I know many of you were saddened at not seeing the cubs born. Don't worry...at the end of each book, although Sajin and Patience will be mentioned briefly, I'm thinking of putting a little quick short story about them if I can't fit it in the book itself. But the way the series is coming along I'm sure you won't be disappointed. We'll just see. Enjoy the beginning of Book Two. As always, please read and review, I enjoy the positive and the constructive criticisms.

Patton's Purpose

Book Two: Jaguar Series

Her eyes opened and focused immediately in the darkness of the bedroom. It was a sudden act that gave no reason to the feeling that came over her. Her sheet was wound tightly around her naked body and the pillows lay on the floor. Looking at the side clock, the time was four a.m.. She needed to rest, but her body was on fire and the constant thrumming through it told her that she needed release. The dream was erotic and when she touched herself it was only to feel the wetness that had gathered between her thighs. Groaning, she flung the sheets off of herself and dressed in a jogging suit and running shoes. A run would do her well. It was still dark out, but she didn't care.

Closing the door behind her, she began the short run that she took daily. The street where she lived, a small gated community, was touched lightly by the street lamps that lined the edges of the sidewalk. Closing the wrought-iron gate behind her as she stepped out onto the main road way, she began a light run only to pick up speed. Her breathing was leveled and her limbs loose. She closed her eyes and let the sounds of the night and of each breath she took fill her. The beat of her heart, the slam of her feet on the pavement encompassed her senses. It was relaxing and her mind took over.

The run took her further and further away from what was recognizable. The feel of the pavement turned to grass, the sounds of the night faded into silence. The heat of her body rose with each second. She made to open her eyes at the changes as her heart beat even faster, but came only to see blackness.

xxxxxx

The sound of a low growl as she got on all fours caught her attention. She looked around only to see the dark golden color of another looking at her. She backed up, not afraid, but hesitant. She dared not take her eyes off of him. He wasn't menacing, but her instincts wouldn't allow her to take the chance. Her head pounded as if someone was knocking on it for her to open up. The urge to close her eyes to shake it off was strong, but she knew as soon as she did, he would attack her and she didn't want that.

She was far into the wooded area as he continued to approach, slowly, stalking her until the hardness of the tree stopped her. The pounding in her skull continued. Like bricks on a wall, they began to fall and a fear took over her and she could feel the wildness of whatever was inside her begin to take over. She blinked and let out a small chirping sound. The feeling of being knocked over and heaviness on her body overcome her. She would die because of the mistake. Instinct took over and she fought the big cat, but her the wrestling of the two tawny colored creatures didn't last long as the bigger cat easily over-powered the confused mind of the slightly smaller one.

xxxxxx

"Ahhh." The cry was low and sudden as she woke suddenly. The coolness of the grass against her skin seemed to feel like a godsend to the over-heated state she remembered. She looked up at the sky only to see the beginnings of daylight starting to appear over the horizon. Sitting up, the cool air against her skin made her start. She was naked. "What the hell?" she groaned.

Hurrying, she looked around to see her jogging suit back toward the open area, just at the edge of the woods. Cursing, she covered herself as best she could and gathered her things. She hated this. This was something she had to get fixed. The black outs were becoming more frequent and although she hadn't had them in awhile, the past week was as if she had no control over her body. She ran quickly back to her apartment, out of fear more than being late for work.

As she washed her body, her hands smoothed over her breasts and abdomen. Her eyes closing slowly as she moved the soap over the overly sensitive skin. At that moment a hard flash came. A pair of eyes, their color a mesh of blues, greens, and light browns. She inhaled suddenly and opened her own looking around the shower stall. The throbbing between her legs grew stronger as her mind tried to remember the face that held them. Dipping her head under the water, she washed her hair and conditioned it. Wrapping a towel around her head when done, she stepped out and wiped the steam off the mirror. The reflection was that of a woman that was afraid, confused, and each day unable to make sense of her life any longer.

She squinted and leaned closer when she caught the redness on her shoulder. As she stared at the injury, she gathered it had to be a bite. Even though the two puncture wounds didn't seem all that big, they didn't hurt when she touched them lightly. She didn't remember them being there before and as she watched in awe, they began to close up and heal over before she could figure out how she'd gotten it. Visibly shaken, she blinked a few times and decided it was her imagination. The sound of her alarm going off told her it was time to get ready for work and she hurried to get dressed. That morning forgotten for the moment.

xxxxxx

Patton ran a hand over his face as he looked up at the ceiling of his bedroom. He'd lost all control of himself that morning. Hoping to get his hunt done and over with before his trip to Italy now that Sajin and Patience were no longer in danger, he had not expected to run into the cougar. He'd thought it was just an one time thing. She was still in heavy heat and the need to mate with her was too strong for him to resist. He'd marked her unintentionally, yet knew that it was only instinct that drove him. He'd seen that she was a shifter, not full-blooded as he thought at first. Her memories were blank and he had no idea who she was in the human world. Patton knew she was pregnant, but now he had to find her. He had found his mate, but who and where was she? Patton did not know how to find out and he couldn't deal with it right now. Sajin needed him to go in his steed while he continued to recover from his fight with Sebastian. But hopefully he'd find answers when he returned. Patton could only hope that it would be as easy as it was to run into her.

To Be Continued...