Carpathian 17 - Dark Celebration

goal.
    Mikhail, step back , Traian warned. She is about to attack .
    She is Joie's mother , Mikhail reminded him. We cannot hurt her .

    There is no we. Get back . Traian edged forward in an effort to protect Mikhail as well as his lifemate and the others.
    "She never did that when we were in school and she was really upset with our teachers,"
    Jubal said. "What the hell, Dad? Did you know?"
    "Shut up, Jubal," Mr. Sanders snapped. "Now is not the time for levity. She is very dangerous."
    "You think? You've got blood dripping all over the floor."
    "What triggered this?" Mikhail asked calmly.
    Mr. Sanders shook his head. "I have no idea. She seemed to accept everything you told her."
    "All of you back out of the room. Let Traian, Mr. Sanders and me handle this," Mikhail ordered.
    I am on my way, Mikhail. Wait for me . Gregori, as always, was perfectly calm.
    Oh, now you want to help. I think I can take care of one jungle cat.
    If you got so much as a scratch on you, your daughter would have my head on a platter.
    Besides — you are getting old and slow .
    As Joie, Jubal, Gabrielle and Gary began to slowly inch their way out of the room, the cat became more agitated, leaping to its feet, running at the two Carpathian males, a roar of rage shaking the house. Her children stopped.
    The jaguar exploded into action, leaping over furniture to hit Traian squarely in the chest.
    Her weight and the suddenness of the attack pushed him over backward. She went for his throat, trying to sink her teeth deep. He caught her between strong hands, holding the snarling cat off.
    Gabrielle screamed. "Don't hurt her!"
    That's my mother ! Joie cried.
    Traian hesitated, and the cat raked his chest with her hind legs, tearing great lacerations, all the while driving its teeth toward his throat. It suddenly switched tactics, claws raking his chest, digging in for traction as she gathered power, pushing off with her hind legs to leap at Gary. She struck hard and fast, going in for the kill.
    Powerful hands wrapped around her neck, holding her off, and she stared into the black eyes of the prince. He had moved with blurring speed, inserting his body between the jaguar and its prey.

    "Mom! Stop!" There was panic in Joie's voice. "What are you doing?"
    Traian had no choice. He was sworn, as all Carpathians, to protect their prince. He circled the strong neck in a half nelson, prepared to break the neck should she persist in her attack on Mikhail.
    The jaguar fought, using its flexible spine, but neither male yielded.
    "Please, Traian, don't. You can't kill her," Joie pleaded, rushing forward to grab his arm.
    It was enough distraction that the jaguar twisted, nearly getting away from Traian, the claws tearing at Mikhail.
    "Enough!" The command thundered through the room as a tall, broad-shouldered man strode in. His silver eyes gleamed with lethal intent. Ignoring Joie and Jubal's pleas, Gregori reached past Traian and yanked the jaguar's head around to stare into its eyes. "I said enough. If you persist in this action I will slay you immediately. You are human enough to understand me. Go into the other room and regain control now." There was no give, no compassion. He didn't even glance at the others in the room. He simply picked up the jaguar and flung it toward the door.
    The cat landed hard against the wall, slid down and lay for a moment, sides heaving.
    There was a small silence broken only by the jaguar's heavy breathing. Then it turned its head and snarled.
    Gregori let out a long slow hiss, eyes glittering. He took one threatening step toward the cat. "I will not tell you again. You attacked my prince and the penalty is death. There are three Carpathians in this room and by all rights you should be dead. Go before I lose what little patience I have."
    The jaguar slunk off, and Gregori reached down and helped Mikhail to his feet. "Next time, if you do not protect your prince, you will answer to me. I do not care who attacks him, or for what reason. It is your duty to see to his safety whether he likes it or not." His eyes touched on first Traian, then Joie and Gabrielle. "Do I make myself perfectly clear?
    Because if I do not, I will go in there and break her neck and show you what one does to keep their prince from harm."
    Traian nodded and reached for Joie. Gabrielle kept her face buried against Gary's shoulder. Mr. Sanders rushed into the other room to attend to his wife.
    "I was safe, Gregori," Mikhail said quietly.
    Gregori whipped