Jaguars' Reward [Impulse 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Zara Chase Page A

lions. You could have had the colony take on the entire pride, but it was just you against the alpha.”
    “No!” Zayd cried, leaping from his chair. “You’re not strong enough to take on an alpha wolf.”
    Talia was on her feet as well. “Don’t—”
    “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Vadim said drolly.
    “He’s right,” Rafe said quietly. “There are several of us alphas now mated and with our powers fully restored. Any one of us would have a better chance.”
    “Perhaps, but it’s my fight.” He glanced at Talia and, for the first time that day, locked gazes with her. “And personal. It’s me they want because it’s me they set out to kill. Well, now they’ll get their chance.”

Chapter Nine
     
    Talia was choked by panic as she watched Vadim and Zayd in a heated debate about his decision. She didn’t know why he was so hell-bent on putting himself in danger, but somehow understood it had to do with her. She’d already caused enough problems in Impulse, albeit unintentionally. The last thing she needed was the death of their alpha jaguar on her conscience.
    She looked around the table for support, but no one met her gaze. The tension was palpable and they appeared as concerned as she felt. Even so, they’d clearly taken the view that this was Vadim’s decision to make and that they weren’t going to intervene. Her gaze landed on Rafe and she implored him with her eyes to do something, anything, to stop Vadim being so stupid. He shook his head, looking distracted but resolute.
    “He has to do this,” Rafe said softly, his voice still audible above the hubbub.
    “Why?” she asked. “Why do men always have to resort to physical violence?”
    “Ask him why yourself,” Rafe said.
    “I will, if he ever deigns to look my way.”
    Talia felt like screaming with frustration. She glanced at Vadim, so tall and strong and handsome—and so fucking stubborn. For the first time ever she felt a modicum of sympathy for her grandmother’s plight when she got herself involved with a shifter whom she loved in spite of herself.
    Talia’s heart withered inside her chest. She’d only known Vadim for a day, but it already felt as though they’d been connected for a lifetime. She loved this man, truly loved him. Zayd, too. One woman sharing two men appeared commonplace in Impulse, so the fact that she felt strongly about them both didn’t surprise her as much as perhaps it should. Must be something to do with the thin air, she thought.
    If the agony she felt right now was the downside of love, then perhaps she’d have been better off never having fallen into its tenacious clutches. But it was too late now. She was in too deep. Love was what she’d felt for them both, even when a force greater than her own will had encouraged her to try and kill Vadim. She’d felt at home the moment she regained consciousness and saw concern etched in the handsome planes of Vadim’s face as it hovered above hers. She’d been a rudderless ship her entire life and now she’d stumbled upon the home she had been subconsciously seeking, only to have it snatched away from her in the cruelest manner imaginable.
    Well, it wasn’t going to happen, not on her watch. Talia straightened her shoulders, ready to slug it out with the man who’d stolen her heart. She sensed an ally in Zayd and somehow they’d find a way to talk Vadim out of this madness, even if it meant turning him against her.
    She continued to brood, accepting that Impulse could never actually be her home, much as she already loved the place. She had shifter blood, so Rafe would probably let her live in the colony if she asked his permission.
    But she wouldn’t ask.
    Living here would mean seeing Vadim and Zayd every day. She would see them but wouldn’t actually be with them, which would break her heart. Worse, they’d have to find a mate eventually, and seeing them with another woman, bestowing upon her the love that ought to be hers, would tip her