Chapter 16 #2
Her body went rigid, every muscle coiled for action as she set down her canteen with careful precision. "How many?"
"At least three. Probably coming for water like we are." He kept his tone steady, projecting calm authority even as his instincts screamed danger. "We'll stand slowly, appear non-threatening, and move away from the stream. Standard protocol when sharing territory with large predators."
She nodded, her eyes already scanning the tree line for movement. They rose from the boulder in synchronized motion, Raikar's bare skin prickling with awareness as he reached for his small backpack. The bow and arrow would be useless in close quarters, but the knife—
Three massive panthers exploded from the jungle with coordinated precision.
This isn't random.
The realization hit him like a freight train as he took in their formation and their calculated approach. Wild panthers didn't hunt in organized packs this deep in the sacred jungle. These were shifters, and they were here with deadly purpose.
"Jade, grab the knife and stay back." He barked the order even as his body began the familiar shift, his bones elongating and his muscles expanding as his panther form surged forward.
"Like hell I'm letting you fight them alone!"
Her defiant response would have made him smile under any other circumstances. Instead, it sent a spike of protective fury through his system as the first panther launched itself at his transforming body.
Raikar's shift completed just as powerful claws were reaching for his shoulder, and he twisted away from the attack with feline grace.
His black panther form landed in a crouch, his lips pulled back to reveal lethal fangs as he faced his attacker.
Through his peripheral vision, he caught sight of Jade dodging the second panther's lunge with the precision training he and Talia had drilled into her.
She's holding her own.
Pride and terror warred in his chest as he watched her dance away from snapping jaws, the knife in her hand flashing as she struck at vulnerable spots.
But then the third panther joined the assault against him, and suddenly Raikar found himself fighting for his life against two coordinated attackers.
Claws and fangs became a blur of violence as the rogue panthers worked together with military precision. One would feint high while the other attacked low, forcing Raikar to defend on multiple fronts simultaneously. His superior size and strength meant nothing against their coordinated assault.
They're trained for this mission.
The thought crystallized just as razor-sharp claws found their mark, slicing into his ribs. Pain exploded through his system as he stumbled, warm blood matting his black fur. The metallic scent triggered his attackers' predatory instincts, and they pressed their advantage with renewed aggression.
Just as the larger of the two panthers prepared to deliver a killing blow, Jade's war cry split the jungle air.
She came at his attacker like an avenging angel, her knife finding the space between vertebrae with surgical precision. The panther's roar of pain and fury was cut short as her blade severed its spine, and the massive body collapsed in a heap of lifeless muscle.
She just killed a panther with a knife.
The sight of his human mate standing over the corpse of a shifter twice her size, blood spattering her clothes and determination blazing in her eyes, sent a wave of possessive pride through him that nearly overwhelmed his panther's consciousness.
He quickly looked over at the panther Jade had been originally fighting and noticed that panther was dead as well.
With the odds evened, Raikar's superior combat experience took over. He feinted left, drawing his remaining opponent into overextending, then struck with lethal precision. His jaws clamped down on the panther's throat, crushing windpipe and arteries in a grip that brooked no escape.
The jungle fell silent except for their labored breathing.
Raikar shifted back to his human form, his hand immediately pressing against the gaping wound in his side as blood seeped between his fingers. The pain was sharp but manageable—he'd suffered worse in actual warfare.
"That needs cleaning and bandaging now." Jade was already moving toward him, her expression tight with concern. "The wound isn't too deep, but infection out here could kill you just as easily as their claws."
She wrapped her arm around his waist, supporting his weight as she guided him toward the stream. Her touch sent heat racing through him despite the circumstances, and he found himself marveling at her strength as she helped him into the shallow water.
The cold stream bit into his wound, washing away blood and debris as Jade worked with efficient precision. Her hands were steady despite what she'd just endured, her focus entirely on his care.
She chose to stand and fight beside me.
The significance of that choice wasn't lost on him as she retrieved medical supplies from his backpack. This fierce, independent woman who'd spent her life refusing to depend on anyone had just risked everything to save his life. Her actions spoke louder than any declaration of intent.
"Hold still." Her voice carried the authority of someone accustomed to treating combat injuries as she began wrapping his ribs.
"You killed two panthers." His words came out rough with emotion he couldn't quite contain.
Her hands paused in their work, her eyes meeting his with a burning intensity that made his breath catch.
"They were trying to kill my—" She stopped abruptly, her cheeks flushing as she realized what she'd been about to say.
My mate.
She might not be ready to complete their bond, but her heart had already made its choice.