The Jaguar Star (Tales of the Were: Jaguar Island Book 4) by Bianca D'Arc (the first e reader .TXT) 📕

“We came to make sure you had something to wear for the party,” Deidre said in her quiet way. “We brought some things in case you needed something to wear. They’re in the Jeep.”

Deidre stood and ran out the door to grab two bags out of the back of the open-topped vehicle. While she was scampering around, Franny picked up the thread of conversation.

“We brought your other suitcase and a bag of stuff for you to look at if you want to borrow something. Just in case.”

“That was so nice of you,” Katrina said, feeling genuinely thankful toward her two new friends.

Ren had surprised her yesterday by producing one of her suitcases out of the back of his vehicle. He’d brought it up with them, having planned on keeping her up here at his house if things went as he’d hoped. Katrina teased him about his confidence but was grateful to have some of her things so she at least had a change of clothing.

“We don’t get super dressy, but sometimes, it’s fun to put on the glad rags, you know? And a mating celebration is definitely one of those times, since they don’t happen often,” Franny told her. “Ren, you go do something else while we look at dresses.”

Franny shooed him away, and he laughingly went into another part of the house, leaving the front area to the women. Deidre returned, easily hefting the two large suitcases, and Katrina marveled again at what had to be a gift of her shifter heritage. Deidre was strong, though she still looked delicate and feminine. Her resemblance to Ren was more easily seen now that Katrina knew to look for it. Deidre had a more delicate version of Ren’s classic jaw and nose that made her look like a porcelain doll.

They spent a fun hour looking over the clothing choices available before they decided on what Katrina would wear for what they were calling her mating celebration. Deidre and Franny left in their Jeep with an admonishment not to be late to her own party, which was starting in just a couple of hours. Ren appeared in time to see the girls off and then reclaimed Katrina’s attention for a very slippery, very sensuous shower.

When they finally finished washing up—which took much longer than it needed to, but was very pleasurable, indeed—they dressed for the party. Ren was devastating in dark trousers and a dark green silk shirt that he left unbuttoned part way down his chest. The color reflected his eyes and made him look just a little bit piratical.

Katrina dressed in the bathroom, taking a few extra minutes to put on a small amount of makeup and fix her hair. When she emerged, Ren seemed to appreciate her effort, kissing the light layer of gloss off her lips with enthusiasm. She had to remind them both that they were expected at the party. Ren reluctantly let her go and ushered her to the vehicle that had sat in the attached parking spot since they’d arrived.

She was surprised when he took another path down into the crater of the dormant volcano, rather than heading back around the outside to the mansion. She’d just assumed the party would be at the mansion she’d first seen, but apparently, she was wrong.

He drove competently down a zig-zagging trail through the dense trees that brought them out into a flat section of the caldera where several buildings could be seen, blending into the surroundings almost magically. A motif of giant cats in a vaguely South American style graced the sides of the buildings, making her gasp at the beauty of the flowing lines. The buildings were scattered among the towering trees, with a large central area that was clear of tree trunks, but still sheltered, for the most part, by the leafy canopy. The clearing was where all the people—and big cats—were gathered.

“Shelly designed this part of our communal area. Those buildings are her designs, built by our people,” Ren told her with pride as he ushered her from the Jeep, which he’d parked alongside several others of similar color and vintage, in between the buildings. “This is the first really big party we’ve had in the community center area,” he went on as he took her arm and walked with her toward the crowd in the clearing. “It’s an honor that they’re doing this on such a grand scale for us. I think the entire Clan is here.”

He sounded impressed, which impressed her. This man had been to the crème de la crème of Hollywood gatherings. He’d been at diplomatic events around the world. She hadn’t really thought anything could touch him so deeply, but it seemed, the demonstration of love and appreciation from his own people was it.

A cheer went up when they entered the clearing and people recognized them. Katrina and Ren were surrounded quickly by well-wishers who seemed to want to hug them both with great affection. She’d never felt more welcome, even though she hadn’t officially met everyone yet. One and all, they seemed genuinely happy for her and Ren, and their joy in the celebration was heartfelt.

They were led to one of the tables set up around the perimeter of the central dancing area. Mark and Nick rose from the table, along with their wives, and came forward to greet Ren and Katrina formally. She felt the entire clearing grow still and silent while the leaders of Ren’s people looked them over. Nerves set in, and her mouth went dry, but Mark’s smile went a long way toward relieving her unnamed fears.

“We gather tonight to welcome a new member into our Clan,” Mark said in a voice that carried through the silence all around. “Our dear Ren has finally found his One, and we couldn’t be happier for them both. Welcome, Katrina, into the Jaguar Clan, forevermore.” He stepped forward and kissed her cheeks, one at a time, then stepped back to let Nick do the same.

Shelly