Jungle Freakn' Bride
Read Jungle Freakn' Bride Online
Authors: Eve Langlais
By
Eve Langlais
(
Book Three and a Half in the Freakn
’
Shifters series
)
Copyright ©
Novem
ber 2012, Eve Langlais
Cover Art by Amanda Kelsey ©
Novem
ber 2012
Edited by Brandi Buckwine
Copy Edited by Brienna Roberston
Produced in Canada
Published by Eve Langlais
1606 Main Street, PO Box 151
Stittsville, Ontario, Canada, K2S1A3
ISBN:
978 – 1 – 927459 – 26 - 3
Jungle
Freakn’
Bride
is a work of fiction and the characters, events and dialogue found within the story are of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, either living or deceased, is completely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to digital copying, file sharing, audio recording, email and printing without permission in writing from the author.
Abducted by a pair of hunky, tribal warriors, Carlie doesn’t think things can get any stranger until the first time she purrs.
Everyone’s heard of the mysterious Moon Ghost Jaguars, supposed shape
-
shifting men who steal women as their brides. What they forgot to mention was that half
-
naked, ripped and oh so delicious, they always came in pairs – and turn
ed
into really big freakn’ cats! But Carlie’s not about to let these furry Tarzans dictate her future, even if they seem to have conquered her body.
Acat didn’t think he wanted a mate until he came across the outspoken American with golden hair. Making her his bride is only part of the battle. With the help of his best friend, Chaob, can he find a way to convince this strong
-
willed woman to follow the traditions of his tribe? Or will this reluctant jungle bride get her lovers to accept the fact she’ll never be a classic barefoot and pregnant mate?
Warning: Hot, steamy threesomes, chauvinism
,
and more are running wild in the jungle. Can you handle the heat?
Chapter One
“The gods have spoken to me.”
The gods
,
o
r a particular ground root that a certain somebody liked to smoke in his pipe? “And what are they saying this time?” Acat asked, not actually caring as he fixed his grandfather’s roof, thatching some of the more barren spots.
“They say your bride awaits.”
The news shook Acat, and despite his usual grace, he lost his balance. The embarrassment at reacting was worse than the fall off his ladder. He managed to twist his body at the last moment so his feet hit the ground first. The impact still proved jarring – and not just to his knees. Straightening, he eyed his elderly relative who regarded him sagely while puffing away on his ever-present pipe. “The gods said that, did they? Or is this wishful thinking on your part?
Are you getting that desperate
for great
-
grandbabies you can corrupt?”
“Does it truly matter?” Grandfather smiled, his crinkled face creasing even further. His eyes sparkled with mischief.
Acat didn’t
let the jovial expression sway him
and
he
shook a finger. “The others might fall for your tricks, old man, but you can’t fool me.”
“Who says I’m trying to fool you? You’re well past the age when most of our men settle down. You had to expect this to happen sometime. I’m sure Chaob will be glad to hear it.”
Ah yes, Chaob, his warrior brother and the other male he’d share his bride with. “You do know what you’re proposing will create difficulties given our role within, or should I say, outside the tribe.”
With a wave of his hand,
G
randfather relegated what he considered a minor issue to non-importance. “I’m sure you’ll figure something out. The gods have spoken. On a bride quest, you shall go.”
Acat sighed and looked to the sky, or what he could see of it through the thick branches and leaves covering this part of the jungle.
The
g
ods grant him the patience to deal with the rituals his family clung tightly to, rituals he might in part mock, but couldn’t completely eschew. “Let’s say, hypothetically, I believe you. Exactly where is this supposed bride? Did the gods give you a name? Maybe a coordinate on a map? Some riddle of a quest?”
Grandfather clenched the bit of his pipe as he puffed away furiously. “Mock me all you want, boy. Laugh you will not when you see I’m right.”
“We’ll see about that.
F
irst
I
have to find this supposed perfect female.”
“How did you end up such a skeptic?” grumbled his elderly relative.
Acat arched a brow. “You really have to ask?”
A chortle shook his grandfather. “You are more like me than you want to admit.”
Gods, he hoped not. Acat held back a shudder. He changed the subject to something only slightly less pleasant. “How am I supposed to find this woman who will birth the next generation you’re so eager for me to create? Or am I supposed to roam the jungle aimlessly, sniffing the crotch of every female of child bearing years that I find?”
“No need to be crude, boy.”
“But it’s true. Wasn’t it you who said you smelled my grandmother from several miles away?” Despite how many times his grandmother slapped the old man in the back of the head. Grandfather did so enjoy riling her up.
“Yes. I smelled her from more than a day’s journey away. And so will you.”
“Why, has Grandmother stopped bathing?”
Acat snickered as his grandfather went almost cross
-
eyed with annoyance. “You are so damned impertinent. Just like your father.”
“I thought I was like you?”
“You’re a tricky boy.” Grandfather said it with pride.
“It’s a gift.”
“One your bride will hopefully cure you of.”
“Ah yes. My bride. And where is she again?”
Teeth clenched tight around his pipe,
G
randfather stabbed a finger outward. “Southeast, toward the outer edges.”
And in the opposite direction
he needed to travel for business
–
great.
“You, Chaob
,
and the other warriors born during the time of the blue moon –
”
“Hold on a moment. Are you telling me the gods are predicting we’ll find
more than one
female
on this bridal quest
?”
His grandfather continued to speak as if he’d not interrupted. “—you’ll find your brides
.
B
y scent alone
,
know her
, you will
.
Crave her
, you must.
A
nd
you’ll
finally stop your infernal
disbelief in fate
.
T
o the village
, bring them you
shall
,
then
submit
yourself
to the test of worthiness
.
I
f the gods favor you,
which I am beginning to doubt more and more,
then mate
d
you
shall be.”
“
I don’t suppose the gods mention if she’s a simpleton or bucktoothed hag?”
Grandfather waved his concern away.
“Looks do not matter.”
“Says the man who married a gorgeous woman,” Acat muttered.
An evil grin momentarily tilted his grandfather’s lips.
“
I am favored by the gods. Now, if you’re done questioning,
I, that is, the gods
,
have spoken.
On thy way shall thee get, young warrior, returning not empty handed.
”
“
Never saw
Star Wars
,
my ass,
”
Acat muttered.
Puffing his pipe,
G
randfather smirked
as he winked
.
“Sage
am I, young one.”
Before Acat could
antagonize
his grandfather
further
, his father arrived in all his bellowing glory. “Acat! Where are you
,
boy?”
“Here
,
as you well know, fixing
G
randfather’s roof because it’s not like I was busy taking care of tribe affairs and having a life.”
“You can have a life later. I hear you’re about to finally f
etch
your bride.”
The wide grin on his father’s face made him sigh.
“Does everyone know?”
“I might have let it slip
,
”
Grandfather chuckled.
“Are you that eager to see me shackled?” Acat made a moue of distaste.
“It happens to every man, sooner or later. Besides, it’s high time you began your line.
Ixtab and I
a
re
the only one
s
of
our
generation still without a grandchild.
And you know how your mother is anxiously waiting her turn.
You mustn’t let her down!
”
The curse of being an only son. The burden to procreate and carry on the family line was something he heard about all too often.
“
I guess you’re going to hassle me until I get going.”