Tiger Time

by Dobson, Marissa

  “I asked you, will you return to Alaska with me?”

  I have nothing holding me here. Alice will do fine on her own. I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska and here’s my chance. Maybe I can learn more of my parents.

  “Yes. When do you want to leave?”

  “As soon as you’re ready. We’ll be able to help you more in Alaska, being around people of your own kind will help make the transition smoother. It should elevate the soreness. You’ll still fell tired because your body is working overtime, trying to adjust to the changes happening to allow your body to shift.”

  While Ty spoke of leaving right away, she remembered Alice. “What will I tell Alice? After all she has been through in the last twenty-four hours...and now I up and leave without much notice. We have been through so much together, and now I’m about to run off when she needs me the most.”

  Ty placed his hand over hers, giving them a small squeeze. “You can’t tell her the truth. She wouldn’t understand. We’ll come up with something.”

  “I know. But I must see her before I leave. She’s been my only friend for so long.” Again, tears threatened to overtake her. What’s wrong with me? She wasn’t a crier. All of the years in foster care had taught her that she had to have a hard outer shell. You didn’t cry in front of people. You waited to show weakness when you were alone. People took advantage of weaknesses.

  “I understand. Let’s rest. In the morning we can pack and then see your friend. If you don't mind, I’ll spend the night on your couch. Since I might have seen me come in...it could put you in danger. Until you go through the change, you should stick close to me or someone in the clan. It’s a dangerous time for you. There are those out there who hunt us, were-hunters, we call them.”

  She grabbed her sweats from the corner of the bed where she’d dropped them that morning and headed to the bathroom to change. “You can take the bed. I don't sleep much.”

  A few minutes later, when she stepped out from the bathroom, she noticed he hadn't moved. He picked the conversation up where they left off, “If you would allow, I can help you with that.”

  A snicker escaped her lips before she could stop it. “How would you manage that? I’ve been to the doctor's, and there is nothing they can give me to help me sleep. They can't even give me something for my fever. They say there’s nothing wrong with me.”

  His gaze bore into her as he rose from the couch and walked over to her. “That’s because they don’t understand your body as a tiger. Anything they give you, your body would metabolize before it could help. I can help you by just being near you. Being close to another tiger will help your symptoms.” Pulling gently on her hand, he continued, “Come lay on the bed with me.”

  Without hesitation, she let him lead her to the bed. If there was a possibility he could help, why not give it a try? She was tired and though his presence was bringing to mind other bedtime activities besides sleeping, she needed the rest.

  Just having Ty's hand on hers made the stomach cramps recede a little, and the tightness of her body began to fade. “Lay down on your side facing the wall. I’m going to lay behind you with my body snuggled against yours.”

  She looked at him for a moment, wondering if this was some cheap trick to get her into bed...and would she mind? It’s plausible, right? His hand in mine did help. Throwing caution to the wind, she climbed into bed just as he’d instructed.

  As their bodies came together, she felt a shock of energy go through her limbs, causing her to jump and try to move away. Ty held her close. “Tabitha, it’s all right. Relax. That sometimes happens with shapeshifters. Nothing to worry about. Sleep.”

  When he lay with his full body touching her, she finally felt normal, whole and safe. She wanted to hear more about her new life and her family, but her eyes wouldn't stay open. For the first time in weeks, she began to drift into a deep, peaceful sleep.

  As she was falling asleep, Ty said, “You will soon understand what that jolt was. We are lifemates. You’re mine. I will do whatever it takes to make you understand that and accept it.”

  * * *

  Long after Tabitha was asleep, Ty held her close, breathing in her scent. He snuggled his head into her hair and whispered, “You’re more than I could have hoped for. I’ll protect you with my life.”

  For years he’d wondered when he would find his mate. He’d started to give up hope. The clan elders said when the right one came along, he would know it, and there was nothing he could do until the time came. Finally, after years of waiting and searching, he found her, his mate.

  His tiger—never one for patience—was demanding he claim her. This wasn’t something he could rush. Tabitha had enough to deal with without forcing her into mating when she wasn’t ready.

  Chapter Five

  She awoke to her cell ringing. By the time she rolled over to get out of bed, Ty was already going for the phone. He handed it to her.

  “Hello...yes, this is she.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, she realized the hospital calling her could only mean bad news. “I understand. I’ll be right over.” As she hung up, tears fell down her cheeks. Not bothering to hide them, she looked at Ty.

  “Tabitha, what is it?” Ty pulled her up into his arms. He’d held her all night. He held her as she cried now. He held her as he waited for her to tell him what was wrong.

  “It's Alice. He killed her. She’s dead. Mike must have got to her. Officer O’Malley is there and wishes to speak to me. I must go to the hospital.” Her voice distant and mechanical with shock.

  “Get dressed and I’ll take you. My car is downstairs.”

  Her body moved in a daze, nothing registering yet. Her only friend for so many years was murdered. How does something like that happen, especially in a hospital?

  Ty being there didn’t even cross her mind. She slipped out of her sweats and into a pair of blue jeans and a black turtleneck sweater before heading to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her hair. She wanted to get this over with. From the brief time she’d spent with Officer O’Malley, she knew he wouldn’t get more pleasant waiting for her.

  She was stunned by her reflection. The dark circles under her eyes were gone. Her face was bright and cheerful again. She walked out of the bathroom and found Ty standing by the end of the bed, grabbing a shirt from a bag she’d never noticed. As she walked out, he looked over his shoulder and stopped midway through putting his deep red dress shirt on.

  “Tabitha, you look amazing.”

  Her cheeks heated in embarrassment. No one ever told me I looked beautiful, let alone amazing. “Thank you. I feel like a new person. It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep will do for you.” Her throat closed as she realized while she slept, her best friend was being murdered. I should have stayed with her.

  Ty finished buttoning his shirt. “The change is close for you, and once you go through it, you’ll feel better than you ever have. I’ll teach you everything you’ll need to know.” His words conveyed more than he was letting on.

  Ty buttoned his shirt, and Tabitha fought an overwhelming urge to rush to his side, to feel his strong arms wrapped around her again. She felt safe with him. She couldn’t take her eyes off the top two buttons of his shirt, which had been left undone so one could see a little of his chest—and an amazing chest it was. He didn't have an ounce of fat on him; every muscle was toned.

  She shook her head and told herself to get her mind back on matters at hand. “Let’s go get this over with. With Alice gone, I have nothing but packing to do before we leave. The sooner we can do this and pack, the sooner you can get back to your clan.” Everywhere she looked she thought of Alice. My whole life I’ve loved and lost people, maybe I’m meant to be alone? Or will going to Alaska change this?

  He took her hand, “It’s our clan. When I spoke to Raja this morning....” She must have given him a questioning look, because he stopped to explain. “Raja is my Lieutenant, my second in command.” She nodded, letting him know she understood and for him to c
ontinue. “Raja wanted me to tell you the clan is full of excitement that you have agreed to take your place among us. They are putting together a party of sorts to welcome you home.”

  People she didn't know were happy she was coming home. I can’t believe how much my life has changed in less than twenty-four hours. I lost Alice, and found people who consider me family. People that obviously care about me.

  * * *

  Tabitha walked up to the nurses’ desk, and the nice nurse who’d been on duty when Tabitha had left the night before was still there. “I’m so sorry about your friend. I don't know how he managed to get in,” the kind nurse said in a gentle tone.

  Officer O’Malley came around the corner. “You finally had time to come down. You were called thirty minutes ago! Your friend was murdered, and you couldn't get down here any faster? What kind of friend are you?”

  The nerve of him to speak to me like that. He didn't know what I was going through. He didn't just lose the only person that ever cared about him. Before she could say anything, Ty spoke up, “Hey there, officer, we came as fast as we could. She was asleep when you called. She just lost her friend. There is no need to take that tone with her. She came down here to answer your questions, not be scolded.”

  Officer O’Malley looked shocked that someone would stand up to him. He was obviously a man used to yelling to get what he wanted. “You’re right. I'm sorry. I don't understand how he got in. The camera shows him just walking in past the nurses’ desk. No one was paying attention. The cameras caught what happened, and I sent another officer to arrest him. I just have a few questions for you, if you could give me a few moments of your time.”

  “Yes, I want to do whatever I can to help. She was my best friend.” She didn’t care for Officer O’Malley and his attitude, but at least he seemed to care that Alice died.

  “Good. Let’s go into the staff break area. That’s where we’re set up right now.” He led them down the hall and into a large room with couches and tables. One of the large round tables was already set up with recording devices, files and tablets. “Please have a seat there. Do you mind if I record this conversation?”

  Shaking her head, Tabitha took a seat at the table. She maintained a firm grip on Ty’s hand. She didn't care if the officer recorded it. She just wanted to help Alice and put this whole thing behind her. Now more than ever, she wanted out of Pittsburgh. She wanted away from all these painful memories, of the plans Alice and she had.

  The officer sat at the table across from her and clicked on the tape recorder, stating the time, date and who was present before directing his attention to her. “Tabitha, what happened last night to cause the doctor to give Alice a sedative?”

  “When Alice woke up last night, she wanted to know if the baby was all right. The doctor told me to page him and not to tell her anything. I tried to get a doctor, but she just started crying. She knew her baby was dead and that bastard did it. I went to her and held her. I hit the nurse call button and when the doctor finally came, she was hysterical. The only way to calm her was to give her something.” The memory and the feelings it evoked in her caused her voice to waver slightly.

  “What happened next?”

  “Once the doctor gave her the shot and she was asleep, the nurse told me there was nothing I could do for her now. She would sleep through the night, and I should go home and rest. I gave the nurse my number in case things changed, and I went home.”

  Officer O’Malley reached into one of the files and pulled out a picture of a man with black hair, about thirty-five, with a teardrop tattoo in black ink under his eye. “Have you ever seen this man before?”

  She was startled as she stared at the picture. “Yes, that’s Mike. But last time I saw him, he didn't have the teardrop tattoo. The video shows him?”

  “Yes. He is shown going into Alice's room and coming out covered in blood. He is also wanted for the murder of another pregnant girl.”

  She started to shake as if she was cold, and Ty put his arm around her, pulling her close. As Ty’s strength and warmth penetrated her clothing, the tremors slowed before stopping all together. “She was my best friend. I want to see him pay for this.” Anger replaced her grief and caused a stiffening in her spine.

  Officer O’Malley nodded as he spoke. “With this evidence, I believe he will never see the light of day again. If we need you to testify at trial, where can I reach you?”

  She looked to Ty, unsure what to tell the officer. Ty understood. “Tabitha is going to be joining me in Alaska. If you need to reach her, you can reach her at 2087 Snowman Lane, North Pole, Alaska. We will be leaving as soon as possible.”

  “That's a big move.” Officer O’Malley glanced from Tabitha to Ty, then back at her.

  She smiled politely. “Will there be anything else? I do have a lot to do before we can leave.”

  As she started to stand, he spoke again, “One last thing. Did Alice have any family?”

  “No. But I am sure you know that. We were raised in the foster care system together.”

  From the look on his face, she gathered he’d done his research on them and knew darn well they were raised by the state. He was just being rude by asking. Rather than continue that line of questioning, he switched tactics. “Are you going to be making arrangements for her body to be buried?”

  “I don’t have the money to make arrangements for her. She wanted to be cremated. I’m sure the state will take care of that. It’s the least they can do when they gave us so little growing up.” With that, she took Ty's hand and walked out of the room. She’d had enough of Officer O’Malley’s rudeness.

  Chapter Six

  Instead of going straight back to Tabitha’s apartment from the hospital, they stopped by the restaurant she worked at. She wanted to break the news to Betty, her boss, that she wouldn’t be returning to work.

  She spotted Betty coming around the corner as the waiter went to put their order in. “Betty,” she called from their table.

  “Tabitha, I thought you were off today.” Betty’s brown hair slightly graying at the temples was pulled back in a tight bun that she wore when working in the kitchen. She had a patch of flour on her slacks, as she spent most of the time baking. It was her passion.

  “I am. I was hoping you had a moment to talk.”

  Betty gazed back into the kitchen, where everything looked under control, before grabbing a chair and joining them.

  “Betty, this is Ty Reynolds, an old friend of the family.”

  Betty eyed him cautiously.

  “My parents were good friends with her family. It wasn’t until recently that we were able to locate Tabitha. I have asked Tabitha to come home to Alaska with me. That’s where my family and I live. She will be with people who love her.”

  Tabitha watched Ty and Betty. She would miss her boss. She’d been the mother she’d always wanted. Would my mother have been like Betty?

  Betty was a sweet lady who had taken Tabitha under her wing, slowly bringing her out of the shell Tabitha had built around herself after being tossed around from foster home to foster home.

  Betty beamed at her. “Tabitha, you will be missed, but I’m happy for you. You deserve to have people around you who love and care for you.

  After an emotional goodbye, Betty handed Tabitha an envelope. Hugs were exchanged, and they promised if they were back in the area they would stop by the restaurant to see her. Then they left.

  As Ty drove, Tabitha opened the envelope. Inside was her final paycheck with a nice bonus, along with a handwritten letter containing Betty’s number and the words: If you ever need anything, I’m only a phone call away.

  Tabitha’s heart skipped a beat as she read the note.

  * * *

  Tabitha closed her apartment door, and the toll of the day hit her like a semi-truck. She tried to push the weariness away. She had to pack. She wasn’t sure where she would have started, but Ty pulled her into his arms. With her head resting on his solid chest, breathing in his co
logne, she let the tears she had been holding back fall.

  “Oh, Tabitha. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. I wish I could ease your pain,” Ty soothed her as she cried.

  Looking up to him was somewhat difficult with the way he was holding her and the fact that he was a good five inches taller than her. “Thank you. I just want to pack and get out of here. Mike knows where I live. He knows I can identify him. What if he comes after me? I want to get away from all of this.”

  He didn’t release her from his hold. His body stiffened as he rested his head on top of hers. “I won't let him hurt you. I won't let anyone hurt you. Tabitha, before you pack, I want to talk to you. I don't know how to put this, but I feel you should know everything before we leave.” He seemed at a loss for words as he let go of her and walked over to the couch.