by V. A. Dold
“Situation? I don’t understand.”
Krystal leaned forward and whispered, “I’m bonded… mated… wa-shea-ah’ed or whatever. How do you expect me to explain that to my mother?”
Doug’s brows pinched. “Why would you have to explain finding your destined djairu to your mother? Surely, she understands how that works. She had you, didn’t she? She has to have a mate.”
“You haven’t met her. She isn’t exactly normal. Mating anyone other than a full-blood wolf shifter will send her over the edge. When she finds out you’re a feline, she’s going to lose her mind. I’m very concerned about what she’ll do. I’m afraid she’ll try to kill you. My mother needs to be handled very carefully.”
“I’m not afraid of your mother. And when it comes to the bonding mark and an unbreakable connection, her opinion doesn’t matter.”
“Lucinda believes her opinion is the only one that matters. What is an unbreakable connection, anyway?” she asked and took a sip of wine.
“When we are intimate, our energy bodies mingle, and our creator sparks entwine. The sparks don’t fuse into one, but they do twist together. The energy of each person affects and slightly changes the energy of the other. Add that to the entwined sparks, and we are forever paired. After the wäshaeä we will never desire another.”
“So your people mate for life like we do?”
“How can you cheat on yourself? The wäshaeä effectively makes the companions one.”
“Good point. Wolf shifters each have half of a soul, and those two halves fuse together during the claiming ritual. So we have much the same thing.”
“I asked Luperca about that. What you call half of a soul is actually your creator spark. For some reason, she never explained that to your people. I assume that in an effort to comprehend and explain what happens during bonding, your ancestors created the theory of half-souls fusing. After repeated retellings, the theory became your truth.”
She gave him a look of disbelief. “I’ll believe that when I hear it directly from Luperca’s mouth. You said you have a creator spark. What is that?”
“When the Source of all, what some humans call God, wanted to experience life in all of its forms and aspects, it shattered itself into pieces more numerous than the grains of sand on your world. Through each tiny piece or spark, the Source is able to experience everything every being experiences. You have a spark as well. When your human form dies, your spark goes back to the Source until you choose to reincarnate again. At that point, your spark goes with you for another round of experiences.”
Krystal swallowed her bite of salad and asked, “And you know this, how?”
Doug paused with his fork midway to his mouth. “Everyone knows—oh, that’s right. Earthlings are born with amnesia. There’s no way you would have known.”
She frowned and lowered her fork. “We’re born with amnesia? Why would we be kept in the dark about the creator? And why do you keep referring to Earth like it isn’t your planet too?”
Doug stiffened. “I didn’t realize I was doing that. I’ll get to that explanation in a minute. As far as the amnesia goes any planet that hasn’t ascended to fourth density or above has a frequency too low to maintain information coming in from the higher densities. In effect, you have amnesia in regard to any knowledge or experience you gained while in a higher frequency environment. Some humans have lived many incarnations on Earth and are working to raise their vibration high enough to move into fourth and fifth density. Others have chosen to incarnate on Earth to assist the planet in ascending to the next level. The good news is, Earth itself is working its way through fourth density and very close to ascending to fifth. People are starting to remember things, and soon the amnesia will be a thing of the past.”
“Who has amnesia?” Thelma asked as she arrived with their dinners.
“No one,” Krystal quickly answered. “We’re just talking in hypotheticals.”
“Oh.” Thelma looked and sounded disappointed in their lack of gossip. “If you need anything, give me a wave. Enjoy,” she said with a smile as she left with their empty salad plates.
Krystal picked up her dinner fork and leaned over her plate. Taking a deep breath, she smiled. “So good.”
Doug followed suit, picking up his fork and knife. “I swear every meal I have here is better than the last.”
She took her first bite and closed her eyes to savor the flavors. “This is heaven for my taste buds.”
“Mm, yeah. Forgive me if our conversation suffers. When the food is really good, I become a man of few words until my plate is clean.”
“That must be a guy thing. All my brothers and cousins are the same way. Growing up, I ate a lot of silent meals.”
True to his word, the conversation was reduced to contented sounds and smiles until their meal was eaten.
Thelma was making her rounds, checking on her customers while topping off coffee and water for those who wanted more when she stopped beside their table. “I can see you liked Maria’s special. Y’all want a cup before you go home?”
Doug deferred to Krystal. “Would you like a cup and a piece of tiramisu?”
“Sure, but can you make mine a decaf coffee? Caffeine this late in the day will keep me up all night.”
“That’s a good idea. Could you make mine decaf as well? Oh, and why don’t you bring our bill with you? I can see you’re really busy, and it’ll save you a trip.”
Thelma collected their dinner plates and smiled. “You’re always so thoughtful. Krystal, you should keep this one.”
Krystal groaned. “Thelma, really? Boundaries?”
Laughing, Thelma shook her head as she walked away. “I don’t believe in them.”
She glanced at Doug and sighed. “I’m sorry about that. She believes she’s the matchmaker of the county and is always trying to pair people up.”
Doug shrugged. “Why would it bother me? We’re already paired up.”
“Whoa, there, big guy. I still have a lot to learn about you before I make that leap.”
He tipped his head. “Like what?”
“Like what kind of feline shifter you are. Oh, and I haven’t forgotten about the Earth comments or the mysterious more, you promised you would explain.”
“The more is, I’m not only a shifter, I’m also a non-terrestrial from Mer Ahn Tah, a planet in the Sirius star system. I traveled here in my lightship almost six of your years ago. As such, I can become pure energy if I wish. Some humans call it a light body. Earth may be slowly ascending to the fifth density, but I’m already there. I can do things you haven’t even thought of.”
Krystal swallowed hard. “There are so many things wrong with what you just said. I don’t know where to start. No, wait, before you tell me more about being from another planet, explain the cat part. What are you?”
Wanting to kick himself for overwhelming her, Doug ran his fingers through his hair. He wanted to hold off telling her more but he’d promised her an answer. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have blurted all of that out. Luperca warned me that humans wouldn’t handle disclosure about non-terrestrial well. In my excitement to pursue you, I forgot. If this has been too much for you, I can tell you about my animal during our second date.”
Krystal shook her head. “I want to know now.”
Taking a deep breath and releasing it, he nodded. “I’m a tiger.”
“You’re a—you can’t be. I’ve heard rumors of leopard and bobcat shifters in isolated parts of the world, but tiger shifters are a myth.”
“I assure you, we’re not.”
“So, you’re a cat and can turn into a light body, whatever that is, and on top of it all, you’re from another planet?” With each word, she became a little more hysterical.
“Um… yeah? What’s going on, Krystal?”
“My mother is going to do something completely insane when she hears about you.” Getting to her feet, Krystal collected her purse and held up a ha
nd when Doug made to rise. “No, stay right there. It’s not safe for you to be around me, yet. You don’t understand the ramifications of our pairing. I need to figure out how to handle this or someone is going to die. And that isn’t an exaggeration.”
“I apologize, Krystal. I dumped too much on you all at once and upset you. Give me a minute to pay for our dinner, and I’ll take you home.”
Stefanie’s eyes widened. Don’t do it!
“No. No taking me home. I need time to come up with a plan, and until I figure something out, we can’t be seen together. My mother has eyes everywhere, if she finds out I’m dating you she’ll do something crazy. I’ll call Kensie, and she’ll pick me up.”
“Krystal…” But she was already moving through the restaurant toward the door.
Krystal hadn’t expected her fated mate to suddenly arrive. That he wasn’t a wolf shifter was problematic enough, Sheriff Dansby was unlike anything imaginable on Earth. As such, he was the worst possible choice for Lucinda’s only remaining bargaining chip. As a rare, highly coveted female shifter, she could ensure an alliance with a powerful wolf pack who hadn’t pledged allegiance to the king. Lucinda wanted nothing more than to snub her brother-in-law.
Krystal had known what her mother was doing. Other than moving to another state and putting distance between them, she didn’t know what to do about it. She and her sister Julia knew their mother was riding the razor edge of insanity. Lucinda lashed out when Julia mated a human, causing a family rift that may never heal. Her mother would become absolutely violent if she found out her last daughter was mating an extraterrestrial tiger shifter. Krystal could handle violence aimed at herself, it was her cousin, his new mate, and her tiger she worried about.
Until she found a way to protect them, she had to keep Doug Dansby at arm’s length. So she did the only thing she could think of, she ran.
Stefanie stomped her foot. Dang it, Krystal. You’re going to ruin everything. Forget the phone and go back inside.
Ignoring her irritated guide, she frantically dug her cell phone from her bag and called Kensie. She knew her window of opportunity to avoid an uncomfortable ride home with Doug was closing. She’d felt the power he held and had seen the determination on his spirit guide’s face. Doug was an alpha among alpha males. She may have made it out of the restaurant, but he had by no means let her escape.
Hiding around the corner of Rubio’s restaurant, she kept one eye on the entrance and listened to her phone ringing. “Come on, Kensie, pick up.”
“Hello?” Kensie asked, distraction in her tone.
“Kensie. I need a ride. Please hurry.”
“Krystal? Are you okay? Do I need to bring Lucas with me?”
“I’m fine. I just need breathing room. And time to think.”
“That bad?” Kensie asked as she started down the driveway.
Krystal sighed. “You have no idea. Doug will try to convince me to ride home with him, and I don’t have much of a head start. Meet me at the oak tree.”
The oak tree she referred to was a massive live oak that was the namesake of Oak Grove and the pride of everyone in the area. It was the last remaining live oak from the original forest that provided lumber to build the town. Sure there were other live oaks dotting the countryside, but nothing like the forest that once stood where the town now thrived.
“I’m pulling onto the county road now,” Kensie said as Krystal heard the sound of gravel under tires change to asphalt. “I’ll be there in eight minutes.”
Ducking behind one car after another, Krystal kept an eye on the restaurant as she made her way across the parking lot. “Thank you, Kensie.” Pausing, she ended the call and made a slow sweep of the area. She couldn’t shake the feeling she was being stalked by a predator, which didn’t make sense. Doug hadn’t exited the building yet. Not finding the threat, she returned to making her escape.
The further she moved away from Doug, the louder her wolf howled. I get it. You want your mate. You know it’s not that simple, and your little hissy fit isn’t helping.
With a huff, her wolf threw itself into the darkest corner of her mind.
Stefanie wasn’t about to give in so easily. You should give him a chance. He can help you with your mother.
I didn’t ask you for advice on my mother. Krystal snapped back.
Stefanie huffed. Exactly. If you had, you wouldn’t be in this predicament.
Oh, shut up.
Stefanie threw her hands up and poofed away.
Doug paid for their dinner and now watched Kensie dart from car to car. Chuckling, he shook his head. His mate was entertaining as hell. Why she would think that hiding from him would make a difference, he had no idea? She was a wolf and knew shifters had a sense of smell that would put a bloodhound to shame.
If running and hiding from him made her feel better, he’d give her that. But that didn’t mean he was throwing in the towel. Far from it. He’d give her a little space to collect her thoughts and come to terms with who and what her djairu was. Okay, very little space, because he was following her home.
She was fighting her connection to him out of fear for their safety. But was that fear for his safety or her own? He was unsure. He needed to understand what he was fighting before he could implement a plan of attack. Perhaps Lucas knew what the problem was and could clue him in.
The good news was, he’d felt and scented her attraction during their date. Fear of her mother had caused her to panic, and his intuition told him that convincing her otherwise wouldn’t be easy. Frowning, he considered what she’d said about her mother. Did Lucinda hold enough power over Krystal to force her to deny her djairu?
If Lucinda’s threats proved to be a deal breaker for Krystal, he was not averse to removing her from the equation. No one, not even his djairi’s mother, was allowed to interfere with their wäshaeä mäku.
He was careful to give Krystal and Kensie a head start. Though he didn’t want to crowd his djairi, he stayed just far enough back to avoid detection. He took his time traversing the long winding road that served as a driveway. The weather had been dry, and the dirt kicked up easily. They wouldn’t thank him if a plume of dust found its way into the main house and cabins.
Seeing Kensie’s car parked at the main house, he knew Krystal had walked home from there. He’d given them a head start, but not enough of one that they had time to go to her cabin and be back at the ranch house. The only other possibility was his djairi hadn’t made it home yet and was inside the main house as well.
Rolling down his window, he drew in the scents around him. Sorting through the miasma, he picked out Krystal’s and began to follow the fresh trail. Her lovely aroma floated past the guest accommodations and concentrated at her cabin. He pulled off the farm road and parked alongside her adorable little wooden fence. The two-and-a-half-foot barrier was obviously décor only because it wasn’t keeping anything in or out.
Sliding from his truck, he grinned again. Her yard was the size of a postage stamp on a ranch that boasted miles of fence line. Taking a deep breath, he opened the gate and strolled in with all confidence and straight to her door.
Krystal and her wolf were aware of Doug the moment he pulled onto the ranch. Before moving to Texas with Lucas, she’d rarely used her gifts. Her mother vigorously disapproved of her useless abilities. Lucinda had insisted seeing auras and speaking to spirits was freakish and an embarrassment. The moment she was free of Lucinda’s iron-fisted control, she unchained her gifts to flourish and grow. And grow they did.
Somehow, flexing her psychic muscles attuned her to Gaia, Mother Earth. Gaia whispered to her when she quieted her mind and listened. Like now. She was meditating to ease her jangled nerves when Gaia’s lyrical whisper told her the sheriff was on the ranch.
Unfolding her legs, she rose from her yoga mat to peer out her front window. Within seconds, Doug’s truck rolled to a stop in front of her cabin. Her heart rate increased as she watched him climb f
rom the cab and prowl to her porch. Now that she knew what he was, she realized he moved with the loose limbs of a big cat. His gait was lazy and yet held a sense of confidence and alertness. He appeared relaxed, but she knew it was a ruse. Doug was an alpha in every sense of the word. Alphas missed nothing.
Well, she was powerful in her own right. Mind made up, she opened her door and stepped out onto the porch. Her once spacious porch was dwarfed by Doug’s physical size and larger than life presence. “What are you doing here, Sheriff?”
Chuckling, Doug folded his arms. “Good evening to you, too. We need to talk.”
Sweeping her arm toward the bistro table and two chairs, she asked, “Would you like to sit?”
Stefanie reappeared and grinned gleefully. It’s about time you got your head on right.
Tayja stood shoulder to shoulder with Stefanie. Is she always so difficult?
Yes.
He leaned against a column and glanced at a shadowed area just beyond her fence. “Out here where big ears can hear? No.”
“Big ears?” Feigning ignorance was a defense she’d honed while dealing with her mother’s irrationality. She could play dumb with the best of them. She knew he was referring to the wolf shifters on the ranch.
“Games are below you, Krystal,” he admonished.
She ignored his rebuke and instead, spun on her heel, entered the cabin, and paused to look back at him. “Inside then?”
From the set of Doug’s jaw, he wasn’t leaving anytime soon. Knowing he’d follow, she headed for the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. She ran her fingertips over the arm of her worn recliner as she passed. The ratty piece of furniture was the only thing other than clothes she hauled from Louisiana. Most people would have thrown out the ragged chair. She wasn’t most people. The chair held precious memories of late-night talks with her sister Julia. She left everything and everyone behind when she ran with Lucas to another state. But the only pleasant memories of her childhood weren’t something she was willing to throw out with the trash.
While the coffee brewed, she pulled the jar of instant decaf from her cabinet and made a cup of that for herself. Task finished, she turned to find the aggravating male sitting in her chair. No one who knew her took such liberties. There were two other seating options available to him, and yet he chose to take the beat-up recliner she’d touch. That’s when the extent to which her scent permeated the fabric occurred to her. No doubt he’d seen her caress the piece that smelled of her. The draw was too strong for him to ignore. Narrowing her eyes at him, she sat on her secondary choice and folded her hands in her lap.