Tiger Time

by Dobson, Marissa

  Motioning toward their hands, she asked, “Did you know it would happen?” A faint trace of the pain she felt from her hand still in her voice.

  “No, Tabby, I didn't...” He couldn't tear his gaze away from their hands as if he couldn’t believe it. “Not really.”

  “What do you mean not really? Either you did or you didn't. Which is it?”

  “Tabby, I'm sorry. I guess I knew there was a chance.”

  “You knew there was a chance of this and you didn’t tell me?” This time she couldn't keep the pain from her voice. The searing pain from her hand made her testy, leaving him the unfortunate outlet for her discomfort. She was hurt that he’d tried to hide something like this from her.

  “Let me explain.” He must have taken her silence as a sign that she would listen, because he continued, “There hasn't been a tiger of your line to mate with another tiger in the last eighty-five years. There were rumors that it would happen if someone from your line mated with another tiger and not a human, but no one could be sure. It was just information that the elders passed down from generation to generation. I never believed it until now. I’m sorry I didn't tell you, but I honestly didn't think of it.”

  She could hear in his voice that he was telling the truth.

  “So what does this mean?”

  “If I remember the story right, it means we’re the highest ranking tigers. Once you mated with me, it brought me into the line. It means we could claim our rightful title as King and Queen of all the tigers and not just of the Alaska tigers.” He paused as if gathering his thoughts. “If this is a fact, then I would say everything that the book says is true.”

  Tabby could feel her eyes go big, and she wasn't sure she wanted to know but had to ask. “What book? What does it say?”

  “Your father gave me a book to give to you once we were sure you were going to go through the change. No one can open it besides your line. But since I was entrusted with helping you through the change, your father opened it one evening and we read it together. If I remember correctly, it says there will be a female tiger that claims her place as Queen and unites the tigers.”

  “Where’s this book now?”

  “Babe, you are a genius.” He leaded over to kiss her cheek before he shot up onto his feet and grabbed his discarded jeans. “I brought it with me. It’s in my bag in the car.”

  Chapter Nine

  By the time Ty returned from the car, Tabby was dressed again and digging around to see if there was anything in the cabinets to make coffee or tea. There was a slight chill in the cabin, causing her to shiver.

  Ty must not have spotted her when he opened the cabin door because there was a slight edge of panic in his voice. “Tabby?”

  “I'm over here. It’s chilly in here.” She closed the cabinet door.

  Ty gave her a smug little grin. “Come here; I'll warm you up”

  “Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn't we just do that?” Grabbing the book from his hands, she gave him a rewarding kiss.

  “Honest, Tabby, I was just going to offer to have you sit on my lap while we looked at the book. You would be warm in a matter of moments. Once you go through the transition, your body temperature always runs at one hundred and one. But I do plan to do what you were thinking again later. Come on, we need to find out what is in store for us and if there are any more little surprises.” Ty led her to the couch. Once there, he grabbed the blanket she’d thrown there from the floor and set it next to him. “On my lap and I promise to be good.”

  She was pretty chilly, and he was right; his body was like her own personal heating blanket. She sat on his lap, and he threw the blanket over them. The heat coming from him made her want to curl her body into him. He seemed to know what she was thinking and put his big arms around her, pulling her closer. She rested her head against his chest and opened the book.

  There was a lock on the side of the book, but when she went to unlock it, it seemed to just spring apart.

  “It did that for your father too,” Ty said.

  She turned to the first page, and there was a handwritten note addressed to her.

  Tabitha,

  If you’re reading this letter, I didn't get to see you grow up, and I’m sorry for that. I’m sure you’re an amazing woman. Hopefully you took after your mother more than you did me. But if you’re able to open this book, you must be on the brink of going through the change. I always knew you would follow in my footsteps. I’m just sorry to see that I won't be there to help you through it. But I know you’re in good hands. (Ty, you better take care of my baby.)

  Tabitha, everything you read in this book is true and has been passed down through my family for generations. Now it goes to you. Everything you will need to know is in this book. I have faith that you will be able to accomplish much. I am honored that it is my daughter who is going to bring the tigers together.

  In case you didn't guess, my gift was to know the future. I love you, Tabitha.

  Love,

  Your father

  P.S. Ty, welcome to the family. Glad to have you as my son-in-law. If you were wondering, it’s why I picked you. I wanted someone who cared as much about her as I do, even if you didn't know it at that time.

  Tears were flowing down her face like a waterfall.

  “Tabby, are you all right? You don't have to do this now.”

  She wiped the moisture away with the sleeve of her shirt. “Yes, I’m fine. He loved me.”

  He hugged her tighter to his body. “Yes, baby, he did, and he wanted the best for you.”

  * * *

  They spent hours going over the book. It consisted of spells, names of enemies, important dates in shifter history and pretty much anything the elders of Tabitha’s line thought might someday be useful to the tigress that would bring together all tigers. They wanted to pass on things they thought might be important.

  When they got to what they believed was the end of the book, another hundred pages or so magically appeared. The first page read:

  Tabitha and Ty have been chosen. Everything you read in the following pages has been sealed since the beginning of time. It will walk you through bringing tiger shifters from around the world together. Whenever you need advice or think you’re missing something, come back to the book. It will know what you need and will show it to you. Your first step is to return to Alaska. The safest place for you right now is with your clan. Tabitha, you need to meet and get to know your clan. From the clan you will choose three other tiger shifters to help you on your journey. We have chosen a number of good tigers that you can select from. You will be able to tell them apart from the others by the gold aura around them. Besides the two of you, only Raja may know about any of this. Raja is your Lieutenant now and will remain once you unite the tigers. Once you are in Alaska and have decided who you want as part of the chosen team, you will be told what to do next.

  “I guess I should call Raja and inform him there is no need to send Leo and Thomas. We will leave for Alaska tomorrow if that's all right with you. Getting you among your own kind before your transition will make things easier on you. I’ll have Raja make us reservations, so we can rest.”

  She nodded in agreement, still shocked. This is just too much. I went from being no one to someone pretty freaking special in such a short period.

  Before Ty could call Raja, his cell started ringing from the side of the couch. “Raja?” Ty answered his phone.

  “About that...I was just about to call you. There has been a change in plans. I can't explain on the phone, but it’s safer if we come back to Alaska. I’ll explain everything when we get in.” Ty still had his arm wrapped around Tabitha’s back, holding her close.

  “We’ll wait for Felix and catch a flight out of Cincinnati, Ohio tomorrow night. Just to be safe, since we are flying home, I don't want to go back in to Pittsburgh. Will you arrange for us to have three tickets waiting at the airport?”

  There was a short pause. “I will deal with him when I get home.
Confine him to the one of the cells until I return. Thanks. We’ll see you tomorrow night at the airport.” With that, Ty hung up. “Everything is taken care of. However, I’m starving. You?”

  “Surprisingly, yes.”

  “Raja says there's a nearby town where we can get something to eat. There has to be some stores there where we can pick you up a few things you might need over the next few days. We can get everything else in Alaska. Want to go? Or do you want me to have Felix pick us up some dinner?”

  “Let’s go. We should take the book with us. I don't want to leave it here, just in case.” Tabitha went to grab her purse from the nightstand, and Ty placed the book back in his bag to put in the trunk.

  Chapter Ten

  “Dinner was delicious. Thank you.”

  Ty pointed the car toward the strip mall they’d passed on their way into town. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  “I can’t remember the last time something tasted so enchanting. I haven’t been hungry the last few weeks, and when I ate, nothing has tasted right.”

  “I remember that part of the change. It was one of the worst things for me.”

  “But the raspberry cheesecake with chocolate sauce drizzled over the top...” She let out a moan as she remembered the taste in her mouth.

  “I enjoyed watching you eat that. You savored every bite like it might be your last.” He slid the car into a parking spot and turned off the engine.

  “Gibs?”

  “Raja said it should have everything we need.” He grabbed the handle of door. “Come on.”

  When Ty grabbed a buggy, she gave him a questioning look. “You’re going to need at least a few outfits to get you through until we’re settled in Alaska. We also need a suitcase, unless you wish to carry everything in your arms.”

  “I don’t need much.”

  “I can see you’re worried about money again. Don’t be.”

  I’ve always worried about money. Living paycheck-to-paycheck does that to a person. I want to make the money from Betty last until I find another job. I don’t want to rely on the clan or the money my father left.

  “Are you sure you can't read minds?”

  “I think if I had that gift, I would know. You’re just easy to read sometimes. Like I told you before, there is no need to worry about it. Everything your father had went to the pack, and now it’s yours. Even if you didn't go through the change, there is a bank account set up in your name from him. You have everything you need. Your father's investments did very well, but why wouldn't they since he could see into the future? Let’s get what you need. I would like to have you to myself for a little while longer if we can make it back before Felix gets there.”

  She looked at the vast selection of clothes in dismay. No wonder I hate shopping. There is just too much to choose from. For a moment, she almost wished she was back in her apartment.

  “You better get warm things. Alaska isn’t the wet cold you’re used to, but it’s still downright cold.”

  She grabbed a couple of sweaters and turtlenecks that she favored in the winter before moving over to the jeans.

  “Tabby, just a suggestion, because I have heard women like to know what to dress for when packing. The clan knows their Queen will be arriving tomorrow, and they’re planning a party for the next night. You might want something dressy to wear. I saw a beautiful dress around this display that you might like.” He disappeared around the display, leaving her no choice but to follow.

  “Why are they having a party so soon? Why not later, once I’m settled?”

  “We should be thankful it’s the next night and not tomorrow after we arrive. The clan is full of excitement to meet you. They just want to welcome their Queen home in style. This is our way. Raja explained the time difference and what has happened, moving the celebration to the next night. When we arrive home, you’ll still have to come with me to greet our guards and high staff.”

  Ty held up the dress he’d mentioned. It was beautiful, a white sweetheart-cut dress, form-fitting to the waist, then billowing out to be free-flowing. It had a red and black belt design at the hips. As he turned it around, she realized it was backless. “What do you think?”

  “It’s beautiful. But isn’t it a bit much?”

  “Not for the welcome home party. Trust me, you need something like this.” He tossed it in the buggy. “What else do you need?”

  Crap, I going to need to get bras and underwear. It’s crazy to be self-conscious about it when he just saw me naked. I guess it is either buy them or go without. I can’t go without a bra.

  She crossed the aisle to the intimate section to grab what she needed, while silently praying Ty wouldn’t follow her. She grabbed the first few matching bra and panties sets she saw that weren’t something a Grandma would wear. If someone is going to see me naked, I want to look great.

  “You would look great in this.” Ty held up a sexy, black, baby doll negligee with pink lace trim.

  I always wanted someone who I was in sync with, someone who could finish my thoughts. Ty seems to be just that.

  She could feel her cheeks heat with embarrassment. “You can't be serious?”

  “Come on, babe, let’s get it. I want to see you in it.”

  Alice always wore fancy lingerie, even when she slept alone, but I have never been one to wear that stuff.

  “I don't know, Ty.”

  “Tabby, you’ll look great in it I promise. Once you try it on, if you don't like it, you don't have to wear it. But give it a try for me, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Knowing she wasn’t likely to wear the negligee often, she also tossed in a pair of red and black plaid pajama bottoms and a black tank top.

  “Now you need a duffel bag or some type of suitcase for this. You know I always hated shopping before, but you’re adorable when you’re shopping,” he said, leaning over the buggy to kiss her.

  Maybe wearing lingerie isn’t such a bad idea after all.

  As they loaded the car with their purchases, she came to the realization she had more than enough stuff to last her a week. Ty insisted she get everything she would need, reminding her of the party. She’d ended up buying more makeup and hair products than she even owned in her apartment. Not a wearer of much makeup, she hadn’t known what to buy. Ty’s solution was to buy one of anything that caught her eye.

  “Now maybe we can go back to the cabin. I have a few ideas about how we can spend the time before Felix gets in,” Ty said as he pushed the trunk lid closed.

  I wish we could meet Felix tomorrow. I want Ty all to myself.

  * * *

  They arrived back at the cabin to find another car already in the driveway.

  “Shit!” Ty hit the steering wheel to emphasize he wasn't too happy Felix was there. “Do you think we could send him into town for something or to a hotel room?”

  She placed her hand on his leg, rubbing small circles. “I'm sure there is a lot of together time in our future. Remember what the book said? I must meet the members of the clan.”

  She heard Ty leave out a soft purr as she continued massaging his thigh. “I know. But I wanted you all to myself. Am I selfish?”

  “From what I hear, no. Even so, it's all right, because I want you all to myself too.”

  Ty pulled to a stop behind the car as they watched Felix step out of his vehicle.

  “Ty...” Tabitha said, nodding to the gold aura around Felix.

  “I see it, but remember they can't, so don't act strangely. We can't let anyone know about any of this yet. You have to decide for yourself if Felix should be one we choose. After you get to know him, we’ll discuss how I feel about him and what I know about it. You need to make your own judgments about him first.” Ty opened his door and was around to her side before she could grab the handle on her own.

  “Thank you.” She stepped out of the car as Felix joined them.

  Felix dropped to his knees in front of them and reached for Tabitha’s hand. “My Queen, welcome hom
e. The name is Felix, and I am at your service now and always.”

  What? He makes it sound as if I’m the Queen of England. She shot Ty a quick glance for help.

  “Felix, we didn’t expect you to arrive this soon. I have yet to go over this with her. I’ll have to walk her through it.” Without missing a beat, Ty gained control of the situation, and the awkwardness fell away. “Tabitha, he’s offering you his neck. When greeting a lesser shifter, you’re supposed to bend and sniff his neck. This is an act to let the Alpha know the lesser shifter is subservient to you.”

  Feeling a little odd over the whole situation, Tabitha bent and sniffed Felix's neck. When she was close enough to breathe in his scent, she smelled dried leaves, pine trees and damp ground. It was strong enough to almost convince her she was there. A rush of pleasure coursed through her body. There was no longer pain and soreness in every joint.