Rescued By An Alpha, Complete Set (3 page)

"We have a hidden den in a cave out of sight and away from everything. We are usually left in peace, but now and again, someone from an unfriendly pride sniffs us out and we get into fights. That was what happened to me the other day. They want to mate with our women when they are in heat. They can smell them so we have to protect the females."

"Because the jaguars of our pride are half human shifters, we built a den which caters for all our needs should we shift back to human. We are all friends and help each other. I like living out here in nature where I can be with my own kind and not have to account to anyone for who I am and what I do."

While Chan talked, Tom sat listening. It sounded so natural when Chan told his story, but if someone had told him that story a few months ago he would never have believed it. If he told Serena about it, she would think he was making it up. Serena. The thought of her gave him a pain in his chest. When would he ever see her again? Tom pushed the thoughts away again and concentrated on Chan's story.

"That is why I had to keep teaching you how to fight and get you physically fit."

"I appreciate all you have done for me, and I promise you that I will keep up my exercises. I have to admit I rather enjoy doing them now.

"Good, now that you know about me and my kind, would you like to come and meet some of the other shape shifters one day?"

"I'm not quite ready for that yet. I need to take in all what you have told me and digest it. It is a lot to consider so could we please leave it for a while longer."

"Whenever you are ready, just let me know and I will let the pride know that I am bringing you for a visit."

Tom was happy Chan was back and staying round the campsite and hut all the time. It made him feel safer. He had been trying to figure out a way to escape, but knew he would never survive, let alone find food. He would just have to make the most of his situation and keep up his fitness exercises until one day there might come a way for him to escape. One day Chan gave Tom a pair of sticks.

"They are used for fighting." Chan taught him how to use them and Tom caught on quick and was soon a challenge for Chan. After such a session Chan laughed and said. "You are getting good, my friend. You have learned well."

"Good. I think I'm getting ready to meet your friends now," Tom said as he wiped the sweat off his forehead.

"Wait a couple of days. I will go and prepare them for your visit."

That night, Chan left and Tom was on his own. He didn't feel as afraid as he had done earlier. He was beginning to have more confidence in his abilities to defend himself even though there was no jaguar outside the hut. The next morning when Tom came up from the hole under the trap door, Chan was outside putting wood on the fire.

"Good morning, Tom. I told my friends that I would bring you to the den today.

Are you ready to go as soon as we have had something to eat and we've done our morning exercises? It is best if we get there in the afternoon when they are relaxed and less aggressive."

"That is fine with me," Tom said, even thought he had to admit to himself that he was a bit nervous."

"Are you sure you are ready? They can smell fear from a long way.

"I think I am, but I must admit I feel a bit uneasy about the whole situation." Tom didn't want to meet Chan's eyes and looked away. He had a rolling feeling in his stomach.

"Stay close to me at all times," Chan said.

A little later in the day, they started out towards the den. It was a long walk through dense jungle and it was hard work. When Chan went there on his own, he would shift form into the jaguar and make the trip in no time. Tom could now see a group of mountain ranges in the distance and it seemed like they were heading towards them. As they got nearer, he could see some overgrown cliffs. It was a beautiful terrain. Tom would never have found this place by himself. It was so well hidden, and right in there between ferns, big trees and creepers, was a secret entrance to a cave. They walked in and Chan send out a loud howl to warn his friends he was coming.

CHAPTER FOUR

Tom had been Serena's boyfriend for a long time and they had spent all their free time together. That was before they both got busy with their education. Tom with his studies to become an architect and Serena with her apprenticeship as a dressmaker. There wasn't much free time for them now that Serena spent long days at work as well as three nights a week at design school.

Tom was busy with his study to become an architect. He wanted to design and build houses. He had his heart set on becoming a very successful architect. So the time they could spend together was limited, but they made a point of seeing each other at least once a week. Tom, who was a pretty sensible young man said to Serena one day when he was over at her house.

"If we both work to educate ourselves then we can have a pretty good future ahead of us. We can one day build our own house and start a family."

Serena wet her lips and hesitated a bit before she answered Tom. "I like that idea, but it is going to be a few years before we can think about that, you have to finish your studies first," she said reluctantly. She was not quite sure how she felt about settling down before she had fulfilled her dream of going to Paris to become a successful fashion designer.

"Time will go fast, before we know it, I'll have finished my studies." Tom assured her.

He swept her into his arms, she melted into him. She enjoyed being near him. He was so handsome with his honey blond hair and blue eyes, that she felt drawn to him and could not resist touching him. It was moments like this they both enjoyed. Serena's parents had a little cottage near the beach where they spent much of their free time during the summer. Tom and Serena tried to get together at her house. This was one of those weekends Tom came over to visit her.

"My parents and my little sister Pia are away for the weekend, so we have the whole house to ourselves." She tried to control a rapid heartbeat and not to blush, but she could feel the heat in her cheek giving her feelings away.

He held her close. "We have the whole weekend to ourselves?"

"Yes the whole weekend." She said as she tilted her head back and laughed in a low seductive voice.

"Wonderful, but before I forget, we are invited to a small party tonight at Johnny's from my study group."

"That should be fun. Will there be many there?" she asked as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"There will probably be just a few of the usual crowd."

They dropped onto the couch and he pulled her into him. Their mouths met in a long passionate kiss. He gently pushed her down onto her back and leaned over her while looking straight into her eyes.

"Serena you are so beautiful I can't keep my hands off you."

She let out a small breath as she ran her hands down his back, pulling his shirt up while he unbuttoned her blouse. Their bare skin felt hot against each other. "You always feel so wonderful," he mumbled.

She had hot and cold shivers all over her body and trembled from his sensual touches. He kissed her neck, working his way down to her breasts and sucking her nipples. It was more than she could bear. She crawled out from under him and pulled him with her into her bedroom where she closed the door behind them.

They had the whole weekend to themselves, except for the party they were going to. They got home late and cuddled up in bed. They fell asleep, tired from working all week. The next morning, Serena was half awake when she sleepily felt a mixture of sensations going through her body as Tom ran his fingers down her breasts and circled around her hard nipples. He slowly glided his fingers down between her thighs that were suddenly wet and slippery.

"Ahhhhh," she sighed as tingling sensation flared through her body. She arched her body, into his and felt how hard he was, her stimulated body was screaming out for him to enter her, she wanted him inside of her. He was ready for her, but wanted to pleasure her a little longer letting his tongue slide softly over her clit until it was swollen. She moaned and squirmed with pleasure and impatiently begging him to enter her. She felt his warm lips against her lips with his tongue entering and exploring her mouth. His passionate kiss stirred up an uncontrollable feeling of lust in her. Finally, he thrust hard inside her, pumping in and out of her while she moaned and her body flowed in rhythm with his. He held back until he felt she was ready to explode, and then he poured himself inside of her. Tom lay breathless on top of Serena for a while, then slid down beside her, where they both lay relaxing, catching their breath.

After the lovemaking, they talked about their future together. It was Sunday morning and Serena went to the bakery to get some fresh buns and a couple of delicious Danish pastries while Tom made the coffee and set the breakfast table out in the garden. They enjoyed their time together and after breakfast, they got on their bicycles and rode down to the harbor where they went for a walk looking at all the boats and yachts.

It was a nice summer day so they decided to have lunch at the outdoor restaurant right there in the harbor. It had an inviting atmosphere with the little tables covered in colorful blue and white checked tablecloths. They settled for one of the restaurants special homemade burgers with all the trimmings. It was a delicious meal and quite filling so they just sat there for a while chatting and looking at all the interesting tourists walking past. It was such a glorious day that they were reluctant to get up and leave, but it was time to head for home. The streets were busy, it seemed like everyone was out enjoying the nice Sunday. As they drove past the ice-cream kiosk in the park Serena stopped.

"Let's sit here and enjoy an ice-cream before we go home. I don't want this nice day to end."

"Okay, that sounds like a good idea." It had been a lovely weekend and Tom didn't want it to end either.

They each got a huge ice cream with all the trimmings, strawberries and whipped cream for each of them. "What a treat." Serena said as she licked the whipped cream and strawberry off.

CHAPTER FIVE

It was the end of the term before the summer break and Tom had been lucky enough to receive a scholarship to US to further his education as an architect. He was very excited about the idea of going to America to study, but it was going to be hard to tell Serena. He wanted her to come with him, but what if she didn't want to? She had just finished her apprenticeship and was now beginning to earn a lot more money. Would she be willing to give that up to go with him, Tom wondered?

It was Saturday night, and Serena was excited by the thought of Tom coming over for a visit. They had both had a busy week, but tonight they were going to spend some quality time together. She was home by herself, her parents and Pia, had gone to their summer house by the beach, so she and Tom had the house to themselves without anyone disturbing them. Serena heard a knock on the door and knew it was Tom. She quickly opened the door and he was there with open arms. He grabbed her in a bear hug and gave her a long passionate kiss.

"Don't get too carried away yet, I have made dinner and I don't want it to get cold," She giggled.

"What are we having?"

"That is a surprise. You'll have to wait and see."

"Okay, I can't wait."

After they had finished the dinner, they cleared the table and Serena brought in the desert. She had made a delicious apricot and cream trifle.Tom had been unusually quiet and Serena asked him, "Is anything wrong?"

"Well, I have something to tell you."

He looked so serious that Serena was nervous about what he had to say. She flipped her long blond hair behind her ears, a habit she had when she got nervous.

"I have been offered a scholarship to go to US to continue my studies. It is a great opportunity for me and everything I have ever dreamed of. I can't let that opportunity go past me." He let out a relieved breath; he had obviously felt nervous about telling her.

He paused, waiting for Serena to respond. She sat there looking at him in disbelief, not sure that she had heard correctly. He started to stutter as he spoke.

"It will be great for our future, and I am hoping you would come with me."

Serena was still in a state of shock, she didn't know what to say, but then she finally swallowed, "YOU ARE WHAT?"

Tom fidgeted with the tablecloth. He took a deep breath, trying to stay calm, but to no avail. He started to speak, but stuttered again, "I have worked hard to win this scholarship" he finally said.

"It is all so sudden. You will have to give me time to think it over."

"For sure, sweetheart, just take your time," he said in a relieved voice.

The night took a different turn and Serena was glad that they had to go to a party. It would distract them from talking any more about his scholarship.

Tom took her home after the party, but she didn't invite him to stay. She needed to be alone and think things through. He seemed a bit hurt about it, but was hoping she would come around and understand that this was a fantastic opportunity for him and for their future together. He could not let it pass by. He was determined to go whether Serena wanted to come or not.

Being a successful fashion designer was still in the back of Serena's mind. She didn't want to be the little wife who stood back and supported her husband while she put her own ambitions on hold.

Serena hardly slept that night. She kept tossing and turning, and when she finally fell asleep she had wild dreams. If she went with Tom to the States, she would have to let go of her dream of becoming a fashion designer. She had pushed her own goal in the background for a while because Tom had suggested that they should get a house and start a family later when they were both finished with their education. But now that Tom had planted that bomb on her, she had second thoughts of giving up her goal for him. After a while, she got out of bed and walked up and down the floor in her room talking to herself, tears running down her face.