The Jaguar's Arranged Mate: A Paranormal Shifter Romance Read Online Free PDF

with only a few were-jaguars inside. Beric went to the back to get them some food, and Miera sat at a table far away from anyone else.
    Her cell rang. She answered it immediately.
    “How’s it going?” her best friend Lisa asked.
    “Not bad actually.” She made sure to keep her voice low even though no one was near enough to overhear her.
    “Ah, so he’s hot then.” Lisa giggled.
    “This isn’t about looks!”
    “I know, I know, but him being hot can’t hurt any. Good. I’m glad. I thought you were crazy for wanting to do this.”
    “Maybe I am,” she said softly.
    “Miera—”
    “I have to go.” She hung up. Why had she been so short with her friend? She had a lot on her mind, yes, and she was feeling a little rundown and tired all the time. She ate more than normal this morning to try and store up some energy, but it wasn’t helping enough.
    A minute later, Beric approached with sandwiches. “It’s not much but…”
    “It’s fine.” She stared at him as they ate. Beric seemed like a decent enough guy. That he hadn’t pressured her for more despite her coming onto him and then pulling back spoke volumes. She wasn’t ready to give her body to him. Who knew if she would ever be willing to? We’ll worry about that later.
    It was the “we” part that frightened her the most.        

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Beric couldn’t forget about the kiss. He hadn’t wanted to scare her off, but he had wanted her from the moment she pulled up. Her frustration at thinking he and the guard weren’t being careful enough had only made his desire to know her stronger. She was fierce, just like Matthias had told him.
    They finished their food in silence. As he gathered their trash, she said, “We have a lot to talk about. Concerning the wedding.”
    “Oh, flowers and colors and all that?” He waved his hand. “You can pick all that.”
    “You don’t want to have a say at all?”
    “I don’t need to. The wedding is the important part.” He shrugged. Wait… Did it mean a lot to her? “It’s not that I don’t care. It’s just… women care more…”
    She laughed. He’d thought she seemed a little upset when he had first brought over the sandwiches, but she seemed happier now. Since she had been fine during their walk over here, he thought it wasn’t because of the kiss. Miera had definitely kissed back. He had spied her on her phone, so maybe she hadn’t been happy with whomever she had been talking to. He didn’t know her well enough yet to pry.
    “I’m not the kind of girl who dreamed of my wedding day since I was three, but I’ll plan it. My best friend will have a field day with it.”
    “Good. That’s settled then.”
    “Yes. So it’s a go then? Officially?”
    “Officially.” He nodded. He’d told her that looks didn’t matter to him, but he would be lying if he said he wasn’t attracted to her. That fiery hair sure matched her personality, and he couldn’t help but wonder what she was like in the bedroom. Probably just as wild and fierce as she was outside of it.
    She glanced at her watch. “I should probably head back if I want to make sure I return home before dark. I… We’ll talk soon.”
    He stood. “Any idea when we’ll get married?”
    “I’m not sure.” She shrugged. “The sooner we join our packs, the sooner we can try and help each other prepare to fend off the Brutal Claws.”
    “It can’t be tomorrow, I agree. We need time to finish fixing the fence and to set up more defenses around the compound. Just let me know where and when—”
    “And what to wear?” She smirked at him.
    “Yeah, sure. Anything. Whatever you need from me.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
    Beric threw out their trash, and he walked her back to her car. She left, waving to him as she drove away.
    All in all, I can’t be unhappy with the arrangement. At least not yet.
    ***
    A week passed. Every other day, Beric talked with Miera on the phone. Instead of learning more about each