Brazil, South America
As the beat of the jungle drums grew louder, Shu fought the memories of her past humiliation in the Mating Circle. Inside the circle her father, in jaguar form looking so powerful and dangerous - his dark coat gleaming, was in the process of claiming the hissing female jaguar at its center. The flickering torches cast a seductive glow over the aggressiveness of his advances. Once upon a time she'd wished for the same for herself. A powerful male stalking her and claiming her had once been her dream. But the mating circle is not meant for a half-breed such as me.
Relief flooded her as her father finally pinned the female under his weight and she submitted to him. As they exited the circle, Shu cowered down, showing respect to her father's new mate. Keeping her form submissive and head lowered, she prayed inside the body of her hybrid tigress-jaguar, Maria would pass her without incident. An unexpected rake across her shoulder of Maria's deadly claws, assured her Maria did not appreciate her presence at the gathering. Flattening her ears, Shu fought to control the large white Bengal tigress. Next to his new mate, her father hissed then knocked her over.
Despite the fact I've left the pride, gone away to school, and live as a human, I still cause trouble by just existing.
Her father's rough tongue traced over the wound on her shoulder. Lying still she accepted his gesture of comfort as she had many times in the past. Her luxurious white coat with pale silver rosettes and dark stripes was scarred in many places from her constant battles within her own pack. She had too much pride and strength to become the beta but it hadn't stopped the others from trying to force her into the role.
* * * *
Picking up her bag, Shu headed for the front door of her father's home. The screams and grunts of her father and his new mate had kept her up most of the night. When they'd finally quieted at dawn, she'd fought with her promise to remain for the week celebration of her father's mating and her own desire to leave. The vibration of her pager had finally made her decision for her.
"Shu, you promised to stay." Her father appeared in the doorway. His dark hair mused and his skin had several bite marks from Maria. She looked at them impassively.
Possessive as always it seems. She had to mark my father as hers and take away my last tie to the pack.
"I'm sorry, Dad, but an emergency has come up, one I can't ignore."
He walked closer to her. "What is so important that it would make my honorable daughter break her promise?"
"A
xiamen
tiger has been hurt. It was brought to the doctors at the Beijing zoo. Ry-lin called me. The tiger won't allow any near enough for treatment. He said they're thinking of sedating him but the tiger reeks of human. If his hunch is right, we're dealing with a hybrid and if they sedate him and he shifts..." She knew she didn't have to go further. Her dad knew the importance of keeping their secret from full-blooded humans.
Sadness appeared in his eyes. "Go, Shu. Thank you for humoring me and attending the Mating Circle. I know it couldn't have been easy for you after..."
"Let it rest, Dad. I'm happy with my life. I get to travel and treat all kinds of exotic animals. I am needed."
He frowned. "You think you're not needed in your own pack?"
"It's your pack, Dad. Yours and Maria's now. I'm a very unwelcome reminder of what happens when mating occurs outside the pack. No jaguar wants to mate me nor does any tiger, so I'll use my education and pull as a human to further our causes. Insuring the continuance of our endangered species will be a suitable replacement for not having cubs of my own."
He lifted his hand and touched her cheek. From behind him the warning hiss of enraged jaguar came. His hand fell before he turned and faced his mate. "Maria, do I need to remind you again? She's my daughter."
Taking advantage of his distraction, she slipped out the door. Seeing Raphael, her father's second in command and her cousin waiting, she smiled. He was one of the few aside from her father who tolerated her presence. She winced as the mating scream came from the house. Her dad was once more exerting his dominance over his new mate.
Raphael shook his head. "Ready?"
"Yeah. Thanks for taking me to the airport." Sliding into the Jeep, she leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. The familiar smells of the jungle comforted her as they headed towards the small airstrip where she could catch a flight out and begin the journey headed towards China.
* * * *
The rhythmic thud of the wheels touching down in Beijing woke Shu from her light sleep. Without opening her eyes she could smell the stewardess coming down the aisle. The clicks of the overhead compartments being opened finally had her opening her eyes. The reoccurring dream of the tiger had plagued her over the last twenty- four hours and uncountable miles. The piercing amber eyes haunted her and wouldn't leave her alone. Whether it was the dream or her words to her father, they promised she was his.
Standing and trying to shake off the dream, Shu grabbed her carryon and headed down the aisle. She bumped into a large Chinese man. "
Bào qiàn
." Her apology spoken in soft Chinese had the man pausing.
When he turned and rambled off several words in Mandarin, she held up her hands laughing. "That's all I know how to say."
The muscular and pale skinned man quickly switched to English. "Such a pretty lady as yourself should learn more than how to say sorry. I'm Daniel Sun." He gave her an informal bow.
"Hello, Daniel. I'm Shu Rodriguez, and don't let the name fool you. I was born and raised in Brazil."
"Interesting, I've been to Argentina but never Brazil. " While they waited for the line to move, he continued, "So have you come here for pleasure, Shu?"
She shook her head. "No. I'm here on business. I'm a doctor – a vet. I'm here because of an injured tiger. This will be my fourth visit to the Beijing Zoo. One of these times I'm going to come over for a visit and actually get to do the tourist thing. "
Daniel's eyes narrowed before his expression smoothed out. "Ah, I see. What a coincidence. I've come to here for the same reason. I have contracted a car to pick me up, why not share it?"
Taking a deep breath, she smelled nothing but human.
He's safe enough.
As a hybrid, Shu had all the strengths of her base form. Strong and agile, if she was pitted against full-blooded humans she would have no problem defending herself and winning.
"I would like that."
* * * *
When they pulled up in front of the Beijing Zoo, Shu was met by Ry-lin. His wide face was lit with relief. "Dr. Rodriguez, I'm so glad you could make it. Mr. Chen wants to sedate the tiger but I'm afraid it will do more good than harm," he said softly as he led her away from Daniel. Looking over his shoulder, he nodded to Daniel.
"I understand. We'll see if I can work my magic on him tonight after hours." Glancing at her watch, she estimated she had just enough time to tour the other cat exhibits before they closed. She turned back to Daniel before addressing Ry-lin again. "I'd like to see this tiger after checking in on some old friends. Would you like to join me, Daniel?"
On their ride over to the zoo after dropping their luggage at a small hotel, she'd found out Daniel was a protector of Xiamen tiger. At first she'd thought his words odd but shrugged it off as part of the language barrier, assuming he'd meant he was one of the people who were vital in protecting tiger's rights by holding protests and raising awareness.
He seems like a nice enough man and Lord knows I haven't had any male companionship in ages.
"Sure I'd love that!" Daniel joined her. "Lead the way."
* * * *
Daniel followed the dusky skinned doctor.
What the hell kind of mess has Gregory gotten into this time and why has the zoo called in a specialist? For the love of the Goddess, I hope they haven't sedated him!
Telling himself that if they had, it would've made the news had done little to help. And despite the assurances from Ry-lin, he was leery of the doctor they'd chosen.
This isn't some pure bred tiger she's going to be dealing with. This is my very special brother.
As they approached the first pen, he watched her easy and confident handling of the Bengal tiger.
"Good afternoon." She spoke to the tiger as if it were human. Entering the cage at the back, she walked up cautiously on the large Bengal who was lying in the sun. Touching the flank, she continued to speak softly.
Across the pen, Daniel noticed the young tigress who was watching Shu and the male. When it surged to its feet, Daniel readied himself to tackle the cat, who outweighed him even in his cat form. Before he could get into the pen to place himself between the cat and Shu, it pounced.
"Shu!" His warning came too late.
She went down under the weight of the tigress. Outside the pen, the few people who were still there screamed.
He pushed at Ry-lin trying to get into the pen. "No, Daniel."
"She's being attacked! Let me in there. If she's his only hope, I can't let her die!"
* * * *
Under the pinning weight of the tigress, Shu chuckled.
"You're getting very good at pouncing Ling. You've been practicing haven't you?"
"Oh yes, Shu. Lang even lets me practice on him. But the old growly bear won't admit to it."
"Enough, Ling," this came from the older male. "These humans don't realize you're playing with Shu. Get off her or they will rush in with the tranq guns."
"I'll have to agree with him, Ling. Let me up. After I deal with the Xiamen tiger, I'll come back and we can play away from prying eyes, okay?"
"Okay!" With the spring the young tigress gave her one more push before springing away and heading back to the other side of the pen.
Dusting herself off, she stood slowly. Aware of the few people who still loitered at the edge of the pen, she made a display of backing away slowly. Ling gave a roar. The people at the rail backed away quickly.
"Once a show off always a showoff, Ling."
"And don't you forget it."
When she reached the door, she was snatched through its opening and it was slammed shut. Daniel was running his hands over her.
"I'm fine Daniel." She pushed his hands away. He looked down at her and crossed his arms over his chest.
