Soul of the Wildcat Read Online Free PDF Page B

back against its massive skull, it crouched, preparing to spring into action.
    Turning his rifle around, Rusty swung the butt of the weapon toward the cougar’s head. The stock connected soundly with the big cat’s skull, landing with a gut-turning smack. “Get back!” he shouted at the big cat. “Get back or I’ll kill you now.”
    The cougar reeled, dropping to the ground. The blow had opened a deep gash. Blood leaked from the gaping wound. A half-growl, half-moan emanated from its open mouth.
    Legs losing strength, Dakoda sagged to the floor. Heart sinking, her breath whistled in and out of her lungs as she watched Willie Barnett approach the downed cougar. Enraged by her screams, the animal had gone on the attack, doing what came naturally.
    Furious that he’d been injured, Barnett was on the warpath. “That was a stupid thing to do, Jesse,” he said, his voice chill with anger. Drawing back his foot, he delivered a kick to the animal’s ribs with one booted foot.
    Finding new strength, the cougar immediately leapt back to its feet. Amber eyes flamed, alight with hellish fury. Mouth opening, nostrils flaring, the big cat snarled threateningly. Sharp fangs snapped at the outlaw’s leg.
    Barnett stumbled back, cursing. The cougar bared its teeth savagely. Lethal intent gleamed in its slitted gaze.
    If it got the chance, it would do its best to kill him.

3
    T he cougar was pissed. No doubt about it. Its defensive stance radiated threat and menace.
    A prickling sensation ran up Dakoda’s spine as she watched the cougar watch her. Reflected in the light of the lantern, its amber eyes snapped with an unnatural chatoyancy, as if an electrical charge had been wired to its tail and the energy turned on full power.
    This time the cougar wasn’t putting up with any shit from human beings. Pacing the small cell from side to side, a series of low growls slipped from its mouth. Sides heaving, it panted heavily, nostrils flaring with every breath it took.
    Careful to make no sudden moves, Dakoda eyed the beast. Thank goodness she still had the lantern and the light it provided. Had the men left her in the dark again, she was sure she’d have fallen to pieces right then and there. At least she could see. As long as she could see, she could judge the situation and decide her next best move. Being shredded and devoured just wasn’t her idea of a good way to die.
    Not that being hit full force in the gut with double-ought buckshot was preferable. At least Gregory Zerbe had died quickly and didn’t suffer. Cougars smothered their prey, grabbing their victims by the neck and crushing their necks. One or two minutes of pure terror would be followed by the realization the reaper wasn’t only knocking on the door, he was grinding down full throttle.
    Be an iceberg , she advised herself, and chill . The idea of dying alone shook her to the very center of her being. Somewhere in the back of her mind she’d hoped to meet the right man, settle down, and, someday, raise a family. A real family. Nothing like the one she’d known as a child.
    Snuffling a growl, the cougar kept pacing.
    Dakoda’s thoughts of a future of any sort slowly drizzled away. “It’s just you and me, big boy,” she said, attempting to keep her voice level and soothing. “The bad men who hurt us are gone.” Once the big cat got back on its feet, the outlaws had beat a hasty retreat. True to their natures, they were cowards in every way.
    The cougar ignored her.
    Typical male.
    Dakoda considered her options. She really didn’t want to spend the night standing in a corner. For one, she was tired. For two, she was hungry. For three, she really needed to pee. Her bladder was beginning to nag. If she didn’t get a chance for relief soon, she’d burst. The idea of wetting her pants was as unappealing. If worse came to worst—and she suspected it would—she would