Tabitha felt Ty’s hand on her arm as if he were grounding her.
“Tabitha, you smell the clan. Everyone from our clan will smell the same. Other clans will have other smells. If you mean Felix no harm, then you kiss his neck. If you find him a threat and wish him harm, then you would bite his neck, at least until you drew blood, depending on the situation and the punishment you see fit.”
She had no reason to harm the tiger shifter, and he was one of the chosen ones the book mentioned. She leaned in, allowing her lips to touch his neck, and placed a soft kiss there.
“You have now accepted Felix as subservient to you. This is how the pack greets the elders when they have been away for a while or they are coming for judgment over a crime. Felix, you may rise and sweep the cabin and grounds. Tabby, once he checks the cabin, go in. There is no use in you standing in the cold. I’ll bring in the bags and then start a fire.
Ty grab the last bag from the trunk as Felix came around the side of the house.
“All’s clear.”
Ty nodded as Felix reached up to close the trunk. “Thank you for coming so quickly. I’m sorry to tear you away from your family.”
“It’s fine. I’m glad I was close. We need to do everything we can to protect our Queen from Pierce. She is your mate, the Queen of the Alaska Tigers. I will protect her with my life.” Felix paused a second, as if he wasn’t sure if he wanted to ask, “You believe the legends, don’t you? She’s the one who will unite all tigers, isn’t she? If you believe that, you must believe if she dies, our line dies also.”
Ty decided to confide in the man who had been a trusted guard for years. “I don't just believe. I know. The last meeting I had with her father, he told me it was true. That's why it was so important I watch over her and help her with the transition. If she dies before she can bring another tiger into this world, all tigers will cease to exist.”
Felix looked at the cabin with sadness in his eyes. “Does she know?”
“I told her that's what everyone believes, but no, I haven’t told her I know. She has enough pressure on her right now. I don't want the change to be any more stressful for her. She will make it; her father said as much in his letter to her. You knew her father, so you know about his gift.”
Chapter Eleven
The men already had a nice fire going, and it was beginning to warm up the cabin, when Tabitha carried a tray with three cups of hot cocoa over to the couch. She’d always had a soft spot for cocoa on a cold night, especially when it was snowing.
She had the impression the men had known each other for years and were old friends. First impressions tell a lot about a person, and she liked Felix.
“Felix, if you don't mind me asking, what were you doing that you were so close when Ty called?” She snuggled against Ty’s warm body and felt him go tense. A look of fear crossed Felix’s face.
“I didn’t think to tell her. Tabby, leave it be,” Ty said.
She understood whatever it was, Felix didn’t want to talk about it, but she needed to know before she could make a decision about him as one of their chosen team members or not. She would have to talk to Ty about this when they were alone. But for now, she didn’t want to put Felix on the spot. After all, they’d just met. “I'm sorry—it’s personal. Just forget it.”
“No, you have every reason to know. It’s just not something I like to talk about.” Felix set his mug on the coffee table.
“I understand. There is a lot from my past I keep private. So just forget I asked and tell me about the adventure you and Ty took. I love hearing things about him,” she said with a smile.
“My Queen, I shall tell you...” Felix paused a moment as if trying to gather his courage. “I have a twin brother, Henry. Growing up, the whole family thought we would both shift. Both of us had all the symptoms: the fever, body aches and pains, stomach cramps, everything. The time came to shift. I shifted. My brother’s body wanted to shift; he could feel the tiger clawing at the inside of his body, but the shift wouldn't happen. We tried taking him in to doctors of our kind, but no one could find a reason for it. The agony was just too much for him. He went through a number of treatments to try to bring the tiger out. Nothing worked. He let the tiger take him over. The vibrant twin I grew up with is no longer there. He is, for all purposes, insane. He tries to fight anyone that gets close and has to be heavily drugged. Even though he is not in tiger form, he is still deadly. He has the strength and speed of a tiger. The Ohio clan has a doctor who works with mentally ill patients. He has been looking after my brother for some time. My brother isn’t allowed to live among the clan and be treated by the clan's doctor. I tried to bring him among our clan, but we don’t have the necessary means to take care of him. I try to get back and visit him as much as I can. Most times, he doesn't know who I am, but he is the only family I have left.”
Felix spit it out as if it was a bad drink, and he was trying to get it off his chest. Tabitha could see the pain in him at having to say it aloud, but she was relieved to know. Leaning forward, she took his large hand in hers.
“Felix, I’m sorry. I didn't mean to cause you any discomfort. This must be difficult for you. After my change, please take as much time as you need to be with your brother. I’m sorry we interrupted your visit with him.”
“My Queen, you are most generous. Thank you.”
Mentally she placed Felix on the short list of guards to choose from. He has the compassion and commitment that’s needed. Instead of being with his brother, enjoying his vacation, he rushed to our call. Tonight he proved himself to me.
Chapter Twelve
“With three hours ahead of us, I think you should answer any questions I have. I don’t want any more speed bumps like last night,” Tabitha said as Ty pulled out on the main road. Felix was following them to Columbus, Ohio in his rental car, and then they would continue to the Cincinnati airport together. There, they would catch their red-eye flight to Fairbanks.
“Sounds fair enough.”
I have a feeling he will later regret this decision.
“Let’s start with easy questions. What's your favorite color?”
“Deep red. Especially the red in the sun as it’s setting.”
“Do you have any siblings?”
“No. I don't believe I do. Like you, I was a foster child. My mother, who was a tiger shifter, was killed by a were-hunter shortly after I was born.”
She understood how the foster system worked and personally didn’t have a good experience with it. “Did you have a foster family, or were you in a group foster home?”
“Until the age of nine, I was in a group home. I was a problem child, always acting out. My caseworker couldn't find a home to place me in. No one wanted to deal with a problem child. Shortly after my ninth birthday, I got fed up with the system and took off. When your father found me, I had been living on the streets for three weeks. He got me a place to stay among the other tigers and helped me through my change. After my change, he got me a job with one of the other tigers who owned a little market, and there was an apartment above the store that I could live in. He had an elderly lady who used to be a high school English teacher tutor me twice a week so I could graduate. Without that, I never would have finished school. I couldn’t attend regular classes because I still had problems controlling my shifts. It’s why most shifter children attend special schools or are homeschooled.”
“Will I be dangerous once I shift?”
He laid his hand over hers resting on his leg and gave a little squeeze. “No, love, you won't be dangerous. You’ll be fine. When you first go through the shift, you’re likely to shift to animal without meaning to when you’re upset. Your emotions play a huge part in shifting. When you’re young and go through it, your body is still changing.”
“I don't want to change and get stuck like that for hours.” She heard her own fear in her voice.
“Tabby, you’re Queen of the Tigers; you’ll be able to change at will. If you shift because of
emotions, once you calm down, you’ll be able to shift back. I promise I’ll teach you everything you need to know. Don't worry.” Ty brought her hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on it. “You’ll be fine.”
There is something comforting about having someone believe in you so much. When he says it will be fine, I believe him, and my doubts fall away.
A smile formed on her face as she realized for the first time she had someone who cared about her and would always be there for her. “You always make me feel better. Thank you.”
The time flew by as Tabitha continued to question Ty. No matter what the question was, Ty kept his end of the deal and answered. With some questions, she really put him on the spot.
“Last night I noticed you have a scar from your ribcage to your belly button. What is that from?”
Unconsciously, Ty moved his hand away from hers and rubbed the scar as if it hurt. “Before we left Pittsburgh, some men from Pierce’s gang found our location and attacked. I believe they were trying to scare us into leaving Pierce alone. There were only a few there when the attack happened, and I was protecting Tora, Raja's sister, who was pregnant at the time. Pierce attacked with a large dagger while I was fighting off one of his gang members, and he got me there.”
“And Tora…”
“Tora survived. Her daughter is a little over a year old.”
“Have you ever killed someone?”
Ty took his eyes off the road for a second to look at her. “Yes, but only either to protect myself or someone else. It’s not something I take lightly or wish to do, but it is my job as Alpha. I must determine the punishments for tigers that disobey the rules. I, or someone I dictate it to, must hunt down and kill any rogue tigers from our clan. This is something we will have to do once you take over as Queen of all Tigers also. I have never hurt or killed someone who didn't deserve it. Are you okay with this?”
“I understand this is something that happens. But as long as you’re not killing innocents, that's fine. We’re tigers. I accept that. Which means things are different for us than normal people.”
This should bother me, shouldn’t it? But it doesn’t. I understand this has to happen. Eye for an eye kind of thing, I guess. Funny until now I didn’t realize I supported the death penalty. Will Mike get the death penalty for murdering Alice? I hope so.
“I’m still amazed you have taken all of this so well. Your father would have been pleased.”
The rest of the trip to Columbus passed quickly. Tabitha was able to find out a lot about the clan. At only thirty-seven members, not including Raja, Ty or herself, it was like a large family . . . and it was now hers.
Chapter Thirteen
It was just before nine o’clock in the evening when they arrived at the clan’s complex ten miles outside of North Pole, Alaska. Ty resided in a wing in the main compound, allowing him to be available but still have some privacy.
Tabitha took in her new home while Ty dismissed Felix by explaining they were tired from the long journey and time change. But there were things they would need to discuss with Raja before they could turn in.
Once the guards exited, leaving Raja, Ty and Tabitha alone in Ty's quarters, Raja dropped to his knee. “My Queen, it is a pleasure to serve you. I’m so glad you’re among us again. You have been missed.”
Tabitha remembered Ty telling her they would greet her like this since she had been away for a while. This time, as she bent to kiss Raja’s neck, she expected the forest smell.
Raja rose, turning to leave.
“Raja, there is much to discuss,” Ty said.
“Yes, My King. I assumed you would like to be alone.” He stopped halfway to the door.
“That’s true, but we must deal with the business first. There will be plenty of time after. Tabby, it’s up to you if you wish to lie down or join us. I know you must be tired, and you didn't sleep long on the plane.” Ty came to stand next to her, draping his arm across her shoulders, drawing her into his body.
“No. I’ll stay. If I’m to be Queen, then I must deal with this business as well.”
He laid a kiss on her cheek before leading her toward the kitchen table. “Come, Raja tell us about Hunter.”
“As you know, Hunter isn’t a new shifter and knows the rules. My understanding is he was arguing with his girlfriend. Instead of controlling his anger, he shifted in front of her. She was unaware she was dating a shifter, and most likely for good reason, because she freaked out. When she ran, he chased her.” Raja paused, looking from Ty to Tabitha before continuing. “She was killed.”
“Witnesses?” Ty asked
“None.”
“Hunter has been confined to the compound since we spoke?”
“Yes. He has been confined in one of our cells below. He is very agitated.”
“Tomorrow afternoon we will have a clan meeting to announce his punishment. He’ll be unable to change for six months and will have no contact with humans for an additional five years. I’ll place the collar around his neck at the meeting,” Ty said.
“I’ll inform the members of the meeting. Tomorrow night is also Tabitha's welcome home party unless you wish us to move it to another night.”
Tabitha didn't wait for Ty to answer. “No, that's fine, Raja. I’m sure the clan meeting can be held earlier in the day. I look forward to meeting everyone. I have never had a party thrown for me. It's an honor.”
Raja nodded. “I know you have had a long trip and must be tired. If that’s all, I’ll leave you to rest.”
“Raja, there is more we need to discuss.” Ty went to retrieve his duffle bag from the entryway where they’d left their stuff when they had arrived. Returning, he handed the book to Tabitha. “Tabitha's father asked me to protect this book and hand it over to Tabitha when we were sure she was going to go through the change. The legends you have heard about her line are true. She’s the last of the first line of tigers. If she is killed before she can continue the line, the tiger shifters will die with her.”
Raja looked stunned. “I thought those were all legends.”
“Even after her father told me, that's what I thought too, until I saw the book come alive in her hands.” Ty nodded toward her.
Her eyes widened. Heir? “You didn’t mention the legend said I must have an heir or the tiger shifters will die. Why?”
“I felt you had enough on your plate. Getting you home was our top priority.”
Tabitha leaned forward, setting the book on the table, before touching the lock. As her fingers came in contact with the metal, it sprang open and flipped right to where the book started writing for them last time. The words that had come alive for them were still there. If she was in Raja’s position, she would have wanted proof. She turned the book toward him, allowing him to read it for himself.
“Let’s say for just one moment that I believe all of this, and it’s not some joke. Why are you showing it to me?” Raja looked from one to the other, a dubious expression on his face, as though he’d just read that aliens existed.
“We’re showing you this because we need you on board. If you can't be of help, then we need to know now. There’s a lot that will have to change if I’m going to unite the tiger shifters. I need to make sure I have a strong group of supporters and people who want the same thing,” Tabitha said, realizing she wanted Raja on her side.
“I'm sorry, my Queen. This is all just a shock. What can I do to help?”
“Nothing at the moment. I need to get to know the members of the clan. I need to know who is part of the chosen tigers, then I can make my choices. Once I have gotten to know them better, hopefully in the next week or so, we can sit down and discuss them. I want to know Ty’s and your opinions on these people, since you have known them longer than I have. However, the final decision will be mine and Ty's. We just needed you to know.”
“I understand, my Queen. Thank you for including me in this. Is that all, then?”
“That will be all for tonight. We need to get some rest. W
e’ll discuss this again soon.” Ty rose from the table.
“Okay. Welcome home again.” Raja bowed before he left.
When the door was closed behind Raja, Ty grabbed the book from the coffee table and said, “Tabby, let’s go to bed.” His tone made it clear sleep was the last thing on his mind.
He didn’t need to ask her twice.
Chapter Fourteen
The sun had been spilling through the curtains for hours, but Tabitha and Ty were still in bed, enjoying their time together. Tabitha’s head rested in the crook of Ty’s shoulder while he rubbed his hand up and down her arm in lazy circles.
Tiger Time Page 7