“It’s who you are.” She nodded because she understood. He was a protector, not just of her, but also of Layla, the Elders, Rachel, and the whole clan. Trying to stop that would be like stopping him from breathing. It made up the man who was her mate. “I can feel this tension through you, you’re on edge. I know you can’t tell me what’s going on, but I can’t help wanting to do something. I guess I didn’t expect your responsibilities to impact our mating like this. To have your position close you off from me, makes my tigress edgy.”
“I can.” He slipped his hand into hers and tugged her toward him as he stepped back away from the window, heading toward the sofa. “I waited because you were enjoying your visit with Larry, then dinner, and when I thought I finally had you alone, Rachel stopped by.”
“We’ve been alone for the last hour,” she reasoned.
“You’re right. I should have told you before now, but I want to protect you.” He dropped onto the sofa and pulled her down onto his lap. “I want to shelter you from all the horrible shit in our world.”
“It’s not possible. Especially not with Tabitha uniting us. Things are only going to get worse.” Even though she wanted to know what was weighing on his shoulders, she tugged his shirt from the waistband of his jeans, needing to feel his bare skin against her hand. “Talk to me, mate. What’s on your mind?”
“The Washington D.C. Tigers attacked a group of shifters in Delaware.” He grabbed the hem of his shirt and tugged it over his head, giving her free roam of his chest.
“That’s why Larry said the threat from them was growing.” Without looking away from him, she slid her hands along his chest and asked the question weighing on her mind. “Did anyone survive?”
“We believe a female did. We don’t know much more right now. There are people looking for her. Connor is searching the Internet for her, checking security cameras in the area to track her movements. Turi, Trey, and Ivy are taking shifts to monitor the forum constantly. If she’s alive, they’ll find her.”
“But?” The question slid from her tongue before she could wrap her thoughts around what he’d told her. “What are you worried about? You think Lorcan’s men would attack us here? There are closer clans.”
“It’s possible but unlikely. Like you said, there are closer clans. We’re too small for Lorcan’s group to get enough of a charge from eliminating us.” Even as he said it, his arm tightened around her, drawing her against him. “If they find the woman Korbin’s willing to have her brought here after being questioned to ensure she had nothing to do with the attack.”
“You’re worried about an outsider joining us.” As the pieces came to light, she had a better understanding of what she was feeling through their bond. “As an Elder Guard you’re going to have to get used to it. There will be times when you’re going to be placed in the situation of protecting Layla against those we have no connection to. Even if they’re connected to another clan who support Tabitha, you’re going to eye them with uncertainty, at least until you get to know them personally.”
“That, too.” His hand ran along her thigh, seeking comfort only she could give. “Someone within the group betrayed them. Until we’re certain she had nothing to do with it, everyone is at risk.”
A twinge of fear trickled through her before her tigress brushed along the inside of her skin, reassuring her. “No, I can’t see it. You, Korbin, and Zaz, are not going to allow someone to come into our home without knowing with undying certainty they mean us no harm. Danger might follow them if Lorcan’s group realizes the woman survived, but that’s it.”
“You sound pretty certain.”
“I am.” Sliding her hands up his chest she looped her arms around his neck drawing him closer. “It’s why I’m not scared of Korbin’s plan to open our home to others who are trying to get away from Alphas like Keith. I trust the Elders and you. Mate, I know you will protect us.”
“So much faith,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to hers. “I hope I never let you down.”
“You couldn’t. My mate, my love, one thing you could never do is let me down.” She pressed her lips to his for a short kiss, and as she broke away from him, she glanced down at his waist, her gaze landing on his weapon. “You’re on call, aren’t you?”
“Yes, but that’s not why I’m armed. Sugar, you should be used to it after your time in Alaska. Harmony’s mate is always armed, same with Robin’s.” Teasing his fingers along the waistband of her jeans his gaze locked on hers. “Does it make you uneasy?”
“No.” She licked her lips before wiggling her eyebrows at him. “It does mean I have to be more careful when I strip these clothes off you so I can have my way with you.”
“Sugar, don’t you worry about that. I’ll sit it on the nightstand, then you can have your naughty way with me,” he teased. “Is my sweet mate needing a little attention?”
“Don’t get cocky. Otherwise I’ll make you wait until you’re so full of need you’re willing to hump a cactus for relief.”
“You’ve already got me so full of desire for you I can’t stop thinking about your naked body. So, no need to bring out the torture devices. Though I think you just want to pick the needles out of my dick.” He grabbed hold of her hips, lifted her and brought her back down so she was straddling him. “You’ve had a long day, one filled with a lot of excitement, but I want you. I want to christen this place with your screams and moans. Making this the first of many nights where I have you screaming my name.”
“I’m going to make you work for it.” Pressing her hands against his chest, she rose off his lap so she was standing in front of him. With one quick move she tugged her sweater up and over her head. “Last night was about consummating our mating, tonight is—” Her words cut off as her gaze focused on him. The concentration in his eyes and the stillness of his body had her taking a step back. Whatever was coming through the earbud he wore was something important, meaning something was wrong.
“Give us five.” He hit a button on the transmission as his gaze slid up her body. The heat still there, warming his eyes to a deep honey brown of his tiger. “Mer…”
“What’s wrong? Why us? What do you need me for?” The questions rolled off her tongue as she clutched her sweater in her hand.
“Layla needs you to come speak with Willow. She heard about the attack in Delaware and now she’s terrified it’s…” He rose from the sofa and took a step toward her. “Damn it, Mer, I want to protect you from this.”
“She’s afraid it’s Keith.” The sweater in her hands felt heavier, as if it was made of solid lead, instead of thin cotton. “Even though you told me it was Lorcan’s group, I wondered if Keith had been involved. It’s stupid, and we both know Lorcan wouldn’t take Keith’s group in, their values don’t align. Still it didn’t stop the thought from crossing my mind.”
“I know.” He pulled her against his chest. “I felt the fear rush through you as you considered it, but I also felt you bat it away as nothing more than your imagination getting the best of you. Willow needs that now.”
“You’re concerned it will trigger my anxiety to rise again. Me too.” She wrapped her arms around his waist until she was pressed tightly against him. “With you by my side, I know it won’t happen. You’re going with us, right? I mean I know you’re there to protect Layla, but—”
“Officially I’m there as Layla’s guards, but unofficially Korbin wants me there as your mate.” He ran his hand down her naked back. “Korbin and Zaz are going with us, too.”
“We better get ready.” As she pulled out of his embrace, he placed his hand over hers which was still holding the sweater. “We won’t be going outside, so I want you to wear something else. Something where I’ll be able to touch bare skin easier. It will make our connection stronger. This sweater is too long for me to have easy access to your back. Grab one of my shirts from the top drawer of the dresser. That will work and the scent will keep your tigress at ease.”
“You just want me to we
ar your shirt so everyone knows I’m yours,” she teased, turning toward the bedroom.
“Sugar, they can smell my tiger on you without the shirt. But I like the idea of you wearing something belonging to me.”
“Typical strong male marking your claim,” she mumbled under her breath.
“Damn right,” he hollered from behind her.
So much for a quiet night. She had a feeling this would be the first of many unexpected events popping up. If it wasn’t something Layla needed from her, it would be guard duty for him. Still she knew they’d find a way to make time for each other. Maybe not tonight but certainly in the morning. Hadn’t he already proved to me there’s nothing like morning sex with my mate.
Merrie stepped into Willow’s room and instantly realized the other woman had picked everything out for her space. It was bright and cheerful, like walking outside on a bright summer day. The walls were a yellow that was somewhere between the sun and honey. Almost like an early morning sunrise with hints of warmth. The large bed dominated the backwall with a plush white comforter and a dozen throw pillows in yellows, oranges, and reds. While a small sitting area sat off to the right with a honey brown sofa and a white accent chair. While everywhere she looked there was color. It wasn’t overwhelming, rather it was welcoming and brought a sense of calmness.
“I never meant to cause such a fuss.” Willow dropped onto the bed and pulled one of the throw pillows against her chest.
“There’s no fuss,” Layla told her, taking a step closer. “We just want to talk to you.”
“Because I’m right, aren’t I? Keith is still out there, and he’s coming for us. That’s why he’s teamed up with the Washington D.C. Tigers.” Unwilling to meet their gazes, Willow clung to the pillow. “I wish he’d have just killed me—”
“Willow…” Unable to stop herself, Merrie stepped away from Sparks and moved closer to the young woman. “Keith is out there, but I don’t think he cares about us anymore. He’s focused on Bratva. If he wanted us dead, he’d have done it already.”
“You don’t know that, none of us know what he’s planning!” Willow screamed.
“You’re right Willow, we don’t.” Korbin stepped next to his mate and placed his hand on her shoulder. “We can only handle what’s right in front of us. We don’t know his plans, but I agree with Merrie. If he wanted anyone from this clan dead, he’d have done it before he left. He had the time. Instead, you lived. Now I’m here, and I’m going to do everything in my power to keep you and everyone else here safe. I’m not going to allow him to stroll in and hurt any of you.”
“You don’t know what he was like. To have to serve him…” Willow whined.
“He does.” Merrie squatted next to Willow and placed her hand over hers. “As our Alpha he feels what happened to us through the connection we have with him. He knows the torments we suffered because he saw them. Just like when we mate, they see our lives play out before us, our Alpha knows. The connection between ones Alpha is as strong and as powerful as the one between mates. I didn’t understand it before, but I do now.”
“Since you mated with Sparks?” Willow glanced at her before shifting her gaze to Sparks and then back to her. “I can smell him on you, but it doesn’t make sense.”
“We’re mates.” Merrie nodded. She wasn’t sure how to explain how they hadn’t truly realized they were mates before. Since it wasn’t why they were there, she let it be. “My point is your connection with Korbin is strong. You were so happy when Korbin came to us, and you were one of the first willing to dedicate yourself to him as Alpha. Your dedication to this clan is solid. Use it to focus on Korbin, you’ll know without a doubt he’s going to make sure everyone here is protected. Just as you know Zaz will protect everyone.”
“I know,” Willow’s voice was low as she glanced from Zaz to Korbin, before turning back to Merrie. “I mean I feel their need to keep us safe, but this is Keith. He’s sadistic.”
“No, it’s not.” Sparks stepped forward, letting his hand brush along the nape of Merrie’s neck.
“What?” Willow’s gaze shot to him. “You, more than some, should realize what he’s capable of. How can you stand there and say he’s not sadistic?”
“That’s not what he said.” Needing the contact with her mate, Merrie rose to stand next to him. His hand dropped to the small of her back, where the shirt was knotted to give him easy access to bare skin. “We know the kind of man Keith is, and there’s no denying the Hell he put all of us through. Though what Sparks was saying is it’s not Keith who’s a threat to us now. It’s Lorcan’s men.”
“What if Keith has joined them?” Willow’s voice was low as she stared at Merrie.
“Have you ever known Keith to succumb to anyone’s will?” Before giving her time to answer Merrie shook her head. “No. Keith isn’t willing to be under anyone’s thumb. He thrives on control and the power he has over his followers.”
“With the information I have on the Bratva as well as the Washington D.C. Tigers, I can tell you their values don’t align, if anything they’re polar opposites. Joining forces would create a war from within,” Korbin explained. “Neither Lorcan nor Keith want that. Separately they’re both a force to be reckoned with, together they’d be their own demise.”
“Think this through, Willow, without the fear. You know Keith.” Sparks fingers continued to brush along Merrie’s back, but the talk of their former Alpha had him tense.
“He’s right,” Layla added. “The terror you have within you is overwhelming. I’m not a shifter, and I can feel it in the air, I can only imagine what it’s like for them.”
“Imagine? Shouldn’t you be able to feel it through Korbin?” Willow’s gaze shot to Layla.
“I’m shielding her from it,” Korbin explained. “There’s no reason she should feel it more than she is already.”
“If you shield this from her, what else are you shielding?” Willow eyed Korbin.
“Snapping at our Alpha isn’t going to help the situation,” Merrie tried to reason.
“It’s fine.” Korbin was giving her leeway because of her emotions. Something Keith would never have done, but Willow didn’t seem to recognize it. Instead, she continued to stare at their Alpha. “Layla can tell you herself I rarely shield anything from her. She’s my mate, and if she wanted to, she could get past the barricade. However, there are times when it’s necessary.”
“It’s not just Alphas or Elders who shield from their mates,” Sparks explained. “The Elder Guards have to do it and even the ground guards will find occasionally they must as well. We do this to protect our mates.”
“Keith always shielded from us,” Willow stated.
“Would you have really wanted to know the things he was planning to torture us with?” Merrie eyed the young woman, unable to believe she compared this to Keith. “I wouldn’t have. It was bad enough watching it, suffering through it, and seeing our family come back from one of his sessions. I wouldn’t want to know all the ways he considered making us suffer.”
“You really don’t think he’s coming for us?” Willow stared up at her.
“Not now, no. I believe he’s moved on to what he’d consider bigger prizes. We’re small fish for him now. Too small for him to worry about.” Merrie longed to slip into Sparks embrace, to feel the comfort of his arms, but she stayed where she was, only allowing herself the small caresses from his fingers along her back.
“If we cross his path or make problems for him things could change.” Sparks hand slid further along her back as he spoke. “That’s not the case now, and I doubt it will be in the future, but Keith will stay on our radar. Now though we have other things to worry about.”
“This clan has come so far already, and we have to continue to move in the right direction.” Layla glanced back at her mate. “Korbin is a good man, and he wants to protect everyone here. If there’s a threat to us, he’ll make sure we’re protected. If he thought Keith was targeting us, he’d let everyone know.”
“That knowledge could make a situation life or death. Without it, Keith or anyone else targeting us would have the upper hand.” Korbin squeezed his mates’ shoulder and looked over at Willow. “If there was a threat to us, I’d inform everyone.”
“Are you saying Lorcan’s group isn’t a threat? They killed a group of shifters tonight. Everyone is dead.” Willow shook her head. “How is that not a threat?”
“Perhaps I should have said immediate danger.” Korbin paused, as if giving her a moment to digest what he was saying. “Lorcan’s group is a threat to all shifters as well as humans, and I do believe tonight was just the start. However, we’re not close enough for them to be considered a threat at this time. If they’re going to attack another group of shifters, it will be someone closer, not over five hours away.”
“Some didn’t realize it under Keith because he rarely allowed us to leave the compound, but there’s danger everywhere. Keith is a problem, and I have no doubt he’ll be eliminated in the future. Until then we must keep our guard up. What we can’t do is let our fear control us. I’ve been there, and I personally don’t want to go back. I want to enjoy life. If I’m going to die tomorrow, I want to enjoy every minute of today.” She glanced back at Sparks. “I want to enjoy my mate and my family. I don’t want anxiety to control me.”
“You make it sound so easy.” Willow tossed the pillow aside and rose from the bed, going to the window.
“It’s not,” Merrie reassured her. “Every time my anxiety rises, I take a deep breath and ask myself if whatever I’m worried about is something I can change right then. With anxiety you must stay in the moment. If you’re worried about future problems you can’t fix yet or ones that haven’t even presented themselves, you’re worrying for no reason. I know you’ve heard the saying you can’t fix something that’s not broken. Well you can’t fix something that hasn’t happened yet. When all else fails, you find someone to talk to. I’m always here for you, as I know Layla and Korbin are, but if you don’t feel comfortable with any of us, I’m sure any member of the clan would be willing to chat with you. You can’t overcome it alone, but you can with your family by your side.”
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