Destiny's Prerogative

Destiny's Prerogative

Karen Michelle Nutt

An Otherworldy Romance

Smashwords Edition

Destiny's Prerogative

Presented by Twin Star Books

Copyright © 2008, 2012 Karen Michelle Nutt

Cover Art Copyright © 2012 Karen Michelle Nutt

Smashwords Licensing Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this eBook with other people, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you are reading this eBook without purchasing it and it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

Destiny's Prerogative is a work of fiction. Though actual locations may be mentioned, they are used in a fictitious manner and the events and occurrences were invented in the mind and imagination of the author except for the inclusion of actual historical facts. Similarities of characters or names used within to any person–past, present, or future–are coincidental except where actual historical characters are purposely interwoven.

PRAISES FOR DESTINY'S PREROGATIVE

There's a part of the storyline that the romantic in me loved and was silently cheering for throughout the entire book, all while I was kept on the edge of my seat by the twists and turns handed out in this book. It's a quick read and a very fast-paced book. I am very impressed with the thoughtful progression of time, the storyline and the depth of character Nutt gave each person in the book.

~Stacy, Bitten By Books

The Cruzado brothers are not your typical weres, particularly Gabriel and Lucas; one is an artist, the other a surfer. Demetrius is a very alpha type attorney. I liked the sequences on the dream plane and the subplot where weres are being kidnapped and killed. Gabriel is a bit too noble for his own good and Shay is the perfect soul mate for him as his brothers deducted. Bly is a bit of a surprise and the ending is very exciting. This is a very well crafted and entertaining story.

~Maura, Coffee Time Romance

Destiny's Prerogative the Lovers, is a thrilling, beautifully written, romantic tale. Gabriel is a very noble and charming character. Shay is independent, strong and brave. When you have three gorgeous brothers, one strong, intelligent lead woman and throw in a mysterious figure threatening everything you come up with one breath taking, fast paced romance story.

~Amy Parker, Paranormal Romance

Karen Michelle Nutt leads us on a compelling adventure of fantastical proportions, a paranormal story in which the feared shape shifters are more honorable than the human shamans who seek to destroy these noble creatures. Love, true love, is an honorable commitment and not something to be taken lightly. It is Gabriel's credo that is almost his undoing, almost his sad demise. But what is love without honor and respect and commitment?

Destiny's Prerogative is a well-crafted story of fantasy and paranormal experiences that grips the reader from the first page. It is recommended by:

~Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Allbooks Reviews.

Destiny's Prerogative is a sensational read. Mrs. Karen Nutt has, yet again, visualized an exceptionally marvelous story, one that will charm the reader, snaring them into the artistic world she has created. I am impressed by Mrs. Nutt's visualization and creativeness involving such a unique and innovative world centered on werejaguars. Mrs. Nutt truly knows how to captivate the reader with vivid characterization and imaginative surroundings, all of which entwine around a well-devised plot. I will certainly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in paranormal romance genre.

~Amy Ramsey, Ramsey's Reviews

Destiny's Prerogative' is designed around the traditions and love lessons of the jaguars and shape- shifters, adding a bit of spiritual thinking and non-stop action. It is a unique way of looking into the 'were' world and if you love these kinds of stories, you won't be able to put it down.

~Anastasia, Ghost Writer Literary Reviews

Dedication: To Cathy for all her help. It is truly appreciated. Thank you.

Prologue

Gabriel felt exhausted from the changes that racked his body. At thirty, this was a normal function for a werejaguar—a nagual. The transition would have run smoothly if he had chosen a mate wisely. He hadn't and now he would pay for it. With only two and half weeks left before the new moon, time had run out for him. The chances of him pulling through the were-flux were slim to none.

In his compromised state, he knew he shouldn't channel, but he heard the call for help. There was a lost soul out there and a nagual's duty was to guide those in the spirit world to safety. He couldn't abandon the soul even if it meant he'd be weakened further. 

He concentrated, letting himself relax, to drift, letting the soul pull him. He picked up the essence. The soul was female. She was scared, and confusion guided her movements through the spirit world, leaving her between worlds…between life and death.

He probed further, needing to know if he should guide the soul to the otherworld or back to her body. She's strong. He was pleased to know. She hadn't been separated by her physical form for very long. There was still time. She could live if she so wished.

He opened his eyes and his eyebrows lifted in surprise. In this plane, the soul created the atmosphere. She designed a world his nagual form could appreciate. There was lush foliage, a running river and trees that lined the horizon. Perhaps the woman had a natural closeness with animals. He shifted to his jaguar form with ease.

He breathed in and his nostrils filled with her scent. She was near, running toward him. He would wait for her by the river. 

She broke through the trees with a flash of brightness that nearly blinded him and her sweet smell intoxicated every pore of his being. He wished he could see what she looked like in her human form, but when the soul was separated from the physical body, they projected only light. The purer the soul, the brighter they appeared.

Her hesitation alerted him. He was convinced she viewed him as the jaguar. Usually the soul chose to see something else, someone they were comfortable with in life—a parent, a lover, or friend. She was indeed a unique woman.

Don't be afraid, he told her.

Oh God. Her eyes widened. She backed up, turned and ran.

Time was slipping away for her. She couldn't leave. Without thinking he went after her. He leapt, colliding into her and bringing her down. For a moment he witnessed a glimpse of her true form. He'd touched her soul, but he couldn't worry about the consequences of his actions now. Time was of the essence. Don't run, he whispered in her ear. I only wish to help you. He stepped away from her, giving her space.

She scrambled to her feet.

I'll not harm you, he told her. He concentrated and changed to his human form, hoping to put her at ease. He wished he wasn't so weak. He must be strong or he'd lose her. You need to come with me, he told her, leaving no room for negotiation.

I don't understand," she stammered.

We don't have much time. He glanced over his shoulder. The window for her survival was already closing. He looked at her again. Take my hand. He held it out to her. Please. I only want to help you. It's not your time. You have to go back.

"Where?"

Back to your body. If you don't go soon, you'll die. He paused, waiting for her decision. He hoped she would choose life. He sensed a woman who would make a difference in the world, a woman he would be honored to meet. He sighed with regret. He would never make her acquaintance. His fate was sealed, but he could still save her. It is your prerogative, but choose with haste. Pain racked him and he couldn't hold the human illusion and he changed back to the jaguar. It's still me, he hurried to tell her. Your eyes do not deceive you.

You're a jaguar.

Please trust me. Will you let me help you?

Again the brightness of her soul revealed a part of her, proving she was comfortable with him, a rarity with humans who didn't come from the shaman lineage. He waited patiently and she rewarded him with her answer.

Yes, please help me.

Chapter One

Demetrius Cruzado loosened his tie as he thought about his visit earlier today from Antonio Vertiz.

Vertiz ran the local pub in town where most of the preternatural beings hung out. He asked Demetrius to look into the disappearance of his son, Tony, a sixteen year-old werejaguar, who went missing two months ago. Demetrius practiced law; he didn't run a detective agency. However, Vertiz and his father went way back, so he made a few calls. To his chagrin, he discovered a rash of missing person reports had been filed in the Los Angeles region alone. At first the cops assumed the gangs were retaliating against each other, but now the faction targeted teenage weres. They were all good kids with no history of trouble.

A few years back, his cousin at the San Francisco PD told him they experienced a similar problem. The police ferreted out a cult of preaching fanatics who twisted the word of God to fit their needs. The group's motto stated: Eliminate all shapeshifters from existence. They decided shapeshifters had breached the levels of hell and escaped with a diabolical plan to take over the earth and force humans to be their slaves.

Demetrius knew it had been too quiet. The fanatics must have regrouped.

Before he left the office, he put out a bulletin alerting the nearby were community to watch for suspicious behavior. How he detested humans who acted out of fear and not facts. Weres in general didn't threaten mankind. Sure, an occasional rogue shapeshifter reared his ugly head, but statistically speaking, humans murdered in greater numbers.

Demetrius headed down the long hall of the family estate, glancing at the portraits Gabriel had painted of jaguars. All were large, strong and determined. Demetrius had to admit his brother's talent surpassed the conventional in the way he blended the colors, triggering the painting to life. At first glance, one would only see the scenery until the optical illusion revealed the animal, as if it could leap from the foliage.

Gabriel finished a painting yesterday for the preserve's auction. Demetrius hoped his brother remembered to deliver it. With Gabriel's change nearing its peak, he'd been unpredictable.

Demetrius opened the mahogany wood door to the study, flipping