Soul Mates: Scent (The Soul Mates Series) (11 page)

Race
you
…
I thought as I leapt to the forest floor, knowing she would be close behind me. I felt free and full of joy as we raced through the trees and for the first time all day… at peace.

I began to slow down, thinking maybe it was time to learn hunting techniques when Anna tackled me and pinned me to the ground. Her forepaws held me down and she bit my neck playfully. I was able to flip away from her and tackle her back. I licked her face and nipped at her.
Surrender?

Non,
never!
She answered with a laugh as she wiggled out from beneath me and sprang away.

I sat back on my haunches and panted; a big, jaguar grin on my face.
All
right
beautiful
…
where
’
s
food?

I watched Anna lift her nose to the sky and turn as if she was following a scent. I did the same and caught a whiff of what she smelled. It smelled…wild…sweet…full of energy… I licked my lips in anticipation.
What
is
it?

Rabbit. Not enough for both of us. Let’s go this way. Stay quiet or the prey will run.

I followed her gently through the woods, stepping over branches so as not to make a sound and then I smelled something else… again it was wild, but this time it had a sticky sweet scent. My mouth began to water.
Mmm,
what
is
that?

That is dinner, mon coeur. Venison… come, up in the tree, it will be easier that way. You watch… I’ll make the kill.

I thought I was going to be able to do it. I need to learn how. I’m not going to learn unless I do it myself Anna.

You are right Max; just…You have to do it in one bite. On the skull, pierce the skull with your teeth. It should not take long if you do it correctly. They only feel minimal pain, and then it is over. Now shhh. I will tell you when…

I nodded and watched the forest floor. It was not long before a doe started across the path. Anna swatted my forearm and I leapt, doing exactly as Anna had instructed. I thought my jaw wasn’t going to be wide enough, but it fit perfectly around the doe’s head. My canines pierced the skull and within seconds the doe was down.

Tres
bon,
mon
amour,
Anna said with admiration.
You
did
that
perfectly.
She licked her claws and then swiped them across the doe lengthwise, slicing it open.
Now,
use
your
teeth
to
pull
out
the
meat.

Is
it
safe?
I
mean
it
’
s
not
cooked
or
anything
…
I said thinking like a human.

Max,
you
’
re
jaguar.
You
do
not
need
it
cooked.
Anna giggled and tore off a piece of meat and began to chew delicately. She held her piece of meat between her paws and lay on her belly.

I followed her example, ripping out my own piece of meat and settled down next to her. I took a bite and it was the best food I had ever had in my mouth. The meat was so tender and full of robust flavor, I couldn’t wait to eat more of it.
I
think
I
have
died
and
gone
to
heaven
.

Anna giggled and licked her whiskers.
We
should
finish
up
quickly,
it
is
getting
late,
Max.
Your
mom
will
be
wondering
where
you
have
gone
and
we
have
so
much
more
to
do.

Okay,
I
will
let
mom
know
I
’
m
over
here
and
will
be
home
late,
no
need
to
save
me
dinner.
It
’
s
taken
care
of.
I ripped another piece of meat from the doe and sighed in contentment.
I
don
’
t
think
I
have
eaten
this
much
in
my
life.
Is
this
normal?

Oui. Our animal counter parts eat one to two pounds of meat a day. We need at least two pounds, but generally closer to five if we are transforming on a regular basis.

Huh. That is a lot of meat. We could go through the deer population in these woods within a week…how does that work?

That
is
why
we
have
to
eat
other
foods
as
well.
Steak
is
best.
You
can
order
it
rare
and
humans
do
not
think
it
strange.
Anna licked her whiskers one more time, stood up and walked over to the doe. She bit down on the head and began to drag it off the path into the woods.

What
are
you
doing?
I asked curiously.

Burying the remains under the bushes. That way if a hunter passes by, the doe will not be noticeable.

Hunter?

Oui. Our bites are unique, Max. If they notice it on the doe, then they will be hunting us.

I helped Anna cover the deer with dirt and leaves, admiring how that late afternoon sun glinted off her slick black coat turning it a bluish black. She was gorgeous. The gentle breeze ruffled our fur and I grinned.
Race?

Mais non, mon coeur. We have much to do. Many things to practice. There are many things you yet do not know we can do.

There
are?
Like
what?
I gazed at her expectantly. What else could there be?

Like
a
special
way
to
travel
my
love.
Come,
I
’
ll
show
you.
She began to run toward the cabin and I followed her.

She stopped just at the edge of the trees and looked back at me. I slowly approached her, my head cocked as I watched her. One minute she was there and the next she was gone. Just…. Gone. I looked around everywhere, thinking I must have blinked and she had taken off, but then I couldn’t smell her either.
Anna?
Anna
love,
where
are
you?

I can hear you Max! I do not know how it is possible! I am thousands of miles away! I flashed over to Ireland, and I can still hear you!

What
do
you
mean
you
are
in
Ireland?
I thought frantically that I had to get to her, that she wasn’t safe without me and suddenly I felt really very strange. It was as though the world went black in the space of a moment and the next thing I knew everything was lush, green and very dark and Anna was in front of me as she had been before.

Max! Comment? Comment c'est possible? Comment m'avez-vous pisté si vite?

I
don
’
t
know!
I
was
thinking
of
you
and
that
I
needed
to
be
with
you
and
now
here
I
am.
I gazed at her in confusion, wondering exactly how we were in Ireland, and where in Ireland for that matter.

Anna stared at me for a moment and then asked,
Nous
sommes
dans
le
Parc
national
Kilarney.
C'est
un
de
mes
endroits
préférés.
Eh
bien,
je
vous
prendrai
à
ma
tache
la
plus
privilégiée,
la
Cascade
d'O'Sullivan.

Kilarney
National
Park.
I looked around, taking it all in.
I
would
love
to
see
your
favorite
place,
Anna.
Tell
me
about
O
’
Sullivan
’
s
Cascade.

Max, pouvez-vous comprendre que je dis? Je parle complètement dans le français!

Yeah
I
know
what
you
are
saying.
Anna,
how
do
I
know
what
you
are
saying?
It was really strange; although she was speaking in French I could understand every word. It was as though I was seeing pictures along with her words.

Anna tackled me then, pinning me to the ground and nipping at my neck.
Max,
this
est
très
magnifique!
Wonderful!
Father
was
right!
You
do
learn
fast
mon
amour!

Okay,
so
I
can
now
understand
French,
we
are
in
Ireland
and
…
Anna
how
did
we
get
to
Ireland?
I asked her as I batted her off of me and licked her face.

We can travel quickly by thought or flash, mon coeur. Far distances, short distances, it matters not. You hold the place in your mind and you are there in an instant. I do not understand how you were able to do it simply by thinking of me. I shall have to speak to father. Come, we should go now; I wish to show you my favorite spot.

I padded after Anna, following her quickly through the dense trees. Soon I could hear the swift rushing of water and before I knew it we were there. O’Sullivan’s Cascade. It was incredible; the water was clear and inviting as it gushed down the cliff side into a small pond. Moss covered steps followed the cascade of water down to the pond and I watched as Anna climbed them and then lay down at that top most step, her head on her paws as she watched the water.

It is so serene here, mon coeur. I come here when I am feeling overwhelmed or in trouble. I have never brought anyone here before now.

I stared at her, enjoying the view. I could understand her need to have a special place where no one would find her. I was honored that she was sharing it with me. Slowly I made my way up to her and when I reached the step just below hers, I nuzzled her neck and licked her face.
I
am
pleased
to
be
a
part
of
this
with
you.

We should probably get back, I need to ask father about your talents, my love.

How do we do that? I’m still not sure how I managed to get here.

Just think of my cabin. I will meet you at the edge of the woods near the back.

All
right.
I closed my eyes and pictured the cabin in my head. I pictured walking in the clearing just behind the cabin toward the woods and within seconds that is exactly where I was. I could see Anna sitting at the edge waiting for me and I loped toward her.

My love, you did brilliantly! Come, we must change back and talk to father.

I looked around wondering exactly what I was going to wear; I’d left my clothes in the Vette. After a moment I noticed a pair of jeans folded neatly on the back porch. I quickly changed back to my human form and slipped into the Levi’s and t-shirt that lay next to them. Oddly enough they fit perfectly, though they didn’t belong to me.