I dove into the water without really knowing why or what was going to happen. Jeremy's words were reverberating over and over in my mind. Jeremy said he needed me and wanted to make it better, give us a chance. His words spurred me into action. I landed with a splash and immediately rose to the surface. My heart was slamming against my rib cage. I was thigh high in water, my mouth was dry and my tongue felt like it was too fat to move.
I could see the curiosity and confusion on Jeremy's face as I slowly made my way closer to him. What was I supposed to say? Should I try to apologize again? I wish I could just start all over again. Then again why can’t I? What did I really know of my beloved? Nothing! That’s what. In all honestly he knew little to nothing of me as well. So why not? I reached him and smiled my best smile and made a stupid comment about getting to know each other. I watched a small tentative smile cross Jeremy's face. He blinked then nodded his head. Jeremy's mouth opened and I watched as his tongue slipped between his lips and he wet them just a little before saying
“Laura, I don’t know where to start but I want us to work. I already know that you are the only woman for me. I hate that we’ve gotten off to such a bad start. I will try anything. I mean. I will do anything to make this work for us.”
I could tell Jeremy was being sincere and I could clearly read his pain in every word he spoke. Our separation had been hard on him just as it had been on me. Suddenly my heart ached to comfort Jeremy. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and take the pain away. I watched his tongue dart out again and moisten his lips before he spoke again
“Just tell me what you need me to do. I swear to God Laura, I will do it. I can’t imagine living my life without you. Please don’t make me try.”
Each word Jeremy spoke caused immense and horrific anguish to blast through my soul, causing more pain than I had ever felt before. It was like shards of glass tearing holes into my very being. Then I realized the agony and suffering wasn’t actually mine it was Jeremy’s my beloveds. With that knowledge also came the understanding that I was the cause of his torment. It was my stupidity and my wolf’s inane pride that was at fault. I swallowed hard. I tried to form words in my head, but each time I thought I might have the right thing to say I would realize it was wrong. I looked into Jeremy's face and I knew he was barely breathing, on pins and needles waiting for me to say something. Anything that would indicate I wanted to try as much as he did. I swallowed several times, licked my lips and even cleared my throat before I was finally able to force words past my lips
“Oh god Jeremy, the fault is not yours it's mine. I know that I’ve misjudged you over and over. Now I am causing you pain. Forgive me and allow me the chance to prove to you that I can be a good person and a good mate.”
The moment the words were out of my mouth I watched Jeremy's chest move up and down and I knew he stopped holding his breath. I blinked back my tears and moved closer to him. I wanted to ask Jeremy if he could hold me but just as I opened my mouth to say the words a woman burst from the jungle and flung herself over the edge towards Jeremy and me. She was screaming like the devil himself was chasing after her.
I watched her arms and legs flail around as she floundered through the air. Her long black hair was swinging around as wildly as the rest of her body. Midair she shimmered and I watched as her body shifted into a beautiful white tiger. I gasped in shock as the huge magnificent cat plunged into the water directly in front of Jeremy and me. The cat roared loudly and moved itself between Jeremy and myself. I watched Jeremy reach out and place his hands on the cat’s flanks then if I had to guess I would say they had a conversation in each other minds. Whatever they said it must have been important because the cat took off towards the other side of the river where there was an embankment leading back into the jungle. I looked at Jeremy questionably before Jeremy smiled and said.
“She’s in heat and being chased by her true mate. It is amazing Laura, my people are finding their true mates again. Our women are going into heat and calling their true mates from all over the world to them.”
Jeremy's words were filled with such wonder and amazement. I could tell the fact that his people were healing pleased him immensely. He smiled brightly at me in acknowledgment of my part in their healing. Then his expression changed from wonder to desire. Jeremy's face ever so slowly lowered to mine and I knew he was going to press his lips to mine. I felt my eyelids flutter and my heart pound in my chest in anticipation. For just a single heartbeat the world stopped. I felt like I’d waited my entire life for this moment. Hell who was I kidding? I did wait my entire life for this very moment. My first kiss.
Jeremy's lips were so warm and soft and they made my lips tingle in pure pleasure. I wanted to drown myself in the sensations that were exploding through my body. I felt my soul gently and calmly flicker out from me and lightly and softly touch Jeremy’s soul. The touching of our lips and our souls sent pure erotic delight bursting through every single cell of my body. I couldn't stop a small moan of pleasure from escaping my throat as my soul was singing in pure joy. I wanted to get closer to my beloved. I wanted to wrap myself in Jeremy's arms and revel in the sheer pleasure of him being within mine. I slowly lifted my arms from my sides with the intention of wrapping them around Jeremy's back.
Suddenly instead of reveling in our wonderful kiss I was submerged underwater sputtering to figure out what the hell happened. I felt Jeremy’s arm slip under my arm and pull me back to the surface. I came up coughing and splashing. I wanted to shout 'What the hell' but the words froze in my throat as I realized I was face to face with a very large and very angry male lion. I swallowed hard and swan back just a little. As I moved away from the lion Jeremy moved toward the lion and placed himself in the spot my body used to occupy. Jeremy reached out and placed his hand on the lion just as he'd done with the white tiger earlier. I assumed like the female tiger Jeremy was having a mind conversation.
I found myself thinking that perhaps this was the mate of the female tiger. He was probably chasing her through the jungle in an attempt to show her his worth. I learned a little about the mating process from Rena and I couldn't stop a small smile from blossoming on my face. I watched Jeremy with the lion and found myself relaxing despite the fact that the lion seemed to continue to be angry. Then without any indication the lion attacked. It lunged for Jeremy’s throat and it was clear in its intent to kill. I didn’t think. My instincts took over and I just reacted. My beloved was being attacked and as an alpha wolf it was my duty to protect him at all costs.
I moved forward and threw Jeremy clear to the other side of the river. My wolf howled in approval as we faced off with the huge lion. My wolf wanted control, but I had no intention of shifting. I was stronger utilizing my vampire skills. Besides, I learned a long ago how to allow my wolf to guide my fighting even in human form. I was a trained killer. I was quite possibly one of the best to currently walk the earth. My brother Liam and I dedicated years of our lives honing our fighting skills. In some respects I was even better than my brother Liam because I learned to use my wolf’s intuition and gifts while taking full advantage of my vampire strength. I reached into myself and allowed my wolf’s persona to take over. Then I launched myself at the lion.