“As Alpha Female, you have a part of Korbin’s beast within you. It allows you to connect to the clan even though you’re human. The Elders of the clan are the strongest because they’re the roots keeping the clan together.”
“I feel you standing there. So confident and sure of everything.”
“Rather than trust that and the connection, you’re angry.”
“I’m angry but logically, it doesn’t make sense. The anger is centered on you. You kept me away from Korbin when I thought he was going to be eaten by Merrie. Instead of allowing me to run out there, you stood in the doorway, blocking my path. Now you order me into the office…making decisions for me when I’m in charge. Not you.”
“Embrace that. You’re Alpha Female here, not me. Focus on that, push past your anger and dig deeper into the connection.” He stepped closer to her until she could feel him inches from her. “I’m going to place my hand on your arm. The contact will help you focus on me. When I do, I want you to concentrate and tell me what you learn.”
She barely had time to brace herself before his fingers wrapped around her wrist, strengthening the connection. Even with her eyes closed she could see him, except it was like a split image of him. She could see him standing there in human form, but she could also see his tiger. Perhaps seeing him in both forms meant that one without the other would only be seeing half of him. Each side completed him.
“What do you feel?”
“Your tiger. He’s…” The soft fur brushed along her fingers as though she was touching the beast, yet she knew it was impossible. “So soft. He’s so close but I’m not afraid. I’m…”
“You’re what?” Zaz encouraged.
“Safe. Protected. But it can’t be…”
“What can’t be?” He wrapped his free hand around her other wrist. “Keep your attention on the tiger. Ignore your human side. You’re more than human now, you’re one of us.”
“I can’t shift,” she argued, unconvinced.
“Doesn’t matter. You have a tiger within you now, making you part of our family.”
“You were here under the former Alpha, before Korbin took over. You’ve done so much for this clan. Devoted not only to the members but to Korbin and…” She shook her head and started to pull back from him.
“Don’t break the connection. We’re not done.” His grip tightened, keeping her in place. “You can feel my commitment to you, too.”
“You don’t know me.”
“Just as you know me through the connection, I know you. The members don’t have the same link with you, meaning they don’t know you like I do; but as an Elder of the clan, we’re connected on a deeper level. Even if we weren’t, you’re my Alpha Female. I’d lay down my life to protect you. I’d never hurt you.”
“I don’t want that. I just want this to be over.”
“I know, which is why I brought you in here. I’m going to remove my hands, but I need you to stay focused.”
“I don’t understand.” As his hands pulled back from her, the connection to his tiger eased back until she could no longer see them in her mind. His presence was still there, just not at the forefront.
“I told you before you have a part of Korbin’s tiger within you. Use it to know he’s safe.”
“I can’t.” Her voice broke. She wanted to know he was okay but it wasn’t like when he was there. She couldn’t feel him. Where the connection between them had been bright before, now it seemed to be replaced by an empty, black void.
“You can. Right now you’re so full of emotions and fear that you’re blocking him. You need to relax and picture him standing in front of you.”
“Is he okay? If he’s not…” She let out a deep breath and tried not to think of the worst.
“He is,” he reassured her. “My tiger is used to the connections so my emotions don’t get in the way, like yours are. He’s also my Alpha, so even though I could block another clan member, I can’t block him.”
“I’m scared.” As much as she wanted to know without a doubt he was fine, she was also afraid of what she’d learn through the connection. Had he killed Donald? What about the Hillbrands—were they okay?
“I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I thought you’d learn anything that upset you. I’d have kept my mouth shut and allowed you to pace the living room until you wore a hole in the floor or Korbin returned.”
“I know.” Moments before, she didn’t trust him but now after seeing his tiger and feeling his commitment to the clan, Korbin, and even her, she trusted him. Korbin had made the right decision when he promoted Zaz to Lieutenant. He wasn’t just committed to the clan, the members respected him, which made him the perfect person to fill the role.
Letting go of her fear, she could feel Korbin’s tiger stir within her. For a brief moment she wanted to slam the shields back into place, blocking him. Instead, she took a couple of deep breaths and continued to reach out to him. She lifted her hand as if reaching out to the invisible tiger, calling him closer.
The tiger’s head brushed against the palm of her hand, shattering the remaining walls between them and allowing her to feel Korbin as if he were standing there in front of her. In her mind, she could see him in an open space, trees towering behind him. She didn’t recognize the place but it must have been the Hillbrands’ cabin area. As they walked, Korbin spoke to Larry. She couldn’t hear what he was saying but she could see his lips move. As the connection flared to life, he stopped mid-sentence and looked away from the other man.
Layla.
Without realizing she’d raised her hand and her fingers cover her lips in surprise. It couldn’t be but she could swear Korbin was speaking to her in her mind. He was miles away but she could feel him as though he were near her, and the way he said her name it seemed as if he stood in the room with her. How surreal.
What’s wrong?
“It can’t be. You’re not here.” Logically she knew she couldn’t hear him speaking, but she did, which made her wonder if her sanity had snapped in two.
“He can’t hear you if you speak out loud,” Zaz explained. “Think the words. Use the connection to communicate with Korbin. He’ll be able to hear you just as you can hear him.”
This is insane. She hadn’t realized she was doing as Zaz had directed her until Korbin’s lips curled into a smirk. He was amused as she stumbled her way through this new connection.
It’s the mating bond. I’m coming home.
It took her a moment to allow the words to sink in. Home. That’s where she was and he was coming back to her. As her thoughts started to take control, the connection dimmed and she reached out for it, grabbing it with everything she had. You’re okay? Ted? The Hillbrands? In her mind she took him in, scanning his clothes for any sign of blood, but there was nothing.
Open your eyes, baby.
Not yet. I need to know you’re okay. She could feel him shutting down the connection and no matter what she did, she couldn’t keep it going.
Open your eyes. His voice drifted toward her, soft as the bond faded.
“Shit! I lost him.” She kept her eyes closed, searching for him. She could still feel him. He felt as though he was nearby but she figured it was through the connection.
“You’ll never lose me.”
At the sound of his voice, she forced herself to open her eyes and there before her Korbin stood. She gave him the once over, searching for any injuries, blood, anything, but there was nothing.
“I’m fine. Ted and his parents are settling into one of the cabins now. They’ll be staying here with us and if you want to see them, we can go over later.”
“You’re really here.” Relief washed through her as she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I’m here, baby.” He circled her waist, drawing her tight to him.
Wrapped in his embrace, she tipped her head up to look into his eyes. “Donald?”
“It’s over, baby. He can no longer hurt you.”
Over. That
one word made her want to rejoice—at least until she remembered what he’d put everyone through. “How? Dead? Arrested?”
“Dead.” The soft brush of his tiger teased along her skin, as if his beast wanted to comfort her. “Donald was insane. He shot Mrs. Hillbrand. She’s fine now that she shifted, but it snapped whatever restraint Mr. Hillbrand had and he broke through the chains, securing him. Donald was shot and killed in order for Mr. Hillbrand to protect his mate.”
She didn’t know what to say. Part of her heart broke, not for Donald but for the Hillbrands. They lost a man they considered their son. Korbin might have thought it was all over but in some ways, it was just beginning.
Chapter Seventeen
A mere week had passed since Donald’s death but to Layla, it felt longer. No longer was she living with the threat of him finding her or the fear of the next time his anger would have him lashing out at her. She was living her life and had thrown herself into the clan at full force. They had accepted her as if she had always been there. The mating bond with Korbin had allowed her to understand each of the members, and whenever she interacted with them his tiger led her, giving her the information she needed about them. It was like having a computer database in her head, allowing her to pull up their information as she needed, and tap into their emotions.
Everything was coming together. Her relationship with Korbin had grown stronger. She’d trusted him from the moment she’d seen him in the gatehouse, but their bond was no longer the same. Somewhere over the course of the last week she realized she was in love with him. Tonight will be the night that I’ll tell him.
Since Zaz had pulled her into Korbin’s office and had her focus on the connection with the clan and her mate, things had changed between them. Zaz was an important part of not only the clan but also of Korbin’s life. He hung around their quarters throughout the day and joined them for meals a few times a week. She didn’t want to think of how the tension could have made things uncomfortable if she hadn’t realized he was perfect for the Lieutenant position.
“Rachel says you owe her one.” Sparks strolled into the kitchen where Layla was preparing to make a chocolate cake. “She’ll bring the steaks over and make her special summer pasta salad but in return, she wants your chicken cordon bleu.”
“Tell her I’ll make it tomorrow.” Layla dumped the measured amount of flour into the bowl and turned toward her guard. “I know you’re taking this Captain of my Guards promotion seriously but you need to make yourself scarce tonight. A dinner alone with Korbin is what we need.”
“I told you I would.” He held up his hands in defense. “I’ll be on call if you need me but I won’t be hanging in the background while you two get all lovey-dovey.”
“Lovey-dovey.” She shook her head and turned back to the counter. “Not a saying I expected to come out of your mouth.”
“We’re all full of surprises.” He leaned against the counter and watched her. “Have you called Merrie yet?”
“Not yet.” She glanced over at him and tried her best to act casual. “Why don’t you join me on the video call once I get this in the oven? I know she’d love to speak to you.”
“Really?” His lips curled into a smile, brightening up his whole face. “Maybe she’d rather talk to Rachel, or someone else?”
“Trust me, she’d love for you to join me. She was just asking about you.” Mixing the batter, she tried not to let her thoughts show on her face as she wondered when the two of them were going to realize they were fated for each other.
Korbin explained in some ways they already knew but Merrie’s emotional state was interfering. That was one of the reasons why he’d sent her to Alaska to help her work through her issues, the other being that she’d been so unstable, he’d worried she’d go rogue. Now, with every passing day, Merrie was growing stronger, more confident, and was beginning to put the past behind her. It wouldn’t be long before she rejoined their clan. Then, maybe Sparks would learn why he was so interested in her.
“Layla, are you here?” Mella called as she came through the front door.
“In here.” She leaned the spoon against the bowl and turned toward her sister. “I thought you’d be on campus working out your schedule for next semester?”
“It’s taken care of. The online classes I needed to take were full, but somehow your mate managed to work his magic and got me in. I didn’t even need to show up today. They had it already worked out.” Mella dropped her papers on the counter and let out a sigh. “I never thought I’d like online courses but now that I’ve done them, I have no interest in returning to campus. Korbin said it’s okay if I stay here so this weekend I’m cleaning out my apartment.”
“How come he didn’t tell me that?” She shook her head. “I’m happy you’re staying. I just meant I could have gotten one of the apartments set up for you.”
“Don’t worry, Rachel and Mrs. Hillbrand have already started decorating it. I told them what I’m planning on bringing from my apartment so they’re leaving room for that stuff.” Mella pulled out one of the bar stools and sat down. “Don’t blame Korbin. You’ve both had a lot on your plate lately. You’ve been busy helping Merrie, the clan, and the Hillbrands.”
“There’s nothing I can do for the Hillbrands.” She wiped her hand on the towel and fought not to let that statement tear apart the evening she was working so hard to put together. “They lost their son.”
“No.” Sparks’ tone left no room for argument. “They have Ted and since they’ve joined the clan, they have all of us. Cougars and tigers—who’d have thought we’d mix so well, but we do. They’re a great addition here and if you let go of your guilt, you’d see neither of them hold a grudge against you. Donald made his choices. His choices—not yours.”
“He’s right, Layla,” Mella reasoned. “Mrs. Hillbrand has been allowing you the space to come to that conclusion yourself but what hurts her the most is the fact she feels as though she lost you, too. You need to let go of your guilt and allow them back into your life.”
She didn’t know what to say but Korbin chose that moment to stroll out of his office and come straight toward her, a smile stretched across his face. “You look mighty pleased.”
“You could say that.” He pulled her to him. “I just got off the phone with Ty. He assured me Merrie’s made enough progress with Harmony and Robin that if she wants to return, she should be able to.”
“Has he told her yet?” The news of Merrie coming back to Ohio was exciting. She had developed a unique connection with the young woman—one that was more than that between Alpha Female and member. It was a bond of friendship.
“He’s heard from Harmony about your daily chats with her and thought you’d like to tell her. Why don’t you use my office and call her?” Korbin trailed a hand down her back.
“Go ahead, Layla. I’ll put the cake in the pan and into the oven,” Mella offered.
“Thanks.” She glanced over her shoulder toward Sparks. “Join me?”
“Are you sure?”
Korbin pressed his fingers against her hip as if asking her what she was doing, forcing her to open the mental connection between them. Trust me, mate. I haven’t said anything.
“I’m sure,” Layla told him.
I trust you. Now go bring our tigress home.
So much faith in me. No wonder I love you. She hadn’t meant for him to hear the second part, but before she could shut down the connection, the thought slipped through. Shit.
You love me? He pulled her tighter against him, his gaze locking on hers.
I do. She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. This wasn’t how I wanted to tell you.
There’s no better way than this, baby. Say it again.
She slipped her arms around his neck. “I love you, Korbin, my tiger, my mate.”
“Fuck, baby, the way you say that makes me want to carry you back to the bedroom—”
“Hey!” Mella hollered, hopping off the bar stool.
“My hou
se, my rules. Get used to it,” Korbin teased, his gaze fixed on Layla. “I love you, baby.”
Frost Bite
Alaskan Tigers Book Fourteen
After the murder of his parents, Frost splits his attention between raising his sister and making the world a safer place for her. When the chance to join the Shifter Peace Keepers arises, he can’t pass up the opportunity. He never expected his first mission to bring his mate into his life.
When the lone wolf shifter Alicia Huntington has worked for is murdered and a group of dangerous shifters are suddenly after her, she’s left with no choice but to contact the Alaskan Tigers for help. Being a human surrounded by shifters, Alicia never expected to find the family connection she’s longed for.
Frost and Alicia each have something the other is missing. They balance each other out, but they both come with baggage.
Can they let go of the past in order to accept what is in front of them?
Chapter One
Blood splattered across the white walls of the conference room and the sickly metallic scent of death hung in the air, turning Alicia Huntington’s stomach. Air refused to expand her lungs as her world shattered. Her feet seemed cemented to the floor, leaving her unable to move away from Lou’s dead body. This can’t be happening. Lou!
She wanted to do something, but it was pointless. She couldn’t breathe life into him when his heart had been ripped from his chest. Ripped. How was it even possible?
When Lou told her he was meeting with another shifter, Omar, over a property dispute, she knew things could turn dangerous quickly. It wasn’t until that moment she truly understood the strength shifters possessed. Lou was the first—and until today the only—shifter she knew, and he had never been violent. He was a gentleman, one who would give away his last meal or the shirt off his back. He’d never kill someone, especially not over a piece of property.
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