would never tell a soul.”
“I have three wonderful friends, jaguar shifters, who will attend,” Solange added. “Adele and Lucy will come with Tara and her husband, Finn. Tara and Finn have a daughter, Bianca. She’s six and best friends with Sandrine.”
“Solange rescued all three women from Brodrick years ago,” Dominic said. “They’ve been friends for years. The women have already heard of your bravery.” He seemed to be trying to reassure Sarika that everyone would welcome her.
Sarika reached for Tomas’ hand, threading her fingers through his. That feminine place inside her, the one with the power to envision good or evil, was studying the situation with great trepidation. These were Carpathian children. Carpathian lifemates.
Tomas, what happens if your lifemate is killed?
His gaze narrowed. His entire demeanor changed. Not just his demeanor, his energy. Everything about him. He went from sweet Tomas, sitting quietly with her, a little amused by the unexpected chaos of Dominic’s home, to a lethal predator within seconds.
Lojos and Mataias instantly slipped into her mind. She felt them enter, a swift takeover. They had become as lethal as Tomas. And Luiz seemed even worse. He poured into her mind aggressively, clearly looking for threats.
Tomas, it was just a question. I need to know these things. She tried to defuse the situation. Both Dominic and Solange had gone on alert. She was a little shocked that Jubal had as well. Everyone was looking at her. She felt the glare of a white-hot spotlight.
“What is it, Sarika?” Dominic asked. His voice was very, very gentle.
“I just asked a question about lifemates. I don’t know enough about the Carpathian culture, and in asking, I got a very scary reaction.” She went for strict honesty because she didn’t understand how a simple question could trigger such a visceral reaction.
“Your question was?” Dominic prompted.
She glanced warily at Tomas. He wasn’t leaning into her, taking her weight, gently easing the tension out of her; he was on alert. He’d shut down his emotions and had become fully a predator. A hunter. His brothers and Luiz had as well.
“I want to go home.” She was being a coward again, and she didn’t even care who knew it. She didn’t belong with these people. Maybe she was afraid something big was happening outside their control, but they could figure it out. Not her. She just didn’t have enough information.
Sarika made a move to get to her feet. Jasmine went straight to her and put her arm around her. “If you’re not used to their intensity, it can be really scary, Sarika. I know. When I first was rescued, I could barely be in the same room with any of them.”
Her glare encompassed everyone in the room. Sandrine, for once, had gone very sober. She slid off the chair and came to Sarika, wrapping her arms around Sarika’s leg protectively.
“My daddy can do anything, Sarika. He won’t let anyone hurt you—will you?” She looked at Jubal as if he were a superhero. Not only did she look at him that way, but she felt that way, and her emotions filled the room.
“I would never allow Sarika to be harmed,” Jubal confirmed. “No one in this room would ever allow any harm to come to Sarika. She’s family, and she saved you and Jasmine.”
Sandrine nodded solemnly and then smiled up at Sarika. “We always tell the truth, even if we’re going to get into trouble.”
“I just asked a question,” Sarika said. “That’s all. I needed to know the answer.”
Dominic’s head went up alertly. He exchanged a long look with Tomas. It was obvious he had asked Tomas what had triggered the alarm.
“Sarika.” Tomas used his softest voice, aware she was on the verge of flight. That would be a disaster on every level. He would have to stop her, and that would undo every bit of trust he’d built up with her. “Do you realize what you just said? You need to know the answer. You weren’t simply looking for information. There was a reason behind the question.”
Sarika shook her head. “I just asked, Tomas.”
“What is it you need to know?” Jasmine asked. She led Sarika across the room to Solange.
Woman power. Woman magic. The terrible threat Sarika felt lessened just by being in their circle. Solange gave her an encouraging smile. “Hopefully, I can answer any questions you have about Carpathians, Sarika. Like you, I am jaguar. I was before the conversion, and I still am. She’s here with me, and thanks to you, we found our connection again. We’re working everything out, and she’s helping me with the baby. In return, I’d like to help you.”