Uncaged Read Online Free PDF Page A

would have done himself in. He had longed to stumble across a king cobra and meet his death, but fate would not have it. He had thought his lioness was his one true soul mate, but she was not. It pained him to realize it and he refused to allow it to darken his memory of her, but she was destined to die. Just as his capture was set in the stars so he could meet his one true mate. He’d given up trying to understand the why, the reason. It tormented him to ask. Wren was human and he was a shiftie. Clearly he would out live her and they would never experience the thrill of the hunt together or make love in the wild, beneath the stars with the heart of the jungle wrapping itself around their lives like a beating drum. He doubted he would ever go back to Africa . Not now. Not without Wren.
    ~*~
                  Bruce was not completely surprised to see the tavern just as he had last seen it. His clan was a strong force in London , though many of his kind chose to move off elsewhere to live only as animals. He walked inside and sat down at the bar. He smiled when he saw her. She had not changed a bit he noticed as she filled a mug with ale.
                  “How ‘bout a drink, madame?”
                  The woman turned to face him, slapping the mug down on the counter, scattering the thick foam across the aged wood. “Bruce! My God! I never thought I’d see the likes of you again! I thought you were in Africa !”
                  Bruce leaned over the counter, planting a big kiss on her plump cheek. “Amelia, can we talk privately?”
                  “Aye, step into my office, love.”
                  Bruce followed the heavy set woman. The lantern caught the flash of her fiery red hair as she walked through the kitchen into a small corner office. He shut the door behind him.
                  “Where’s Bart?” Amanda struggled to catch her breath.
                  Bruce shrugged. “ I haven’t seen him since we separated. It‘s been years.”              
                  Amelia nodded, folding her arms across her chest. “But that was your plan, right?”
                  “Aye.”
                  “Well what are you doing here, love? I never expected to see your face again. You said you’d never come back.”
                  “They caught me.”
                  “What?” Amelia covered her mouth with her hands.
                  “They trapped me and then drugged me. I woke up locked in a cage aboard a ship, headed home or what was once home.”
                  “Are you going back?”
                  He shrugged again. Nowadays he was sure of nothing.
                  “What’s gotten into you Bruce? You detest living life as a man. Were you unhappy in Africa ?”
                  “It was pure bliss, for a while.”
                  “Go on,” Amelia urged, pulling up a chair. Bruce sat down across from her.
                  “I even met my mate.”
                  “A pure bred, just like you’d always wanted?”
                  “Yes. Oh, she was so lovely, Amelia. You would have loved her too.”
                  Amelia snorted. “I doubt she’d have gotten along with an old owl.”
                  “You know what I mean.”
                  “She must be sick over your capture!”
                  Bruce took a deep breath. “She’s dead. Been dead for five years.”
                  “Oh lord no!”
                  “A tribe killed her.”
                  “You got your revenge I suspect?”
                  “I did.” Bruce’s features darkened. He knew she could read his mind, remembering his old friend’s keen skills of