“Well, some of that is my fault. After Samar and our home were lost, I spent most of my time in my tiger form. Over time, my stripes wouldn’t disappear. If you look closely at the rest of my body hair, you can see it as well.” When she started to inspect his chest, he let out a deep snicker, vibrating his whole body. “There’s not much there. Your best chance would be my legs, or my arm. Here.”
He lifted his other arm and brought it closer. Holding out his forearm, he reached over with his other arm to point out the thick stripe of charcoal gray hair that ran through the rest of the black arm hair. “It’s hard to see.”
“Wow.” She leaned up to get a closer look. “I never noticed it until you pointed it out.”
“Most people don’t, but when I first noticed it I was self-conscious about it. Never wanting anyone to see it, I’d wear long sleeves and pants. With my hair, there was nothing I could do about that unless I wanted to shave it off. I couldn’t do that. My hair is my past.”
“I like it.” She snuggled into his body, her head resting in the crook of his shoulder, and she teased her fingers along the contours of his chest. “Everything feels so different.”
“Your body is adjusting to being my mate.” He rubbed his hand along her naked back. My mate. He loved the sound of that. “After a little rest, your body will adjust to the new emotions and things will have settled. You’ll find peace within all the turbulence you’re experiencing. It’s a lot to take in now, but it will be better soon.”
She was his and while that filled him with joy, doubt twisted his stomach. He had failed Samar and the people he considered family, and because of that they were dead. Over the years, he had come a long way and had proven to himself that he was a different man. He kept the Elders of the Alaskan Tigers safe and saved countless others through his duties. There was no way he’d fail his mate.
He nuzzled his face into her hair, marking her with his scent, reveling in her presence as they drifted to sleep.
Chapter Fourteen
Brooklynn woke to find herself alone in bed with the afternoon sun streaming through the window. A mixture of relief and sadness coursed through her at Carran’s absence. She could feel him down the hall, with the others, and while that gave her a jolt of relief knowing where he was, panic rose within her. He had told her that after a few hours of sleep, she’d find peace with the changes, but she wasn’t so sure.
Not wanting to be naked any longer, she grabbed the shirt she had been wearing before he’d stripped it off her, and tugged it over her head. This wasn’t like one of the one-night stands she’d had before, something she could forget about the following morning. There was a connection between them, one that wouldn’t allow her to forget about their night together. Only a few hours after they had made love, she longed to feel his touch again, craved his arms around her.
What did that mean? She didn’t know what her future held or even if the Donovick Wolves were still after her. She hadn’t bothered to ask what happened during the meeting. She had wanted to wash away the lingering effects from the dream, to have him hold her in his arms because when he did, she felt like it would all be okay. Knowing he was safe spread to wanting him intimately and further than she had ever planned on taking it.
She pushed back the covers and got out of bed. “I’ve lost my job, my life is in shreds, and all I can think about is getting him naked again. What the hell is wrong with me?”
“Nothing, you’re mated.” Carran strolled through the door, carrying a mug with something steaming inside. “Coffee?”
“A man after my heart.” She took the offered mug and breathed in the heavenly aroma.
“And after your body.” He wrapped his arm around her waist, pressing them close together. “No more nightmares, I see, but I thought you’d sleep for a bit longer.”
“Strange place, strange bed.” She took a drink and the hot liquid did nothing to quell the fire burning within her. “Will I be able to go home today?”
“We can go get your stuff, but I’d like you to come back to Alaska with me.”
She sat the coffee aside and turned to face him. “My job…” What was she saying? She didn’t have a job any longer. Everything she’d worked for had disintegrated. Trust him. Her father’s parting words played through her thoughts.
“It’s too dangerous for you to continue working for the police department here.” He adjusted his body so they were standing face to face, and his hands ran along her arms. “Mates are meant to be together and I want you with me. Right now my duty is with the Alaskan Tigers.”
“I’m a police officer. It’s not just a job to me, that’s who I am. It’s what I’ve worked for my whole life. I can’t give that up.”
“I’m not asking you to. There’s a job opportunity waiting for you in Alaska. You can do what you love and we can be together.”
Stepping back, she pulled out of his embrace and stared at him. “How dare you!”
“What?” His hands dropped to his sides and he stared at her, confusion marring his forehead.
“You try to bribe me to follow you by offering me a job! What the hell do I look like? I can find my own job. I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again. I don’t need pity.”
“You’re wrong if that’s what you think this is.” He didn’t move away, or even appear surprised by her sudden rage. “I had nothing to do with this job offer, and didn’t even know about it until a few minutes ago. If you weren’t so upset, you’d be able to feel that through the connection. You’d also be able to tell I’m not ecstatic over it, either.”
“They’re waiting.” Someone called out from down the hall. It sounded like Red, but the voice was too faint to be sure.
“Bring the laptop down here.” Without taking his gaze from her, Carran walked toward the door.
She didn’t know what he meant by not being ecstatic over the job opportunity, and at the moment her anger wouldn’t let her think straight enough to focus on that. Instead, she ignored him and let her anger simmer, grabbing her jeans from the chair beside the bed and slipping them on. If another guy was going to be strolling into the bedroom, she wanted to be dressed in more than a T-shirt. Too bad she couldn’t put on a bra and at least drag a brush through the bird’s nest she called her hair.
“Go ahead and get dressed. Red’s not coming in, but there’s someone you need to talk to.” When she raised an eyebrow at that, he added, “Conference call with video streaming. Unless you want to talk to them like that, I’d suggest you hurry.”
“Not with you in here.”
“I’ve already seen you naked and, mate, I’m going to again…very soon.” He stepped out into the hall and pulled the door slightly shut behind him.
Knowing it was the best she was going to get, she quickly tugged off his shirt, but in an emotional moment she left his shirt around her neck and hooked her bra. His scent clung to the fabric and she wasn’t ready to give up his shirt, even if it was large on her. The door pushed open and Carran entered, staring down at the screen as she snatched the brush off the dresser and ran it through her hair. Looking mostly presentable, she turned to face Carran.
“I understand.” He paused as another voice came through the computer speakers.
“We need the team back here. David is having issues with the Mississippi Tigers again and they are making threats toward Tabitha. I want the team back here in case there is an attack.”
“We’re hoping to be in the air within a few hours.”
“No, I’ve already told Theodore he needs to bring the team back tonight. I expect you to be on that plane, as well. You’ve got new duties that need your attention.”
“Sir, does that mean—”
“We’ll discuss it once you’re back. Is your mate ready? Tabitha and I would like to speak with her.”
Carran looked up from the screen to see her standing near the dresser. “One moment.” He neared her and placed the laptop on the dresser, tipping the screen upward, giving them a better an
gle. “Brooklynn, this is my Alpha, Ty, and his mate, Tabitha, the Queen of the Tigers.”
“Hi.” Feeling uneasy, she cupped her hands in front of her as she took in the two individuals on the screen. With his broad shoulders and deep blue eyes, Ty was imposing. The woman with him offered a bright, friendly smile that seemed more delicate and welcoming. The smile did little to put Brooklynn at ease. She wasn’t sure what the video conference was about, but she hadn’t even completely come to terms with everything that was happening right there in that house. She doubted she was ready to deal with people across the country. “I don’t know what you want to talk to me about,” she said. “If you’re worried I’m going to expose your secret, let me put your fears to rest, because I wouldn’t do that. I just want to put everything that’s happened behind me.”
“It’s your secret now, as well.” The woman leaned forward. “Carran has claimed you as his mate, which means you’ve become part of this family.”
Carran reached out and placed his hand on the small of her back. “I only claimed her as my mate a few hours ago. She’s still getting accustomed to things.”
“Humans take more time.” Ty gave Carran a quick nod before turning his attention to her. “Brooklynn, I understand your hesitation, but you’re in danger as long as you stay in Pittsburgh. Carran was able to calm the Donovick Wolves because of what happened with the Alpha’s daughter, but Donovick’s brother is still a concern, putting your safety at risk.”
“J.R.? He’s a child.” Looking for the truth, she turned her head toward Carran.
“We’ve just learned he’s left the wolves’ den, and no one is sure where he is. His Alpha has men out looking for him. But his anger has already been expressed. Last night he thought his Alpha would kill us, but when we were leaving he planned to eliminate us himself. He was carted off by the Elders before he could carry out his plans. Meghan ensured us they would handle J.R., but warned us we should leave town until they had him under control. The wolves didn’t want to see you injured for something that wasn’t your fault. J.R. refuses to believe his brother could do the things he is accused of.”
“He’s a child…barely sixteen. He’d never…” She wanted to say he would never hurt anyone, but doubts rose within her. Donovick had a side she never saw; it was possible J.R. did, too.
“People will surprise you.” Carran pressed his body along the side of hers. “J.R. is angry right now, he’s grieving for his brother, and if he believes the lies he’ll feel like he’s lost his place within the pack. I believe things will calm with him, but if he sees you right now he’s likely to do something I’d have to kill him for.”
“He’s a child.” Even as the words left her mouth again, she reminded herself children were as capable of killing as adults.
“He’s come into his animal and has control over his beast, which makes him an adult in our world,” Ty explained. “If he commits a crime, he’ll be judged by the Elders as an adult. The penalty for attacking the mate of an ally clan is death. Carran would be in his right to demand his death.”
“Our ways are different than the human population,” Tabitha said. “I was raised in the human world. While it’s all shocking at first, I assure you our ways are more humane and just than what you’re thinking at the moment.” She paused, adjusting in the chair and taking hold of a tablet. “I’ve read your file with the police department. You’re an exemplary officer, one we need on our side.”
“I’m not interested in being in anyone’s pocket. An officer taking bribes isn’t fair and that’s not the kind of officer I am. I’m sure you can see that from my file.”
“Hear them out,” Carran urged.
“There’s nothing more to hear if you’re asking me to take bribes.”
“I’m asking you to command a department of your own,” Tabitha announced, and when Brooklynn turned back to the screen, she continued. “There are many things Carran needs to fill you in on, but as he already told you, I’m the Queen of the Tigers. It is my job to unite the tiger shifters, but as you’d guess, there are those among us who are hesitant about what the future holds. The ones we are more concerned about are those who are against us. If we’re going to make our presence known to humans, we have to be able to show that we can control our own kind. Which is why we need a shifter police department.”
“But I’m not a shifter.” Brooklynn wouldn’t be able to handle things successfully if she had to stand against a shifter suspect. It had already been proven by Donovick and she was in no hurry to get her ass kicked again. Next time, Galen might not be so close to heal her wounds, and she could die of blood loss.
“You have the skills. That’s what we need. You can lead the team and help us in ways that we can’t.”
“What type of crime are we talking? You already stated murder is acceptable to your kind.” If they accepted murdering someone without any consequences, why was she even considering this job opportunity? Maybe they were right. She knew about shifters, so how could she turn her back and pretend they weren’t living among humans? It would mean leaving Carran behind. There would have to be a clear line drawn, cutting them off completely, if she was going to do it.
“Murder for the sake of murder is never acceptable. To kill someone in self-defense or to protect a mate or a clan, that is a different thing entirely.” Tabitha set the tablet back on the table. “Shifters aren’t that different from humans. The Alphas and Elders normally keep the clan members in line, but sometimes things get out of control. We need a group that will conduct the investigation without the influence of the Alpha, Elders, or clan members. All Alphas handle their own discipline now, but in the case of one clan going after another, or a member attacking one of mine, we need an impartial team to go in and determine the outcome.”
“As Queen, Tabitha has other duties that need to be attended to, she can’t travel to deal with every issue that comes up, and we cannot risk having her walk into a trap.” Ty took his mate’s hand in his. “My mate has enemies already and with every move we make to unite the tigers and make our presence known to humans, the risk to her safety increases.”
“Are you saying people want to…” She searched for the right word. “Assassinate her?”
“Exactly.” Ty nodded.
“If Tabitha is killed before she can carry out the prophecy, the tiger shifter population will cease to exist,” Carran explained. “That’s why her safety is paramount.”
“I don’t even know if I could live in your world and you want me to commit to running your police force?”
“Shifter Peace Keepers…shifters standing for a better tomorrow,” Tabitha corrected. “The main goal will be to help smooth the transition as I take command and as we make our presence known to humans.”
“How can you believe I’m the best person for this position when there is so much I don’t know about your kind? I’ve seen Carran and Red as they hunted down Ambrose. Tad told me others followed when they met with the wolves, in case there were issues. Surely one of them would be better than me.”
“Our teams each have their own strengths.” Ty’s gaze shifted toward Carran for a moment before turning back to her. “Carran’s duties lie with protecting the Elders, though he’s used for missions occasionally. The Brown brothers also stand in as Elder Guards as needed, and they are our pilots. Red belongs to the West Virginia Tigers and is coming into his own, but he’s still somewhat inexperienced in the field. He needs strong leaders around him because he still doesn’t completely trust his own instincts. But you have the policing skills that we lack. None of our members attended a police academy or have been in the field as you have. My teams are handpicked and they go through extensive training, as I would expect from the Shifter Peace Keepers. Each member would be expected to train with the Elder Guards because you never know what you’ll walk into.”
“I’d never be able to stand against a shifter. They’d kill me in a heartbeat if that was their intention.”
“You undere
stimate yourself.”
Tabitha laid her hand on Ty’s thigh and he nodded. “Our Lieutenant’s mate, Bethany, is human, yet both of us train with our guards daily. We have guards that are always with us and our mates, but if the worst happens, we have to be ready for it. Mating gives a human additional strength that they wouldn’t have otherwise had, and you will notice other changes. You’ll be able to see better in the dark and you’ll be faster. With some training, you’ll learn your strengths and ways to take down a shifter if you have to.”
“You’ll lead the team, advise them, but the team will consist of shifters. You’ll need to be prepared but you’ll let them handle things. I’ll work with you to make sure you’re ready before you step into the field, and so will the others.” Carran glanced back at the screen. “If she agrees to this, I want her to work with Styx. She will only be sent into the field when he’s convinced she’s ready.”
“He has his own duties, but I’m sure he can find time to squeeze in a training session or two with her.” Ty eyed Carran for a long moment before Tabitha chuckled.
“Stop screwing with him.” She shook her head. “Carran, he’s testing to see how much the mating has changed you. We can’t have another incident like Lance’s, especially not with an Elder Guard.”
“Not one guarding my mate.” Ty growled.
“You both know I’ve worked very hard for this. There’s no need to be concerned about that from me. I’ll do my job.” Carran glanced down to her and then back to the screen. “Ty, like you, my desire is to protect my mate. I want to know she has a strong group with her when she goes out on a mission and I want to know she’s prepared for what she might encounter.”
With a nod from Ty, the two men came to an understanding. “We won’t send her out unprepared. On top of the guards’ routine training sessions, she will train with Styx until he’s confident she’s ready.”
“It’s different when it’s your own mate, but I’d never believe you’d send her out unprepared.”
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