Page 10 of Snatching Jackie (Wintermoon Shorts #5)

JABARI

“ I t’s customary,” I growl, towering over Kade as I stand in front of her. She doesn’t flinch, not phased in the slightest by my intimidating presence. “Jackie is my fated mate, and she has other suitors. My bear has every right to prove himself to her.”

My bear rumbles in agreement, clawing at my insides. Protect mate. Show strength.

Jackie sits in the booth like a deer caught in headlights, confusion etched across her beautiful face. Her scent fills my nostrils, clouding my judgment.

“This isn’t the old days, Jabari,” Kade says, irritation evident in her tone. “You don’t engage in a battle to the death to prove who’s more worthy.”

Jackie slides out of the booth, placing herself between us as my hands clench into fists.

“I have a right to defend my woman,” I snarl.

Kade rolls her eyes dramatically. “Why, oh why did Frost Clan have to go into isolation for six hundred years?”

“You know why,” I snap back, memories of our clan’s darkest days flashing through my mind.

Kade sighs.

“Stop it, both of you.” Jackie’s voice breaks through our argument sharply.

I fall silent immediately. The last thing I want is to upset Jackie, but I have a right to fight for her. Instead of voicing this thought, I snap my jaws shut and listen. My woman, my beautiful queen, holds all the power right now.

Jackie places her hands on her hips, looking around before her eyes land on Kade with a sigh. “Do I have enough time to at least grab my bags? I’d like to take my luggage with me to Wintermoon.”

Kade grins, tension dissolving from her stance. “I’ll get the boat ready. Meet me on the deck in twenty minutes.”

Jackie turns to me, gently placing her hand on my chest. The warmth of her touch seeps through my shirt, calming the beast within. “Calm down, Jabari.”

I smile instinctively. This woman could put out a tornado in a storm with her lovely calming voice.

She turns around, shoulders slumping slightly. “At least I got to get a few bites in before all this chaos. Your food is really good.”

“I will cook for you every night for the rest of my life,” I declare, the words coming out louder than intended, making her giggle.

“You do the most, Jabari.” She shakes her head, but there’s a smile playing on her lips. “Don’t worry, I’m coming with you.” She turns and starts walking away before looking back at me over her shoulder. “Well, are you coming? I’m not carrying all this stuff to the boat by myself.”

I smile and follow her, my eyes drawn to the sway of her hips as she leads the way to her cabin. A primal instinct awakens within me. Mine. All mine.

Just as Jackie steps out of the bar, Kade suddenly appears in front of her, surrounded by a swirling cloud of black smoke. I tense, irritated by the interruption.

“I’m never going to get used to that,” Jackie mutters.

“You will,” Kade assures her.

“Well, what is it now?” Jackie asks, impatience creeping into her voice.

Kade scrunches her eyes at Jackie. “There are a few things you need to know before I leave you alone with your chaotic bear.”

Jackie frowns, her brow furrowing. “Jabari isn’t chaotic.”

Kade snorts. “Well, you weren’t on the tourist island when he threw a human male through a window of the tenth floor of the Wintermoon hotel.”

Jackie gasps, and I’m ready to choke Kade. A growl escapes my throat, but Kade just smirks.

“Now that I have your attention,” Kade continues, “I want you to be mindful of Jabari. If you run into that sleazeball human while you’re packing, I want you to know that you hold a lot of power right now. If things get out of hand... Jabari will listen to you.”

I shift my weight, uncomfortable with how much Kade is revealing.

“But you need to have confidence, hold a sense of authority,” Kade adds. “But then again, I know I don’t have to worry about that with you.” She winks at Jackie.

“Got it,” Jackie says, trying to walk around her, but Kade continues to block her path.

“And one more thing.”

Jackie narrows her eyes. “What is it now?”

“Don’t run from your bear,” Kade warns, her voice dropping to a serious tone.

“When a bear shifter’s mate runs, it triggers their primal hunting instincts.

The thrill of the chase is irresistible to them.

If you run from him, his bear will take complete control, hunting you down, eliminating any perceived threats, and when he catches you.

..” Kade pauses, looking at me with knowing eyes.

“Let’s just say you’ll be reminded exactly who you belong to in ways that might overwhelm you.

The predator-prey response is deeply embedded in their nature—it’s something even the most controlled bears struggle to resist.”

Jackie glances at me, and I catch the scent of her arousal in the air. That’s the second time I’ve smelled it. I smile, my body responding instantly. I’m going to make every moment count, bringing her pleasure the first chance I get to breed her.

Breed ... The thought of Jackie carrying my cub sends a warmth spreading through me that transcends lust itself. Having her, a woman, a cub, a family—that’s worth more to me than anything in the world right now.

“Get your mind out of the gutter and focus on helping her get her luggage to the emergency boat,” Kade hisses at me, breaking my thoughts.

She steps out of the way, and Jackie starts walking, occasionally glancing back at me as she leads the way, her expression troubled. I stay just a few steps behind her, close enough for her to know I’m on her trail.

Jackie leads us down the deck to the hall that houses her cabin. She uses the keypad to unlock her door and steps inside. I follow, closing the door behind us.

For a moment, she just stares at the room.

I can hear her heartbeat quicken, panic rising in her scent.

Without thinking, I grab her and pull her into my arms. She protests for a second, but when she looks into my eyes, it’s like her body understands what I’m trying to do.

She relaxes, allowing me to pull her against me.

I gently rub her back. “I’m sorry,” I murmur against her hair. “I’m sorry my bearish reactions are pulling you into chaos.”

“Can we please pack up and get to the boat so we can leave?” she asks, her voice muffled against my chest. “I’m feeling a mix of things, and that’s natural.

This is happening so fast, but...” She pulls back to look up at me, her eyes shining with resolve.

“I want this. I want to go to Wintermoon with you.”

I just stare at her, this miraculous woman who’s willing to turn her world upside down for me. I lean down and press my forehead against hers. She lifts her head slightly, closing her eyes, and I take the opportunity to press my lips to hers.

The kiss starts gentle, a light contact that sends electricity coursing through my veins.

Her lips are soft, yielding, tasting of the sweetness of the meal we just shared and something uniquely her—honey.

Each gentle brush of our lips sends shockwaves through my system, awakening parts of me that have been dormant for centuries.

When she wraps her arms around my neck, something inside me breaks.

I deepen the kiss, devouring her mouth with mine, drinking her in like a man dying of thirst. My bear roars as I explore her mouth, her taste more intoxicating than anything I’ve ever experienced.

My hands slide down her back, pulling her closer until there’s no space between us, until I can feel her heartbeat hammering against my chest in perfect rhythm with mine.

Only when she breaks away, gasping for air, do I finally release her and take a step back. My own breathing is ragged, my control hanging by a thread.

I look around at her bags and start helping her pack, while she just stares at me, dazed, a hand pressed to her chest. I can hear how fast her heart is beating, matching the wild tempo of my own.

“We better get moving,” I tell her as I grab clothes from the bed and floor, stuffing them into her suitcase, “before I take you right here in this cabin.” I glance at the narrow bed. “And that bed is too small for me.”

“Oh, right,” she breathes, moving over to her makeup case to start packing it up.

Suddenly, a scent hits my nostrils—that foul cologne approaching her door. My bear surges forward, a growl tearing from my throat before I can stop it.

“That human male is at your door,” I snarl, stepping away from the luggage on the bed and starting for the door.

My patience has run out. I’ve waited so long for Jackie. This human male, who’s already paired with someone, thinks he’s going to take her from me? Not a chance.

Before I can reach the doorknob, Jackie quickly runs in front of me, placing her hands on my chest. “Jabari, stop. Let me handle it.”

“No,” I growl, gently grabbing her waist and lifting her. She squeals as I move her out of the way and set her back down gently on her feet. “I’ll just be a moment, baby. I’m going to rip his head off.”

My bear agrees wholeheartedly, but Jackie catches my hand, stopping me. “No, I want you to stop,” she says, authority ringing in her voice.

I smile at her commanding tone. She points to the bed. “Sit down.”

I gently slide the luggage aside and sit down on the mattress, her scent from the sheets enveloping me, sending another wave of desire through my body.

A knock sounds at the door, and we both know it’s that human male.

“Okay, that’s Kendrick,” Jackie says, straightening her clothes. “Stay here and let me get rid of him.”

I look up at her, loving that she’s commanding the moment. She leans down slightly and presses her lips to mine. I deepen the kiss immediately, pouting when she pulls back too soon.

“Stay here,” she whispers. “I’ll be right back.”

I obey, but my bear is on the verge of taking control, clawing at my insides, demanding I protect what’s ours.

She looks back at me as I stay put, and she opens the door, stepping out and shutting it behind her. I can hear her being sweet with the human male.

“Kendrick, what are you doing here? Is there something wrong with India?”

I don’t like hearing the sweet tone she’s using with him.

One thing I know for certain—I’m giving this human male three strikes.

Three chances where he might touch her, and after that, I’m going to kill him.

If I sense even an ounce of discomfort from her because of him before those strikes are up, all bets are off.

My bear agrees.