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was kill or be killed, a very real way of life in the rain forest. He spared a thought for Maggie, how she
would react, and then he was lost in the fierce battle.
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Maggie kicked to the surface, her heart pounding. She dragged herself from the pool. The sounds were
terrifying, the noise so loud the forest would carry it throughout the interior. The black panther and the
spotted leopard were raking and biting, ramming each other to force the other into submission. She
looked around for a weapon, anything she could use to help Brandt. James had caught him off guard, had
torn a gaping wound in his side. He was at a disadvantage.
The change started in her mind first. He had told her that. With tears running down her face, she tried to
block out the sight and smell of blood, the sight of two powerful males in real combat. She knew the
leopard inside and out. Shewas the leopard. Her fur was reddish with beautiful rosettes, her tail long and
tipped red. She heard the noises, the cracks and pops, felt the stretching of her skin and bones.
Maggie lay on the rock, astonished that she had managed to do such a thing. She stretched, snarled to
show her canines. The wildness of the battle was already in her, thickening her blood and pumping
adrenaline through her. A warning growl escaped her throat as instincts took over. She trusted that part
of her, accepted it. Reveled in it. The threat was to her mate. To her family. To everything she cared
about.
She leapt on the back of the spotted leopard, sinking her teeth deep into his neck, raking with claws. He
shook her off easily, but the distraction was all Brandt needed to gain the advantage. He was on the other
cat before it could recover, taking the throat, twisting until the leopard was on his side, the hold
impossible to break.
Maggie was already inspecting Brandt's injuries, padding around him on her soft cushioned paws. When
he let go, backing away, the spotted leopard didn't rise.
Brandt could hear the others coming fast, coming to his aid. It was too late for any of them. He'd had no
choice but to make the kill, but it sickened him that he had to do such a thing to one of his own kind. He
looked at Maggie bleakly, his head down, his heart filled with sorrow. His sides were heaving as his lungs
worked to recover.
Her tongue soothed a rip on his shoulder, lapped at another along his side. She nudged him to his feet,
already aware of the others on their way. She was clearly stating her position. His people could deal with
the aftermath of jungle justice. Brandt was to go with this mate, allow her to take care of his injuries. Her
tongue was busy, and her smaller body continually urged his toward the forest, away from the sight and
smells of his savage way of life. Urged him toward their home.
Maggie had clearly chosen her destiny and Brandt finally accepted she knew what she was doing. His
heart overflowing, he went with her, basking in her love and care.
Leopards 2
-- Wild Rain --
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Chapter 1
THE small launch chugged up the fast-moving river at a pace that allowed the group of travelers to see
the surrounding forest. Thousands of trees competed for space, as far as the eye could see. Creeping
vines and plants hung low, some sweeping the water's surface. Brilliantly colored parrots, lorikeets and
kingfishers flitted continually from branch to branch, so that the foliage appeared to be alive with
movement.
"It's so beautiful here," Amy Somber said, turning away from the forest to look at the others. "But all I
can think about is snakes and leeches and mosquitoes."
"And the humidity," Simon Freeman added, unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt. "I'm always
sweating like a pig."
"It is oppressive," Duncan Powell agreed. "I feel like I'm suffocating."
"That's strange," Rachael Lospostos said. And it was strange. The humidity didn't bother her at all. The
heavy trees and creeping vines sent blood singing through her veins, making her feel more alive than ever.
She lifted the heavy mass of thick dark hair from her neck. She'd always worn it long in memory of her
mother, but had sacrificed it for the sake of a very good cause saving her own life. "I really love it here.
I can't imagine anyone lucky enough to live here." She exchanged a small smile of camaraderie with Kim
Pang, their guide.
He nodded toward the forest and Rachael caught a glimpse of a noisy troop of long-tailed macaques
leaping from branch to branch. She smiled as she heard the rasping call of the sap-sucking cicadas even
above the roar of the water.
"I like it too," Don Gregson admitted. He was the acknowledged and respected leader of their group, a
man who often visited the rain forest and raised funds for medical supplies for regions in need.
Rachael stared into the rich, lush forest, longing growing in her with a strength that shook her. She heard
the continual call of the birds, so many of them, saw them flitting from branch to branch, always busy,
always in flight. She had a mad desire to dive out of the boat and swim away to disappear into the dark
interior.
The boat hit a particularly choppy wave and threw her against Simon. She had always had a good figure,
even as a young girl, developing quickly with lush curves and a woman's generous body. Simon pressed
her close when he caught her courteously, her breasts mashing against his chest. His hands slid down her
spine unnecessarily. She dug her thumb into his ribs, smiling sweetly as she extracted herself from his
arms.
"Thanks, Simon, the currents seems to be getting stronger." There was no annoyance in her voice. Her
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expression was serene, innocent. It was impossible for him to see the smoldering anger at the way he
took every opportunity to touch her. She glanced at Kim Pang. He saw everything, bis expression every
bit as tranquil as hers, but he had noted the position of Simon's roving hands. "Why is the river becoming
so wild and choppy, Kim?"
"Rain upriver, there is much flooding. I warned you, but Don consulted with another and was told the
river was passable. As we get farther upriver, we shall see."
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